Photo Dump: Lake Powell, Ruby Mountains, Mt. Ellsworth

A few photos from the summer thus far.

First up, for work I was able to spend some time in and around lower Lake Powell near Page, AZ.

Navajo Canyon.

Fellow geologist Adam here takes in the view above Glen Canyon before descending the Ropes Trail. This trail is the only relatively easy way to gain access to the Colorado below Glen Canyon Dam.

There are some old cables (thus the "Ropes" trail name) to help traverse some of the steeper slickrock pitches closer to the river. If you have some experience route finding through steep Colorado Plateau slickrock you'll find that the cables aren't really necessary.  Adam and I were both able to climb up and down without touching the cable, but it makes for a pretty cool picture.

Vandalized petroglyphs near the bottom of the Ropes Trail.

Horseshoe Bend Overlook has become increasingly popular over the years. The heavily jointed Navajo Sandstone (look at the large cracks in the canyon walls) create potentially unstable conditions along the rim. At least one tourist has fallen to their death here when the rock beneath their feet gave way.

Be careful where you stand while visiting Horseshoe Bend. Make sure you are standing on solid rock and not a thin fin or overhanging ledge that may fail. The darker slabs of rock shown here at the top of the cliff make a popular perch for photographers to get that perfect shot, despite the fact that the rocks are almost completely detached from the rest of the cliff!

Cool little fault in the Castle Rock cut displacing Jurassic-age Carmel Formation. 

Small displacement fault on Antelope Island, Lake Powell.

Glen Canyon, just upstream from Lee's Ferry.

Colorado River view of Glen Canyon Dam.

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Random runs.

If you ever need a killer workout in Las Vegas, run up the service road to the top of Frenchman Mountain. You will cry. Susie photo.

Classic Erda Serengeti. Susie photo.

More Erda Serengeti.

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For work, I got to spend a couple of days crawling around Mt. Ellsworth, the southernmost part of Utah's Henry Mountains.

View northward to Mt Ellsworth from Ticaboo Mesa.

The rugged southern summits of the Henrys are also known as the Little Rockies. Routes to the top must be chosen carefully to avoid getting cliffed out.

View west from summit of Mt. Ellsworth. The Water Pocket Fold and Deer Point are in the far distance.

View southwest toward Lake Powell.  Gee, am I a sucker for dead trees in the foreground of  panoramas or what?

Early summer flowers in the Cane Spring Desert near Bullfrog, Utah.

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In late June we spent a few days with family in the Ruby Mountains, Nevada. Wow. This is a place I need to get back to. The Ruby Crest Trail is suddenly near the top of the to-do list.

If you have a large group planning on camping at Lamoille Canyon, I highly recommend reserving the Terraces Campground. It is very secluded and the Forest Service even lets you close the access gate behind you. The views from camp are amazing.

Hike to Lamoille Lake. I couldn't believe how much snow there still was so late into June.

Trey carefully walks over a snow bridge spanning a fork of Lamoille Creek.

Along the trail to Lamoille Lake.

The rapidly melting Lamoille Lake.

Aaron walks out onto a narrow peninsula in Lamoille Lake.

Bucolic Lamoille Valley as seen from the Secret-Lamoille Trail. This is the only trail I'm aware of that is open to mountain bikes near Lamoille Canyon. It's a good one.

Lamoille Valley.

No issues with snow on the hike to Island Lake.

Island Lake Trail.

I offered $20 cash to whoever had the cajones to swim to the island in Island Lake. Haley, the wonder trail dog, was to only one to give it a shot.

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After a two-year hiatus, I once again entered the Cedar City 100k Fire Road Mountain Bike Race. I was determined to finally finish in under 5 hours to claim the coveted gold belt buckle (under 6 hours = silver buckle; under 7 hours = bronze buckle). Despite the 90+ heatwave, I felt good and finished at 4:55 -- so happy!

Starting gate of Fire Road Race. That's me rocking the technicolor runner's vest. Photo from Cedar City Events Facebook page.

Ava and Ren got in on the action as well during the Fire Kids Race. It was pretty much a disaster. Poorly organized, no lead vehicle or adult rider, no directions. Many kids got lost. I don't think the Fire Road organizers had anything to do with it (the other races were absolutely top notch) and are not at fault. The City dropped the ball on this one. Luckily, after many tense minutes, all the kids eventually found their way back to the finish area. Cedar City Events photo.

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Finally.... a few shots from a Park City getaway...

Susie coasts down the Lost Prospector  Trail in Park City.

Lost Prospector Trail.