Vernal Trip 2017: Day 2

The 2nd day of our trip to Vernal, Ut. You can catch up the the previous days here.

Day 1: The Drive Up
McConkie Ranch: Petroglyph Trail
McConkie Ranch: 3 Kings Trail

Day 2: Into Dinosaur National Monument!

On our first full day in Vernal we decided to go check out the Utah section of Dinosaur National Monument, er well, the main road with the Quarry Visitor Center referred to as The Tour Of Tilted Rocks or Cub Creek Road. The monument has several sections on both the Utah side and the Colorado side. It makes it a little confusing sometimes. The main entrance is north of the town of Naples, Utah.

Today was a fun day full of fossils, petroglyphs, and some great hikes.

I didn’t realize it at the time, but that is Split Mountain (DBP). It just caught my eye, but it is the centerpiece of the Utah section of the park.

Another roadside dinosaur (DBP). They are just everywhere up here, and I love it.

As we get closer to the park another one (DBP).

The Green River (DBP). It’s less green and more red up here.

We made it to the Visitor Center.

Neat fossil.

We decided to drive up the the Quarry (DBP). On busy days they have a shuttle to take you up. Probably due to the limited parking.

Lovely view from up here.

Inside the quarry. They have a giant wall of fossils! And I mean giant!

Cool leg bone.

And a lot more fossils. The pamphlet says there are over 1500 fossils here. Wow.

On the lower level we found another big fossil.

Fossil reproduction.

I believe this is an actual one.

More fossils. We have both been here when we were little kids, and this is the only think each of us remembered. I guess as kids we were fascinated by the dinosaur bones, and not as much so in the nature.

Allosaurus reproduction.

Allosaurus Skull. Apparently this one has very little distortion.

Unfortunately the Fossil Discovery Trail was closed due to storm damage, which is a shame as it sounded neat.

After the quarry we decided to check out the rest of the park (DBP).

First stop: Swelter Shelter:

I love the different colors.

Neat little alcove.

There are a couple petroglyphs here.

The little cave.

Natural birdbath. haha.

Cliffs above.

Heading towards Split Mountain (DBP).

Green River Scenic Overlook.

Split Mountain.

Panoramic.

Split Mountain again. I initially thought this was why it is called Split Mountain, but it is actually because the Green River splits it just to the left.

More cool colors (DBP).

We found a dirt road turn off that brought us down to the pink Green River.

Very pretty down here.

The cliff walls above.

The bridge over the Green River (DBP).

The Green River (DBP).

Split Mountain (DBP).

The last little bit of road is well maintained dirt road (DBP). It’s not bad at all. Our little car made it without any issues.

Neat rock formation (DBP). I think this is Elephant Toes Rock.

Next stop is a small section of Petroglyphs. The map has no other name than that,

This one is really neat.

Pretty flowers.

There are a bunch more on this boulder.

Wow, there are a bunch on this panel.

A little closer.

The cliff wall above has even more. The trail goes up a little higher but is currently closed due to a rock fall. I’m not sure, but I think it originally connected to the other petroglyph trail we will do a little later today.

There was also a faint lower trail so we decided to explore a little down that.

Lizard!

Neat little wash.

Another lizard. We didn’t find any more petroglyphs down this way, so we decided to head back to the road to explore some more.

Continuing down the dirt road (DBP).

These are the canyons we will be hiking shortly (DBP). Box and Hog.

It is surprisingly green and lush back here (DBP).

At the end of the road is a parking lot, you are now on Josie Morris’s Ranch. There are some cool historic buildings, and some incredible trails here.

Pretty blue flowers.

The Josie Morris Cabin.

You can actually go inside and explore it.

For a wooden structure build in the early 1900’s it’s in remarkable shape!

Short answer, no.

Josie Morris’s Chicken Coop.

We decided to explore Hog Canyon next. The individual hikes will be their own post. You can see more information about them by following the links.

And a quick jaunt into Box Canyon.

Both are really neat, but if you only have time to do 1, I think Hog Canyon was prettier. But honestly, box canyon is only a half mile. Just do them both!

Back on the road heading back the way we came (DBP).

Split mountain (DBP).

We stopped at anther pull out and discovered some more Petroglyphs. You can see more by following the link.

The pretty scenery (DBP).

Split Mountain again (DBP).

Turtle Rock.

A little closer. Yup, looks like a turtle, even has a little face.

Crossing back over the Green River (DBP).

Neat dunes (DBP).

Split Mountain again (DBP). I wonder if those canyons are accessible.

We took the turn off towards the Split Mountain Campground. There was a pull out with this nice view. I love the little multi colored mounds.

The Split Mountain Overlook is really pretty.

The multi colored mounds.

Panoramic.

The different layers.

Such a pretty viewpoint.

From here we did The Desert Voices Trail.

Desert Scenery (DBP). This is near The Sounds Of Silence Trail, which I originally planned to do this trip, but we made some adjustments. Guess we’ll have to do it next time we are up here.

Neat pyramid looking mountain (DBP).

We finished the day by getting dinner in town. And then relaxing in the hotel. After a long day of hiking it is all we really wanted to do.

We had a wonderful time in the park today though! We did almost all the trails. Only skipping The Fossil Discovery Trail (sadly) due to it being closed for reconstruction. The Sounds Of Silence Trail, and The River Trail. But that just means we’ll have to return some day.

Well this post packed full of adventure and is running a little long so I am going to break here and finish up our trip in the next post.