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Copyright 2006 Richard Dutton
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Located deep in southwestern Utah, Snow
Canyon State Park features Red Navajo sandstone,
capped by an overlay of black lava rock. For Digital Photograhy
of the Sand dunes and quiet trails visit year-round, though
early spring and fall use of the park is especially appealing
due to southern Utah's moderate winter climate. The state park
is quite well hidden, which may be why visitation is relatively
low. One road runs through the canyon, linking UT 18 with a
smaller road (Sunset Boulevard), from St George to the little
towns of Ivins and Shivwits, where there is a small Indian reservation.
Extensive housing development is underway in this area, which
has alternating patches of red earth and black lava - the buildings
are part of the fast expanding suburbs of St George. There are
few signposts to the park, but when found the entrance is reached
just after the road passes a brand new luxurious estate, its
houses extending right to the park boundary. One mile north
of the far end of the scenic drive, along UT 18, several extinct
volcanoes are found at the east side of the highway on Lava
Ridge, and it was eruptions from here, thousands of years ago,
that sent molten rock through the valley leaving deposits hundreds
of feet thick. Jenneys Canyon is a great slot canyon worth the
walk.
Lava Caves: The best viewpoints are around the north
end of the canyon, near the junction of the park drive with
UT 18, and the most interesting trail begins near here. A
two mile path crosses the twisted lava field and passes at
least four lava caves - these were formed when the outer edges
of a lava stream cooled and solidified while the main flow
continued beneath, and later drained away. Some of these caverns
are large, but all seem to extend for only a few hundred feet
before becoming blocked. The rocks are sharp and jagged, passages
are often narrow and there are some quite deep openings in
the lava surface, so some care is necessary when exploring.
Other trails lead to colorful side canyons, with arches and
eroded rock formations.
Scenery: Occasional islands of layered red sandstone
rocks rise above the black lava; these are easy to climb and
provide excellent vantage points for photography. The canyon
also has a selection of desert plants, which add another element
to the medley of colors and forms, especially during the spring
wildflower season. Sand dunes are scattered around the edges
of the valley, and several locations on the enclosing cliffs
have examples of ancient Indian petroglyphs. This strikingly
colorful canyon is 11 miles northwest of St. George. Facilities
include a 35-unit campground, modern rest rooms, hot showers,
electric hookups, sewage disposal station, a covered group-use
pavilion and overflow campground.
Valley of Fire state
park in Nevada is well worth the trip, located only six miles
from Lake Mead and 55 miles northeast of Las Vegas via Interstate
15 and on exit 75. Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest and largest
state park, dedicated 1935. The valley derives its name from
the red sandstone formations and the stark beauty of the Mojave
Desert. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout
the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian
petroglyph. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking
and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center
with extensive interpretive displays. Several group use areas
are also available. The park is open all year.
History: The Valley of
Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed
from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs,
150 million years ago. Complex uplifting and faulting of the
region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the present
landscape. Other important rock formations include limestones,
shales, and conglomerates. Prehistoric users of the Valley
of Fire included the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi
Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. The span
of approximate occupation has been dated from 300 B.C. to
1150 A.D. Their visits probably involved hunting, food gathering,
and religious ceremonies, although scarcity of water would
have limited the length of their stay. Fine examples of rock
art left by these ancient peoples can be found at several
sites within the park.
Dedicated in 1935, Valley of Fire is Nevada's oldest State
Park. It is located only 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.
The rough floor and jagged walls of the park contain brilliant
formations of eroded sandstone and sand dunes more than 150
million years old. These features, which are the centerpiece
of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when
reflecting the sun's rays.
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