Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Lake Powell and Petrified Forest National Park

Ok, I know I said no more pictures of lakes, but Powell is the exception that proves the rule. House boats are everywhere here and you can see why, with the blue water and red hills/cliffs all around. I’ve also shown a picture of the dam which is over 700 feet high and the Colorado River downstream from the dam.



I hiked the lake rim trail as well as a trail to horseshoe bend in the Colorado river about 3 miles down from the dam.



Then, it was off to the Petrified Forest National Park in eastern Arizona. I arrived just barely in time to get a backcountry permit, which allowed me to hike into the Painted Desert. I’ve included a picture of a rainbow I saw on the hike as well as the sunset over the Painted Desert. Also, check out my campsite on a plateau alongside a dry wash and the Onyx Bridge (actually a petrified tree creating a bridge of sorts) as well as petrified wood and petroglyphs from around 11-1200AD.



Finally, a view of the Painted Desert and a Puebla, again from around 11-1200 AD.



All in all, several good days. Great scenery and great weather. Highs in the 70s and lows in the 50s. Now that is weather a Texas boy can appreciate.

1 comment:

nemattox said...

I'm glad the weather is better there than up further north; I know that makes everything a lot more pleasant! -Nicole