The Vortex

It's known as the Vortex.  This swirled bowl is located at the top of a sandstone ridge and was most likely formed by a vortex of water and wind.  It is quite unique and worth seeing, especially since it's not a hard hike or a long one . . . as long as you know where you are headed!  No kidding, many people have gone looking for the Vortex and after several hours go home defeated.

A cold, but sunny day for a hike with Bruce and his family who are visiting from Texas

Before long we we were up on top

The snow covered Pine Valley Mountains make a nice contrast with the red rocks

The Vortex often has water in the bottom, today it's frozen!

Nancy takes a picture of Chris and James, who are on the north side of the Vortex

The sandstone looks like elephant skin

Chris has his eye on the camel-back formation directly in front of him

They say there's nothing quite like this in Texas . . .
now it's James turn to join his dad up on the hump

Here we are!
Kent & Allison
Matt, James, Chris, Nancy and Bruce 

Heading back to the trailhead through the slickrock valley

Just because it's cold doesn't mean you can't go for a hike!
So get on out there!

Falling Man & 21 Goats

One of the things we enjoy about living in southwest Utah is that the winters are mild.  This allows us time to explore the desert while it's cool and the snakes are asleep!  Our friends Bruce and Ev, who are from Canada (and winter in St. George), had some family in town for Christmas.  Bruce planned an outing with them to see the Falling Man petroglyphs in Gold Butte National Monument of southeast Nevada.  We "kind of" invited ourselves along when Bruce told us of his plans and he was graceful (grateful) enough to take us with them . . . this adventure involved twenty-five miles of back country roads, south of Mesquite, and he felt it would be prudent to have another vehicle accompany the group . . . at least that's what he said!  As we had only heard of this area, we jumped at the offer and enjoyed a fun filled day with our excellent guide (Bruce) who had frequented the site several times in the past.

Joshua trees were scattered about making for a nice contrast in the desert 

The terrain quickly changed

Before long we arrived at Newspaper Rock . . .
Bruce (aka tour guide) couldn't resist posing 

We crawled through this alcove on our way to Falling Man

And here it is . . . the famous "Falling Man" petroglyph for which the area is named
Don't forget to look up after you pass through the alcove or you might miss it! 

This panel was quite different from the others
Notice the footprints . . . we've never seen this in a petroglyph before

They say petroglyphs tell a story . . .
Can you figure this one out? 

Do you think they saw a snake?
Or was it sideways lightning?  Hey, there's one of those footprints, again!

Little did we know, Shrek lived in the area!

We continue on, there's more to see . . . Where's that tour guide, anyway!

This panel was appropriately called 21 Goats . . . yes there were 21!
Okay, they do look more like Big Horn Sheep!

Just a fun little formation . . . no bigger than a foot

After lunch, at 21 Goats, our guide lead us up a wash and over this ridge

On our way back, Bruce took us on a little detour from our original path . . .
he wanted us to see these colorful rocks and more petroglyph panels  

This water pocket was almost too much for Chipper,
he loves water and he flew right over it . . . wow!

Our tour guide was unable to explain these circles
 I wonder what they symbolize? 

Colorful sandstone . . . so pretty! 

We had a nice view of the Virgin Mountains on our way back to the parking corral 

Thanks, Bruce . . . we had a wonderful time!

We drove further up the road to see the cistern at Whitney Pocket,
built in the 1930's by the Civilian Conservation Corps

On our drive back, we paused to "reflect" on our day as we looked down on Lake Mead 

Blake-Gubler Trail

Although we have lived in Southwest Utah for several years we haven't spent much time in the Pine Valley Mountains, but we see them everyday.  The mountain range is rather impressive as it stands out among the red rocks; in fact it is the largest Laccolith (where magma pushes a mountain up, but it never reaches the surface to explode as a volcano) in the United States.  So here we are, for the second week in a row exploring a new trail; only this time we're on the sunny side!

Starting out on the Blake-Gubler Trail

Wow, great views showing the Laccolith (known as the Pine Valley Mountains)
resting on top of the Claron Formation

The scenery changed quickly

Kind of looks like we could be on the moon

Our first peek of fresh snow that fell on Thanksgiving

Do you see the little window?

Views to the south and west  

We think we are almost to the top!

The trail is quite brushy . . . shorts not recommended

Mary enjoying the views along the way

Chipper, AKA Photo-bomber!

 Mary, John, Kent, Allison and Chipper

Looking north towards Burger Peak (10,321) from the high saddle on the trail
The trail continues on up this valley and intersects with the Forsyth/Summit Trail
We turned around here and will finish the trail another day

The Pine Valley Mountains cover a huge area, that's Saddle Mountain (9,111) in the distance

Time to head back down

We enjoyed a short break here, a neat spot for exploring
Reminded us of our trip to the Chiracuhua Mountains in Arizona

Hollywood would have a hard time replicating this . . . fingers, towers, pinnacles and spires!

Passing through a change of seasons

The Pine Valley Mountains are quite rugged in places

Approaching the last of the crags . . . we have almost come full circle from where we started

The Blake-Gubler Trail offers spectacular scenery.
If you are looking for a trail that is less traveled . . .
this is the hike for you!

Aerial view of Blake-Gubler Trail (2.5 miles one-way)