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GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK (UT)

MONDAY - We hung out on our campsite at Fruita Campground in Capitol Reef National Park until exactly 11:00AM when check-out time is.

We only have a two hour drive to our next destination of Goblin Valley State Park and once again their "official" check-in time is 3:00PM.

There is no reason for us to arrive early, because we already have Site #15 reserved for the next three nights at $45 a night, OUCH!

At that price you'd think there would be water, electric and sewer on each and every site, NOPE!, you get none of that.

What you do get are flush toilets and four much needed FREE hot showers. There's also a FREE dump station with fresh water fill-up.

MOVING TO GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK

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The Scenic Drive between the campground and the Visitor Center exit.
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Out on UT-24 we saw more of the colorful mountains of Capitol Reef National Park.
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Then like someone flipped a switch, the color left the mountain sides.
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Everything was most just different shades of grey.
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Slowly the color eventually return.
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Then the road turned north and there was nothing!
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After turning off UT-24 and approchng the state park things improved.
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Glad we were running early, because it looks like we'll be right here for a while.
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Two miles outside of the park the scenery began to improve.
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A short while later we were all set up on our campsite.
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Each site does come with a shade shelter, most important when summer camping here.
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There are no goblins in the campground, but these looking interesting.
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There are also two yurts for rent at $150 a night, complete with electricity and air conditioning.

TUESDAY - At 9:00AM this morning Tricia struck out on her own to tackle the moderately strenuous Goblin's Lair Trail, listed as a 2.8-mile round trip with 164' elevation gain.

I informed her if she wasn't back by noon, I'd send the park rangers looking for her. She was in no real danger, there were plenty of other hikers out on the trail today and the temperatures aren't forecast to reach 80°F until 1:00PM.

GOBLIN'S LAIR TRAIL

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I've identified this as the Cutleaf Balsamroot flower.
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Still in the parking lot you can see the Three Sisters formation far off in the background.
We'll be getting closer pictures of this favorite formation on tomorrow's hike.
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Also from near the parking lot you can see down into the Valley of the Goblins.
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Here's a closer view, this will also be closely observed during tomorrow's hike.
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At the bottom of this photo you can see some infant goblins in the making.
They should be ready for viewing in several hundred years.
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Some of the larger goblins in the park are up to 50' tall.
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These purple colored flowers are defintely Silvery Lupine.
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Here the trail on the left begins it's ascent into the Goblin's Lair.
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You'll have to climb over those boulders in the center of the photo.
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Here's two people about half way up. Tricia wisely decided NOT to try going it alone.
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Time to turn around and start heading back.
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Here's a new flower we haven't seen, the common name is Snowball Sand Verbana.
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Here's a closer look at the delicate flowers that are not quite fully open.
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That's the Valley of the Goblins again, we must be close to the parking lot.
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Sure enough, nothing left to do but drive back to the campground.

WEDNESDAY - Yesterday Tricia went hiking and photographing Goblin Valley from above, today we're both going to go strolling down amongst the goblins.

There is a small grouping of three goblins located just outside of the valley, they're called "The Three Sisters". It is easily the most widely known formation in the entire park and appears on most of the items sold in the gift shop.

A short 1/5-mile stroll from the park's roadway will have you up close and personal with this formation. We'll take that hike first before getting down inside of the valley.

STROLLING AMONGST THE GOBLINS

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Starting out on the trail to the Three Sisters.
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Here's a view of the Three Sisters backsides, or rumps as I call them.
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Here we are at the base of the front of the Three Sisiters.
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Could these boulders be the remains of a forth sister?
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A view of the Valley of the Goblins from the parking lot.
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There are three separate valleys here. We'll only be exploring Valley #1.
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Here is a perfect example of a mushroom shaped goblin.
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There are many more sizes and shapes to be explored.
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LIke this anvil shaped one.
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We've reached the back wall of Valley #1. Time to turn around and head back.
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With the sun at our backs it should be easier taking photos.
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Oh so many sizes and shapes, but only one color.
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Does this one remind you of a shark fin?
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Almost back to the parking lot.
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These two look to be ready to tumble over. Nah, they'll be fine for other 100 years.
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There are the stairs leading up and out of the valley into the parking lot.
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A final look back at the Valley of the Goblins at Goblin Valley State Park, UT.
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I know the previous photos were all kind of dull colorwise,
so I'll leave you these wildflower photos to brighten your day.
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Yes, even the desert can be colorful and beautiful.

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