Road Trip: Goblin Valley

Thursday, May 24, 2018

Canyonlands is an amazing place and I've hardly started to explore it, but it's not exactly dog friendly.  That's the case for most national parks.  The South Rim of the Grand Canyon is the great exception.  Dogs can walk pretty much the entire rim there.  So, as much as I would have liked to spend more time there, I wanted to get to a place where Pongo and I could move around with a little more freedom.  The nice thing about Utah is that their state parks allow leashed dog to go pretty much anyplace people can go.  With that in mind, we left Canyonlands early in the morning to get a campsite at Goblin Valley State Park.

Canyonlands National Park, UT

We took a spin around the short scenic drive on our way out of The Needles.  Unfortunately, we were cursed with clear blue skies that lasted most of the day.  Stupid nice weather.  There's nothing worse when taking photos.

Canyonlands National Park, UT

We were able to snag the next-to-last available campsite at Goblin Valley.  Pongo was very tired, so after I set up the tent we just chilled out for a few hours.  Then we made the short drive to Little Wild Horse Canyon to explore the slot canyon.

San Rafael Swell, UT

When we got to the canyon we discovered that large puddles blocked the entry.  We could have gone in, but with both a camera and a dog in tow and assuming even more pools would follow, I thought it might not be the best idea I've ever had to continue.

Little Wild Horse Canyon, San Rafael Swell, UT

We went back to Goblin Valley, which is one of Pongo's favorite spots to visit.  He loves poking his head around the goblins.  He hopes to surprise unsuspecting lizards, I suppose, and there are a lot of lizards to be seen.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Road Trip 2016: Goblin Valley State Park

October 3, 2016

Goblin Valley State Park is a short drive from Canyonlands, a couple of hours or so.  We arrived just before 10:00, which is when they open up the available campsites for the day.  There would be four open slots and two people were ahead of me.  After the rough night we'd had at Canyonlands I wasn't sure if I wanted to stay at Goblin Valley or move on.  We could find a motel near Capitol Reef, for instance.  Nicely enough, they post the weather forecast right on the door of the Goblin Valley visitor center.  No rain was scheduled and the winds would be low.  I discussed it with Pongo and he seemed to approve as long as we slept in the car.  That seemed reasonable to me.

Yes, at this point in the trip I was having two-way conversations with my dog.

Highway 313, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

It was a good choice.  The weather was fantastic.  We had sun with a few clouds, a slight breeze to keep things from getting too warm and a refreshingly cool evening.  Goblin Valley was amazing.  Pongo had a great time walking around in the goblins.  There was always something for him to peek around or poke his head over.  This was definitely his favorite stop of the trip.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Pongo -- Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park. UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

We went back to the campsite for a little nap before setting out on our afternoon adventure.  We hiked the Entrada Trail from the campgrounds until it crossed the Curtis Bench Trail.  That trail looked more interesting at the intersection, so we took it instead.  It ends abruptly after about a mile and a half on a ledge overlooking most of the park.  I shot a panorama from the trail's end.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

I got a lot of nice shots on this hike, but I'm withholding most of them just to try to bring this post to an end at some point.  After the hike, we took another break before driving back to the valley parking lot for a look at the place in the early evening light.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley National Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Can you tell I really liked this place?  It was great to be able to just wander around wherever we pleased.  The park is remote and there weren't a whole lot of people there.  I had some actual conversations with some people on the trails and at the campgrounds.  As far as wildlife goes, we saw lizards and birds, but that was about it.  Pongo made sure the lizards got away before I could capture their souls with my camera.

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Goblin Valley State Park, UT

Soundtrack:

• Jeff Wayne -- War of the Worlds [1]
• AC/DC -- Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap