We arrive in Flaming Gorge, Utah. We had turned down a job there for this past summer so thought we'd pass thru and see what we missed. It is quite a winding steep drive down the Gorge to the Dam.
The Reservoir is coming into view
Dam! It's beautiful here!
You can see from here why they named it Flaming Gorge
Yep, I guess it is!
They bypass a fence and go down the canyon towards the reservoir. They look up to make sure we're not following!
It's another long winding and steep drive out of the Gorge down to Vernal, Utah (9% grade) and then a quick trip over to the Dinosaur National Monument.
Almost there!
Dam! It's beautiful here!
There's a lot of water here. A million cubic yards of concrete were used to build it. It stands 455 feet above the river channel and extends below the river bottom for another 47 feet anchored in bedrock. However, with no fish ladders, elevators or any means of passage for aquatic species, the dam has severely hurt native species. By creating a standing-water pool on a sediment-laden river, the dam has caused the lower Green River to lose its sediment load and decrease in temperature, hurting the native ecosystem and fish.
So nice we decide to camp here for the night and do some more exploring tomorrow.
We walk a 1.5 mile trail to a scenic overlook. Looks like this is the end of the trail.
Yep, I guess it is!
We walk the rim trail / nature trail
Oh Deer! We're being watched!
On the way back we encounter a small herd of Big Horn Sheep. I stand there and talk to them for a good 5 minutes.
One of the females slowly comes towards me, but gets startled by something and the whole herd takes off.
On the way out we stop at this lovely lake.
It was a great stop - not sure it would have been as enjoyable for a 5 month stay!
It's another long winding and steep drive out of the Gorge down to Vernal, Utah (9% grade) and then a quick trip over to the Dinosaur National Monument.
Till Later!
Meanwhile, we keep on Trek'n
Melissa & Gary
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