roverrocks
Expedition Leader
Spent May 21, 2014 exploring views, canyon overlooks and wildflowers of the northern Dolores Triangle in eastern Utah. The Dolores Triangle is a seldom visited area bordered by the Colorado and Dolores Rivers on the north, west, and south and by the Utah/Colorado border on the east. I accessed the region by driving west of Grand Junction, Colorado via the Colorado National Monument, Glade Park and the DS Road until I hit the Utah state border whereupon I entered the Triangle. Dropping down in elevation rapidly I came of views of the runoff swollen though slow flowing Colorado river and the far off La Sal Mountains. Following the road/trail upriver I rapidly gained altitude and gained great views of parts of Westwater Canyon which becomes a deep narrowing canyon harboring the evermore narrowing and turbulent Colorado River. Westwater Canyon is home to fantastic whitewater rafting of which I partook many rears ago with friends. NEVER AGAIN do I want to run that rafting trip through rapids like the harrowing Skull Rapids. Glad I did it but never again. Way too scary for my timid soul.
Continuing on eastwards on a seldom used 4x4 trail for some miles I gained the west rim of beautiful Star Canyon which descends northward to it's confluence a few miles away with the Colorado River in Westwater Canyon. Then returned to the windblown, dusty Grand Junction area and then Montrose via the same route I took in. Stopped here and there for flower and scenic pictures on the way in and on the way out. All my pictures shown were taken in Utah. As this is a dry year the wildflowers are sparse but I did see many beautiful Sclerocactus cacti in bloom as well as a few Opuntia cacti as well. Enjoy the pictures.
Continuing on eastwards on a seldom used 4x4 trail for some miles I gained the west rim of beautiful Star Canyon which descends northward to it's confluence a few miles away with the Colorado River in Westwater Canyon. Then returned to the windblown, dusty Grand Junction area and then Montrose via the same route I took in. Stopped here and there for flower and scenic pictures on the way in and on the way out. All my pictures shown were taken in Utah. As this is a dry year the wildflowers are sparse but I did see many beautiful Sclerocactus cacti in bloom as well as a few Opuntia cacti as well. Enjoy the pictures.
