It Sure is Swell around Hanksville

[MonikaC]

A quick trip to the San Rafael Swell, hoping that the heavy rains didn't turn the roads to arroyo cuts and trails into streams, I stayed in the northern (north of I-70) for hiking, then on the pavement as I went west of Hanksville. I prayed that the bentonite at the edge of the road hadn't turned to mud when I pulled off & hopped out for a shot and was rewarded with solid ground.

Sunrise at the Wedge Overlook.

The recent rains revived the grasses nicely.

As an aside, Mormon settlers in the area had planted mulberry trees in hopes of making silk. Unfortunately, where they were directed to settle was in the flood plains. They got washed out several times before they were directed to move to higher ground. Still no Utah silk, though......

 

[AlanLichty]

The settlers planted those trees just about everywhere the church elders decided they should have settlements. There were quite a few places where that didn't work out so well but it did leave a lot of old abandoned farmsteads for us to shoot

 

[MonikaC]

The settlers planted those trees just about everywhere the church elders decided they should have settlements. There were quite a few places where that didn't work out so well but it did leave a lot of old abandoned farmsteads for us to shoot

I guess the elders weren't arborists.........just went with The Word.

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Interesting contrast in the second image with the background dark hills providing the backdrop for the foliage.

 

[MonikaC]

Interesting contrast in the second image with the background dark hills providing the backdrop for the foliage.

Finding the cottonwoods in front of the bentonite cliffs was my goal. Makes it something out of the ordinary as well as being a nice contrast for the foliage.

 

[JimFox]

Super cool Monika! I am glad you didn't sink into 3 feet of mud!

Love both images, but the contrasts in #2, that is the winner for me.

 

[larryj]

A quick trip to the San Rafael Swell, hoping that the heavy rains didn't turn the roads to arroyo cuts and trails into streams, I stayed in the northern (north of I-70) for hiking, then on the pavement as I went west of Hanksville. I prayed that the bentonite at the edge of the road hadn't turned to mud when I pulled off & hopped out for a shot and was rewarded with solid ground.

Sunrise at the Wedge Overlook.
View attachment 93044

The recent rains revived the grasses nicely.
View attachment 93045

As an aside, Mormon settlers in the area had planted mulberry trees in hopes of making silk. Unfortunately, where they were directed to settle was in the flood plains. They got washed out several times before they were directed to move to higher ground. Still no Utah silk, though......

Two very beautiful images Monika, thanks so much for sharing!

 

[MonikaC]

Super cool Monika! I am glad you didn't sink into 3 feet of mud!

Love both images, but the contrasts in #2, that is the winner for me.

Thanks, Jim. Even 6" of bentonite mud would have been very unpleasant!