Goblin Valley State Park

Description

Elevation: - Approximately 5,100' maximum elevation
Location - West of Moab in Utah near the San Rafael Swell.

Trip Report(s)

Part of my trip with John and Sally to the San Rafael Swell in Utah included a jaunt to Goblin Valley State Park. It is full of "goblins", rock formations caused by the erosion of the soft sandstone in the area. Not as majestic as Bryce or Zion National Parks to the southwest, certainly not a "climbing" story, it is still a fun place worth showing, with the rock formations being very accessible. We spent a few hours scrambling around here, exploring lots of nooks and crannies. It is basically a giant playground. There were good views of the Henry Mountains to the southwest. I've wanted to go back and climb those - they are so very remote and isolated! I was even corresponding with a professor at one point who does yearly scientific studies in that range, but decided I didn't want to spend my vacation catching and tagging bats at night. Yikes! Photos follow.

Photos

Panoramas - expand browser or scroll to right.

Main area

The main area of the park, looking from the parking lot Not very good detail in this photo (see below). I "climbed" the big gray hump in the center to get better views.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)


Spire

A spire, showing the true nature of the rock formations throughout the park.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)


Goblins

Lots of goblins.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)


South rim

Looking off the south rim from the plateau.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)


Henry Mountains

Looking southwest from the top of the big gray hump toward the Henry Mountains.
(Photo by Jim Lehmer)

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