GOBLIN VALLEY, UTAH- JULY 2009

This adventure was undertaken by Angel Grub and Greg Grub in early July 2009.

This State park at the southeast end of the San Rafael Swell is often overshadowed by the many National Parks and Monuments of the area. Usually, State Parks cannot offer up the same quality of natural wonders as our National Parks. Goblin Valley is an enormous exception to this rule.

We had visited Goblin Valley several times in the past and did not expect any new adventures.

However, we were wrong!

First, we camped within the state park, taking advantage of its VERY UNIQUE campground- situated amongst towering hoodoos. After setting up camp, we headed for the Valley of Goblins late in the day.

Morning and evening sunlight is best for taking pictures in the redrock desert. Without the help of shadows, the geologic features flatten out and are difficult to distinguish. The contrast of warm sunlight and cool shadows really makes this place pop.

We knew there was a large basin/valley filled with these goblinoid structures (called hoodoos). What we didn't know, until exploring the entire valley, is that there is another basin with even more astounding structures hidden just beyond the well-known area. So we climbed over the rim and entered a land that was filled with goblins, castles, caves, towers, and endless paths through it all.

We climbed, passed through tight slots, went under chock stones, and found ourselves in an indescribable labyrinth of astounding beauty. Many adventurers have used the word labyrinth to describe an area, but never before has the word been so appropriate. This was a maze beyond mazes, a tangle of passages that would confuse even the best explorer. Only the sunlight provided a directional reference, and it was setting quickly. In the dark escape would be impossible- and we'd finished our last beer!

We began heading out of the back end of the tangle of towers, and emerged an hour later. We were just in time to watch as the stars emerged from the deep cobalt sky.

I stayed awake most of the night, staring up at the universe through my telescope. In the dark skies of southern Utah I managed to locate several star clusters and deep space nebulae.

It was just as astounding as exploring the new section of Goblin Valley.