Utah ROCKS!

This wording can be found on shirts and hats in every gift shop in Utah!  You could say it is the state's logo, if each state had a logo.   Utah probably has more national parks and monuments than any other state, with untold miles of rock formations in almost every color and shape.  There are bristle cone pine forests showcased against red and yellow sands, and magical hoodoos frame almost every vista. 

Geologically speaking, Utah is home to some of the most colorful, fanciful formations to be found anywhere.  The Colorado Plateau covers the Four Corners area, where Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona and Utah meet.   Utah's  share of the Plateau is home to several National Parks and Monuments.  Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Escalante Grand Staircase, Canyonlands and Arches are all included in this southeastern part of Utah.

While visiting family last week, we were camping at Bryce Canyon National Park before going through Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument on our way to Capitol Reef National Monument.  The whole trip of 120 miles was on Highway 12, designated a Scenic Byway.  It was truly a scenic journey through some of the most spectacular red rock country, from high 10,000 foot mountain passes  to carved and folded high desert.

It is really difficult to do it justice in pictures, as the vistas are so enormous.  There was wildlife to be seen, from foxes to elk and deer in the mountains, to lizards and jackrabbits in the desert.  We hiked the trail at the Petrified Forest in Escalante, where the colors and size of the logs rivaled the Arizona Petrified Forest.  It was wonderful to be able to see the logs in place where they fell. 

We brought our old Gem Trails of Utah book with us, but soon realized that many of the locations talked about along Highway 12 were no longer open to collecting, including a collecting spot for that same Escalante petrified wood.  At least 6 of the sites are now included in the Escalante Grand Staircase Monument.  I have wanted to collect Moqui Marbles at Spencer Flat for some time, and thought that I would finally get that chance, but no such luck.  I know that it is important to protect our natural treasures, but still was disappointed that I had waited too long to get to that site. 

However, there are still some areas in Utah that are open for collecting that were along our route back home.  The Agate Hill Site near Panguitch, Utah was easy to find, and the agate was plentiful, but the best colors were scarce. The directions were easy to follow, but things have changed a little since the map in the book was drawn.  You want to make sure you stay on the well maintained road which veers to the left as soon as you cross the bridge coming off the highway.  Then, the map shows a gate at about the 2 mile mark---this is now a cattle guard.  Mr. Mitchell also says that you will come to a sandy wash about 1/2 mile farther---this is now overgrown with native plants which the road traverses easily.  The road is well graded and smooth, so any vehicle can make the trip.  We started seeing agate right after we crossed the wash--in fact, anywhere from the wash to the 3.3 mile mark ; you can park and start collecting..  We found the agate rather picked over at the designated stop, but the graded shoulder all along the way from the wash was loaded with material of much better color, quality and size.

As camping is allowed at this site, you might consider doing so.  The campsite has a view of the red rock formations of Red Rock Canyon, the gateway to Bryce---a colorful backdrop to be sure!.  With a couple of days to dig and wash your agate, I think you would find some of the best red and black material as well as some nice chunks of clear agate with black dendrites.  We did find some patchwork and paisley agate, as well as a little clear agate with red areas.  There are some large chunks which would be great used in a rock wall or around plants, in a fountain or slabbed for use in stepping stones.  I would like to visit this site again when I have more time.  I made sure that what I picked up would fit in my 14" rock saw, as I have a bad habit of collecting rocks that won't fit at all!!!