Preparations
7:20 a.m.
It was 59 when we got up around 6:00 a.m. Our camp is in Vernal,
Utah, giving us easy access to both Dinosaur National Monument
and Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area.
On most mornings when we hike we tend to
eat light, finding Harvest bars or instant oat meal to work
fairly well. But they just aren't as satisfying as a more
substantial breakfast. We could cook something, but that takes
time and then there are the dishes to wash. So, on this trip,
since we would have about an hour between leaving camp and
hitting the trail, we decided to try some packaged backpackers
dehydrated eggs and bacon. The prep was basically boiling
some water and pouring it into the foil package and then letting
it sit. After the specified time we poured off the excess
water and poured in onto a plate. We could have left the meal
in the pouch, but it may have been a bit difficult to eat.
The eggs came out pretty good, and the bacon was that bad
either. There was still a bit of extra water on the plate
when we were finished, but we will try using less water the
next time. With a slice of bread the meal was pretty filling.
After breakfast we left camp, headed for
Jones Hole. We had to take a detour though, since the bridge
over Ashley Creek, near Vernal, was washed out recently. We
stopped near the eastern edge of Vernal to buy gas at the
Conoco station, and paid $2.26 per gallon.
Route In
8:22 a.m.
We headed east on Highway 40 to Jerome, then turned north
toward Dinosaur National Monument. Just south of the Monument
boundary there is an unmarked paved road that heads back to
the west. With some uncertainty we followed it until we intersected
the paved Jones Hole Road, which was marked. From there we
headed north. Without our book of Utah topo maps (which I
usually take along, but forgot on this trip, of course, because
we finally really needed it) we weren’t certain as to
where the road would take us. Even once we found the road
marked for Jones Hole we seemed to wander around among several
ranches and some interesting backcountry. But eventually we
hit the main road and were in good shape.
Along the road from Jerome to the intersection
with the Jones Hole Road we saw several prairie dogs and their
colonies. We also saw a dead snake on the road, ground squirrels,
cows, lots of young cottontail rabbits, and several hawks.
Diamond Plateau
While heading north on the Jones Hole Road
we climbed up onto Diamond Plateau. Looking to the west we
could see several striking canyons near Steinaker and Red
Fleet State parks, with prominent red cliffs. There was another
to the northwest. They are both impressive and interesting.
Jones Hole Road
8:38 a.m.
As we turned east along the Jones Hole Road we ran into bunches
of Mormon crickets hopping around on the road. This variety
is a very dark dried blood to black in color and quite large,
from one to perhaps two inches in length. There was not much
we could do but drive on through, since the road was covered
with them. This went on for perhaps a mile or so, with a couple
of smaller encounters here and there along the route.
Jones Hole National Fish Hatchery
Jones Hole Trail
9:27 a.m.
The Jones Hole Trail actually begins by following the asphalt
road down through the middle of the hatchery through the fish
tanks to the south end where there is a fence with a gravel
path, then it passes down along the stream. The area is quite
green and shady. There is a picnic table near the beginning
of the trail, completely covered by shade.
The trail begins by undulating along the
banks of the stream, up and over rocky ledges, then back down
to pass near the stream. In this area it is a good trail,
but there are stones protruding that require your attention
or risk a fall. We encountered several fly fishermen along
this stretch of the trail, so, apparently, the stream has
trout for the taking.
Rock Art Panels
10:08 a.m.
We crossed a solid wooden bridge over the stream, and at GPS
coordinates 40 34.152N; 109 3.372W; at an elevation of 5,365
feet, we encountered the first of two petroglyph and pictograph
panels. This spot is 1.5 miles from the trailhead. The rock
art is really nice, although faded in some instances. There
are quite a few objects.
Also from this location we could look back
toward the north and up the side of the cliffs to see evidence
of the fault that runs along the creek. The geology along
the entire canyon is quite interesting.
It was also starting to get really warm
and humid.
10:13 a.m.
At GPS coordinates 40 34.099N; 109 3.403W; at an elevation
of 5,360 feet, we encountered the second pictograph panel
and the Deluge Shelter archaeological site. The site is overgrown,
so it is difficult to see the excavations clearly, but the
rock art is quite good. Both of these sites are well worth
the short side trip to take a look.
Island Park Trail Junction
10:28 a.m.
At GPS coordinates 40 33.935N 109 3.427W; at an elevation
of 5,309 feet, is the junction of the Jones Hole Trail with
the Island Park Trail. At this point, according to the sign,
we’d come 2.2 miles.
We decided to take the short .2 mile hike
up the Island Park Trail to visit Ely Falls, on Ely Creek,
which joins Jones Hole Creek at this point.
Ely Falls
10:40 a.m.
At GPS coordinates 40 33.880N; 109 3.585W; at an elevation
of 5,359, there is a short waterfall on Ely Creek. It is pretty
and interesting, with a wonderful clear pool at its base.
We climbed up above the falls and saw a solo Mormon cricket
and a large wasp’s nest. There were also interesting
cuts in the stone, where the stream has smoothed deep winding
channels in the hard rock. We had seen these types of cuts
in rock at other locations, but this was the first time we
actually witnessed water running through them.
Backcountry Camp Site
After we retraced our steps to the Jones
Hole Trail we continued south toward the Green River. Shortly
after the junction we came to the lone backcountry camp along
the trail. The camp is situated on flat ground under a canopy
of trees. It looks like the two sites there would be shaded
in the late afternoon and evening, but at 11:00 a.m. they
were mostly in the sun. There were four tents set up here.
It looked like the people were camped here to fly fish on
the stream.
Green River
11:38 a.m.
About the last mile to the river is pretty much in the open.
As you move along the trail you enter a wide open, exposed,
area covered with golden grass (at least at this time of year).
At one point the trail splits, with a sign pointing to the
right indicating a day use area. We took that route. I suspect
the other trail heads to the Ranger Station and the rafter’s
campground.
Farther back along the trail we had encountered
a party of 16 heading from the river to Ely Falls. They were
in the fourth day of a raft trip down the Green River. At
4.3 miles, and at GPS coordinates 40 32.410N; 109 3.740W;
at an elevation of 5,070 feet, we came to the Green River.
At the river we found their rafts and kayaks tied up The area
is pretty exposed and weedy. The river seemed to be running
high and cold.
We took a few photos then turned back to
find a shady spot along the stream. We found a large rock
situated under a few trees, above the water, and sat there
and ate a Power Bar for lunch. Then we sprayed on more insect
repellent and lathered on some sun screen and headed back.
1:30 p.m.
We made it back to the trailhead at the Fish Hatchery. It
was hot and a bit breezy, and we could see a storm brewing
up to the northwest, probably over Flaming Gorge.
Our GPS showed that we’d hiked 8.4
miles in 2 hours and 53 minutes, at an average walking speed
of 2.8 miles per hour.
We changed out of our boots, then used the
restrooms at the Visitor Center, and explored the inside fish
tanks for a bit before we headed out.
Route Out
2:59 p.m.
On the drive out we decided to take another road instead of
retracing our longer route in. There was a dirt road signed
to Little Hole and Highway 191. It was a bit confusing, because
the road split at one point and we weren’t sure which
way we should go. We followed our instincts and held to the
left and came out on National Forest Road 48, on Highway 191.
There were a lot of people camped back in
the forest with trailers and ATVs. Some driving right on the
road. Just before we reached the highway it started to rain.
The drive down 191 is always interesting,
especially in the area of a large open pit mining operation
and Red Fleet and later Steinaker Lake State parks. The reservoir
at Steinaker is quite full and only a few feet below the level
of the road. There are a lot of flooded trees along the banks.
|
