Earlier this week I made what seems to becoming an annual trek in the month of May to Dinosaur NM, particularly Echo Park. I've seen references to this area as the "Center of the Universe" and I'm not sure why, but there is a feeling there that is quite special. As many of you know, this is the location of the confluence of the Yampa and Green Rivers around Steamboat Rock. I was determined to hike to overlook this time, which I did in the afternoon after arriving. The Yampa comes in from the right and joins the Green before flowing around the rock.
In the morning, before hiking to the overlook again, I found this petroglyph that my friend had told me about---it's more than 100 ft. above the valley floor---a ram and shield probably 4-5 ft. tall.
Man, it's like you're letting us all come along with you...thanks! And, if...I say, IF the contrails are an issue, I can (or you can) take'em out like they never ever happened. But they ARE a part of reality, aren't they? Where next??
I keep tellin myself im going to get over there sometime, looks like such an awesome location. I like the last shot the best, really shows the varied terrain. If i ever go im hoping theres an air traffic strike or something.
Great shots...Steamboat Rock is amazing. Looks like the Green River isn't so green right now or the Yampa...I wonder if that's just spring run off or a flash flood...last August they were both a beautiful blue/green color. I wish you could come with us on the Yampa in a couple weeks.
Maybe I could organize at CNP junket for next May....The contrails are a way of life at DNM as the SFO-DEN route is just north of there---I've viewed the canyon from 30,000 ft. more than a few times. The Yampa is quite muddy colored with spring runoff by the time it reaches the confluence. The Green lives up to its name until it flows into the Gates of Ladore and then picks up sediment through the canyon. Here's a picture of the Green flowing through Swallow Canyon in Browns Park (done last Friday), maybe 10 miles upstream from the Gates.
Nice shots, Rod! I'll be up there in a week, working five trips or so, can't wait! Your first shot here is my favorite, nice unusual perspective on the Mitten Park Fault. It's also fun to see the hamburger petroglyph up close. You can see those carvings from the river, but I've never had a chance to scramble up there.
FYI, the Green in Lodore does run pretty darn green and clear at low flows if the weather's dry, but muddy is it's natural pre-dam state. Historians think the river may have been named more for the greenery on its banks than for its water.
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Great shots...Steamboat Rock is amazing. Looks like the Green River isn't so green right now or the Yampa...I wonder if that's just spring run off or a flash flood...last August they were both a beautiful blue/green color. I wish you could come with us on the Yampa in a couple weeks.
Cynthia
FYI, the Green in Lodore does run pretty darn green and clear at low flows if the weather's dry, but muddy is it's natural pre-dam state. Historians think the river may have been named more for the greenery on its banks than for its water.