August 1st thru August 8th we traveled Utah to share the wonderful geology, ecology and wilderness to our children. We took a few family portraits along the way. Traveling over 459 miles, or a little under 7 hours from San Jacinto, California, we made our way to Duck Creek Village, Utah to re-discover the Dixie National Forest. Last time we made this trip it was with Dr. Mehegan from Riverside Community College Geology department. I think I have found my new favorite place to camp. This was a first at Duck Creek Campground. The campground is located just 28.2 miles, or a little over 40 minutes up the hill from the beautiful city of Cedar, Utah. It displays Lava flows that surround the gorgeously lush camp ground. Going into the campground you are welcomed with wild life all around. Its seems the area has several prosperous herds of deer that thrive there. If you enjoy fishing, It's also moments from Duck Creek, Duck Creek Pond / Duck Creek Lake, and Navajo Lake, and what seems to be a shallow lake of Panguitch, similar to Lake Elsinore. A shallow green tinted lake. Out of all the lakes, Navajo Lake is my favorite. The water is crystal clear and surrounded by volcanic rock that flows into the water. Fishing is great as many people were out in small boats and along the shoreline. The body of water feeds a local water fall called Cascade Falls which shoots out of a cave on the other side of the mountain through sink holes inside the lake.
Getting there is a long drive. Driving through the Mohave Desert be sure to have your car serviced prior to going especially in August. Going up the pass toward state line, we passed about 12 vehicles that overheated. Just east of Las Vegas the cliffs remind me of topo-lines on a topo-map. When you reach the Virgin River Gorge the mountains become more interesting. The cliffs become large and sandy. The Virgin River Gorge is a beautiful pass prior to reaching Saint George, Utah. The Virgin River rises on the Colorado Plateau and created the topography of both Zion National Park and the Virgin River Gorge. The Gorge connects the southwestern rim of the Colorado Plateau and the northeastern part of the Mojave Desert. Stopping in Saint George at its local Walmart we stretched our legs This is were we took a one of many breaks to move about at the local Walmart. Saint George is pretty hot so were shorts, perhaps it has to do with its low elevation (2860') in the desert scene. approximately 50 minutes from there you can finally get off the 15 freeway in Cedar City and head up highway 14 toward Duck Creek Village. Along the highway you will follow the Crow Creek up the mountain pass. Passing a a cave that features the small creek running just past wild raspberries. Climbing higher up the mountain as you reach the peak and venture near the middle you can see Zion to the right. the red cliffs to the left.
Our first day at camp we traveled 49 minutes to get into Zion National Park to see 4000 foot red sand stone cliffs carved by the virgin river. Our first day we came across beautiful herd of Big Horn sheep located just off the highway pass through Zion National Park. Just remember if you seek to travel to Zion, head into the park early because parking is difficult to do hiking. Here is a few of our images from our travels to Zion, Bryce, Pink Coral Sand Dunes and parts of Utah. Check back soon for some Awesome landscape images of Utah.
