July 11, 2021
Vanlog, Deer Creek State Park near Provo, UT
After a night on the shoreline of Flaming Gorge NRA, it was time to drive up the sandy and bumpy dirt road back to civilization, and I am happy to report that Vanna made it out just fine. The centerpiece of Flaming Gorge NRA is Vista Lake, a lake that stretches for over 30 miles and is part of the Colorado River Basin even though it is the Green River whose flow is impeded by the Flaming Gorge Dam. Here are some views of the dam and Vista Lake.
After a visit to the Red Canyon Visitor's Center, for which the Flaming Gorge received its name, I asked the elderly ranger woman there what I needed to see in the park, and she pointed out this area on the map just north of the visitor's center called the Sheep Creek Geologic Loop. Since she was an experienced ranger, I decided to give it a try. At first, I was nervous as the road wound down a steep and bumpy grade into a canyon and I was having to pump my brakes and downshift to be able to take the sharp turns safely. But once I was in the valley, it reminded me of Zion NP, one of a few canyons where you can drive down in the canyon instead of along the canyon rim. Looking up at the breaks in the geological formations and the steep canyon walls was truly inspiring. Our Creator is truly an amazing God. Lesson learned: always trust your friendly ranger to steer you right!
After a two-hour drive on 40W in increasing temperatures as I descended in elevation, I reached Deer Creek State Park near Provo, UT, where it was100 degrees for the high. I spent the next hour and a half dipping in the lake to cool off. Following the suggestion of my dear ranger friend, tomorrow I will go see Timpanogos Cave NM, wher (once I've hiked the 90 min incline) the cave temperature will be a comfortable 46!
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