... after hiking in 100 Degree Plus weather in the Grand Wash there in Capitol Reef yesterday, it was nice to hop back into the car and air conditioning while we drove the hour and half to Goblin State Park. My plan was to explore this park until sunset.
We had last been here in 2011 when our daughters were with us, and we stopped in for about an hour while traveling from Moab to Bryce. A cool place that is far from everything. During that brief visit I remembered thinking that spending an afternoon and sunset at this location would be cool. Also when we stopped here last, the sky was just blue with no clouds.
When we arrived at the park around 5 PM, the winds were in the 40 MPH range with rain and storms just off to the west on the edge of the park. The entry station attendant comments that we picked a 'great day' to come to the park ... making a joke. My first thought was ... this is a perfect time to be here. Off in one direction of the sky was blue, with storm clouds in the other. Also figured that the weather by this time of day was done moving east (been the pattern), so we would not get rained on.
Turned out to be a great time for the time spent there, as the storm clouds slowly waned into the sunset. I ended up hiking around the park for hours, probably walking another 7 to 8 miles ... snapping away. With the weather near by ... it also decreased the temperatures from above 100 degrees F, to in the upper 80's ... much more pleasant for hiking.
I used both the 14mm prime, and the 24/105 mm lens here getting wild perspectives on the formations and landscape.
This capture here was with the 14mm prime, focusing in on the cool clouds transitioning above the amazing goblin formations below.
While in the middle of nowhere ... this park should be on your bucket list.
Tags: Goblin State Park Utah Rokinon 14mm f2.8
© All Rights Reserved
The rock formation along the back high wall there in Goblin State Park looks like a small T-Rex or Godzilla to me ...
This view of the state park in Utah lets you see some of the many Goblin formations there that you can explore and hide (from your wife if you need to).
The formations seem fragile, especially as you walk on that soft earth among them ... but the actual formations are 'rock hard'. Hence why they have remained and the rest of the earth is weathering away quicker.
Tags: Goblin State Park Utah
© All Rights Reserved
Late day big sky clouds over the state park in Utah.
Captured at f/8 with the 14mm prime lens
Tags: Goblin State Park Utah
© All Rights Reserved
It was a nice treat being at this location as the day ended.
Tags: Goblin State Park Utah
© All Rights Reserved
Some selective color here to enhance the hikers out there on the goblin formations. They bring the formations into scale I think. The midday light also worked well here taking the scene into monochrome.
Nice that they were both in matching blue shirts too.
An amazing location there in Utah.
Happy Sliders Sunday
Tags: Goblin State Park
© All Rights Reserved