April 26, 2012

Old Man's Spring

Last week, we drove down to the San Rafael Desert just outside of Canyonlands, Maze District, for 3 days of riding. 
In contrast to the snow we found on Lake Mountain in the previous post, temperatures were near 80 F on the red desert. 
The first day, we started at Kegg Knoll and rode toward the arch you can see on the cliffs above Steve and Boss.
In the hills below it, we searched for Old Man Spring, where someone purportedly ran a still in Prohibition days.  We found this cave and a few cottonwood trees.  The sand was wet, but we didn't find any actual water.  Springs in this area surface at the contact zone between the permeable Entrada and the Carmel layers of sandstone, which is what we found here.
Grass and other vegetation were greening.  The yellow blossoms of a Fremont's Mahonia brightened the scenery.
Maybe the Old Man used up all the water making whiskey!

17 comments:

  1. What a different ride, from winter to summer.

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  2. what a beautiful place Janie...lol had to laugh at your last statement...

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  3. what a beautiful place Janie...lol had to laugh at your last statement...

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  4. Wow the surrounds are beautiful. I love the dessert and visiting it through your blog is always so enjoyable. Hope you have a wonderful weekend. Jo

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  5. Wow---that is a contrast from your last post.... Looks more like some of the areas that we saw in Utah... Love the yellow blooms... Gorgeous...

    YES---the old man probably used up all of the water making his whiskey!!!!! ha

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  6. Seems like a good cause. Water or whiskey it's a beautiful place...:)

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  7. I'm looking forward to seeing that red rock landscape soon. I'm hoping for some green too. I'll be in Zion in another week.

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  8. Far from being barren and drab the reddish colors of the rocks and sand make for a beautiful view.
    Thanks for sharing another wonderful trail ride, Janie.

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  9. It's hard to believe that this destination is in the same state with your previous destination. It's too bad you couldn't find the spring, but the scenery is gorgeous.

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  10. Beautiful scenery, mysterious story about the still, Glad to see Daisy along, and you guys are still the SPF poster people! (I actually think that is cool)

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  11. I would imagine (guess) the horses and Daisy appreciated the cooler weather of the previous ride but it does look more enjoyable not being all bundled up.

    It's all so very beautiful...

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  12. Like who said there is nothing in the desert? There is a lot of beauty in there. How I love the color harmony of nature, the sky, the sand, and desert trees/plants.

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  13. i say it all the time, but, gorgeous!
    keep taking us on rides!
    - The Equestrian Vagabond

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  14. A complete contrast and a quite different colour palette - shame about the water;-)

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  15. spring is the best time to be on the desert--if the wind isn't blowing. loved your pictures today.

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  16. I love the greens and reds in contrast to the reddish soil and rocks.

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  17. I love the red rocks and sand....I am a desert rat.
    The greenery is a nice change right? Summer is around the corner for you.

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