Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways - Part Two.

So, if you're just finding this blog, you're wandering around trying to find Part One; well that was when we traveled from Dalton Wells to the Klondike Bluffs. This is the second part of the total adventure, our visit to Copper Ridge to see the dinosaur tracks, and we even did a little exploring of a trail that led to mines.

I will be using the Moab Diner as the beginning point of travel.  Why?  They have a great breakfast selection of course!  Anyway, going northward on Main Street/Route 191, drive 23.3 miles to BLM143/Copper Ridge Jeep Safari Road/North Klondike Bluffs.; make a right turn onto it. You'll see a gas utility outlet there and have to cross over the railroad tracks; while a standard passenger vehicle can get to the dinosaur track section; 4 wheel drive is recommended for any other roads.  All mountain biking and ATV trails are marked accordingly.  Take the road to the right for the dinosaur tracks, the road to the left leads to an extreme 4 wheel drive trail, probably used during Jeep Safari.

In one mile is a junction, go to the left, in an additional mile will be the parking area for the track area.  It's a 500 foot hike uphill on a rocky/sandy trail; don't forget the water!  There are informational boards with rules, regulations, warnings, and maps; a mountain biking trail that begins there; also a vault toilet.

Mountain Biking Trail

Route 191 can be seen.

The Dino Trail

On the way up, take a look at the landscape around; imagine being there during the time of the dinosaur and suddenly one decided to make itself known to us....a Desert Whiptail Lizard.

Claret Cup Cactus



Possibly Fossilized Sandstone

At the top of the hike is an informational board about the dinosaur tracks; mainly Sauropod (Camarasaurus) and Theropod (Allosaurus); now whether the one was running from the other can't be distinguished, but they left their marks to carry on.  However, don't leave your marks to let others know you were there; to be frank, nobody cares!!!  Thank you for respecting our land.

Sauropod Track

Theropod Tracks

Possible Fossil in Sandstone

While most look at the tracks and turn back, we kept walking around and found that the trail did continue upwards; rocky, sandy and there was evidence that ATVs had traveled through.  The landscape was still pretty much prehistoric (we love it!), but we came upon a warning sign from the BLM about the uranium mines.  Although they have been closed down, playing inside them is NOT an option; poisonous fumes, uranium contamination, collapsing beams, flooring and walls are always a possibility.  The trail continued around a bend, but we were not prepared for an extra long hike, so returned to our vehicle for a snack and a new bottle of cold water from the cooler.

Sunlight Through a Pothole



Trail Continues Around a Bend.










Mine Debris

Unprocessed Uranium

Yellow colored rocks that sparkle....not good!

....and no, we didn't call it a day.  We went back one mile to the junction, found the other 4 wheel drive trail through Copper Ridge and off we went! 

Mary Cokenour

Dalton Wells to Klondike Bluffs - Part One.

Almost three years now since we first visited Dalton Wells, and I did a blog post on the Concentration Camp that was there in the 1940s.  Driving through again, the wire and wooden post gate is not there, and it is easier to see the remaining foundations of the buildings that once stood on the land.  RV campers were now parked in areas we would explore and let the dogs run free, ATVers zoomed onto one trail from another; and this was only April! 

Well, we came all the way up here to Moab to explore some trails we'd not done before, and it wasn't long before we came to an information board.  Now I know our maps indicated we could reach Klondike Bluffs and Copper Ridge from Dalton Wells, but this info. board verified it for us.



It is best to have 4 wheel drive out here; the trails are natural terrain, maybe slightly graded, but that doesn't mean the weather didn't have a picnic tearing ruts into the dirt.  Very soon we came to an uphill section that basically was rock crawling over slickrock. but it quickly turned back to sandy soil and remained that way until we reached Route 191 again (yes, it's a loop trail).  The landscape, to a novice, would look mainly the same; but after traveling up, down and all around these desert trails for seven years, we could pick out the differences easily.  The majority of trails are well marked for ATVs only, mountain biking, 4WD, hiking or combination.

Part of the uphill slickrock section of trail.

Of course none of my desert posts would be complete without showing an example of plant life; delicate flowers growing out of the sand and rocks.

Funnel Lily (Lily family)

Silvery Townsendia (Sunflower family)

After many a twist, turn, uphill, downhill....ok, spare me a moment to vent.  Why the hell do people come out here and complain about the trails, and that they are not paved?  Seriously, get a grip and pull hard!!!  Anyway, before beginning an ascent, I decided to take a photo of where we had come from, and where we were continuing to.



Looking Back



The Road Ahead.

We were driving along when we began to see the Klondike Bluffs in the distance; we'd seen the road to them off Route 191, but kept putting off traveling on it.  So I better warn you now, there will be two more parts to this adventure...Copper Ridge  - Dinosaur Tracks and Uranium Mines; and a closer view of the Bluffs, Tower Arch, and the Marching Men...part one, what you're reading now, is your basic tease.

Three Panoramic Views of the Klondike Bluffs

Moab is a very much used area for the film industry and commercials; so it was not unusual to find the remains of a movie set.  This was from the 1968 Western, "Blue"; and while I learned about the Southwest via western television shows and movies, this was one I did not see.  From the reviews I've read, I didn't miss much.

Pottery Shards, NOT Authentic Native American

We got a better viewing of Klondike Bluffs, and the Marching Men, as we made our way westward.  There were trails that led closer, but that's for the telling in Part Three, and will include Tower Arch.  So, once again, here's a tease.

Some of the "Marching Men", but actually they look like knights from a chessboard.

Almost to Route 191, and we can see the Moab airport; there is an information board with mountain biking trails outlined.  While we saw a few mountain bikers on a hill; we did see dirt bikers too who were kicking up lots of dust.  That is until they saw me taking photos, suddenly they slowed way down...not sure if they were posing for photos, just being polite, or both.



Route 191 Ahead.

Looking back at Klondike Bluffs.

 I've added this map to help you see the trails, also this will help you understand parts two and three, and where we exactly were.

We spent two days traveling around, and it still wasn't enough!  I guess you could say we're desert junkies, but this addiction is extremely healthy....better than kale smoothies, that's for sure!!!

Mary Cokenour

Celebrating 50 Years with Stan Bronson.

Saturday, July 2^nd, 6pm, people walking into San Juan High School, solos; couples young and old; carrying young children; helping older folks with walking canes or wheelchairs.  Tickets are purchased, greetings heralded between friends and family members; this social event is definitely a joyful occasion.

7pm, seats have been found;  happy chattering between rows…the lights of the auditorium dim and a voice is heard from behind the stage.  “Here I lay, at night, watching the stars on fire...” and out strolls Stan Bronson, singing the title song from his first album, “Down From the Mountain”.  The audience erupts with hoots, hollers and hand clapping; Stan Bronson is a much loved son of San Juan County.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now as Stan explained it, this was the 50^th anniversary of the album being recorded and sold to the masses.  However, it was actually in 1965, a 51^st anniversary of his first concert at San Juan High; 1200 audience members, including Albert R. Lyman himself.  Stan's aunt, Cleone Bronson Cooper, offered to pay recording expenses if he would record his folk songs "for the sake of history"; smart woman!  Now while I could recap Stan’s entire history in this article; a great write up already exists at his website: http://worldmusicplace.sharepoint.com/Pages/AboutStan.aspx or http://www.stanbronson.com

Stan Still Has the Original Hat from the Album Cover Photo

In between lyrics, or between songs, Stan would give joking comments and the audience would wholeheartedly laugh.  He reminded us of the stories behind the lyrics; events that actually took place in San Juan’s historic past, or slightly embellished.  For the song, “Posey”, two women and a young child, from White Mesa, came up on stage to sing with Stan.  The oldest of the women was the granddaughter of Posey himself!  With many songs, the audience sang along; sometimes tears were wiped from eyes as the words hit the heart.  I must admit, I’ve listened to Stan’s albums, love the songs, and wiped a few tears myself as I knew the stories well from my travel blog research.  Strange coming from a woman who believes that listening to heavy metal music is relaxing.  Requests were asked for, and I gladly yelled out, “Cowboys, Indians and Mormons” which he played, along with “Navajo Eyes”, “The Hunter” and a few more.

 

 

Posey's Granddaughter - Woman in Green Shirt

 

Stan played to all sides of the auditorium; you would swear that he looked directly into your eyes and he was singing a song just for you.  He admitted that the stage lighting was keeping him from seeing the audience well, but you would never have known it.  His eyes are piercing, but there is a gentle, kind, sweet soul emanating from them.  As Blanding resident, Terry Hatfield, told me later on, “He was that even in school, even though I was an underclassman and he was in high school, he knew my name and always said hello when we met. Just an all-around nice guy.”  My good friend, Amy Watkins Kensley, introduced me to Stan’s music by giving me a great present, the double album “Songs of Old San Juan” (Down From the Mountain/Cowboys, Indians and Mormons). 

 

 

Near the end of the concert, Stan talked about his friends and their high school band; he asked for the lights to be turned up and walked down the stairs to be closer with the audience.  Switching to the same guitar he used in this band, Elvis Presley songs were then played, and everyone roared with pleasure, especially the women.

Afterwards was the meet and greet; CDs purchased were autographed by Stan; I even got one of his handkerchiefs autographed…going to frame this for sure!  Photos were taken, hugs; it was great…sorry Bruce Springsteen, you’ve got nothing on Stan Bronson.  Totally a most awesome night of music, storytelling and overall enjoyment.

Amy Watkins Kensley with Stan Bronson

Me with Stan Bronson

 

By the way, I did film some of the concert; not all as, well, my arms were getting tired from holding up the camera.  I am very happy I didn’t film it all; the up close and personal sensation of watching, and listening to, Stan was a deeper impact than experiencing it through video.  If you want to see his performance of “Blue Mountain” though, go to his link: https://youtu.be/EHOJXXMZtiA

 

 

 Mary Cokenour