Flaming Gorge and Dinosaur National Monument

On Sunday we moved from Warren Bridge, WY to Green RIver Campground in Dinosaur National Monument.  Our route took us down US 191 on the east side of Flaming Gorge.  Taking the west side via a state route would have been much better for view of the reservoir but the road may have been more difficult towing.  Missed opportunity or good decision we won't know.

First view of Flaming Gorge reservoir.  It is 91 miles long stretching from Green River, WY to south of Dutch John, UT.

Flaming Gorge Dam

View from the Visitor Center

Green River Campground doesn't have any hookups, in fact the only water is a single spring loaded faucet at the drinking fountain at most restrooms.  We were aware of no hookups as we are self contained and have ample solar charging capability but we didn't count on the heat.  It was 95 degrees and dropped to the high 60's at 3-4 in the morning.  Without AC power we had no air conditioning.  Ugh!!!!

The view from our campsite was nice but the heat was too much for sleeping.  Monday morning after several calls we got a site at the KOA in Vernal.  Not a favorite of mine but AC power was the most important.  Turned out to be a fairly nice campground.  We weren't the only ones that decided to leave.  By the time we left the campground was nearly empty.

After getting situated in our new site we returned to the Monument to visit the Visitor Center and take the shuttle to the Quarry Hall.

Inside the wall was the partially excavated deposits of dinosaur bones as they were exposed at various levels.

Bones from this area are on display at multiple museums across the country, Canada and Europe.

Ranger led tour of the area of the quarry.  Not a trail we were ready to take even if it had been cool.

Overlook from the Quarry shuttle stop area.

After visiting the Quarry we drove to the Split Mountain area that has a boat launch (rafts and kayaks) and small campground.  Again no hookups, power or water other than at the restrooms.  Most campers had multiple 5 gallon water jugs.

Green River downstream from the campground.  By evening we smelled smoke and the skies to the west were gray with smoke.  

When we got up Tuesday there was ash all over everything.  The fire was about 75-100 miles west of us near Strawberry reservoir and last report was 7000 acres.  

Update: by Tuesday evening the fire had grown to 30,000 acres and growing.

We went back into the Monument but this time at the Dinosaur, CO entrance.  From there you take a 31 mile road to Harper's Corner that overlooks part of the Green River Canyon.  Different scenery with high elevation and Juniper covered terrain. 

Vista point along the road.

Another vista point

View of the canyon at the end of the road.  Most of the area was between 7600-8300' elevation.  Because were were further away from Vernal and there was a nice breeze it wasn't nearly as smoky.

The best  view so far for Linda was when we came upon a small band of wild horses with colts.  There were about 8 or so in the band.  It was right beside the road and they weren't spooked as we drove by slowly.

A couple short videos Linda took.

Of course Linda managed to find another quilt shop to visit in Vernal.  She will have to do a Quilt Shop Travelogue so others can find places to spend their money.

Tomorrow we move to North Salt Lake City to visit old friends in the area and attend a family reunion at one of my niece's homes in North Ogden, UT.  On Sunday we will start for home taking two days.  

This will likely be our last post until the next trip.