Monday, June 13, 2011

Spring in the Western Utah Desert

Here are a few photos of some of the spectacular rocks found in western Utah. (Remember: you can click on the photos for a full-sized view of each picture)

Notch Peak made mostly of Cambrian limestones is one of the most dramatic peaks in western Utah. Near the base of the mountain, you can see the tan colored sills of the Notch Peak granite that intruded out into these limestones.

Sawtooth Ridge, with Notch Peak at the center, all part of western Utah's House Range.

Ibex, Utah taken from Fossil Mountain. Ibex is at the southern end of the Barn Hills in Blind Valley. The area is world famous for its Ordovician rocks and is the type area for the Ibexian fauna.

Crystal Peak, composed of 35.4 million-year-old Tunnel Spring Tuff, is one of the most distinctive peaks in western Utah.

From a distance, Crystal Peak looks almost unreal. A bright white mass amid the grays of all the other ranges and mountains.

Limestone thumb in Marjum Pass, House Range, Utah.
(All photos were taken by Urthman, and may not be republished without permission)

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