Flaming Gorge to Echo Park - Day 5
Echo Park: 7,119'
Mileage: 158
Day 5 (Tuesday)
We headed for Dinosaur National Moment today to camp at Echo Park in Colorado near the border of Utah along the Green River. Leaving the resort we went over the dam and around the reservoir. We saw a small herd of mule deer as we started to head away from the reservoir.
Mileage: 158
Day 5 (Tuesday)
We headed for Dinosaur National Moment today to camp at Echo Park in Colorado near the border of Utah along the Green River. Leaving the resort we went over the dam and around the reservoir. We saw a small herd of mule deer as we started to head away from the reservoir.
We made it to Colorado today crossing back and forth from Utah to Colorado a few times as we worked our way through Browns Park National Wildlife Refuge. We crossed the Green River on the new 320' suspension bridge over the river to get to Browns Park. This bridge had been closed since the summer of 2014 when a tractor attempted to cross it and fell partially through. The bridge was finally rebuilt and opened to traffic in late August, 2018.
We wound through Grouse Canyon in Browns Park and saw more mule deer a short while after leaving Grouse Canyon. After Brown's Park we went into Vernal, UT for lunch and a pit stop at York Motor Sports for a little TLC on Jim's bike. His chain had stretched to the point of concern and the axle tensioners were seized up. So, while we were in Vernal for lunch we found a shop and got a new chain and had them cut the tensioners to allow us to move the axle to get the proper tension.
With Jim's chain back in check we headed to Sonic for a quick bite. The dry air had wreaked havoc on my sinuses. So, while the rest of the crew finished eating I ran over to CVS to pick up a nasal mister before rolling out to Dinosaur National Monument.
With Jim's chain back in check we headed to Sonic for a quick bite. The dry air had wreaked havoc on my sinuses. So, while the rest of the crew finished eating I ran over to CVS to pick up a nasal mister before rolling out to Dinosaur National Monument.
We stopped by the visitor center at Dinosaur National Monument. The amount of fossils is this area is crazy. There are various theories as to why there are so many fossils and fossils of different dinosaurs. And, excavation is still ongoing.
Did you know there is a difference in a National Park and a National Monument? The primary difference is in the reason for which they have been protected. National Parks are protected for their scenic, educational and recreational value. National Monuments are set aside to protect objects of historical, prehistoric, cultural or scientific importance.
Did you know there is a difference in a National Park and a National Monument? The primary difference is in the reason for which they have been protected. National Parks are protected for their scenic, educational and recreational value. National Monuments are set aside to protect objects of historical, prehistoric, cultural or scientific importance.
We left the visitor center and took Blue Mountain Rd to get to Echo Park. The road into Echo Park campground is great and the campground is an awesome campground. The area is surrounded by high walls and feels isolated from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the world. The campground is also right along the Green River. The only way in and out is the one road or the river.
The stars here were ridiculous! I've never seen so many stars and be this clear. Plus the Milky Way! This really is a special place to camp.
After dinner a guy from Michigan that was camped across the drive from us invited us over to share his fire. We sat around the campfire and shared stories and knowledge of the area before we started to nod off and headed for our tents.
The stars here were ridiculous! I've never seen so many stars and be this clear. Plus the Milky Way! This really is a special place to camp.
After dinner a guy from Michigan that was camped across the drive from us invited us over to share his fire. We sat around the campfire and shared stories and knowledge of the area before we started to nod off and headed for our tents.