After a nice morning in camp, we headed out of the Swell via Black Dragon Canyon. An always fun and dramatic route. Fun to come across the wild burros as well. Of course after getting out of Black Dragon, we headed to Ray’s Tavern in Green River for an always delicious burger.
Morning light around camp.
Desert views.
Camp.
Looking north.
Working our way along the Jackass Benches towards Black Dragon Canyon. A fun feeling when you can make fresh tracks in the desert.
North again.
Jackass benches.
We came across the Wild Burros while along the Jackass benches.
Making our way to Black Dragon Canyon.
Black Dragon Canyon in the distance.
Actually the first time i’ve stopped and enjoyed the canyon, rather than hightailing it to Rays Tavern once off the trail.
Tapestry.
Looming clouds behind us.
Canyon reflections.
Black Dragon rock art panel.
Black Dragon.
Storm moving in.
Canyon views.
A fun stretch of the trail, as the canyon walls tower over you.
With my new work schedule giving me three days off in a row I headed up Friday ( yesterday) with dad to the cabin for a few hours. With a winter storm blowing in, it was windy at times, though still enjoyable. I set out for a walk around the property from the cabin, finding almost knee deep snow at times. Felt good to get out and stretch the legs. Hard to believe the last time I was up here was the summer solstice….
I headed out to the San Rafael Swell in Utah for a long weekend shortly after my birthday on the 4th of December. It’s been a while since i’ve camped on the birthday, so was nice to get out of town. Originally, I planned on laying low, and working through the rest of the year, but things at the courier job headed in a direction I didn’t like, so after finding out another job was lined up, I parted ways with the courier job ( a hard decision to make) and headed west to the Swell. Was a good recharge before starting the new job the next week.
Fun to know we’ve been exploring the area for some 15 years now.
Views from camp Saturday morning.
Always nice to see snow out in the desert.
Looking back towards camp.
A snowy camp.
The sinkhole.
Some good morning light on the cliffs above Black Dragon Canyon.
I-70 cutting through the San Rafael Reef.
Low clouds.
Cruising along the north eastern end of the San Rafael Reef.
Exploring a seldom traveled designated route, close to the reefs edge.
Morning views.
Daniel B Markofsky.
Some old uranium mines along the road.
Views of the San Rafael Reef.
More mines.
Love this 3rd gen.
Further along, heading towards Smith’s Cabin.
Daniel enjoying some Turkish Coffee.
A few buildings are still standing at Smith’s Cabin. Wayne and Betty Smith settled at this location, close to a natural spring after being married in 1933.
Exploring the coral behind the cabin.
Need to come back and hike Cottonwood Wash.
Along a seldom traveled section of road on the old railroad grade of the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.
Repairing some of the washed out road. Photo credit: Daniel B Markofsky.
Of course doesn’t look as steep in the pics..
The road at times, seemed seldom traveled.
Some good views.
Another section of grade for the Denver & Rio Grande Western railroad. D&RGW moved ahead with this project in 1881, though it was never completed. A good amount of work had been completed on the grade, still visible today.
Old culvert.
We headed to the Wedge overlook on our way back to camp. On a previous visit, we spotted some newly weds getting there photos taken at the overlook. As we drove up to the parking area, I made the comment wondering if we’d see another couple getting their wedding photos taken. Sure enough, as we parked, a bride was running to the car in her wedding dress. Always good views at the Wedge overlook- Utah’s “Little Grand Canyonâ€.
San Rafael River flowing below.
Also had to make two stops in Buckhorn Wash. Fist at Matt Warner’s inscription. Matt Warner was an outlaw turned Justice of the Peace for Price, UT. He became friends with Butch Cassidy during there time in Telluride CO, participating in the Telluride bank robbery in June of 1889 with Butch Cassidy and Tom McCarty.
The second stop was at the Buckhorn Wash Rock art panel. An impressive display from the Barrier Canyon and Fremont style rock art. Unfortunately, by the time we got to the rock art panel, daylight was fading fast. Only managed to get a few from the phone. Well worth the visit.
Headed out this past Friday for a quick trip out to the San Rafael Swell in UT. A fun quick weekend in the desert. A nice recharge before starting the next job. Will post more pics when I get to them. Always fun camping for the birthday.
Following along the old railroad grade of the D&RGW, slow going at times. Photo credit: Daniel B Markofsky.
Looking north, towards Mexican MT. En route to Black Dragon Canyon.
Well, after almost three years of employment with Quicksilver express courier here in Denver, CO, decided it was time to move on to something new. It was a tough call to make, as they were good to me while I was sick last year with Sepsis, and the Open Heart Surgery that came after.
But the last few months have been 11-13hr days five days a week, along with some changes that may have not been for the better. To be honest, I was burned out.
With the new gig, i’m going to focus on my photography and travels even more- it’s what I love to do and why I work. I’m excited to have a set known done time during the working days and three days off in a row. Come summer, this will be fantastic.
