Thursday, May 7, 2009

Jones Hole




From Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails by David Day:

     Jones Hole is the name given to a 2,000-foot-deep gorge that runs along the border between Utah and Colorado in Dinosaur National Monument. Jones Hole Creek, in the bottom of the gorge, is fed from a number of small springs at the head of the canyon and along its sides. The trail begins just below the first spring, at the Jones Hole Fish Hatchery, and winds pleasantly along the creek for about four miles to join the Green River in Whirlpool Canyon. The creek bed is a lush green oasis surrounded by the semiarid land of Dinosaur National Monument. At times the trail climbs away from the water into the sagebrush and pinion-juniper forest that surrounds it, but mostly it stays very close to the canyon floor where boxelders, cottonwoods, and other water-hungry trees prevail. The creek is also an important source of water for the monument’s wildlife, and it is not uncommon to see deer-especially in the early hours of the day.

This is one of my favorite trails, especially this time of year.  In the summer it gets too hot to enjoy.  There are also Big Horn sheep that have been re-introduced to the area but I don't have any pictures of them from this trip which was taken in 2007.  I need to get back down there! 

For more beautiful skies from around the world, check out SkyWatchFriday.

16 comments:

Esther Garvi said...

Sheba and I are right behind you on this one!!

Poopers AKA 2Ply said...

This is a lovely hike. The sky looks incredibly blue and pretty in the first picture. I like the last picture best, with the little ribbon of trail tempting me to leave work right the minute and go hiking...

Sistertex said...

Truly love the photos!

I will come to look again when I get a little more time.

http://spacialpeepol.blogspot.com/

Guy D said...

These shots are fantastic, the last one is definately my favourite.

Have a great weekend.
Guy
Regina In Pictures

foto CHIP Sweden said...

Hi, I was looking for your SkyWatch Friday but didn´t find it. I found other nice pictures though :)

erin said...

beautiful place...would love to hike along it when the weather was on the coolish side.
have a wonderful weekend.

Photo Cache said...

What a lovely place to hike. Utah is filled with lovely hiking trails, eh?

Will said...

Great trail. I would love to hike along this one. Maybe someday!

B SQUARED said...

Looks like a beautiful day to take a hike.

Janie said...

Jones Hole is one of my favorite hiking places, as you know. You got some great pictures to show off the beauty.

Barb said...

That path running along the stream in the gorge looks very inviting!Happy hiking.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great pictures. I just love creeks. Any trout in that water?

Susan at Stony River said...

I'd love to see that trail someday--your photos are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing--

Sheila Keller-Powell said...

I've never heard of this place...need to visit!
Great geography description of the area!

So many canyons in UTah...so little time.
Thanks for sharing!

Lisa Wilson said...

Oh gosh, that looks like a great place!! It really is amazing how many beautiful places we can see from our small part of the world.

Kirigalpoththa said...

Wonderful location and pictures!