Kodachrome Canyon

Campsite 13, April 26, 2023 - The parking lot of the Shakespeare Arch at the Kodachrome Canyon was empty. I guess we should have expected that since the arch collapsed back in 2019. There has to be more than just the Arch to see on a trail! We were out to find those things. 

The first thing was obvious. We found out why it is called “Kodachrome”. But the things people around here call “canyon”is odd. Apparently anything eroded can be called a canyon, even if it only has one side. Not complaining but I call that a cliff. 

“Normal” canyons are formed by water cutting into soil and stone. We found a new canyon being formed. It will be a long time before it looks like a canyon but it is interesting to think of how it might look thousands of years from now, especially when you consider that we were viewing this from the location in the photo above.

We found oddly eroded fins.

I found these mud ripples that had turned to stone. It looks like a prehistoric tire track!

We found lots of cool trees that any bonsai collector would have been thrilled to have. That’s all one cedar.

There were even cool dead trees. 

This dead tree was so interesting I had to put its wrinkled wood in its own category. I suspect a genetic mutation caused this odd wrinkling effect. It would have been interesting to see its leaves.

Then I noticed this succulent was blooming. I had to find out what this plant is.

Roundleaf Buffaloberry (Shepherdia rotundifolia)

There were rocks with interesting colors and textures.

Layers of Gypsum in a Rock Outcropping

And we found a view that looked like it was to the edge of the world.

People don’t come to this trail often as the only thing named along the trail was Shakespeare’s Arch. We found that, nothing worth naming doesn’t have to mean nothing worth seeing.

Back at camp I kept thinking of gingerbread with glaze. I finally had to move this rock. Yes it looks silly on a plate. I’m easily amused.

We visited the main part of Kodachrome Canyon in the afternoon. We may post some photos from there as PotW. To get a sense of the place you’ll have to see it for yourself.

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