Pipe Springs National Monument, UT

Well, after waking up to 37° this morning, and a very brisk morning walk with Mr. Jo Jo, I quickly headed out towards the Kaibab Forest. But not until I stopped at the one interesting spot here on the south side of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. It's where that famous mushroom rock sits along with so many other rocks, and Navajo artists sell their wares. I just had to have a pair of sterling silver peyote bead earrings from Navajo artist: Linda. I like the idea of supporting any artist, especially indigenous artists. 

I made it straight up the hill and through the 8,000 ft. elevation in the Kaibab Forest. And Jacob Lake, where there was plenty of snow and frost ice crystals on the pine trees. Along with sapphire blue skies. Stunning. Then I headed back down again through the west side. Up and over. It's tricky driving, and I am glad I didn't dare do this in a snow storm, along with a pressurized head in these elevation levels. 

I stopped at Pipe Springs National Monument, where you can learn about the white man's take over, through the Mormon church, over the Paiute Indians. It was a conflict of civilizations, and in the end the white people conquered by claiming water rights, driving out the Pauite Indians. The National Forest Service deemed this is a historical site and in the end the site was ultimately shared by both civilizations. The area is like an oasis, with spring waters, and a Mormon fortress house, and farm. The very first telegraph in Arizona was sent from here.

After over a 3 hour drive today, I found a camp spot in the BLM lands about 20 miles from Zion. I navigated through many potholes and some flooded puddles where I carefully backed up and turned around to find Plan "B" and "C." I got lucky at the end of a roadway to take the very last camp spot before a private property sign was posted. I had a leisurely walk finding exceptional rocks, as I always seem to do, with fresh rains and snow bringing these treasures to the surface. While off in the north west distance, I admired beautiful snow capped mountains. I feel like this is a transitional area of forest and snow-capped mountains to the Red Rock sculpted peaks of Zion. I am getting very excited on getting into the park!



































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