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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Geological Survey officials travel to remote areas of the state while conducting their studies, and they recently highlighted five "rarely seen" vistas that people should visit.
Delicate Arch has become a world-famous icon that people associate with Utah. However, there are other more remote areas in the state that are also unique and breathtaking that many people may be aware of. The Utah Geological Survey recently selected five of these "rarely seen" geological wonders to highlight in its 2016 calendar.
"Our study of the state's geology and hazards often takes us into Utah's most isolated, unique and beautiful areas; places relatively unknown to most residents," said Utah Geological Survey publications manager Vicky Clarke. "We hope families throughout Utah will enjoy this year's calendar and perhaps use it as a resource as they identify places they'd like to explore together."
Here are five beautiful, but obscure areas, to check out on your next outdoor adventure:
Newfoundland Mountains
Located in southern Box Elder County, this mountain range is encircled by the Great Salt Lake desert salt flats. The top of Desert Peak, the highest point in the range, stands at 7,005 feet. These mountains are one of the most isolated mountain ranges in Utah, according to the Utah Geological Survey.
San Rafael Swell
The San Rafael Swell is located about 12 miles from the town of Green River and the eastern flank of the San Rafael Swell is near Muddy Creek in Emery County. It exposes colorful and rounded slopes that are typical of the Jurassic-age Morrison Formation.
"Clayey bentonite beds in the Morrison often have a distinctive 'popcorn' weathering texture that results from expanding clay minerals," the Utah Geological Survey said.
Due to the unique jagged and uplifted sections of rock, part of the 2009 "Star Trek" movie was filmed in the San Rafael Swell. The scenery was chosen to represent Spock's Vulcan planet.
Antelope Island State Park
Located in Davis County, Antelope Island is the largest of about a dozen islands in the Great Salt Lake. Numerous shorelines from ancient lakes cross the slopes of Antelope Island, recording the rise and fall of Ice Age Lake Bonneville, the Utah Geological Survey said.
Along with enjoying the beauty and unique geological history of the area, visitors can also go hiking, camping and see a variety of wildlife, including the island's trademark bison herd.
Yant Flat
Yant Flat is located in Washington County above the Virgin River Valley and showcases outcroppings of Jurassic-age Navajo sandstone. Weathering patterns and oxidized and reduced mineral cements have produced interesting rock patterns, textures and colors over time. Visitors can take pictures and hike around on the unique, sloped rock formations.
Happy Canyon
Happy Canyon is located southeast of Hanksville in Garfield County just above the confluence with the Dirty Devil River. The canyon has cut and sculpted the white-rim sandstone of the Permian-age Cutler Formation, resulting in colorful and uniquely shaped rock walls.
Families can have fun hiking and exploring the narrow canyon walls. But as always, check the weather before entering the canyon and be aware of flash flood warnings.
