[snowbimmer]

Day 10: Steamboat Springs, CO to Vernal, UT - 257 miles



Looked out of the window the next morning to get the full parking realization. A Donington 750 was next to me, but pulled out before I snapped.


Weather still looking iffy this morning


Headed out of Steamboat toward Dinosaur National Monument, about 130 miles away. Said goodbye to the mountains and the Aspens and got in to rolling nothingness. The town of Craig yielded this. The sign says: J&J Tree Cutting Service. Better not be that one!


No reason for many turns in the road out here






Somewhere around in here we crossed into Utah. Got to Dinosaur and found lunch at a road side diner. A sad little town.


Headed into the Canyon Area of Dinosaur National Monument. There is a great viewpoint at Harpers Corner, 30 miles in, but the weather was not cooperating.


We began climbing and ran into the cloud deck at 22 miles. Decided to abort. Our first weather failure.

Back on the highway we headed for the other entrance 30 miles ahead. A couple of vistas on the way








There are 2 things to do at the west entrance. A self guided driving tour of about 8 miles with many interesting stops. And the Quarry Exhibit where all the dinosaur bones are. We opted for the driving loop first.

Found some pictographs about 1,000 years old.




The road winds through many interesting rock formations again




The Green River looking brown from all the rain






Turtle Rock - see it?


Great looking colorful landscapes












Massive rock outcropping towering over Split Rock Campground in the lower foreground






Went down below for a closer look at the boat landing




Then back to the Quarry Visitor Center. They found bones here in 1909 and started digging. Then they discovered that the site was a grave yard slurry containing hundreds of dinosaurs collected over millions of years. Many were fully connected specimens. They hauled them off to museums all around the country. To preserve the site, they built a giant structure to enclose the wall and create a great viewing experience. Highly recommended.








Parking lot view


On to Vernal and dinner at Wingers - one of our new favorite restaurants in Idaho and Utah.