Roadside Attraction Little Egypt
North Wash
Overview
Sat 42 | 23 |
Sun 44 | 25 |
Mon 40 | 23 |
Tue 43 | 24 |
Wed 42 | 24 |
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Sat 42 | 23 |
Sun 44 | 25 |
Mon 40 | 23 |
Tue 43 | 24 |
Wed 42 | 24 |
View Full Weather Details |
At the base of the Henry Mountains, in the transition zone between desert and mountains, lies the Little Egypt Geologic Site. The site is an exposed Entrada Sandstone area that has eroded into hoodoos, passages and small towers. This is the same layer that makes up Goblin Valley in the San Rafael Swell, and is quite reminiscent of the goblins found there.
The area is fun for families or those that are young at heart to wander around and climb on the many formations. I am not sure who had more fun on our visit, myself or my 5-year-old as we ran from “castle” to “castle” checking out all the secret passages and entrances.
Most interesting to me, the white layer you see interspersed is actually Entrada sandstone that has had the hematite remove from it via chemical reaction from groundwater. This effectively bleaches the layer the ground water interacted with. I would have assumed it was a separate type of sandstone!
Getting There
From Hanksville, travel south on highway 95 until mile marker 20.3. Here a dirt road comes in on each side of 95. Turn right (west), and travel 1.5 miles on this main dirt road. It heads west briefly, then heads south. 1.5 miles from UT-95 is a side road on the right that is signed for Little Egypt Geologic Site. The side road ends in a couple of hundred feet at a large flat parking area.
Route
From the parking area, it is a short walk down to the valley of Entrada hoodoos. Wandering around the whimsical area and exploring its many outcroppings can take an hour or all day, depending on your energy level.
Trailhead |
12S 532645mE 4214791mN N38° 04' 49" W110° 37' 40" |
Spire |
12S 532225mE 4214789mN N38° 04' 49" W110° 37' 57" |