San Rafael Swell - The Western Slope and Mesa Butte

[Hatchcanyon]

Seems to me that many people do not like the country south of I 70 and west of the San Rafael Swell. Is there something to see? Yes indeed, one can find some interesting spots. Let me promote the area with some pictures. The whole long story: Western Slopes (http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/) (in German) I will portion the report into several postings. This is the first one.

Near exit 99 and south of it - Mesa Butte. Dull grey to black with some pale brown rocks on top. Lets take a closer look.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0194_12.jpg
Where pavement ends

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0197_12.jpg
Blue Flat

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00012_12.jpg
Mesa Butte

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00013_12.jpg
Even an arch is there

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0199_12.jpg
Simply rocks

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00017_12.jpg
The brown stuff is coming down from the top layer

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00021_12.jpg
What a scenery! Completely different from Red Rock Country.

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00018_12.jpg
More brown on black

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00023_12.jpg
Green is sparse - but have a closer look!

You can find quite a few plants....

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0204_12.jpg
Some kind of parsley (?)

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0206_12.jpg
A plant we can't identify

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0208_12.jpg
Paintbrush

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0212_12.jpg
Mahonia(?)

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/_DSC0213_12.jpg
Primrose

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00025_12.jpg
Southern part of Mesa Butte

http://hatchcanyon.eu/Navigation/USA/Utah/San_Rafael_Swell_S/Western_Slopes/DSC00026_12.jpg
Impressive!

Our next goal will be Lone Tree Wedge - a Wedge with views.