I don't recall why I was in such a hurry that year, but traveling Route 24 I bypassed some great territory on the way to Capitol Reef National Park. San Rafael Swell, Hanksville, Caineville and Goblin Valley State Park all have spectacular landscapes to explore and photograph. I've been back several times since, but I regret skipping them on this trip. Still, just driving through provides many opportunities for photos, so I managed to get a few.
This entire region has been subjected to all the geologic forces one can imagine. Inland sea deposits became rock, tectonic plate movement broke the rock and tilted it into gigantic monoclines, and nearby volcanoes such as Boulder Mountain and Thousand Lake Mountain deposited lava that was subsequently broken up and repositioned by glacial activity. Finally, erosion put the finishing touches on this natural abstract masterpiece. Who knows what the future may bring.
This area is known for its bentonite hills, formed by volcanic ash and then fashioned by weather. The variety of colors is amazing and changes due to lighting.
The town of Torrey, population less than 200, has beautiful sunsets and dramatic red rock buttes, not to mention several significant mountains nearby. There are a couple RV parks and motels to accommodate visitors.
A one-room church, schoolhouse and meeting place was built in 1898 and continued to be used by various groups until 1971.
There are some modern homes along Route 24.
The Behunin Family, all fifteen members, were early pioneers sent by the Mormon Church to settle this area. They built this cabin, but it was too small for the entire family to sleep. The parents and youngest children slept in the cabin, while the older children slept in a nearby cave or in a covered wagon. Flooding of the Fremont River wiped out their crops, forcing them to move after only a year.
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