Near Big Water

The southeastern corner of the Grand Staircase is an area that is best described as otherworldly.  The area is known for its unique hoodoo formations.  They are formed when a harder rock sits on top of a layer of softer rock.  The cap stones to the hoodoos are made of Dakota Sandstone, while the pillars are made of softer Entrada Sandstone.  In the Entrada layer, there are different sub layers of rock, one of these is called the Gunsite Butte member.  This crucial member is made up of quartz sand cemented together with calcium bicarbonate, basically baking soda.  When water hits the area, the rock literally melts, which forms the appearance of cave like formations.  The Dakota sandstone acts as an umbrella protecting the softer rock directly below it.  These hoodoos come in all shapes and sizes, from the size of a pebble to boulders the size of houses.  Please know this area is fragile, we do not recomend even touching the formations.  Water is at play everywhere.  The area is also home to some very narrow and ominous slot canyons.  Few people have ever ventured into these unique  narrow passages.  We are the only guide service that offers trips into the area.   Summers are hot and there is very little shade, these excursions are best saved for early morning hours.  Although a night hike peaks our interest.  Does it yours?  Call Seldom Seen Adventures today at 435-689-1884 and let us help plan an adventure into this seldom visited landscape.

 A storm looming on the horizon near Dr Seuss Land.

In the belly of the blue wonder slot

Richard, one of our guides squeezing through the blue wonder slot

A hoodoo in the rimrocks area known as the Arm of Atlas

Known as the arm of atlas, this boulder is easily the size of my house!

Trips into the rimrocks and Dr Seus land areas require advanced notice, the area is very fragile and preservation is paramount.