Valley of the Gods
The Valley of the Gods ( Valley of the Gods ) is a plane on the Colorado Plateau on the southeastern border of the U.S. state of Utah to Arizona and is located near the town of Mexican Hat, Utah. The publicly owned area in San Juan County of approximately 55.3 km ² Size is managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
Geography and Geology
The Valley of the Gods is similar in appearance to the much better-known and touristy Monument Valley and has comparable sandstone monoliths and spiers on. It is therefore also referred to as a "small Monument Valley." It is at the same height of about 1900 m and the average temperature is -3 ° C in winter and 30 ° in summer; the desert climate allows only 200 mm of precipitation per year.
The characteristic landscape was formed in about 250 million years of wind and rain from the Cedar Mesa Sandstone. In the Permian, the area initially consisted of a huge lowland basin where a 400 m thick sandstone layer of sediments of the early Rocky Mountains had been deposited. This layer consisted of limestone and red siltstone and was piled up into high sand dunes on the shore of an ancient sea. In the course formed by millions of water, wind and ice, the rock formations and unique natural sculptures of today. The distinctive reddish color of the rocks is due to the iron oxide contained in the rock strata.
History and tradition
According to mythology, the Navajo, the rock formations places of strength, where the spirits of the ancestors live, especially in the Valley of the Gods. The striking monoliths are petrified warriors of the tribe, which can be called to personal protection. They represent bodyguard, accompanied their power and strength of the young men on the road to war.
Flora and Fauna
Due to the dry, desert-like climate, there are very few plants and animals in the Valley of the Gods. In plants we find the Rabbitbrush ( Chrysothamnus ), the Cliff Rose ( Purshia ) and Purple Sage (Salvia ), and some junipers (Juniperus ) and cottonwood poplars (Populus ). In animals, there are some species of reptiles, small mammals and insects.
Film and Television
The valley was the backdrop for many western movies, TV shows and commercials, including the U.S. TV series Airwolf in the 1980s. In addition, two episodes of the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who were filmed in the Valley of the Gods.
Tourism
The Valley of the Gods can via Utah State Route 261, about 16 km northeast of Mexican Hat, or via U.S. Highway 163, about 24 km west of Bluff, be achieved. Through the valley performs a 27 km long dirt road that should be used only with an off-road car. It leads over steep inclines and declines and several mostly dry riverbeds. Many rock formations are, however, off the track and can only be reached on foot. Some have fanciful names such as Seven Sailors ( Seven sailors ), Battleship Skirt ( Battleship Rock ), Lady in the Bathtub ( lady in the bathtub ), Rudolph and Santa Claus, De Gaulle and his Troops ( De Gaulle and his troops ) and setting Hen Butte ( cluck - rock ). The area is currently no national or state park and it will require no entrance fees.