At the Park Avenue southern trailhead, we get this morning view of the rock formations on 19 May 2016. Light and shadow make for an eye-catching image.
A little earlier, we stop at the Visitor Center near the park entrance.
In the courtyard, we see bronze statues of (I think) big horn sheep.
Inside, there is a model of a stone arch.
Through the car’s windshield, we can see impressive rock formations ahead.
Parking at the trailhead for the Park Avenue trail, we walk a short distance for these next shots.
Another view with a cloudless sky.
A view to the north by northwest.
Zooming in now, we see the rock face more clearly.
The morning was cool at this elevation (above 4,000 feet). Here we see formations and the shadows these cast.
Another park visitor takes a picture for us.
Only allowing one day for this national park, we had to skip the hike and return to the rental car in pursuit of more scenery. When we return to this national park, hopefully next year, we plan on hiking this trail known as Park Avenue and seeing these formations at different angles and at closer distances.
Here we can see impressive rock monoliths rising in the distance.
Another nearby view from the roadside viewing area.
More sandstone and blue sky.
A rock wall rising from the desert floor.
This formation is called Sheep Rock.
This next image is notable for the blue sky background and the various shades of color in the rocks.
Looking back and to the south, we see the far side of some of the formations we had seen earlier from the trailhead.
Another view with a happy park visitor.
We now see Sheep Rock from closer in.
Looking to the east and upwards in the shade of the rock walls, we take this pic. There appears to be some distortion from sunlight or glare catching the lens.
Further along the park road, we see rocks in various and diverse shapes.
Another nearby view here.
Driving further into the park, one sees more fantasy rock formations.
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