Mar 11 (Part 2) - Coral Pink Dunes

Heading to the Coral Pink Dunes now. It's about an hour drive south to Mt Carmel Junction (the eastern end of Zion) then about another 15-20 miles south from there.

The dunes are estimated to be between 10-15 thousand years old forming from the Navajo sandstone that represents UT's red rock country.

I have to stop in Kanab first to secure a hotel for the night - it is Friday night after all and it's Spring break. Hey, the trees are flowering here in Kanab!!

On the way back north, I catch the eastern entrance to the park and get my first glimpses of the coral pink sand as the 9 mile road winds thru it -- thankfully, the road is paved. Lots of pine trees around.

After the 9 miles, I get to the north/south intersection and head south 2 miles to the park.

I make a quick stop at a pull-off to see some dunes. I have to climb a very small one first. It's really windy and I can see the sand blowing near the ground. But it's a beautiful sight.

I continue and see some blue birds (orange chests) - they are probably are bluebirds just wouldn't expect to see them in a sand environment.

I enter the park and in about 200 yards is the parking. The park protects the rare dunes habitat and a very rare Coral Pink Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle. Found only within a small portion of the 7 mile long Coral Pink Dunes ecosystem, it became a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act in 1996. The Welsh's Milkweed, a federally listed threaten plant, is also home within the dunes.

The dunes is also home to the Black Jackrabbit, Great Basin Rattlesnake, Short-horned Lizard, Ord's Kangaroo Rate, deer, ....

I follow the sidewalk up from parking to a set of bleachers (I guess the bleachers are for Ranger talks). And then it's all sand - with a lot of dried vegetation. The larger dunes are about 1/4 mile away. Plenty of kids out there playing in them.

I decide to roam the area near the bleachers.

Unfortunately, I'm a little too early to see the Tiger Beetle; it emerges in April and is around until June. (Maybe I'll have to come back.) But I do see a black beetle moving around.

From the old plants I'm seeing, it looks like there's a number of blooming plants in the summer time.

Near one plant, I spot a lizard but he crawls back under the plant before I can get a good look. Now, I'm on mission to find another.

In spots, I see lots of scat - probably the rabbits or rats. And I find a tunnel for some critter.

I also find some new plant life emerging from the sand. And I see some green yucca plants. This is the Kanab Yucca; yet another threatened plant. It only exists within 20 miles (east and west) of the Coral Pink dunes.

After wandering a bit, I decide to leave - still need to get to Zion.

On way out, I see something in tree -- looks like an owl; perched on an outer branch, clearly two ears. But on closer look, it's just a squirrel. :(

Neat stop but onto Part 3 of the day: Zion National Park!!