Goblin Valley EarthCache

Goblin Valley can be enjoyed by all ages and fitness levels. You can view the valley and read the informative signs from a wheelchair, or you can put on your sunscreen and grab some water and hike around the valley and play among the goblins

Goblin Valley State Park is a showcase of geologic history. Exposed cliffs reveal parallel layers of rock bared by erosion. Because of the uneven hardness of sandstone, some patches resist erosion much better than others. The softer material is removed by wind and water, leaving thousands of unique, geologic goblins. Water erosion and the smoothing action of windblown dust work together to shape the goblins.

Bedrock is exposed because of the thin soil and lack of vegetation. When rain does fall, there are few plant roots and little soil to capture and hold the water, which quickly disappears, in muddy streams without penetrating the bedrock.
Acres - 3654
Elevation - 5,100 feet

The Early Days of the valley: Goblin Valley is one of Utah’s great secrets. The valley itself is only about 2 square miles and full of mushroom shaped geological features “Goblins” . The valley is believed to have first been discover in the late 1800’s. In the late 1920’s the valley was rediscovered by Arthur Chaffin and two others. Arthur gave the valley the name of “Mushroom Valley” .

In 1949 Arthur spent several days exploring and photographing the Valley. In 1954 it was proposed the Valley be protected from vandalism and the state acquired the property. It was officially designated as a state park August 24, 1964.

The state park is open 24/7 365days a year. The entrance fee is $6, and you can camp in the parks campground for $15.
More info about the park can be found on the State Park Website:http://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley/

A few Movies have even been filmed in the Valley. Just for fun see if you can find where these images were taken

To log this cache you must do one of the following:

• 1- Upload a few pictures of you or your party in the park, and email the cache owner the answers to any three of the questions below.
• OR
  
• 2- If you forgot your camera and/or do not have a way to upload photos you can email answers to ALL of the questions below:

• Questions (you can find the answers to all of these within a few feet of the posted coordinates):

• 1-What type of rock is present, when and how was it formed?
• 2-Are visitors causing damage to the formations, and what is being done about it?
• 3-Why are there so many “Goblins” here and not in a large concentration anywhere else?
• 4-How long have the Goblins been “in the making”?
• 5-How were the Goblins Formed?
• 6-Why are the Goblins here?

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