During my last trip in May 2014, our group was hiking at Fisher Towers. The weather had been on and off thunderstorms for several days. Our hike this day started out with some clouds and sun. While we were in the sun, I can see off in the distance Nimbus clouds forming with some virga. After about 1 mile of hiking I heard some thunder and stopped the group. As I contemplated the decision to turn back, the wind abruptly kicked up. Luckily the desert here is wide open and I can see the Nimbus clouds get darker and appear to move in our direction. I turn our group back quickly toward the trailhead. I passed several groups of hikers and warned of the impending weather. I felt it would be severe due to the thunder but more importantly the strength and sudden approach of the wind. They disregarded me and continued on.

We reached the trailhead as a light drizzle began. Within 10 minutes we were in the cars out to the main road driving when it hit. The heavy rain and thunder was mixed with nickel sized hail. It was so bad I pulled over thinking the windshield was going to be smashed. Within 20 minutes it passed to just be rain. That must have been a long 20 minutes for those hikers that continued on as there is no protection and if lightening were to strike Fisher Tower it likely would have splashed over onto them.

My group learned a valuable lesson about weather and the desert.  The photos above are shown in order as I returned the group to the cars and subsequent hail storm.

This is a small ruin of a copper mill. All that remains in a stone wall and a black pile of fine rocks left over from the smelting process of the  copper ore. There is also a pile of rusted cans and hardware from the era.  This site is usually seen in conjunction with the Dinosaur Trail as they are across the dry wash from each other.  Just follow the directions to Mill Canyon Dinosaur Trail.

While this is about 1 hour away from Moab, it is accessible for a long day trip. The easiest and most accessible slot canyon in the San Rafael swell is actually a loop hike of Little Wild Horse Canyon and Bell Canyon. Follow all directions to Goblin State Park. Just before you get to the entrance of Goblin you will be at a stop sign. Left is the entrance to Goblin, turn right here and take the well maintained road for several miles to the first well established trail head on the right. You will cross a large dry wash.  The trail head has toilets. Park here and walk the trail until you can drop into the dry wash.

About 10-15 minute you will see the canyon split. Turn right and enter Little Wild Horse Canyon. On the left is Bell Canyon where you will exit later. Some negotiating is required and you may need to use you hands. In winter and early spring there will be water in the slots that can be passed by stemming the canyon wall. When the canyon opens up about 3 miles later there will be a fork to the left. Take this as it crosses over to a well maintained dirt road. Walk the Road (turn left) until you come tot he next dry wash. This is Bell Canyon. Continue on to the end.  Highly recommend!

Located off Mill Canyon rd. This is an interpretive trail with signage of where to look for the fossils and a description of what type of dinosaur they belong two. There are several different types. Some are very easy to see and make out. Others not so much. It is clear they are different from the surrounding rock they are embedded in but you will only know the part of the body from the signage.  This area was a marsh land 150 million years ago. If a dinosaur died in this marsh, the bones with eventually seep in minerals within the water. These minerals solidified the bones over time which allows us to see them today.  A very easy trail that is looped back to the car by way of a dry wash. Can be contacted with the Mill Canyon Copper Mill site.