Southwestern Burnup Tour - Kyle Pick-up, Drive to Utah, Vermillion Cliffs, Rimrock Hoodoos, Toadstool Hoodoos - September 2011

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The Rimrock (Toadstool) Hoodoos

Paria-Vermillion Cliffs Region
Sunday, September 25

Satisfied after our lunch stop, we turned off the Interstate and headed east through the scenic lands of the Arizona Strip and the Vermillion Cliffs. We wanted to get to the Paria Ranger station in order to get last minute information on weather and canyon conditions - always important for a long slot canyon like Buckskin Gulch.

Tanking up

Unfortunately, the ranger station was closed by the time we arrived (shortly before 5pm). We would have to get our information early the next morning.

courtesy AHyndman

Jenn, Andrew, and peace

The location of the Paria Ranger station is also where a short gravel road leads a few miles south to the White House Trailhead and campground - where we would be staying for the night. The campground was nearing capacity when we arrived (there are only 5 or 6 sites), so we quickly found a suitable spot, set up our tents, and paid the self-service fee.

White House Trailhead view

We were keen to explore the surrounding terrain. Arn spotted a short little slot canyon just a few hundred yards from our tents and immediately went up to it and wedged himself in.

White House Campground

Arn sees a slot

Arn's First Slot

I had pre-investigated a few of the short and easy walks near the White House Trail, and one of these -- a short walk to an attraction called the Toadstool Hoodoos -- was close by and doable before sunset.

Rimrock Hoodoos TH

After short five minute drive, we parked at the signed trailhead to the hoodoos. It was less than a mile to the hoodoos, so we just carried a litre of water between us and left the packs behind.

Trail to Rimrock Hoodoos

The first part of the walk follows a relatively nondescript streambed bounded on either side by soft, prettily-banded formations. Although a pleasant and reasonably scenic walk, there is no indication of any weird and wonderful formations.

After a well-trod sidehill path makes its way past a short dropoff, we suddenly arrived at a viewpoint of the first of the hoodoos. Seemingly positioned as if at an entrance, a cluster of rounded sandstone with a prominent hourglass-shaped hoodoo greeted us. Atop the hoodoo sat a large flat brown boulder. Striking.

Approaching the Hoodoos

Prominent Hoodoo

Rimrock Hoodoos

We took one of several herd paths up into the area where the hoodoos were located -- a large flat area with clusters of hoodoos here and there, towering above the flat area was a large white Page Sandstone cliff. The late-day sun made for perfect light, and that, combined with the easy walk-in, meant there were a lot of photographers flitting about.