Exploring Granite Dells

Balanced

It is amazing to me when I find a lone big boulder along a flat plateau. The question that comes up for me is 'How did it get there?'.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

You just never know what interesting formation you are going to come across when hiking in the Granite Dells. Who knows how long ago this rock fell but I do not think it is going anywhere very soon.

Canyon Storm

The Granite Dells has many hidden canyons and this one had some amazing formations. The challenge is finding a good spot to photograph and getting back out.

Delicate Balance

Some ridge tops within the Granite Dells have these lone rocks and you just wonder how it got there.

On The Edge

Over millions of years the erosion process has left some remarkable patterns and rounded boulders in the Granite Dells.

Checkerboard Canyon

Over millions of years the erosion process in the Granite Dells has created some wonderful rock formations and patterns.

The Way Out

Rock scrambling in the Dells can be fun but sometimes the way in is the only way back out of a slot canyon.

Granite Flames

I was hiking along a ridge top in the Granite Dells when I came across this large split in the granite where some tall grass had grown up and it reminded me of flames coming out of the granite.

Hidden Passage

Hiking some of the canyons in the Granite Dells can be challenging but some how we always find a way to get through.

Turtle Rock

Some of the granite rock formations remind me of something so they get a name and is also used as a reference point once in the Dells.

Butt Face Rock

Hiking the Dells over the years I have started to name some rock formations that look like something. When I found this location the choice seemed obvious.

Butt Face Rock

Hiking the Dells over the years I have started to name some rock formations that look like something. When I found this location the choice seemed obvious. I liked this image in both color and B&W so I have posted both versions.

Peak Light

Nothing like being at the right place at the right time. I was hiking in the Granite Dells as a storm front moved all around me when the clouds opened to illuminate this one peak.

Smoking Boulders

When hiking the in Dells you just never know what kind of granite formation you will find. These boulders appear to stacked up and balanced.

Granite Pine

One of my favorite trees to check out when I start my hike into the Granite Dells. You will see several variations of this scene depending on the background clouds and light.

Clouds And Shadows

It was a wonderful afternoon of clouds and shadows in the Dells.

Opposing Forces

I was climbing along a granite plateau during a storm when I noticed this rock and the clouds swirling just above it. It almost seemed like two opposing forces getting ready to collide.

Cool Breeze

A cool windy day hiking along the top of granite fin formations above Watson Lake

Sky Lines

Interesting looking clouds streak over the Granite Dells.

Natural Symmetry

This thin line of clouds came through the Granite Dells and lined up with these boulders as I was hiking a along a ridge top.

Cloud Tails

I was checking out a cove along Willow Lake when I saw this wonderful display of clouds.

Rock Slide

It must have been a powerful force to move these large granite boulders and pile them up at the bottom of this ridge top.

Thunderstorm Clouds

This granite ridge is one of my favorite ways to enter into the Dells as it provides wonderful views during the summer thunderstorms.

Higher And Higher

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Difficult Spot

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Empty Cove

During high lakes levels this little cove was full of water.

Dividing Line

Interesting to see the grass growing in a crack that spread along the top of this ridge in the Granite Dells.

Afternoon Storm

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Trail Markers

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Boulder Ridge

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Granite Pines

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Fallen Giants

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Ridge Line

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Water Pockets

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Launch Pad

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Granite Ponderosa's

A strange and difficult place for a couple of ponderosa pine trees to grow.