Exploring Granite Dells

Parallel Layers

It was interesting to see rolling clouds that may last a few hours come in over granite formations that are 1.4 billion years old.

Wall Of Water

The warning signs were there but I was caught up in the moment of photographing in a small canyon when I looked up to see this wall of water heading my way. It was time to seek shelter.

Granite Puzzle

Every once in a while I come across a very unusual looking granite boulder hiking in the Granite Dells. How did this rock/boulder get this way and look so different from the other boulders?

Just The Right Place

It always amazes me when I see how a tree can take hold and grow in the smallest of openings surrounded by granite.

Rock N Roll

One of the many balanced boulders in the Granite Dells and this one is a very large boulder that somehow has not rolled down this steep rock formation.

Watson Falls

Due to snow melt and spring rains it was really wonderful to have most of the streams and creeks full of water this year creating some amazing waterfalls that do not happen very often.

Checkerboard Canyon

I found these wonderful granite patterns hiking a remote canyon in the Granite Dells. That is the beauty of the Dells as you never know what amazing feature you will find over in the next canyon.

Granite Pine

Hiking out of the Granite Dells during a storm when the sunlight came through to illuminate one of my favorite trees. What a way to finish up a hike in the Dells.

Granite Colors

Hiking around a cove along Willow Lake I found this interesting display of colorful granite.

A Lucky Day

This double rainbow stayed active for some time allowing me to move around the Dells and compose different images. A lucky day indeed as this does not happen very often.

Canyon Entrance

A beautiful day to explore one of the many canyons in the Granite Dells.

Dark Matter

It had been many years since I have seen such a large dark front and as soon as the winds came upon me I knew it was time to leave. The entire scene looked like something out of a disaster movie but I did like the combination of granite patterns, trees and storm clouds.

Granite Storm

It is amazing how a little rain can really bring out the granite patterns.

Gradient Granite

The Willow Lake water level usually goes down during the early part of the summer but will fill up again when we get the summer monsoon rains.

Plateau Patterns

Some parts of the Granite Dells have these amazing patterns that will stretch over entire ridge tops and canyon walls.

Smooth Granite

The Granite Dells can be an interesting place to find some wonderful granite patterns and boulders.

Last Rock Standing

We had some amazing cloud formations in the Granite Dells with large forming thunderhead clouds combined with lower fast moving dark clouds.

Scattered Light

Sun light breaks through the storm clouds to highlight a ridge in the Granite Dells.

Flowing Granite

Some of the granite patterns in the Dells contain circles, squares and then swirls. How did it all form and how long did it take?

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.

Boulder Stacks

You never know what type of formations you can find in the Dells.

On The Edge

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

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.

Dark Canyon

Some of the slot canyons in the Dells can be hard to get in and out of, but then that is part of the fun.

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.

Hard Place

A small oak tree struggles to find its place on top of this granite ridge during a late afternoon storm.

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.

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.

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.

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 Watching

This granite ridge is one of my favorite ways to enter into the Dells as it provides wonderful views along each side of the ridge.

Fallen Giants

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Water Pockets

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