Valley of the Gods

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Valley of the Gods
Valley of the Gods in Utah
Valley of the Gods in Utah
Valley of the Gods (USA)
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Coordinates: 37 ° 11 ′ 11 "  N , 109 ° 48 ′ 49"  W.
Location: Utah , United States
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The Valley of the Gods is a plain on the Colorado Plateau on the southeastern border of the US state of Utah and Arizona and is located near the village of Mexican Hat , Utah. The publicly owned area in San Juan County is approximately 55.3 km² and is administered by the Bureau of Land Management . Since 2016 it belongs to the Bears Ears National Monument ; In 2017, President Donald Trump reduced the size of the National Monument by 85%, and the Valley of the Gods fell out of the protection of the federal government. Legal proceedings are pending against the reduction (as of May 2019), the granting of oil and gas licenses in the area and its surroundings is temporarily prevented.

Geography and geology

The Valley of the Gods is similar in appearance to the much better known and touristic Monument Valley and has comparable sandstone towers and pinnacles. It is therefore also known as the "small Monument Valley". It is at the same altitude of around 1900 m and the average temperature is −3 ° C in winter and 30 ° C in summer; the desert climate allows only 200 mm of precipitation per year.

The characteristic landscape was formed from the cedar mesa sandstone by wind and rain over around 250 million years. In the Permian period , the area initially consisted of a huge lowland basin in which a 400 m thick layer of sandstone from sediments from the early Rocky Mountains had been deposited. This layer consisted of sand-lime brick and red siltstone and was piled up to form high sand dunes on the shores of a prehistoric sea. Over the course of millions, water, wind and ice shaped the rock formations and unique natural sculptures of today. The distinctive reddish color of the rocks results from the iron oxide contained in the rock layers.

History and tradition

According to Navajo mythology, the rock formations are places of strength where the spirits of the ancestors dwell, especially in the Valley of the Gods. The striking sandstone towers are petrified warriors of the tribe who can be invoked for personal protection. They represent bodyguards whose power and strength accompany the young men on their way to war.

Flora and fauna

Due to the dry, desert-like climate, there are very few plants and animals in the Valley of the Gods. Plants include the rabbitbrush ( Chrysothamnus spec.), The cliff rose ( Purshia mexicana ) and the purple sage ( Salvia spec.), As well as some juniper bushes ( Juniperus spec.) And cottonwood poplars ( Populus spec.). There are some species of reptiles, smaller mammals and insects in animals.

Movie and TV

The valley formed the background for numerous western films, TV programs and commercials, including the American TV series Airwolf from the 1980s. In addition, two episodes of the BBC science fiction series Doctor Who were filmed in the Valley of the Gods .

tourism

The Valley of the Gods can be reached via Utah State Route 261 , approximately 10 miles northeast of Mexican Hat, or via US Highway 163 , approximately 15 miles west of Bluff . A 27 km long unpaved road runs through the valley, which should only be used with an off-road car. It leads over steep inclines and declines and several mostly dry rivers. However, numerous rock formations are off the route and can only be reached on foot. Some have imaginative names like Seven Sailors, Battleship Rock, Lady in the Bathtub, Rudolph and Santa Claus, De Gaulle and his Troops, and Setting Hen Butte (Cluck Rock). The area is currently not a national or state park and no entrance fees are required. A good view of part of the valley and the road is the Moki Dugway Overlook , a few miles north on Utah State Route 261.

Individual evidence

  1. a b c d e Bereau of Land Management: Valley of the Gods (visitor brochure , English)
  2. ^ A b Valley of the Gods
  3. Names of the rock formations u. map

Web links

Commons : Valley of the Gods  - collection of images, videos and audio files