I drive through the Virgin River Gorge every week now. I wanted to video this myself but someone beat me to it so I am borrowing their videos. As many times as I have been through I still can't keep my eyes on the road. The virgin River is only about 6 inches deep and 5 ft wide but somehow Mother nature equipped it with the power to carve this canyon. I can't help but feel humbled every week. The videos don't do this trip justice, and if anyone ever gets the chance to go for the first time, they need to make sure they are the passenger. The first video is southbound from Utah towards Nevada, the second is northbound from Nevada toward Utah. Neither video gives much of an idea of the sheer size of the cliffs or mountains around you as you drive through.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMj0ikAp-ss&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atzeZu-OQYA&feature=related
We drove that same route several years ago. I am often reminded of the old western movies when I drive through some of these places. I can see John Wayne come riding out one of those side canyons guns blazing as he is being chased by a band of Apaches.
That is spectacular, but I'm not sure I'm picking up on it. That whole trip is through a dried up river bed?
Quote from: FinsnFur on August 25, 2011, 07:43:39 PMThat whole trip is through a dried up river bed?
Yes and no. The river runs through there yet today but it is only about 6 inches deep and 5 ft or so wide, from what I can see. The river cut that canyon through the mountain ridge and then they built the road alongside. Truly amazing to see firsthand. The videos don't show the true scale of the mountains like you would see.
I'd like to see some pics of it while it was all river. :eyebrow:
I'm surprised there's not big hunks of fallen rock laying around on the side of the road and up against those barricades though.
Some day, on my way back, I plan on taking the time to get a few pics of the area and will include the rocks that don't show in the videos. If I can find something to show the size of the river, I hope to have pics of that too.
Well, god willing, I'll be here waiting. :wink: