Some "Overlanding" around Central Utah

[Bob902]

That is Uraninite(black part) with what I presume is Uranophane(glowy parts) matrixed in sandstone I am not good at identifying certain rocks and geology. However it is cleary various Uranium(U-238) minerals. The pieces collected below were the primary reason for my 3 day venture. I love things Radioactive.

I use Gamma Spectrometer (Radiacode 102) works similar to Geiger-Mulier Counter but can do things like spectrum analyzer and isotope identification as is far more sensitive to non-attenuated Beta Radiation and Gamma Radiation.

Has both a Desktop and Phone App, pretty useful and fun if you are into that sort of thing.

You can see some of what I do in one of the videos at the bottom of the original post.

And thanks, I love that hat. I still got a bit of a sand burn on my arms and face >.>

Before I retired, I was the rad instructor for our dept. Always enjoyed that aspect of it.

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[Vr22s]

Thanks for the Intel! We just started collecting rocks, we have a highly autistic nephew who's very tactile so we started giving him rocks and minerals etc, he loves them then we got hooked on them ourselves. By happenstance we have found a bunch in our river rock that match
What we bought polished, we've set them aside to polish when we buy a tumbler and polishing supplies.

With those meters you have you should go work on "The secret of Skinwalker ranch" tv show! They use instruments like that.

Just be careful if you come across rocks like mine. They can be quite toxic. Not to mention mildly radioactive! Most of them will fall apart though as they and sedimentary rocks/sandstone.

 

[Vr22s]

Before I retired, I was the rad instructor for our dept. Always enjoyed that aspect of it.

Something I wish I had done more as a profession. But I guess it makes it more fun as a hobby.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Just be careful if you come across rocks like mine. They can be quite toxic. Not to mention mildly radioactive! Most of them will fall apart though as they and sedimentary rocks/sandstone.

I've already had cancer, I don't. Need more lol. I would like to visit the Trinity site in the White sands missile range , it's only open twice a year.

 

[Bob902]

I've already had cancer, I don't. Need more lol. I would like to visit the Trinity site in the White sands missile range , it's only open twice a year.

Another bucket list thing for me. They have a real nice Atomic Testing Museum in Albuquerque that has a full size mock up of the Trinity tower.

 

[RedRocker]

1. yes there a couple of back ways into Arches NP. Willow Springs Road (BLM 378).
Its located about 10 miles North of the official Arches entry (RT 191). It is trail 14 (page 54) in the FunTreks Guide to Moab trails book. It leads you near to Balanced Rock. Plenty of youtube videos. And YES, you still must have a pass.

2. Salt Valley Road (BLM 145) Runs off of Valley City Road (BLM144) which is about 4.5 miles south of I-70 on RT.191. And YES, you still must have a pass.

3. Timed entry, along with a pass, From April 1 through October 31, visitors entering the park in a vehicle between 7 am and 4 pm. Most National Parks are open 24 hours. Go early, go late, no timed entry pass needed, just the standard park pass/entry fee.
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/timed-entry-fees-and-passes.html

Remember, a year pass is $80, (except Seniors is only $20), though folks 62 and up can purchase a lifetime pass for $80. Current military can get a free annual pass and Gold Star & Veterans a free lifetime pass.

I got my lifetime pass when they were $10 bucks, even got another one before they went up.

 

[AzScorpion]

I still plan to get to Utah and do some outdoor stuff. Been to Zion hiking a couple of times but want to drive more towards Moab and Arches area. Maybe next year. Paying for a wedding now?

Moab & South Dakota are top on our list of favorite place we've been to so far. Arches is amazing and you need to take the Gemini Trail which starts over by Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point area. If your wife is like Annie she'll be terrified. lol

 

[Fawnbuster]

Another bucket list thing for me. They have a real nice Atomic Testing Museum in Albuquerque that has a full size mock up of the Trinity tower.

I'm a nerd, I like seeing & knowing how things work like splitting or fusing an atom, something you can't even see in a microscope amazes me. I used to take my dad's power tools apart to see how they worked I was probably 7 or 8 at the time, 1st time it wasn't too bad he came in and put it back together but that power drill didn't stand a chance, the springs for the brushes shot over my shoulder and I never saw it again. I got my arse tanned for that one lol.

 

[ppfd]

Man I loved Utah
We did the tourist things
Arches
Bryce
Capital Reef
Canyonlands
Cedar breaks
Moab
Zion

Hit a few places in between
Monument Valley on the way into Utah
Mexican Hat
I think we drove by the hole in the rock? There was a store or restaurant built into a mountain
Drove into St. George and looked at a Mormon Temple from the outside. GF was afraid they were going to kidnap her

 

[Bob902]

I'm a need, I like seeing & knowing how things work like splitting or fusing an atom, something you can't even see in a microscope amazes me. I used to take my dad's power tools apart to see how they worked I was probably 7 or 8 at the time, 1st time it wasn't too bad he came in and put it back together but that power drill didn't stand a chance, the springs for the brushes shot over my shoulder and I never saw it again. I got my arse tanned for that one lol.

If you ever get out to Vegas, check this one out. Its about all the testing at the Nevada Test Site. I think they also let you take tours at the test site, or at least used to. I was lucky enough to go for training three times at the test site.

www.atomicmuseum.vegas

 

[Fawnbuster]

First time posting one of these, thought I would share this trips pieces.
I usually dont take a ton of photos or document my trips well but this time I decided to, seems like a good idea either way.
Went out to various places looking for some Spicy Rocks(Radioactive Rocks/Uranium Ore) Trip Included 1000mi as well as at least 250miles on dirt roads or just plain dirt and no roads.

Truck got me into and out of some sketchy spots. It certainly got me home with ease.

All Places here in Utah:
-Temple Mountain
-Moab
-La Sal National Forest

Also Some Videos for those that might like some Random Raw Footage (nothing too extreme here though):
Ranger in Spring Canyon
Mine Hike
Dirt Road Cruising Nothing Extreme

Those drop offs in the 1st video are steeeeep.

 

[Fawnbuster]

Moab & South Dakota are top on our list of favorite place we've been to so far. Arches is amazing and you need to take the Gemini Trail which starts over by Canyonlands/Dead Horse Point area. If your wife is like Annie she'll be terrified. lol

I've been to SD 4 times for prairie dog hunts. 1 rancher pointed us to a huge town that had not been hunted in several years. I had my 1990 Bronco then. We had to drive almost an hour in the prairie to get to it, crossed a couple of muddy creeks, good Ole 4x4 low and a 351 Windsor made it a breeze. That town was HUGE sat in a dish bowl shaped grassy area, looked like a putt putt course. We parked with the sun at our backs and stayed for 8 hours of non stop shooting. I have a 6.5x55 Sweedish Mauser with 180 grain big game bullet, bought a case so I had brass, but those rounds kicked hard the 1st year, this time I had poured 9lbs of lead shot in the composite stock, free floated the barrel and put another pound of lead in the fore end, that thing doesn't kick anymore lol. Tuned up the sticky safety and trigger, I have 3 witnesses who watched me whack a prairie dog at 900 yds. It took me 10 rounds and a half an hour to buck the wind and creep up on him before he ran into his hole. He was so far away my cross hairs completely covered him. On the 9th shot he heard it zip past him so I moved right a smidge and knocked him over.

That gun case feels like your carrying a small outboard motor when you pick it up. All the weights on one end. It's a Sweedish surplus rifle that had never been fired, all the serial numbers match, they only replaced the wood stocks with composites for some reason.

 

[hookem57]

First time posting one of these, thought I would share this trips pieces.
I usually dont take a ton of photos or document my trips well but this time I decided to, seems like a good idea either way.
Went out to various places looking for some Spicy Rocks(Radioactive Rocks/Uranium Ore) Trip Included 1000mi as well as at least 250miles on dirt roads or just plain dirt and no roads.

Truck got me into and out of some sketchy spots. It certainly got me home with ease.

All Places here in Utah:
-Temple Mountain
-Moab
-La Sal National Forest

Also Some Videos for those that might like some Random Raw Footage (nothing too extreme here though):
Ranger in Spring Canyon
Mine Hike
Dirt Road Cruising Nothing Extreme

I drive a Semi, have seen a bunch of spots in Utah that I would love to take my Tremor. Nice pics. Thx

 

[Chris M]

I drive a Semi, have seen a bunch of spots in Utah that I would love to take my Tremor. Nice pics. Thx

Please be safe out there.
Back when I was a driver, I "saw" a lot of beautiful places in this country...from inside the cab of my truck. I never had the chance to stop and enjoy any of it and haven't gone back to those places to visit. I really hope you are able to do that someday.
Again, be safe out there!

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