Sound of Silence Trail, UT

Overview
If limited time is a concern on a visit to Dinosaur National Monument then I would recommend this hike. It’s a great quick lesson in what has transpired in this region. The uplifting, tilting, faulting, and folding of rock layers exposing not only Dinosaur bones but exposing more than 250 million years of earth's history layer by layer.


Hike
A brochure is available at the trailhead to describe the different aspects of geology on the hike. The hike starts in a wash and heads towards sandstone mounds. About a third mile in the trail rises to the bench along the wash for a new perspective. Then back into the wash. A short while later the hike enters an area with dirt hills. A very narrow drainage is your trail as it meanders thru the hills. Sometimes you can reach out and touch both sides of the hills with your hands. I wouldn’t call it a slot canyon but narrow indeed. Soon you are at the top of a hill with 360 degree views.The trail continues on the backside of a tilted mountain of rock with juniper trees all around. The trail now turns south up and over the tilted rocks. Again great views as the landscape changes again. Now the down climb begins with some scrambling required. Maybe even a little stemming. Soon you are back in a wash to complete the loop. For a relatively short hike it packs a punch. The monument rates the hike difficult. I would say moderate.

2019-10-04 AZLOT69