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Goblin Valley - 7 members in 10 triplogs have rated this an average 3.3 ( 1 to 5 best )
10 triplogs
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Dec 29 2023
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 Guides 12
 Routes 192
 Photos 863
 Triplogs 356

42 male
 Joined Nov 30 2015
 Phoenix, AZ
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Dec 29 2023
ShatteredArmTriplogs 356
Hiking6.30 Miles 564 AEG
Hiking6.30 Miles   2 Hrs   3 Mns   3.07 mph
564 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Decided to swing by Goblin Valley State Park on the way to Escalante, since I figured it might be awhile before this is convenient again (although the San Rafael Swell looked like a feature worth exploring). Paid the $20 entry fee, and planned on just doing a couple miles of wandering, since I wanted to get in a hike later in the day. Wasn't really familiar with the layout of the place, but saw that there were three "valleys", with a route down the Red Canyon wash connecting them.

Got a little carried away and went all the way down to Valley 3. Hiked all the way back in there, and ended up in a little crumbly slot canyon before heading back. Decided to take a shortcut on the way back.

Valley 2 is pretty much adjacent to Valley 1, and didn't even realize it was a separate thing on the way down. Decided to see how far up to the ridge I could make it, but never made it to the point where I could see to the east.

Finally wandered back to Valley 1 where all the tourists were.

All of them were fun, and I have to say, I enjoyed it more than I expected to. Ended up doing over 6 miles...definitely got a little carried away.
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Nov 25 2023
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 Guides 2
 Routes 127
 Photos 1,478
 Triplogs 129

male
 Joined May 07 2019
 Tempe, AZ
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Nov 25 2023
mikemcgTriplogs 129
Hiking5.38 Miles 655 AEG
Hiking5.38 Miles   4 Hrs   28 Mns   1.57 mph
655 ft AEG   1 Hour   3 Mns Break
 
1st trip
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Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
Third hike of the day. It was 25°F and cloudy.

We first headed toward Goblin's Lair. Easy trail, a few ups and downs, a lot of fascinating rock structures along the way. Goblin's Lair was once a small slot canyon with very high walls, but a rockslide blocked the entrance and turned it into a cavern. Getting in required scrambling up the rockslide (about 40 feet) to the top, entering a small hole between the rocks, then scrambling down into the cavern, which is impressive (about 70 feet long by 25 feet wide). There are a few openings in the roof that let light through. We explored the cave and found the little tunnel, but didn't go very far in that, because I'm claustrophobic and didn't want to belly-crawl through a long, dark, tiny space.

We climbed back out of the lair and proceeded to the Goblette's Lair, which is a smaller cavern about 0.25 miles further, which requires an easy climb up a butte to access. We explored the Goblette's Lair, then headed back to the main park.

We proceeded about 1 mile into the main park area and explored the thousands of "goblins" (hoodoos) for a while, until we got cold, so we headed back. There was some light snow, but none of it stuck. There were a lot of people in or near the parking lot, but almost nobody more than 100 yards away from the lot. It was fun and interesting to see, but I'll probably never go back.
  2 archives
Oct 14 2022
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 Guides 10
 Routes 673
 Photos 7,281
 Triplogs 4,660

67 female
 Joined Nov 17 2008
 phoenix, az
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 14 2022
trekkin_geckoTriplogs 4,660
Hiking2.00 Miles 100 AEG
Hiking2.00 Miles
100 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
after finishing the bell/little wild horse loop, we stopped at goblin valley for an hour
fun wandering around and the goblins are interesting
worth a visit if in the area
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hazhole
 
Oct 19 2020
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 Routes 181
 Photos 901
 Triplogs 259

50 female
 Joined Mar 09 2010
 Chandler, AZ
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Oct 19 2020
azlaurieTriplogs 259
Hiking1.72 Miles 194 AEG
Hiking1.72 Miles   1 Hour   7 Mns   1.81 mph
194 ft AEG      10 Mns Break10 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
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dswitzer3
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
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♥ Timing is Everything ♥
  1 archive
Jul 26 2020
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 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Jul 26 2020
Charger55Triplogs 573
Hiking2.50 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles
140 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
May 20 2017
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 Guides 100
 Routes 63
 Photos 2,548
 Triplogs 184

76 male
 Joined Nov 21 2015
 Grand Junction,
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar May 20 2017
Steph_and_BlakeTriplogs 184
Hiking2.50 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   2 Hrs      1.25 mph
140 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a must-see for anyone near Green River or Hanksville, UT. From the main parking area you can wander around, among, over and under the thousands of hoodoos (goblins). It's a great place for folks of any age. We especially enjoyed watching and listening to the little kids as they 'conquered' a goblin. In fact, one young girl declared that "hiking is now a part of my life". Priceless. :y:
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Stephanie and Blake Barnard
 
May 01 2016
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 Routes 17
 Photos 485
 Triplogs 510

77 male
 Joined Jan 07 2010
 Chandler, AZ
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar May 01 2016
Mike_FelsTriplogs 510
Hiking3.36 Miles 326 AEG
Hiking3.36 Miles
326 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
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Goblin Valley is sort of another world type place. There are literally hundreds maybe thousands of hoodoos littering the floor of of the park. Some only a foot high, others huge. The hoodoos have a round fairly smooth texture so they could be said to look like goblins. There is really no actual trail through all this. What I found was that after walking across the floor I started following a small dry stream, figured it would lead me someplace. And it did, behind the wall visible from the parking area. We found that this area was even better than the valley floor. Fantastic cliffs and formations that made the imagination go wild. There's a lizard, and here's a castle, and over there is a turtle and an elephant etc.

I will attach my GPS as a suggested path to follow that we really enjoyed.
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Jun 05 2014
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 Photos 1,345
 Triplogs 298

67 male
 Joined Jan 15 2010
 Avondale
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2014
leonesiegelTriplogs 298
Hiking3.00 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking3.00 Miles      40 Mns   6.00 mph
140 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Curtis Bench Trail.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Selfie
_____________________
 
Jun 05 2014
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 Photos 1,345
 Triplogs 298

67 male
 Joined Jan 15 2010
 Avondale
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Jun 05 2014
leonesiegelTriplogs 298
Hiking1.00 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking1.00 Miles      35 Mns   3.00 mph
140 ft AEG      15 Mns Break
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Carmel Canyon Loop.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  HAZ - Selfie
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Apr 23 2014
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 Photos 186
 Triplogs 17

62 male
 Joined Jun 13 2010
 Bradenton, FL
Goblin ValleyCentral, UT
Central, UT
Hiking avatar Apr 23 2014
KwaiChangTriplogs 17
Hiking2.50 Miles 140 AEG
Hiking2.50 Miles   2 Hrs      1.25 mph
140 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
End of the day lazy hike through out Goblin Valley - before we went out we stopped into the Park Entrance and asked the Rangers about the best hike for the time we had remaining - they sent us out into what I would call the main "field" of Hoo Doos. As I asked the question I could see the smile starting - I asked - "Isn't this where those 3 fools knocked over the Hoo Doo?" He smiled, laughed and said we are not specifically sure which one it was that was knocked over but yes it is.

We spent about 2 hours walking around exploring the hoo doos and had a time of it. No real trails and we were told you can pretty much walk wherever you want just pay attention to the ground under your feet - sure enough in a few spots the ground was a little less than stable - nothing that would cause death or anything like that but it was amusing when a shift or two happened.

Was an easy fun little walk.....
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Out of all the things I've lost I miss my mind the most.....
 
average hiking speed 1.78 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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