ADAM HAYDOCK: March 2016

PINK LIME PIT

March 25, 2016

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THE CAVES & HOT SPRINGS OF THE TOOELE BASIN, UTAH

March 20, 2016

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Fish Spring National Wildlife Refuge is situated about 40 miles east of the Nevada border in Utah. This remote basin reminded me a bit of Death Valley but nestled in the basin were a series of interesting geothermal features including springs that rose out of the ground like mini calderas with water temperature near the boiling point.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Here is some interesting data from the Utah Geological Survey as they tested the water quality of the Springs. There is some other information regarding microbes that is inconclusive, but I know for a fact that I could see orange algae like mats and a few green algae mats that were floating at the surface.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Id	2081
Mapno__cou	TO-109
County	TOOELE
Region_loc	Fish Springs
Source__we	Wilson Health Spr.
Location__	(C-10-14)33c
Quad__usgs	C
Township	10
Range	14
Section	33
Qtr_sectio	c
Idname__us	395423113254900
Type	Spring
Temp__°c	60.5
Class__hig	SPRING HIGH
Depth_of_w
Flow
Rate_units
Longitude_	113.4303
Latitude__	39.9064
Utm_eastin	292251
Utm_northi	4419986
Depth_to_w
Status
Date	12-Jul-67
Reference	USGS/NWIS; 2000
Ph	7.4
Conductivi	31200
Sodium__mg	7090.0
Potassium_	18.0
Calcium__m	740.0
Magnesium_	224.0
Aluminum__
Iron__mg_l
Silica__mg	33.0
Boron__mg_	2.600
Lithium__m
Bicarbonat	180.0
Sulfur__mg	1600.0
Chlorine__	12000.0
Fluorine__	4.00
Arsenic__m
Total_diss	22900
Total_diss	21700
Cations_an	100

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Some of these pots were hotter than others but all of the pots that I placed my hand in, became uncomfortable hot within 10 seconds or less. I am guessing that the water ranged between 140 and 180 degrees. I even noticed some water bubbling in the middle of the pots.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

It us interesting to us that this is yet another example that I have found where extremophiles, Algea, Bacteria, and microbes can thrive in such hostile conditions where the other 99.9 percent of living organisms on this planet would perish.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

I think this is some excellent evidence along with the Sulfur eating chemosynthetic bacteria, the Lead eating bacteria, and this finding can prove that life would exist and thrive on other planets.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

When Laura and I first pulled down the 25 mile dirt road to the entrance of the refuge, the surrounding desert reminded me of Death Valleys Basin with a similar distance crossing one side to the other. The mountains were a mix of metamorphic lava, mineral deposits, and an alkali basin but with a section of spring water that has creating a micro Eco system for birds and animals to exist and thrive.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Lake Bonneville existed from about 32,000 years ago until about 14,500 years ago, when the climate dried up the lake leaving what we know today as the great salt lake. During this time, volcanic action erupted forming small plateaus and springs spewed out minerals onto the area we know today as Fish Springs.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

On the range to the east, you can see the shoreline of Lake Bonneville along with other remains including salt deposits that were crunchy and gooy to the point where someone could sink into the salty marsh lands where these spring were located.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

It was not the safest place to go on a hike as you could easily break through and into a underground stream just feet below with 160-180+ degree mineral water encapsulating your foot. Yes, it did happen to me, I was walking though and broke through up to my knee and could feel my foot heating up fast!!! I pulled my leg out and found stable ground, so be careful walking out there!! I can see how people can fall through the crumbly mineral rim stone dam surround the caldera and cooking themselves like a lobster.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Walking through this landmine of brittle hot disaster and crunchy mud slogging mineral compound, I was able to find 8 pots with some excellent water flow and one that had a set up of pipes and bath tubs for people to sit in and soak under a cooler condition instead of the scolding hot water re surging from the pot once it reaches open air.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

Just to the west of two pots is a frame of an old bus that appears to have sunk into the dirt. I can only imagine what the story is behind this bus finding its resting place as well as the life that this bus must have had during its time.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

further west onto the basin we found some other springs but they had a bit more static water flow and were not as hot. We assumed that they are not as active as the ones I was at previously, So the place I was at must be a interesting geothermal radius.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

I understand that the crust is a bit thinner between salt lake and California due to the tectonic stretch which must allow for more geothermal activity to persist and develop. There is also some 10-15k year old lava flows in the desert.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

This is one of the most remote places we have been and only saw a few cars drive by all day long except for the massive heard of sheep and the sheepdogs maintaining their heard.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

There was not anyone at the visitor center or anywhere else on the property and we literally had this place to ourselves.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

More to the east you can find Baker Hot Springs and further out west is gandy which has warm spring and some caves in the area. I will be visiting that area very soon!!

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

I was fascinated to see how the desert was so vast and how much it resembled Death Valley but closer than the drive to death valley.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

I bet there are more metamorphic cave systems in the mountain range that is surrounded by this basin too.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

There is also a cave called Hot Springs Cave which is a gated cave to protect the historic value that has been left for excavation from Indian tribes that thrived in the area back when lake Bonneville was more of a vibrant place to hunt and fish.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

The cave itself appeared to have some sort of going passage but I was not able to see past the gate.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

There is one spring in particular that I found to be a very interesting opportunity for a dive. The water was cool, it was a clear blue color, it is big, and there is a substantial amount of water leaving the resurgence. There is a mountain range of metamorphic volcanic rock behind the spring which has a few small lava tube and fissure caves, so there is a lot going with this lead but there are some drawbacks.

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

The spring has a fenced in closed gate around the circumference of the spring with a sign that says no public access beyond this point, there are three locked metal relief holes to the south of the spring, and there is another sign that states that swimming is prohibited "dangerous waters".

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

I am curious to know what makes these waters dangerous if it is ameba's, flocculating water temp levels, or another unknown activity. This left me in question as to what to expect under these waters and with the sun setting, and a few other factors, I have put this spring on hold for another time. more to be continued....

HOT SPRINGS OF FISH SPRING BASIN

FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/exploration-worldwide/albums/72157663839586814

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BOX CANYON-MAPLE CANYON,UTAH

March 16, 2016

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

On our way back to Salt Lake City we got the chance to stop by Box Canyon in Maple Canyon which is a popular place for rock climbers, campers, and people that just want to enjoy some hiking away from the city.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

The conglomerate rock has eroded in a way to make some interesting alcoves, spires, and a couple canyons which I found box canyon to be a very interesting conglomerate place to check out before ending the trip.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

The hike up canyon was not to difficult. the first few hundred feet you will find fix anchor climbing routes in this cavernous like canyon section where people can climb up and around these conglomerate stones embedded in the canyon wall. It was almost like being at the gym, with the handholds and fixed quickdraws without actually being inside.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

The stones give some interesting natural handholds and jugs that I found to be fun to climb on and interesting to see. We continued up the canyon and the narrow corridor of the canyon would narrow back up as it meandered up to the first and main obstacle, the hand line climb.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

Once we ducked around some rocks we made it up to the 50ft crux of the canyon.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

There was a fixed rope which made scaling the falls easier but it was a bit slippy and one could take a nasty tumble if they lost their grip.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

I body belayed myself up the falls and griped a few stones near the top to get up with ease. he canyon continued on with a few more falls and trickling water babbling down the canyon. we ran into some ice formations along the way too.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

Eventually the canyon starts to open back up and we were at the top of the canyon. We simply turned around and went back out the way we came in.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

I found this canyon to be pretty easy so I am going to give it a conservative 3AII but be careful on the handling climb as it can be sketchy.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

Bring a descended, something to ascend with on the rope unless you know how to body belay yourself up and down.

Box Canyon, Maple Canyon, Utah

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BAKER HOT SPRINGS

March 15, 2016

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

Baker hot Springs is another remote geothermal feature containing hot springs and mineral deposits form millions of year worth of resurgence.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

The Baker Hot Springs were formed and are still fed by the 6 million year old shield volcano known as Fumarole Butte. Aside from the Intermountain Power Plant, which is operated by and supplies power to the city of Los Angeles, you’re a solid 50 miles from anything resembling civilization.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

To the south is the community of Delta which is one of the few sources in the world for concentrated beryllium, a highly-toxic metal used in aerospace and military grade technology

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

The water itself went from Luke warm conditions, to almost a boiling hot condition with the different pots found around the area.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

In the center of it all, there appears to be a mineral deposit mound where uplift or seepage has erupted these deposits along with a small network of underground rivers that resurge and lose back underground within the area.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

There were 12-15 of these hot pots that had small streams flowing into each other with a underground system just below the surface. When I was crossing over the brush land I actually stepped on a weak spot and broke through down to my knee which covered my shoes and pants with a salt and sulfur mixture.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

That was a bit surprising to fall through like that and thankfully I did not damage too much or fall deeper into a hot witches cauldron of boiling minerals.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

I was also scouting some potential dive leads that I thought might turn into something but ended up being duds except for two small sections of the springs were a big might be able to fit through the entrance and the passage might open up.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

Unfortunately the water must be at least 150 degrees and would require some wall shaving off the ceiling and side panel which does not really need to happen and a underwater survey of this passage is not necessary.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

Over by the tourist side, there are 3 bathtub like structures that allow bathers to soak in the mineral waters of the desert and with the remoteness of this area, you will prob have this place to yourself.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

I put my hands in the water and found it to be a bit cool so I am not sure if you have to open up some vault to let warmer water in but it was fairly cool to the hand.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

There were some interesting popcorn features left over by evaporating static mineral water and different colors of stained rock around the rims of the springs.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

I also found that there were some microbial mats living in these waters which might have included bacterial mats but algae mats were apparent which I find very interesting. This is just another sign that in extreme environments, algae, planktons, and bacteria species can thrive which is something to be said for life on other planets.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

This is just another sign that in extreme environments, algae, planktons, and bacteria species can thrive which is something to be said for life on other planets.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

Other than the power planet that is 20 miles to the east, this place is really remote and you will not find many people (if anybody) upon your arrival.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

The regional area is quite interesting as it is a geothermal active zone where the land is actually being spread apart below creating a thinner crust resulting in more heated pools of ground water to surface and evidence of volcanic activity as you will be able to see in the background.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

This is a great place to visit and I highly recommend everyone going here to view the springs and soak in the mineral baths.

Baker Hot Springs, Utah

FLICKR: https://www.flickr.com/photos/exploration-worldwide/albums/72157663605538184

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ADAM HAYDOCK

PINK LIME PIT

THE CAVES & HOT SPRINGS OF THE TOOELE BASIN, UTAH

BOX CANYON-MAPLE CANYON,UTAH

BAKER HOT SPRINGS

THE EXTREME ADVENTURE

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ADAM HAYDOCK

PINK LIME PIT

THE CAVES & HOT SPRINGS OF THE TOOELE BASIN, UTAH

BOX CANYON-MAPLE CANYON,UTAH

BAKER HOT SPRINGS

THE EXTREME ADVENTURE

PURCHASE NFTS HERE:

Welcome to my personal writings:

EVEN FURTHER PHOTOGRAPHY WEBSITE

SEARCH THIS BLOG

recent posts

Blog Archive

VIEWS

Contact Form

ADAM HAYDOCK

TRANSLATE

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