Where's the Toadstools

The toadstool trail is an easy hike that follows a sandy wash and ends at several beautiful rock formations. The trail head is just off Hwy 89 and continues for 0.8 miles one way. The total elevation gain is 100 feet with no shade therefore hats and lots of water are a necessity. We decided to go early to avoid the heat of the day.

Susan choosing her steps carefully

What's a toadstool you ask! It's a spire-like feature with a boulder perched on top of a pedestal rock. They form when boulders from the higher Dakota Formations fall downward onto the softer Enstrada Sandstone. This softer sandstone is now sheltered from wind and water lessening the effects of erosion.

A future toadstool

Pretty cool toadstool

Eventually the weight of the boulder on top will be too much for the softer sandstone underneath and it will collapse.

More toadstools...and some that have collapsed

The white sandstone is very soft and will erode and collapse under weight.

Looks like a chicken to me

Erosion resulting in these future toadstools

Softer sandstone washing down the rock face

As we started our walk back, we couldn't help but think that in 5 or 10 years how different this place will look. Through wind and water, the forces of nature can be unstoppable.

How different will this look in 100 years