The Triple Junction of Southwest Utah

In Southwest Utah near St. George, there is a unique “triple junction” of 3 of physiographic and geologic provinces. Those 3 provinces are the Colorado Plateau, the Mojave Desert, and the Great Basin. Join us on this tour around Southwestern Utah and you will learn how to "read the landscape" and see where certain features can be found, learn about what makes each province different, where to find some of those features, and why this triple junction is so special.
Would you like to go on a road trip to find places where this "triple junction" formed spectacular landscapes? Watch our two part virtual road trip that shows the way:
» Part 1, Snow Canyon to the Hurricane Fault: • Touring the Triple Jun...
» Part 2, Hurricane Fault to Zion: • Touring the Triple Jun...
#geology
#coloradoplateau
#utah
#mojavedesert

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Don't miss our virtual road trip that shows where to see the landscapes influenced by the Triple Junction: » Part 1, Snow Canyon to the Hurricane Fault: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4WyZH6pd7mloMk » Part 2, Hurricane Fault to Zion: kzbin.info/www/bejne/epKbgHWna8mApdk

[@marbleman52]

I am glad that it was mentioned that the Grand Canyon was not entirely formed from just the erosion the the Colorado River, but also from the uplift of the land.

[@timkasten7708]

Really? The uplifting caused to erosion

[@scottmerrow1488]

Or was it all ELECTRICAL SCARIFICATION?

[@alanbiancardi2531]

@@timkasten7708 In a sense, yes. Without the uplift erosion would not have made the GC.

[@michaelthayer824]

This is exactly the broad overview of the geology of the SW and Colorado plateau I was looking for. Very well done!!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! Glad you found it worthwhile watching!

[@roncarguy72]

I'm a huge fan of Matt's Off Road Recovery out of Hurricane. I see all of these features in his videos and crave knowledge of how they were created. This video shed a TON of light on those curiosities! Thank you.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome and thanks for commenting. Yea, we see signs of Matt around town occasionally.

[@RoaldvdM]

It's actually MORR that got me interested in this region - and therefore I'm watching this video

[@muhammadshah1984]

Nice video

[@greenlightreading6975]

I live in Hurricane. Can't believe I get to Mt. Bike and explore all over in this rugged creation every morning. From Hurricane Cliffs, to Confluence Park, to Gooseberry Mesa and beyond it's an every day experience for me. Don't even mind all the rattle snakes.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Too funny, I live in Hurricane too and ride the Hurricane Cliffs trails when I have little time, or Wire Mesa when I have more time. The scenery has definitely been part of the inspiration for making this video!

[@greenlightreading6975]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Cool. Perhaps we've seen one another and never knew it. I ran into around two-hundred high school kids on Saturday and rarely ride without seeing at least a half-dozen riders. Thanks for the great video. Very educational. Now I'm watching all kinds of geological videos. Benjamin Burger, a USU geologist has produced a lot of them. I thought yours was more informative, however. Good work.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@greenlightreading6975 Perhaps we have. Lately with the heat, I haven't been hitting those trails, but limit myself to around 8am on a quick 1 hour ride thru Cinder Knoll (if you know where that is off 600 North) just to get exercise. Thanks for the kind words on the video(s). My wife and I (mainly me) enjoy doing it and it's a great outlet for our photography. I'll have to lookup the USU geologist on KZbin - thanks.

[@greenlightreading6975]

@@BackRoadsWest1 I pass by the Cinder Knoll going and coming. Between 6:30 and 8:30. I'll hike there when the temps are cooler. I'll be watching your other videos soon.

[@josephdunn3757]

Is there really a lot of rattlesnakes in this area??

[@Marimilitarybrat]

This channel popped into my KZbin stream yesterday. This is going to be fun. I love Geology, topography & volcanology.

[@evilcam]

This is amazing. The geological explanation is second in excellence only to Nick Zentner (which is extremely high praise), but the visuals you created to help explain the narrative were second to none. Everyone involved in the creation of this video is a Boss. This is a veritable masterpiece compared to most youtube fare. Well done.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you so much for the kind comments. I looked up Nick Zenter and remember watching a few of his episodes. Thanks for rating my explanation near Nicks. Comments like yours makes my labor of love well worth it!

[@richardmourdock2719]

As a fellow "Zentnerd"... I share your compliment. I'm only watching now because its a Wednesday, and no class today... Darn the luck.

[@gurdialsingh5921]

@@BackRoadsWest1 mai is

[@adamsj2007]

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[@adamsj2007]

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[@markdaniel8740]

I've lived in various parts of the Mojave desert for 20 years and am always amazed while driving anywhere. Hurricane and the Virgin River are beautiful, Colorado Plateau is almost spiritual. I haven't been through the Great Basin much, nobody has been, but it is almost other worldly.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Yup, a trio of 3 great regions. Thanks for commenting.

[@jeffspicoli5399]

I lived in the great basin my whole life lol well on the eastern edge of it in salt lake city. But yeah it is other worldly out here.

[@LividImp]

I love this stuff. I grew up around the Wrightwood area (from your San Andreas video) and my uncle lived in Hurricane, UT. All this stuff is what I grew up with so it is nice to see some one else interested in it.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting. Hopefully the video will intrigue more people.

[@patrickoneill1341]

I lived in St George from 2013 until 2018. It was nice to see this fascinating topography once again. 360 degrees of "WOW"!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! Been living in Hurricane since 2016 and how I've learned about all this stuff.

[@spikespa5208]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Obvious you knew the area well; you had the correct local pronunciation of Hurricane city.

[@jeremyr529]

St. George/ Zion National Park…..the entire area is just stunning and so picturesque. I just love it out there!

[@janbowcut7980]

Living in Hurricane brings this all to life. Thanks for explaining the geology of this area.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

My pleasure! Thanks for commenting. We live in Hurricane too!

[@michellet6294]

Awesome! I'm a Hall from Hurricane. My great-grandpa, Alfred Hall, worked on the Hurricane canal for over a decade to make the town a possibility.

[@reidellis1988]

@@michellet6294 I lived just South of Three Falls Canyon for 8 years. I loved living there. I miss it.

[@Username7758-zv5po]

The Great Basin is my favorite province (because I’m from there) but I can see the beauty in all the three provinces and seeing them mush together is really cool.

[@greatpix]

I've lived in this area for 7 years now and have been fascinated that I can stand in front of my home and see all three of these provinces at the same time.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Funny, same here! Except, it's our backyard. It's part of our inspiration for creating the video. Thanks for commenting!

[@DavidSmith-sj9si]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Wife and I will be moving to Washington Utah within the year... can't wait.

[@gregordonnach7970]

What everyone else has said plus; I came through the junction at night having traveled from Washington a couple of years ago. My desert adventure. I traveled this area at night en-route to winter warmth in Yuma. I missed most of the natural beauty as a result. Thanks to your video I'm going back. I now realize that this is the hub and culmination of what I've been looking for in a place to set new roots. No more PNW rain❗

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Lots to see here! Thanks for commenting.

[@gregordonnach7970]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Yep. My previous comment was too limited, I left out that I'd stayed about a month near Cedar City out in the desert at Three Peaks Wilderness area. (I believe that's the name.) I'd never seen such a remarkable terrain and geology before. Even two years in lava fields of Hawaii got trumped. I became interested enough to make several visits to the local BLM geology office, a rockhound was born.

[@andreysleepdeep]

Cool photography and production, thanks for the insight

[@tropicaltico]

This is the best comprehensive tour of SW geology, I’ve seen. 🙏

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Excellent, thanks for commenting!

[@GreatStarSeven]

just drove back to Denver from Las Vegas using i15 and i70, this video answered so many questions I had while driving and seeing all those formations.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad it answered your questions. Thanks for commenting.

[@laptopturbo]

South west Utah is truly breathtaking. I've been to Sand Hollow state park and the scenery was unlike anything I have ever seen. Thank you for making this video!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

My pleasure! Thanks for commeting

[@fontcaicoya5686]

I love this video! I lived in Boulder, UT for a few years and it was lovely catching up on some spots you outlined, such as Strike Valley Overlook and Powell Point - however, I'm confused! I don't believe Powell Point can be the highest point on the CP. Check out nearby Boulder Mountain at approx. 11,300ft. It's part of the Aquarius Plateau that sits atop the Colorado Plateau. Powell Point kind'a gets overshadowed by it since it sits 'behind' the Straight Cliffs of Escalante.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting and finding this inconsistency in the video. Both you and the video are correct. Funny, I was just refueled in Boulder on my way to Torey last weekend to pickup a one-way tour group. So, you're right, Boulder Mtn is higher (elevation wise), but it consists of material from a volcano that occurred after the material of the Colorado Plateau formed. Same is true with Brianhead Peak, which is also higher than Powell Pt. I could have been more clear on the video at the cost of making it longer (it's already way too long - but people are watching it) is that Powell Pt is the highest formation (Clarion formation i.e. Bryce, Cedar Breaks) of the Colorado Plateau. Case in point is at Cedar Breaks where you see the white and pink Clarion and then right on top of it is the volcanic material of Brianhead & the Markagaunt Plateau. Hope that helps!

[@dale3x8]

I am headed to Hurricane for a vacation at the end of this month. This video only made we want to see more! Thank you for the details!!!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for the comments. Stay tuned for more video tours of the SW Utah area.

[@smcalliste005]

This video drew me in with its stunning photography and pleasant narration about complex geological topics. Really well done and I can’t honestly believe that I watched a 40 minute video about rocks. That’s a huge compliment! 😂

[@BackRoadsWest1]

LOL! Yes, that's a hard ask for people to watch a long video essentially about rocks. If you'd like to see where to go see some of the places in the video, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4WyZH6pd7mloMk - but I'm sure you've already visited them.

[@felicagriswold7276]

This is wonderful! Well laid out and explains much. Well done.

[@JonnyUtah777]

I live in st George right where he’s talking about. This video came up randomly too! It is the best area I’ve ever lived in

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Well, that's where I live! Yup, lots of interesting geological stuff going on here.

[@michaelkloimwider9337]

Ausgezeichnetes Lehr - Video. Ich wünschte, wir hätten viel mehr davon. 🙂

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Danke schön! Da Sie aus Deutschland kommen, wird Ihnen dieses Video über die Mosel sicher gefallen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oH-Vk2lmfJqjhrc

[@80808O]

Love this channel! Thanks for making this content 👍👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome and thanks for the comment

[@UATACan1]

Very good video of that area. The level of descriptions was just right for me to easy to take in. i will check out more of your videos. The video randomly showed up in my KZbin list and i am glad it did.. i do follow Nick Zentner as well.

[@hwh1946]

Me too.

[@Acrossutah]

Nice video -- great overview of the area. I won't nitpick/debate some of the pronunciations as others have, but.. Capitol Reef is with an "o" not an "a". It's named for the Navajo Sandstone there which resembles capitol (building) domes one might find in a capital (city). 👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks Jamal. Good catch! I think someone pointed that out to me a while back but it was too late to republish the video. I wish KZbin would allow one to update a video rather than upload a new one and lose all the comment history. And Jamal, what an honor for you to be commenting on our video! We really enjoy watching your videos about hiking thru places in Utah we will probably never get to. Your use of cameras is superb! My wife and I being photographers wonder how you capture that stuff all by yourself during your extreme hikes. Whenever you are passing thru the St. George area, please drop us a line as we'd love to buy you lunch or dinner and chat about mutual travels. We live in Hurricane.

[@Acrossutah]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Haha -- thanks! I didn't see it mentioned yet, so I thought I would make the note. Glad you guys have enjoyed my videos and yeah... I too very much wish KZbin had a way to make small edits w/o re-publishing. I have many mistakes in my videos (typos, wrong place names, mispronunciations, etc.) that I HATE being forever embedded. Even a pop-up "notes" track would be really useful (other than the caption system.) Would be great to meet up for a meal at some point -- thanks for the offer! I'm actually headed to southern Utah later in April for another big hike, but prob won't be stopping in that area as my plan is to start over by Bryce and this time and hike east. Cheers!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@Acrossutah Too funny, we also have a video on Cathedral Valley and I saw that I spelled it both ways (kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJa9hmWNfc-Ieqs). Thanks to you, I just made the correction. But I don't want to watch the video again to see if I spelled it wrong there. I will at some point! It would be fun to chat with you on various levels (Utah and video production). If you're driving up I-15, we'd be happy to meet you at one of the off-ramps with an eatery. Let us know - email is best for me [e-mail]

[@Uhtred-the-bold]

Southern Utah is probably the coolest place in the us

[@thomasmaughan4798]

But in summer it is among the hottest places.

[@Hurricane0721]

If Southern Utah is a geologic triple point, then is that area considered seismically active? In many other parts of the world where you have geological triple junctions like this you have active volcanoes and frequent strong earthquakes. Most people don’t associate Southern Utah with earthquake danger. However, I would surmise that a violent earthquake is at least a remote possibility in Southern Utah with these types of geological forces at work.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Hey Hurricane0721, do you live in Hurricane? Because then you too would be familiar with the Hurricane fault. The Southern Utah area does experience earthquakes. St. George had a magnitude 6 about 20 years ago. However, faults, such as the Hurricane, show little movement over the past several thousand years unlike faults related to the San Andreas. So it's not as geologically active as California.

[@ejtonefan]

Good question. The presenter using the term as a geographic delineation and not the classic tectonic New Madrid fault and mid-east function.

[@ejtonefan]

Where is the structural failed arm of the so-called "triple junction"? It seems that you use this term to delineate physiographic areas. This is geography not geology.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Please define "structural failed arm". The video discusses all types of physiography: geology, geography, botany, climate. Hopefully you picked that up. As for the location of the convergence of the 3 regions, is the map not clear enough?

[@ejtonefan]

Geology 101@@BackRoadsWest1

[@richardcoleman9932]

Fascinating, excellent video with really great animations and visuals accompanying your explanations. Well done and keep them coming please!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks much!

[@rastorasto2424]

Brilliant explanation, astonishing pictures and illustrations, just great upload! Thank you!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting!

[@eastwind6820]

I wish I had stumbled on this vid a few weeks ago! My husband and I will be visiting the Grand Canyon area next month and would have included the Triple Juncture in our plans. Plans are now etched in stone. Maybe next year we can visit the Triple Juncture. So many photo ops and not enough time! And I too am a Nick Zentner fan, and you are right up there with him!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

There's a lot to see here. Glad our video pointed out some things. You can easily spend a week in this area and see all the beautiful landscape.

[@thedesertpirate8247]

I totally appreciate the correct pronunciation of Hurricane. Easiest way to spot a newbie to the area is the way they pronounce our city name. I work out in this area. By Zion National Park. I learned some from your video. Thank you.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Funny you noticed that. Living in Hurricane myself, when I released the first version of the video, several people said I should add what you saw. I initially didn't want to include it because then it revealed to the public "our secret" of spotting out-of-towners.

[@thedesertpirate8247]

BackRoadsWest1 are you still a southern Utah resident?

[@cosgood1978]

I was gonna say the same thing about the pronunciation of Joshua tree. The u isn’t silent

[@stephenpowstinger733]

I thought it was Josh-you-a Tree.

[@thedesertpirate8247]

@@StonemanRocks no. The world is not wrong. Nor are we. It’s the local pronunciation. Lots of words are pronounced differently in different locales.

[@cleokey]

I've gone through many of these areas driving from so cal to Bonneville racing for about 20 years. Always stop and explore interesting places along the way.

[@jondevlin4754]

Amazing Video ....love this whole area ...all 4 deserts of the southwest and the Colorado plateau are breathtaking ...have you made any videos that look at the Mogollon Rim area

[@branhub]

I live in AZ, specifically the transition zone. The Colorado Plateau is marvelous.

[@NaptownLove]

Please do the San Rafael Swell. I loved this.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Ahhh, so many cool place to create videos & articles on, so little time!! Someday...

[@cindywho134]

That area is stunning. I've watched some other KZbin videos around there and wish I had the nerve to move. This was very informative.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you. We had the nerve, we moved up here from So Cal.

[@dudeonbike800]

Glad the gods of KZbin recommended this. Geology? OF UTAH??!!! OH HELL YES! And how appropriate: heading to St. George next week!!! Can't wait to get me a good dose of Navajo Sandstone soon...

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Oh, hell yes!! Hope you enjoy your trip. There's a lot more to enjoy than Navajo Sandstone, maybe a more dosages of the corrugated Moenkopi...

[@dudeonbike800]

@@BackRoadsWest1 for sure! Yes, we will indeed. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@stephenhill6003]

I watched this before and after my trip to this area and it was very informative. Thanks!

[@davidvanvoorhis4979]

My favorite area to explore+travel driving the backroads+remote camping.

[@rogerb4971]

Quality content. Accurate pronunciations, explains local "Hurrican"'usage. Having driven through this route yesterday, I'm frankly impressed.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you very much for that! Some people comment indicating they don't like the way I talk, but I'm just pronouncing words carefully, as that's what I do for a living - create training videos - and the goal is for people to understand what I'm saying.

[@samyoungblood3740]

One of my fav areas to look at on Google maps or Google earth! One of the coolest aerial views in the US of natural landscapes just east of Hurricane UT, the (4-corners region) it forms a silver tip red fox bed down! ❤️

[@JRPetruk]

Nice video for geographic beginners. The script is very elementary.

[@wasabiginger6993]

Thanks for this very enlightening documentary. In Fall of 2009 I dog-sat for a friend in New Harmony for 6 weeks. Wish I had known all of this back then. However, not knowing anything … one cannot escape the immense stunning beauty and great drama of this area! Despite it being a nasty icy wind tunnel, it felt very sacred to me. I used to take the dog for a jog thru the sage brush hills … while the West side of Zion park framed the landscape … what an amazing 6 weeks!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

[@drscopeify]

Great video as always! You make such fantastic videos, very easy to get an overview of the area something that otherwise is hard to do from just a maps or description and no other videos comes close to this. So much detail and yet so easy to follow. Thank you for your hard work on these videos. I follows your El Cajon pass and San Andreas video for my last drive to LA from Seattle down the 395 and made a few detours in area through Wrightwood.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for the kudos. I wish I had more time to travel and create more videos!

[@kinglonestar2760]

I love this kind of stuff. Geology has always fascinated me. One question… Why “Josh-a tree” rather than “Josh-ua tree?” Have 98% of us been pronouncing it wrong all this time?

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for watching. No, you're pronouncing it right. It's like tomato or tomata; data or daata. My pronunciation is a shortcuted version. You're saying it phonetically correct.

[@smcalliste005]

I live in the Kayenta community of Ivins near Snow Canyon state park. Though the community beneath the red cliffs is called Kayenta, I’m inclined to think that the nearby mountains are rather from the Navajo formation after viewing your video? Are any other formations represented in Snow Canyon besides the Navajo? Just curious.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

We actually live in Hurricane and one of us works occasionally at Coyote Gulch. Snow Canyon is pretty much all Navajo, with your community's namesake, Kayenta, towards the very bottom. Roughly the bottom half of the hills behind Kayena is really Kayenta formation. Unlike Entrada, Kayenta really has rock named after it. If you'd like to know more about Entrada and how far it is from St. George, see kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJvXXqyIpNire5I

[@sdllfan7917]

Interesting how the coconino aquifer is under the Colorado plateau .

[@tifacola]

Fun fact! At 38:50, those homes started falling off the side of the hill a few years later.

[@MountainFisher]

The Mojave Desert is the Largest Desert in the US, get your facts straight. The Mojave goes from -286 feet below sea level to 4000 plus feet.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

My facts are correct, not sure where you're getting yours. If you do your research, you'll find the Great Basin is the largest desert in the USA. And there's portions of the Mojave that are much higher than 4,000 feet above sea level. You definitely need to review what you call "facts".

[@matthewwilson1017]

Great video and I can't believe I hadn't seen it before now. I live in Washington, up in Green Springs near Red Cliffs NCA and absolutely LOVE looking out at all of this beautiful landscape on a daily basis. Really cool to learn some more about why things look the way they do. Thanks for the video!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! LOL, I was hiking near Grapevine Spring off Washington Pkwy a week ago. Be sure to watch the tour: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4WyZH6pd7mloMk

[@mhairihefft3290]

Thanks for your great video,the way you describe the geology of this area is amazing💜

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

[@BrianDoherty-e8s]

The most modern layer in the Triple Junction area is radioactive material from nuclear tests just west in Nevada.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

LOL - that's from 50+ years ago. Most recently, the layer on top of that, are immigrating settlers from California. It will make for some more interesting colors once a few more hillsides erode away over the next 1000 years...

[@rogeeeferrari]

Been thru there a couple times, interesting drive for sure...

[@jppagetoo]

I went from Las Vegas to Zion NP in 2015. You have to go through St George on the way. I saw St George's geology and wondered what on earth formed this bizarro set of cliffs. Now I know! It is an amazing area for sure.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Yes it is. Thanks for commenting. Our video tour supporting this video and showing where to see all these places will be released shortly.

[@MaximRedin]

So nice video, so clear narration. Thank you for your video. I'd like one day to go and see those magnificent places... Btw I am watching you from Russia

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the tour and presentation. I'd also like to see the landscapes in Russia some day, especially the Kamchatka Peninsula.

[@jamiefenner9443]

VERY MUCH liked, and subscribed. Such an Information-rich production, thank-you!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're very welcome and thank you for commenting!

[@dudeonbike800]

35:50 is the best real-world view of an anticline I've ever seen. Not anticline-mactic in the least! You really did an amazing job with the visuals and photos in this video. Truly stunning. Thank you very much! PS Now watching the view of Hwy 9, I realize that I remember that section of road very well after my driving it on several occasions in 2019. Ha, I sure didn't notice the anticline then!!!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting and glad you enjoyed it. Yes, between Google Earth and flying cameras (aka drones), us story/video makers have much better tools now to help our viewers visualize what we are explaining. Yea, the Virgin Anticline is definitely one of the most pronounced anticlines around and people drive right through it without realizing what it is.

[@dudeonbike800]

@@BackRoadsWest1 I'm one of those who did indeed drive right through it - several times - without noticing. And I'm a bit of a geology buff and know an anticline when I see one - or thought I did at least! Thanks again.

[@jameskirkland328]

The Upper Creteaceos Mancos Shale is about 1 mile thick in eastern Utah ( we are working to raise it to a Group, but even then the Blue Gate Member (to be simply the Blue Gate Shale). Even the Upper Cret. Kaiparowits Fm. is about 3000 ft thick in only a few million years For this dino story see: .kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJjYi31phriDnpY For the diamond of the St. George area see kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5_Km6mnf7yqkKs ,but visit yourself if you get a chance.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for sharing. I'll need to watch 1.5 hour presentation when I get a chance. Have you seen our tour of the Kaiparowits Plateau? kzbin.info/www/bejne/oGS1aXiQhJelr5I

[@helenabrus191]

Have watched this before but it is so informative and interesting that it probably won't be the last time either! Thanks; you have such a great voice and I learn so much from your vlogs.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for commenting. Yes, there's lot of information to digest. I even have to watch it over occasionally!!

[@timretallack5411]

I have to tell you, your consistently not pronouncing them to “u” in Joshua tree is like fingernails on a chalkboard. The Mormons named the tree after the biblical figure Joshua. His name was Joshua, not “Josha.”

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Where are you from? I find it funny with all the other technical jargon spoken, you pick on the way people in the Southwest pronounce some words, especially something not having to do with geology, like shortening it to Josha and other words. I've heard it pronounced Josha and Joshua all over the Mojave Desert.

[@HullTreeCare8]

So I'm kind of confused because on the map you're showing you show the Rocky Mountains clear outside of the Great Basin over in Colorado way over in Colorado not even coming into Utah or Arizona at all and that is completely faults so with your mat being completely wrong I do believe that all of your conclusions will be completely wrong thank you find better map

[@BackRoadsWest1]

The video has been viewed extensively and I've done the presentation live several times. You're the first one to not understand the map. Maybe watch the video again?

[@ronaldolin675]

Excellent production and fascinating geography. I enjoyed every minute. I have visited all three deserts more than once, but I still learned a lot from this video.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@laynelair7537]

Thanks! Very keen on geology! Love it!

[@tannert7877]

Great information, but legitimately the most condescending speech pattern & tone of all time.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for the compliment. This is a training video where one pronounces all their words so that the viewer can easily understand. Funny, the few people that say this type of narration style is "condescending" don't take direction well from others.

[@mikekline261]

We are being lied to about our history,and geology a little river i don't care how long doesn't account for the erosion of the grand canyon and the badlands of north and south Dakota

[@ejtonefan]

Interesting. Who is telling us these lies? Aliens?

[@gb8894]

Great video but Joshua is pronounced “Joshua Tree” not “Joshuh Tree”

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thanks for the correction. I've heard it pronounced both ways. It's kind of like - data or data...or tomato or tomato...or is it graben or graben?

[@larrydykes7643]

Wow great video.. think I better check out some more of your channel!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you. Enjoy the tours!

[@Bccool86]

Powell point can't be the highest point on the Colorado Platue. Even boulder mountain, 50 miles away is at 11+. Pretty good video. Had lots of interesting info.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Powell Point is the highest point in all of the formations (in this case Clarion), not the highest land. Yes, that is confusing. I'm thinking Brian Head Peak near Cedar Breaks is the highest point. The high land is all volcanic basalt that flowed over the Clarion many years after the deposition of the formations. Brian Head in particular was from a large volcanic event around 20-30 million years ago, then pushed up by the Hurricane Fault.

[@Bccool86]

@@BackRoadsWest1 super good insight and excellent examples. This helped me brush up a ton on the facts before my guiding season started so thank you for the time you spent.

[@lanalorenzen]

I live in the St. George area and a friend and I travel three or four times a month just to explore the area. Zions National Park will knock your socks off--and so might the entrance fee of $35. Fortunately, I have a lifetime senior pass for the national parks. But if a person has never seen it, it's worth the money. This is a great video and one I'll go back to constantly to plan future trips! Thanks, BackRoadsWest1. Oh! My friend and I always take the back roads. For example, rather than I-15 we travel on old 95.

[@domcizek]

EXCELT VIDEO IF YOU ARE INGERESTED IN GEOLOGY, MY BROTHER LIVED IN ST GEORGE AND I DID VISIT THE AREA LONG AGO

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you!

[@vashman01]

You can see a lot of it on Matt's Offroad Recovery KZbin channel!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Actually, Matt, who lives close by to me, doesn't show you where it is, so in reality you can't tell where in the various regions he is pulling a car from. His former partner and I are now working on videos that show you places while showing the adventure. His channel is kzbin.info

[@dollarsing]

I quite like layer cake...

[@donf18]

It's Josh-u-ah not "Josha"...

[@sonshinelove6181]

Nope. The deposits were all laid down in two separate great floods.

[@ejtonefan]

Who told you that?

[@jerrymiller276]

What perfect timing for KZbin to recommend this video to me. My wife and I will be travelling to St George for the last week of September. This will help tremendously with our explorations of the area. We live in NC and have nothing to compare with the desert southwest.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Enjoy the trip. Hope you learned something. Thanks for commenting.

[@jerrymiller276]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Thanks! I'm also checking out some of your other videos of places we might wish to go while we are there. I rode a bicycle on route 50 on my coast to coast bicycle tour five years ago and definitely wanted to show my wife some of it as well as explore some areas that I did not get to see while passing through. So a week in St George followed by a week in Sedona.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@jerrymiller276 well, there is lots to see in Utah. But you're starting in a place where there's lots to see. Have fun!

[@vjs4539]

Welcome! I've lived here all my life, and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. Zion National Park is a must see. And Bryce, if you want to make the 2 and a half hr drive.

[@donnieroessling]

I love Hurricane Utah. My big sis lives in between quail lake and sand hollow. Lots of cool places to explore. Dixie rock is awesome at night in st George and mesquite isn’t that far for gambling and fun.

[@outdoorlifeofindoorperson1263]

Your video is amazing!! I am so happy that I found your channel. We will go to this area this summer. I am so excited to check this area more. I will share this video to my husband, and I will watch this before and after the trip! Thank you very much!

[@hisaoregon]

Super clear and easy to understand video. Bravo!!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you and thanks for commenting!

[@martywollner4128]

Wonderful presentation, thank you!

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome and thank you for commenting!

[@Dwightstjohn-fo8ki]

I believe "JoshWA" trees also grow in Israel.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I thought so too but no yuccas grow naturally outside of the Americas. The plant you are referring to in the Middle East looks similar.

[@thom_lester]

OK, late to the party, but i was unable to watch beyond the 3 min mark as the horizontal-slide into the next image was too distracting.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Odd. Have you tried watching on another device? 386,000 people have watched this video and haven't mentioned what you're reporting.

[@thom_lester]

@@BackRoadsWest1 It might be personal taste? Yet i did not mention my POV and my wife said she can't watch it any longer. I shared that "If he" had used a "Dissolve" between images (that were simply in same non moving location on frame) it would have been easier on the brain/eyes IMO. She agreed. Just a friendly suggestion. Dissolve should be available as a transition option. >>And we live in the eastern area of "Mohave Dessert" north of LV, so the videos would be great to watch, but as shared, in the current form not viewable by the 'few'...and i can imagine not worth the redo for the few.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@thom_lesterThanks for the feedback. Slide transitions are a personal preference and there are many for a video developer like myself to choose from. There are certain reasons as to why certain transitions are used. To me however, the significance of the information in a video far outweighs someone's dislike of a transition. Before today's world of social media, public opinion wasn't offered to developers, authors, artists, etc. If someone like Pablo Picasso heard feedback from his paintings, such as your paintings are too weird and I'm no longer going to look at them, do you think he would change his painting style? Probably not. As mentioned, out of 300K+ views on this video, only one person not liking a certain transition and preferring another won't change any future design.

[@weiqunli4724]

BTW, I also watched your Gold Butte video, Will add Little Finland to my list. :)

[@jonerlandson1956]

this is very interesting but also very condensed it seems... i think i'll have to rewind rather than pause all the time...

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Well of course, it's a big topic. Most people don't like to watch long videos.

[@jonerlandson1956]

@@BackRoadsWest1 my problem isn't the length... there are events i'm unfamiliar with... depositions in the sandstone layers i don't associate with anything...

[@ectosports]

Great video and very informative. Tis video has helped me understand ore about the are where I live, Hurricane, UT.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Excellent! Funny, I live in Hurricane too and was definitely the inspiration behind creating the video.

[@ectosports]

@@BackRoadsWest1 I have been to the top of Hurricane Cliffs, Black Ridge, the very edge and it is a very impressive overlook but a very scary place to turn your Jeep around. No need to do it again.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@ectosports Black Ridge - I assume by the antennas? If so, yea, that is a rough road. It's getting worse now with all the ATVs going to T-ville Falls. Nonetheless, yes, there are some great views up there.

[@H.pylori]

After viewing this outstanding video lesson, I wish that I had had time in college to take a course in geology. I am now self-teaching and your videos are very helpful. Thank you.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

If it helps, we're "closet geologists"; self-taught after reading a bunch and taking several classes. It's fun to know what you're looking at out there.

[@Iziireal]

Where would be best to look for alluvial gold?

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Everywhere!

[@timjones1583]

The Earth is 6000 years old. All these features were created after the flood of Noah's time.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

I've never read the 6K year reference in the Bible. Original or New.

[@ejtonefan]

Bishop Usher concluded the earth was formed in 4004 BC based on accounts in the Bible. Add 4004 to 2023 and you get approximately "6K" years.@@BackRoadsWest1

[@WanderingBlock]

Watching this after a couple trips to Utah. Wish I saw this video beforehand! Thanks for making this

[@BackRoadsWest1]

My pleasure. Thanks for commenting.

[@evopwrmods]

I have learned so much by watching your most excellent Video presentations. I am much appreciated, Thank You......

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome and thanks for commenting

[@garyginther6742]

I thought the Joshua tree was pronounced as: /JOSH'-oo-uh/, not as: /JOSH'-a/ as was spoken by the narrator towards the beginning. Also, it seems to me that the Triple Junction should be shown on the map with the 3 provinces overlapping there, as well as where there are only two adjacent provinces that have overlapping, shared borders. They would surely overlap there also, or have a gap where they don't actually touch each other. Perhaps there are places where the provinces transition abruptly, as the map shows them at the borders of ALL the provinces. It's difficult to explain, but I think I've made my point clear enough. The map makes the borders look as though the provinces transition too perfectly.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Hi Gary, thanks for commenting. Perhaps you're looking too deeply into some things. First of all, I've lived in the Mojave Desert for about 40 years - started in the south (California) now in the north (Utah). I've heard Joshua tree pronounced a few ways, even after attending presentations from other people. It's a West-coast accent thing. Maybe you don't live here and not aware of it. People tend to shorten words. Second, in the very beginning of the video there is a big circle that points out the junction's transition zone. It's an approximate 50 mile radius. What more do you need to make that point clear? What part of "transition zone" isn't clear? Furthermore, my narration does say that in places, such as around Death Valley, the transition zone is very wide. Now, the Colorado Plateau's western boundary is very narrow, simply because it's a fault that may be as thin as a crack or as wide as a half mile or so. So there, hope that helps.

[@noneofyourbusines9976]

Death Valley is the lowest point in North America NOT the Western Hemisphere..That's in South America-Laguna Del Carbon,Argentina. And prior to 1905 the Imperial Valley was a few feet lower.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Good catch, thank you. It should say North America. I believe various signs and articles do mention Badwater is lowest in Western Hemisphere. Now I'll keep my eye open for that. The Salton Sea / Imperial Valley discussion can fill up another entire video/presentation...

[@toshibavoodoo]

Shared channel with my DAD, he loves getting out into the wilds.

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

The narration is done by an ai isn't it? Wonderful presentation but the narrators voice drives me insane. The uncanny valley effect at work I guess.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Hey Big Brother, I am the narrator. ai? What do you mean? The narrative style is that of a training video to keep people engaged and so that people understand all the words. If you don't like the voice, then turn down the volume.

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Oh, I'm very sorry sir. I thought this was an AI narrator because I have heard similar sounding AI narration on other videos! Sorry if I offended you :/

[@BackRoadsWest1]

@@BlGGESTBROTHER No worries, no offense taken. You didn't answer my question: what do you mean by AI? I'm assuming Artificial Intelligence. AI and text to voice synthesis technology are not related, so that's why you're throwing me off here. The technology simply follows a set program that a programmer wrote; there's no artificial thinking about it. And yes, I choose to not use text to voice because it sounds, well, artificial.

[@BlGGESTBROTHER]

@@BackRoadsWest1 Yes I mean Artificial Intelligence. As in one of these new fancy adaptive learning bots that people are using to narrate their videos these days. We've reached the uncanny valley where sometimes it's hard to decipher whether it's a bot or an actual person narrating.

[@spencer6633]

simply EXCELLENT !! Thank you for your time and effort to create this masterpiece.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Thank you! My pleasure!!

[@SanFranTriDude]

Wish we watched this before visiting the area. Nice job!!!! Thanks for doing all the research. Love the BLM land out there too....public land like BLM land offer us the chance to enjoy this awesome geology without the commercialization or bureaucracy.

[@BackRoadsWest1]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for commenting.

[@rodney5055]

We're (hopefully) headed to Snow Canyon State Park near St. George and then to Whitney Pocket and Little Finland next month. Your videos have been invaluable in our quest to find out-of-the-way places to visit. Thank you 👍

[@BackRoadsWest1]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoy them.