Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Spiral Jetty: A Personal View

The image above is from the DIA website -- Spiral Jetty as we've known it from the textbooks.

Beginning the trek, we are equipped with walking sticks. The rocks on either side  (about 6' out) are the borders of the Jetty, which is 15' wide. Even with these make-shift guides, each step proves to be a challenge because the Jetty is 99% submerged. Oh, and the surface is not flat. In fact, it's incredibly uneven.




In addition to two sticks and thick socks and boots, I am equipped with hip waders and six layers of clothing to combat the wind and cold (photo from Bob. Thanx!) 



Another challenge: the water was more of an obstacle than an aid in walking out toward the spiral. 



Taken from the hills atop Rozel Point, on the Great Salt Lake.  The Jetty begins just past our Jeep and extends 1500'  beyond the coast. 


About 3/4 of the way out and turning to look back toward the coast (and the Jeep), the rock barriers have disappeared. We have no borders to aid us in our navigation.











We made it out to about 1000' (I'm not entirely sure as to the exact distance), and we were very near the arc in the spiral.  The journey was fantastic and, next time, we hope to go even farther.

6 comments:

Elizabeth said...

This is so neat!! It's fun to see images of the jetty from a closer perspective.

art gal said...

Hooray for the pilgrimage! It looks like your trek was a little chilly but nevertheless a sight/site to behold. The art history books should suggest that waterproof boots will augment one's viewing pleasure. So glad you made it--thanks for sharing!

Boris Zakic said...

what an experience!

Prof. Darrell Kincer said...

Very cool!

Evelyn said...

AWE-SOME! :) So excited about your trek!

Anonymous said...

Wow! that is so cool! where is it? what a neat adventure!