By Lynn Arave
Does a likeness of Joseph Smith Jr., first
president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, exist in the vast
Millard County deseret, southwest of Delta?
Some believe so.
On a remote hillside in Utah's Sevier Desert,
about four miles southwest of Deseret and some 17 miles southwest of Delta,
rises a craggy volcanic outcrop. For almost seven decades, area residents and
visitors have been attracted to the formation.
In it, they can discern the outlines of a
man's features: head, brow, nose, mouth and even perhaps a high collar.
Welcome to the "Great Stone Face,"
or the "Guardian of Deseret," or "Keeper of the Desert."
From a certain angle, notes the book "A History of Millard County," a
1999 entry in the Utah Centennial County History Series, "some see a
resemblance to LDS Church founder Joseph Smith."
This remains a still seldom visited outdoor treasure for Mormons.
The Great Stone Face was originally called "Guardian of the Deseret" by Millard County newspapers during the 1920s, the era when it first claimed local fame as a tourist destination.
(Part of that reference is for the nearby town of Deseret.)
The Great Stone Face was originally called "Guardian of the Deseret" by Millard County newspapers during the 1920s, the era when it first claimed local fame as a tourist destination.
(Part of that reference is for the nearby town of Deseret.)
"Many Mormons see an uncanny resemblance
of this naturally carved formation to profile pictures of church founder Joseph
Smith," Millard County's official tourism site www.millardcounty.com reads.
Whether or not it is partly the power of
suggestion, there definitely is a face to be spotted here in the rocks, though
some may argue whose face.
Visitors have to decide that for themselves at
the site, about 150 miles southwest of Salt Lake City.
The rock pillar sits some 150 feet above the
Sevier Desert floor amid a field of lava rock and sagebrush, with a view to
Notch Peak to the west.
A steep scramble along a 400-yard-long trail
takes hikers to the base of the monument over loose rock. A rugged path,
outlined by lava rocks, marks the way.
Indian petroglyphs dating back about 1,000
years are found in the general area just north of the Great Stone Face. These
markings are now highlighted by a new sign.
--To reach this natural wonder, travel to Delta
and then go southwest on U.S. 6/50 about five miles and turn south on state
Route 257.
Then travel about six miles south on S.R. 257
to a signed turnoff to the west (right).
Go west on the gravel road and travel for
almost six miles to the north edge of the black lava beds. The gravel road —
passable by cars in dry weather, though there are washboard ruts in the road in
places and three cattleguards to cross — loops around the west side of the hill
and ends at a small parking area. There is no admission fee.
The petroglyphs
are located just a few hundred yards before the parking lot and feature their own sign.
These inscriptions were jokingly called the first edition of the Deseret News back in the 1920s and 1930s by Millard County newspapers.
These inscriptions were jokingly called the first edition of the Deseret News back in the 1920s and 1930s by Millard County newspapers.
Hike south up the hillside, looking for the
dominant rock. Those who can't or don't want to hike can still see the Great
Stone Face from a distance, best viewed with binoculars.
This is a moderately strenuous hike up the hill side.
(The accompanying photos show the Great Stone Face, as well as the petyroglyphs sign.)
For more information on the Great Stone Face, go to:
http://www.millardcounty.com/places-to-see/great-stone-face.html
(Modified, but originally presented in the Deseret News, May 13, 2010, by Lynn Arave.)
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