Factory Butte: a harsh altar in the Utah desert (16 photos + 1 (video)

Utah, a state known for its magnificent national parks like Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon, also holds treasures for travelers eager to get off the beaten path.





Factory Rock, a monumental sandstone hill rising above the rugged Cainville badlands, is one such little-known wonder.



This striking, formidable peak, towering over a landscape that seems like a cross between Mordor and the lunar surface, literally reigns in desolate silence. Part of a complex of small, flat-topped plateaus in the Upper Blue Mountains, Factory Rock, presumably named for its resemblance to an industrial building or factory of early settlers, reaches a height of 1,921 meters. Its root-like ridges, sharp ledges, and protrusions, winding toward the summit, seem to have grown into the earth itself, like an ancient stone stump.





The surrounding barren landscape is equally alien. It even feels like you're exploring an alien planet. And with good reason: by heading there, you can find yourself completely alone amidst this silent splendor.



Best camera required for exploring this alien, multicolored formation. While the landscape is mesmerizing even on a gloomy afternoon, it becomes truly surreal at sunset, when the last rays of sunlight cast fiery reflections on the cliff.