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This loop trail (.6 mi.) crosses slickrock dimpled with depressions called potholes. During periods of heavy rain, water collects in these natural basins. Within a few days a fascinating variety of invertebrates hatch from eggs or emerge from dormancy to complete their life cycles. Pools form with tiny animals dependant upon a puddle of water for their existence. Look closely but don't touch.
Caption in the lower right of the picture:
Adult tadpole shrimp (top) and clam shrimp (bottom) must lay their drought-tolerant eggs before the pool dries up. Here a female tadpole shrimp digs in the sediment to bury her eggs.