Sept 20 - Canyonlands National Park

While in Yellowstone and Grand Canyon National Parks the past 2 summers, I often said that each and every national park is unique and special.  Canyonlands National Park in east central Utah certainly nails that definition!!  Susan and I explored only one of the 3 districts in Canyonlands. Called the Needles, it is on the east side of the park and is spectacular.  The other districts are called Island in the Sky and The Maze.  On the west side of the Colorado River, The Maze is one of the most remote areas in the the lower 48 states. No roads; hard to get to; we'll never get there. However, in the northern section, Island in the Sky is an area we will definitely come back to.  Staying in Moab, UT, is the perfect place to enjoy both Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

To reach the Needles District, we had to drive 35 miles from the main road.  We saw this feature on the way to Canyonlands; I called it "The Capitol." Beautiful, but only a hint at what we'd see inside the park.

Along the way, there was a place called Newspaper Rock. This petroglyph tells many stories. Check out the herd of deer in the upper left; a hunter shooting elk in the upper right; several bear claws and big horn sheep. And some are just designs.

On the way into Canyonlands, we had to stop at the sign and get our first look at this very dry and stark landscape.

We didn't know it when we started hiking, but this is how the Needles District got it's name. Well done!

Our first hike - a short 6/10ths miler around an area called Cave Spring. It contained an old cowboy camp. Easy to understand why cowboys would like it here: nice shady overhang to ward off the intense summer heat; good source of water nearby.

Nice storage box too.  ☺

One of the things we found so unusual is the very distinct line between the red sandstone and white sandstone. Iron oxide mixed with the red sandstone while the white sandstone remained like the sand you find at the beach. It only takes a little color red to make a significant color change.

Susan's on the white sandstone. Amazing to think how clearly defined that line between the red and white sandstone is.

We did see a number of mushrooms and balanced rocks.

Love the tree growing out of the middle of the rock. Tough existence.

Our longer 6 mile hike went up and down 2 ridgelines before reaching Chesler Park.  This is how the Needles District got it's name.

Some rugged hiking; very exposed, meaning hot and dry.  

And narrow too! Several times we had to wait for hikers coming towards us to clear the constricted passageways.

Great beauty, going and coming. Completely different views on the way back.

Couldn't resist a funny picture.

Finally made it back. This is our last downhill. You can see the car in the background. I had not taken enough water; bad planning on my part. But we had the salty snacks we needed and then had a generous lady give us some water that she didn't need (she was headed back and had plenty). So that was VERY helpful.  

This little arch is called Wooden Shoe. Good overlook on the way back to the visitor center and more water.

Yes, Needles District of Canyonlands, we will be back! And I hope you go there too.

Next up...Arches National Park.