Canyonlands National Park is broken out into three main sections:
The Maze – a seldom-visited backcountry on the western side.
Island in the Sky – a high mesa on the northern end
The Needles – a highly-visited section with the amazing rock formations that most of us think of when we think of Canyonlands.
We spent a couple days camped on BLM land outside the Needles area of the park, a perfect launchpad for exploration.
With a huge choice of options for hiking and sightseeing, we knocked out all of the short, easy hikes in one day, and then returned the next day to hike down to Druid Arch.
We ended up missing the real trailhead, and instead went down through Squaw Canyon, a remote and surreal landscape.
18 miles later, and we probably have never been happier to see the Jeep!
Druid Arch
The famous Druid Arch
Welcome to Canyonlands
A beautiful day to enjoy our National Parks!
Big Spring Canyon Overlook
A surreal landscape at the Big Spring Canyon Overlook
Colorado River Overlook
Colette gazes out at the Colorado River from the Colorado River Overlook
Rough Road
It’s a rough road getting out to the Colorado River Overlook, probably the roughest thing we’ve taken the Jeep through.
Sitting in Swirls
Colette takes a breather among massive swirls of Utah sandstone.
The Road to There
Taking a look out at the trail ahead.
Relaxing in Style
Sometimes you just need to take time out of your hike to enjoy your surroundings.
Tight Squeeze
Walking through this fault is a crazy tight squeeze if you have broad shoulders and a big pack!
The Home Stretch
Coming down the home stretch with tired feet and aching hips
Newspaper Rock
It’s easy to see why this wall of petroglyphs is called Newspaper Rock!
Texas Heart Shot
I heard that this drawing is called a Texas Heart Shot
Squaw Canyon Druid Arch Track
Google Earth track of today’s hike
