Canyonlands National Park

July 27th- afternoon

Canyonlands National Park is divided into three distinct sections by the Green and Colorado Rivers- Island in the Sky, Needles and The Maze.  Island in the Sky is an easy 30 mile drive from Arches.  After completing our hike to Delicate Arch in Arches, we decided to spend the remainder of the day in Canyonlands.  The Island in the Sky section is a high mesa, rising 2000 feet above where the Green and Colorado rivers join.  On entering the park, we decided to drive out to the furthest point, Grand View Point, in order to get a bird's eye view of the rivers and of Monument Basin, where you can see stone columns and deep canyons carved by the rivers.

When we arrived, one of the rangers was giving a talk on the geology of the view below.  It was amazing to realize that this area has been inundated by ocean at least 29 times in the past, prior to the elevation of the Colorado Plateau when tectonic plates collided and caused the area to rise.  Below, you could identify what used to be sand dunes and white salty areas that were most likely the shoreline of the ancient ocean.  Once the plateau rose, the rivers carved deep canyons into the soft stone.  The resulting view was dramatic, with deep canyons, the view extending out about 100 miles.  The ranger pointed out the location of Needles and the Maze.  Needles was at least 3 hours away by car and roads into the area are minimal. However, it was only 12 miles across the canyon! The Maze is the most isolated area, with the most common means of exploration on foot.

After the talk and enjoying the view from Grand View Point, we drove back toward the entrance, stopping at a number of overlooks.  The view from Buck Canyon overlook was particularly beautiful, with great views of the Green River.  We stopped at the trailhead for Upheaval Dome and walked the 1/2 mile trail to view this geological feature that appears to be a crater, about 1 mile in width, closed in by concentric circles of rock with a center rock spire.  There are several theories regarding its origin, including a large meteor strike.

View from Grand View

View from Grand View

View from Grand View

Spire in the Monument Basin

View from Dead Horse Point

The two of us in front of Mesa Arch

Our final stop was at the trailhead for Mesa Arch, a much-photographed arch that I had always assumed was in Arches National Park.  The 1/2 mile walk took us to the arch, which frames a beautiful view of the La Sal mountains.  After resting and photographing the arch, we headed back to Moab for a much-deserved swim in the pool.  We did make one more stop- we had been told that the view from Dead Horse Point in Dead Horse Point State Park, adjacent to Canyonlands, was a "must see".  We drove in, and the view of the Colorado River was truly spectacular.  After visiting Arches again Saturday morning, we will head to Grand Junction, CO, to visit my sister and her family for a few days.