2014 29 Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Hello All,
Having thoroughly enjoyed our stop at Newspaper Rock in southeastern Utah it was time to continue our trek towards the Needles District of Canyonland National Park. Traveling on UT-211 we traveled through Shay Canyon and then Donnelly Canyon on the 30-mile drive. It took us through some of the most beautiful ranch country we have ever come across. Both sides of the canyons were lined with awesome monolithic sandstone buttresses. We stopped many times along the way to take it all in.
Having thoroughly enjoyed our stop at Newspaper Rock in southeastern Utah it was time to continue our trek towards the Needles District of Canyonland National Park. Traveling on UT-211 we traveled through Shay Canyon and then Donnelly Canyon on the 30-mile drive. It took us through some of the most beautiful ranch country we have ever come across. Both sides of the canyons were lined with awesome monolithic sandstone buttresses. We stopped many times along the way to take it all in.
As we entered the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park the landscape features started changing quickly with red and white sandstone spires, massive arches, and narrow steep-walled canyons.
Only about 2½ miles into the park we observed on a ridgeline one of its most prominent landmarks--that being Wooden Shoe Arch. It is a relatively small arch, but it makes for a fun recognizable landmark.
Driving the paved roads through these amazing landscapes was an awesome experience. We thoroughly enjoyed our adventure.
While we prefer to have blue sky the overcast moving in didn’t deter us from enjoying the awesomeness of the area. Many of the spires were capped making them resemble toadstools.
It is a unique countryside to say the least. The road system covers just a tiny fraction of this massive district of the park.
Harder cap rock seems to be protecting and slowing the erosion of the softer sandstone below. It made for some creative skylines.
After driving the extent of the only paved road in the park we decided that we needed to get a closer look at the needles, for which this district of the park is named. The only way we could figure out how to accomplish it was to take the access road to Elephant Hill. Although the road is only about 3 miles long, it is dirt and extremely narrow with several blind curves. Speed limits were occasionally posted at 15 miles per hour; however, most of the time we were just creeping along anyway, allowing us to get photos.
Here the road crosses over a flash flood wash. Extreme caution would have to be used when thunderstorms were in the area.
This photo is a good example of a harder rock layer on top of the sandstone.
Here we are approaching one of the many hairpin corners. Our road is at the bottom left corner of the photo. There are also blind narrow corners where honking your horn makes your presence known to other drivers.
Four-wheel drive is not required to travel the road. However, good common sense is advised if you want to stay out of trouble.
Here we are finally starting to see the needles on the horizon. The formations visible from here make up only the outer edge of numerous rows of needle-like pinnacles and parallel canyons that extend to the Colorado River. The needles were formed by a series of fractures in the rock surface caused by movement along a deep, underlying layer of salt. Erosion by rainwater and snow along the fracture lines resulted in these rows of columnar rocks.
We stopped whenever we could to snap a few photos of this amazing phenomenon of Mother Nature. She is a master of the unusual!
This shot is from the closest point we could get to the needles. It was truly an amazing adventure--one that we would highly recommend.
Once we reached the parking area at Elephant Hill there were a pit toilet and a few picnic tables, but no water. From here, the road continues and is only for four-wheel drive vehicles. It is one of the most technical four-wheel drive roads in Utah and presents drivers with steep grades, loose rock, stair-step drops, and tight turns. While we were there we watched a four-wheel drive rig precariously returning down the road to the parking area. We were so in awe that we didn’t snap a single photo! Elephant Hill is also the trailhead for many hiking trails and is a challenging mountain biking venue.
With the sun low in the sky we decided we better start backtracking our way back to Moab and called it a day. We made our way back to US-191 before dark and were rewarded with a lovely sunset.
With the sun low in the sky we decided we better start backtracking our way back to Moab and called it a day. We made our way back to US-191 before dark and were rewarded with a lovely sunset.
We certainly hope you have enjoyed riding along with us and look forward to seeing you on down the road. Remember, have fun, stay safe, as there are no do-over’s in life. We only get one chance to enjoy it, so get out there and follow your dreams. It is up to you to live life the very best you can.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns