21 April 2012

Canyonlands National Park - The Needles

Hiking up and down the boulders in the canyons leads to Chesler Park, land of the towering red and white sandstone needles. Follow the zig zag path of rock cairns across the canyon land, or you will soon be in the middle of nowhere! 8-12 mile hike, depending on where you start. Campground was full so we camped at the delightful Needles Outpost just outside the southern park entrance. Venus shined brightly in the dark moonless sky, with a million stars twinkling.

19 April 2012

Natural Bridges Natl Monument el 6500 ft

Streams cut three massive natural bridges out of the sandstone in an area once near an ancient sea. There's a scenic 6-8 mi loop hike through the canyons below under the bridges which are striped with desert varnish. Campground full but boondocked on Deer Park, a BLM dirt road. (Bureau of Land Mgt)