Canyonlands, the Needles District - Part Three.

In March of this year, we had the opportunity to go back into the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This time we concentrated solely on two trails, Elephant Hill Access Road and Colorado River Overlook; both are quite an adventure and we spent about six hours exploring them.

Here's a hint about this park, get there early in the morning, between 8 - 10am, for the best viewing of the Needles.  As the sun begins traveling over them, the haze makes them very difficult to see, and impossible to photograph, even with a lens hood.

One of first formations you come to as soon as you leave the Visitors Center is Wooden Shoe Arch; couldn't help myself and took several photos of it; then it was off to Elephant Hill Access Road.

Elephant Hill Access Road is a 3 mile, graded dirt/gravel road which is all wheel accessible; in other words, passenger cars can be driven along it, not just 4-wheel drive.  The formations are towering, very striking and often unusual; Mother Nature was very creative indeed! 

Spire

Turtle Rock

One mile along the Access Road, there is a pull-in area with an informational board about The Needles; this is also your best vantage point for viewing them if you don't want to do the 11 mile round trip hike.  From this area, you can also get a panoramic view of The Needles, The Maze and Island in the Sky - the three sections of Canyonlands National Park.



The Needles

The Needles, The Maze, Island in the Sky Panorama

At the end of the three miles is a parking area, restrooms, picnic area and the entrance to the Elephant Hill 4-Wheel Drive Road.  This trail is rated one of the most difficult trails in Utah!  It starts out easily for about a quarter of a mile; if you decide not to turn around at that point; consider yourself warned!

We headed back to the main road, headed down towards Big Spring Canyon and stopped at the picnic area near Pothole Point.  I'm always telling people to pack a picnic, so hopefully these photos will convince you on why you should.

From the Visitors Center is where the Colorado River Overlook road can be accessed.  This trail begins easily, but turns into a moderate to extreme trail at various points; 4-Wheel Drive is a must!  Even though we had 4-WD, high clearance and a skid plate, there came a point where we knew we would not be able to continue via vehicle, so hiked for a mile.  We saw the trail continue onward, but it wasn't meant for us on this day.



Condition of the trail

This is the point we finally stopped at and began hiking instead.

There was another vehicle nearby and the couple inside were considering doing this incline.  After watching us, they u-turned their vehicle and headed back.












The Landscape 

Island in the Sky can be seen.



Whale Rock can be seen from a side trail off of the Colorado River Overlook road.

Of course, I enjoy taking photos of the local plantlife; in other words, take time to look at your surroundings...up and down.

Newberry's Twinpod (Mustard family)

Woolly Locoweed (Pea family)

...and that concludes this more recent adventure into Canyonlands - Needles District.  Perhaps you've been inspired to do more than stick to the paved road?

Mary Cokenour

The White Rim Trail; only up to Musselman Arch.

Here is the third installment of the Shafer Trail adventure; the White Rim Trail. Unfortunately, because of the incoming storm, we were only able to get a few miles past Musselman Arch before the lightning began its show, and rain drops began to lightly fall. Getting caught in a flash flood, or being stuck on the trail due to a wash out was definitely NOT on our to-do list, so we hightailed it back to the junction. During the monsoon season, (mid July to late September), part of the White Rim Trail had been closed down due to severe damage caused by flash flooding; we drove along that section, that had been reopened, and a good chuck of missing edge had narrowed the road.

If you want to do the White Rim Trail, don't even think of trying to take a 2 wheel drive vehicle (passenger car); 4 wheel drive, dirt bikes, hiking or mountain biking is it.  The Trail is approximately 100 miles and will take 2-3 days via 4 wheel drive to complete; click HERE for the National Park Service site and information.  In other words, this is not a quick stroll in the park, so plan accordingly.  We were hoping to reach Washer Woman Arch/Monster Tower before turning back, but the storm decided to change plans for us.  It's all good, only gives us incentive to go back and try it again.

Lecture over, lets have an adventure!





After a few miles along the trail, we turned around to see where we had come from; yeah, it was a WOW! moment.  Like the Shafer Trail, there are many interesting formations which may or may not have specific names; we called one "The Dragon" for that is exactly what it looked like to us.  Even though it was in the far distance, we could see Airport Tower.



"The Dragon"

Airport Tower

I'm not sure why, but we bypassed the trail to the Gooseneck Overlook; something ahead caught our attention, but cannot remember what exactly.  Anyway,  as we kept driving, the scenery became more and more outstanding; it is the stuff of dreams!

The Colorado River Overlook was our first walking trail stop; it is not a far walk, less than a quarter of a mile, and the view...oh my, the view!

We passed by two massive buttes before finally reaching one of our goals, Musselman Arch.

Mussleman Arch

Formerly known as "Little Bridge", and you'll see mention of Little Bridge Canyon on the map, it was renamed after Moab local, Ross A. Musselman, explorer, rock shop owner, developer of the Pack Creek Ranch.  National Geographer writer, Jack Breed, renamed the arch/bridge after Musselman in recognition of all the help he had given the writer.  Musselman Arch is 5 feet thick, six feet wide, 187 feet in length, and it's 300 feet down to the canyon floor below.  Did we walk across this bridge...that's a big HELL YEAH!!!  The trick is to just do it, don't hesitate and especially, don't look down.  Mountain bikes are NOT allowed across; walking only.

Mary walking over Musselman Arch.



Roy walking over Musselman Arch.

...and at one end of Musselman Arch, Walking Rocks are easily seen; upside down legs, feet skyward, walking the air.

Walking Rocks.

As I wrote at the beginning, we'd only gone a few miles towards Lathrop Canyon before the weather made us turn around and go back.  That means we didn't have a chance to stop at the Gooseneck Overlook either, but hey, it's back on our to-do list with Washer Woman Arch and Monster Tower.

Once back to the junction, that's when we did the Shafer Trail to Potash Road.  It was amazing, all of it was amazing; we're looking forward to going back and doing more!

Mary Cokenour