Wednesday, June 17, 2015

The Needles District of Canyonlands

Today was hot, so we did a drive down to the Needles district of Canyonlands.  It's about 40 miles to the turn off and then another 30 or so in the park, so it's a hike.
First stop was the viewing of Newspaper Rock.  These are petroglyphs that have been here for a long time.


Then there is driving driving driving and much gorgeous scenery.



These are the Needles.  There is a 6 mile hike that can be done from the end of a dirt road, but only when it is not 90 degrees out.  It takes you out to the rock formations.




Last Thursday, June 11, Canyonlands and surrounding environs received three inches of rain as the remnants of Hurricane Blanca moved through.  That was the rain we were getting in Cortez.  We were talking to the park rangers and they said that a lot of the 4 wheel drive roads, and trails are just gone, and there is quick sand on some of them.  Quick sand!  Would you ever expect to hear that?
Well, this post will be short.  It's so hot in here that between the hot air and the heat from my laptop, I'm cooking.  Over and out, maties.

2 comments:

  1. Quicksand, crazy! We've encountered quick sand twice in slot canyon type areas at the bottom of a pour off. Looks beautiful, but yeah, way too hot! We will be in that area in early Oct, hopefully it will be cooler.

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  2. Sorry it was so hot. The Needles district is where our favorite hike is located but at 11 miles it isn't to be done at 90 degrees. You did get beautiful photos of this neat area.

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