Saturday, September 7, 2013

Canyonlands National Park

 

This national park is only 25 miles from Arches but what a difference. Some people even prefer this one to the Grand Canyon so we had to go and see it to see what all the fuss was about

First hike was to another arch – Mesa Arch. Seems odd after spending time in a park full of arches but the views through this one were a little different

DSC08925b 

DSC08928b 

DSC08929b 

DSC08934b

The main part of the park focuses on the canyons.

About 1200 ft drop to the upper level and then another 1000 ft drop down to the bottom where the mighty Colorado river continues to cut deeper and deeper.

DSC08935b 

DSC08936b 

DSC08939b 

DSC08945b 

DSC08950b 

DSC09002b

Final hike in Canyonlands was to a Upheaval Dome which is a bit of a mystery how it was created. The geologies have 2 theories – a meteorite impact or a slow moving salt dome. Only a short hike gets you to the first viewpoint where you can see the white salt tilted in the crater

DSC08955b 

DSC08958b

We stayed the evening for sunset which is supposed to be the best time of day to see the park. Looking south with the colours changing and snow capped mountains in the background

DSC08987b 

DSC08989b 

DSC08993b

Sun just going down behind canyon at the Green River Overlook

DSC08974b 

DSC08973b 

DSC08994b 

DSC09004b 

DSC09018b 

IMG_0614b 

 

 

.

No comments:

Post a Comment