Day 8 (28-Sep-13) Canyonlands NP (88 miles)

We awoke to clear blue skies, with temperatures for the day not expected to exceed 70F. The air was also crystal clear, with an occasional slight breeze masking an otherwise fierce sun (as attested by our very sun-burnt faces). After yet another leisurely start and equally enjoyable fibre-and-fruit-filled breakfast, we embarked on a day trip to Canyonlands NP, driving along the ‘Island In The Sky’ mesa. Even at the park entrance, the views down into Shaefer Canyon literally took our breath away. Following some scrambling for obligatory ‘shots of the day’, which involved navigating over some precariously exposed boulders, we continued into the park.  

A view of our next stop is available to anyone with a computer running Windows 7 – it is included in the default library of desktop backdrops.  Mesa Arch is perched on the edge of the cliff face that drops down from the mesa to the White Rim plateau +/- 1500ft below. Simon, always on the lookout for a suitable setting for his next lifesize self-portrait painting, fearlessly scrambled onto the roof of the arch and proceeded to complete 10 push-ups under the gaze of stunned, dumbfounded, bemused, amazed and a not a few annoyed tourists. After grudgingly relinquishing his ‘throne’, the assembled masses were able to capture photos of the view through the arch to the massive canyon system far below – Gooseberry Canyon, Buck Canyon and Lathrop Canyon.

Suitably impressed, we continued south along the mesa, stopping off at Candlestick Tower Overlook, Buck Canyon Overlook and Orange Cliffs Overlook, before arriving at Grand View Point Overlook. The views from here defy description, easily exceeding my not inconsiderable lexicon of superlatives. To the east is the Colorado river and the west the Green river, with the confluence of both easily visible due south at 12 miles. Further south still are The Needles, a long buttress extending east from the confluence, featuring sharp castellations. The vistas extended in all directions to the far-off horizon, which given our elevation, was +/-50 miles distant, with the snow-covered tops of mountains to the south-east visible over 80 miles distant.

The ideal weather conditions, high perch, and with the sun past its Zenith, made for ideal photography. Our only problem was trying to figure out how to capture the vast landscape on camera. Astrid’s solution was to divide the 180-degree panorama into sectors, and then photograph each in exquisite detail, using her ‘weapon of choice’. She will then ‘stitch’ the various photos together at a later date – I can’t wait to see the final result. Suitably impressed, we then embarked on a 1-mile hike westward along the edge of the mesa for better views back of the massive buttes rising from the Soda Springs Basin to the east. After retracing our steps, we continued eastward for better views of the Colorado river system.
 

On returning to the car, we headed back north along the mesa and forked left at Mesa Arch for a hike up the Whale Rock. This afforded us fantastic views of Candlestick Tower, a butte which rises over 2000ft from the Soda Springs basin. We could also see other sections of the Green River. Duly impressed, we headed back to the park entrance, intending on retracing our steps back to Moab. However, on the way back, we elected to take a quick detour to visit Dead Horse Point state park. This 10 mile detour provided much better views of the Colorado river, which meanders in large bows towards Moab, and ultimately discharges into Lake Powell.

Now completely drained we limped back into Moab to revive body and mind, using means to access parts unreachable with traditional medicines, or alternative homeopathic remedies - alcohol. So immediate was this impact that we elected to immediately follow-up with dinner – and more alcohol!