Utah Day 4: Canyonlands--Island in the Sky

Another hot but awesome day. After breakfast we headed for the north entrance of Canyonlands National Park in an area called Island in the Sky. Even the road TO the park was spectacular.

Monitor and Merrimac butes, named for Civil War ships.

Island in the Sky is essentially the top of a mesa with cliffs all around. Awesome views. Just inside the gate Steve turned left on Shafer Trail Rd. Officially it is four-wheel-drive, but his African game park experience served us in good stead and we did fine as far as we went, clinging to the edge of the cliff. When we saw another vehicle coming (only twice) we simply waited at a wide spot in the road to pass.

When the road started down into the canyon, we turned around at one of the switchbacks.

Back on top, we 'evangelized' at the Shafer Overlook to people who were looking at the road below, sharing the good news that it was totally awesome and doable.

We turned around at the first switchback you can see ont he left. Did I mention the road was awesome?

Mesa Arch was a short but awesome hike. Gravel path so Mom couldn't do it. (Too much up and down for her anyway.)

Lunch at the picnic site short of Green River Overlook at the end of the road. Picnic spotswere in short supply. A couple from Mississippi and their grown daughter asked to join us at the other end of the table before we finished.

There was a paved path at Green River Overlook and Mom took it. When we got back to this spot and were waiting for Steve to bring the car, someone asked if she could borrow the walker.

Have I mentioned the spectacular views?