Canyonlands National Park, Moab UT

It just seems like we can’t ever manage a trip to the Grand Canyon. We either don’t have enough time, forgot to fill the Jeep up, or are camped just out of day-trip range. Here in Utah they have Canyonlands National Park, and though it isn’t as deep, or the rim is lower, whichever way you want to consider, it is as spectacular.

So lets start with how this canyon was formed. Rainwater seeps into sandstone and collects in thin cracks. In winter when the water freezes it splinters the rock and the rock drops into the canyon. Water from thunderstorms that release torrents of water further erode soft clay and mudstone, leaving the much harder rock behind.

Technical stuff not withstanding….is this not AMAZING!!!? See that road down there? You not only can see the canyon from the rim, but anyone can drive through the canyon and even camp for a small usage fee.

Our first arch, Mesa Arch,  was not found in Arches National Park, but here in Canyonlands. Aren’t we adorable?

As I have mentioned before, there is a lot of rock here in Moab, UT making it a challenge to mark trails. Here you see a cairn (a stack of rocks) trail marker. These are along walking an biking trails mostly.

John was curious how these little holes were made. My budding geologist. He’s adorable.

John has said many many times, how much he has wanted to live out west.

With views like these, I can understand why. As we stand on the rim of Canyonlands, in the Island of the Sky section, he keeps repeating “I can’t believe I’m standing here.”

The further we move into the canyon, the more impressed John is becoming. He told me that the Grand Canyon may be deeper, and more famous, but as far as a quality experience, Canyonlands has it beat. He said we are getting to see a lot more of the canyon, with a fraction of the people. At the Grand Canyon you are charged an arm and a leg for everything, and see much less.

Here you can see evidence of an ancient sea / ocean in the petrified sand. Can you imagine the water lapping on the shore?

Again it is the “bigness” that overwhelms me the most.

Back in the 1950s the search for Uranium changed Moab and this canyon as well. The desert is fragile and tough all at the same time. Damage done from mining trucks is still visible on the canyon floor. Desert vegetation can live in harsh sometimes brutal conditions, but it is slow growing, slow to recover.

Lucky for us however, politicians in the past whom were convinced by locals of the importance of natural wonders, designated land as National Parks. Thus protecting them with laws prohibiting land development and ensuring that you, me, and our generations to come can enjoy.

Nature’s constant force will change the landscape for sure, so we need to enjoy it now. John and I are doing our best, by the way.

Our last feature for the day is Upheaval Dome. It is interesting because it is an odd shaped feature, that has rock different from the rest of the area and scientists / geologist still can’t explain it.

Like I have said before, the scale of what we are seeing, just can’t be expressed in pictures. It is something you have to come see for yourself to really get a sense. Here I am climbing to the second view point of the Dome. No I’m not even close to the top yet.

Here you can see the different colored rock right in the middle of the red rock.

In John’s opinion, if you can only see one, Grand Canyon, or Canyonlands…his vote is for Canyonlands.

When you combine Canyonlands and Arches, which is right near by, you are getting a lot for your money.

There is so much more to see in southern Utah. We will be back often to enjoy. For now, this is a great end to a fabulous day. See those clouds out there? Rain and snow. Time to head back to camp.

Tomorrow, Arches National Park.