Alaska – Canada Travels 2014, Moab, UT; Needles District, Canyonlands, October 19th to 21st.

After leaving Moab we travel south on Highway 191 toward Monticello then take 211 to the Needles District of Canyonlands. Along the way we visit Newspaper Rock. 

It's a long story.

Newspaper Rock is a distinctive landmark. 

October 20^th. Our camp at Squaw Flat Campground in Needles was one of the most beautiful with a view of colorful buttes that turn to brilliant reds and oranges as they catch the setting sun. The temperatures are perfect.

Relaxing at our camp at Squaw Flat in Needles.

It's better than a movie as we enjoy the view from our camp a sunset paints
 the cliffs with warm light and cool, expanding shadows.

Our first hike is an 8-mile loop on the Big Spring Trail. The trail connects two canyons with an interesting climb through a gap in a long, narrow ridge. The hike through these sculptured canyons is easy except for the climb through the gap, which has a little bit of exposure. The canyons have intermittent water and vegetation that offers a home for birds and other wildlife. A very fine hike indeed.

The mid-point in the Big Spring Loop is the climb to the gap in the ridge at
the base of the shadowed cliff in the center of the photo.

I'm in a swell of sandstone and almost up to the gap in the ridge.

A view from the gap.

Sculpted formations along the Big Spring Trail.

October 21^st. On our 2^nd day we take a 6-mile hike to Chesler Park. This trail has lots of variety and takes us into beautiful canyons, through narrow rock fractures and across sandstone terraces with spectacular views of the famous Needles formations. High clouds mask the sun and dull the banded colors making our pictures a little disappointing. All the same the hike was wonderful. If you only have time for one hike this is the one to do.

The Needles formations.

The beginning of the hike to Chesler Park.

The trail contours on a terrace around canyons.The cap rocks look like coins scattered across the landscape.

It's hard to tell where the trail's going to go.

What a magnificent landscape to hike in!

We cross from one canyon to the next between columns of needles.

A regal procession of Needles along the Chesler Park Trail.

Looking back the way we came from the saddle overlooking Chestler Park.

The rocks are interesting from every point of view.

Overlooking Chesler Park.

Looking into Chesler Park from the saddle. You can see the trail in the center left.

Monuments in Chesler Park.

The trail goes through picturesque narrow canyons . . .

. . . and intriguing fractures in the rocks.

A parliament of rocks.

Beauty is everywhere and we are free to wander where ever we wish.

Mushroom Rocks.

October 22^nd. We did a nice 16.5-mile bike, which is how many miles of paved road there is in the park. The terrain is mostly flat with a few small hills and beautiful scenery.

Excellent biking in Needles.

The .6-mile Cave Spring trail passes by an outdoor museum of pioneer artifacts.
This short hike is fun for little kids.

It’s time to leave Needles and travel to Cedar Mesa where we’ll visit the Tower Ruins and take one last hike before heading home.

Until next time.
Jackie