We weren't too pleased with our lodging accommodations in Moab this time; so we were glad to leave it behind on the morning of October 13, 2018, after two days there. Our ultimate destination for the day was Blanding, Utah, from which we would travel to Monument Valley for a tour of that area the next day. The route to Blanding passed the entrance to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park, so we turned in and spent several hours there.
First, though, we had to stop for pictures of Church Rock, a very picturesque rock formation located near the entrance to Canyonlands. If you've been a long-time reader of this blog, you've seen this beautiful rock before. Today, the weather was perfect, and the snow-capped La Sal Mountains provided a beautiful backdrop for the photo.
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| Church Rock |
In Canyonlands, we took a short hike to the Roadside Ruin, pictured below. A sign at the beginning of the trail dates the ruin about 700 years ago and attributes it to ancestral Puebloans. The use of such structures is thought to be for storage or for ceremonial purposes.
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| Roadside Ruin |
Next, we took another short hike on Cave Spring trail. Interesting features along this trail include a Cowboy Camp, tucked under a rock ledge; a small spring, or seep, tucked under another rock ledge a short distance from the Cowboy Camp; and some pictographs on the rock wall near the spring. The trail passed several clumps of prickly pear cactus, which I found interesting, as well.
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The collage above shows the ledge under which the Cowboy Camp is located, the Cowboy Camp itself, Cave Spring, pictographs of hands, a rusty pictograph of something, and a clump of prickly pear cactus.
An interesting rock formation in this part of Canyonlands is Wooden Shoe Arch, pictured in the collage below.
Following are assorted images from a driving tour through this national park:
Next up, Monument Valley, with iconic landscapes seen in numerous western films.
Beautiful pictures Linda, I especially liked the Church Rock. I know it was a remarkable trip with wonderful memories. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gerri. This was definitely a memory-making trip. We've seen Church Rock several times, but we can never drive by without stopping. It's so unique.
DeleteBreath taking scenery Linda
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret.
DeleteSomehow we missed Church Rock when we visited Canyonlands. You've given us yet another reason to go back.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, I could see how you might not see Church Rock, or be impressed by it, coming from the north. Coming from the south, it's a real eye catcher. It's just south of the entrance to the Needles District of Canyonlands, on the opposite side of the road.
Deletetotally amazing what god creates. I love the vastness among the park as well as the formations.hope you have a golden access card for those national areas.
ReplyDeleteWe do have the lifetime senior pass, Steve. It saves us bunches!
DeleteOh, wow...
ReplyDeleteThat's kind of what we say, too, Sandi.
DeleteWith so much beauty around, it must be hard to know which way to point the camera first.Just gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat is truly the dilemma, Ruth. I'm just glad we're not using rolls of film anymore. ;)
DeleteGreat pictures. I remember seeing the Wooden Shoe... We didn't spend much time there at all... IF we'll get back there, we will do some of those hikes.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
Hugs,
Betsy
Thanks, Betsy. It's a fun place, with landscapes totally different than what we typically see in Indiana or Tennessee. :)
DeleteBeautiful vistas, interesting history, and I love that prickly pear cactus, I would enjoy photographing it in detail. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Petra. I'm sure you'd get some stunning images of that cactus.
DeleteThis was a gorgeous trip! It looks like there’s furniture under a rock? The names were exact, church and wooden shoe......
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kim. That furniture under a rock (actually, a ledge) was an old cowboy camp. You're right about the appropriate names of those two features.
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