Canyonlands

From Colorado to Utah: from green to red. I have left behind colossal mountains and replaced them with colossal canyons.

My first Utah night was spent at Canyonlands NP. The Colorado and Green rivers confluence in the park, dividing it into 3 sections. I was in a section called The Needles, an expanse of spectacular tall, pointed rock formations, like needles (who'd have thought!)

I woke before the sun to do an 8 mile hike through these formations before the day got too hot. It was incredible watching the sun rise over the desert and change the geological colours around me from grey-blues to brown-reds. I arrived back at the car as others in the campsite were awakening and headed north to another national park called Arches. Guess what??? There are lots of rock arches here! They come in all shapes and sizes - though mostly really big. It's sandstone or eroded sandstone, ie. sand, as far as the eye can see. The formations - SPECTACULAR!!!

I finished the day with a return to Canyonlands but this time the northern section, which I am sure is where the park derives its name. There is a lookout point above the river confluence where canyons stretch for a 359 degree view. It is most certainly a land of canyons!

PS. I wonder who the imaginative genius is who comes up with the names?