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| Shafer Trail, Island in the Sky Canyonlands National Park |
Coming off a rock crawling trail leaving Arches National Park and Moab only had me for more!! Once off the Salt Valley Wash we ran over to Moab for supplies, gas and ice. About 7 miles outside of town jumping on 313 heading west we entered the Canyonlands National Park.
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| Buck Canyon, Canyonlands National Park |
We climbed and experienced an everlasting scenic vista as we drove through what seemed to be the sky. Entering the Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky, had our heads twisting and turning while we viewed the many vistas. You get this whole earth feel of driving on top of the world as this immense huge canyon unfolds while you tread on its crest.
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| Goose Neck Colorado River, Canyonlands National Park |
We drove to the only campground in the park Green River- "No Luck." Getting late in the afternoon we searched for another campsite. Back tracking we headed to Dead Horse Point State Park, another very scenic winding drive to the park's entrance and another, "No Luck." "No worries," as the Park Ranger told us about a dry camping spot just back on the main road,"look for the no trailers sign." This time we found Cowboy Camp, a small quiet 4wd camp ground with 2 other campers making camp.
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| Dry camp at Cowboy Camp |
We perched our camp on a out crop of the rim overlooking
Mineral Canyon. Not too shabby! Up early we drove back into
Canyonlands National Park, Island of the Sky. Our mission was to A) secure a campsite in the parks only campground- Green River Campground. B) we wanted to explore
Buck Canyon, Grand View, Whale Rock and Upheaval Dome. Each fantastic sight had more and more layers of ancient rock and sandstone with deep vast cuts into the earth. And at Green River Campground we found a campsite for that night.
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| Driving on Shafer Trail overlooking Shafer Canyon |
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| Dry water crossing Shafer Trail... |
I was pumped because tomorrow we planned to do the
Shafer Trail Road. Its a crazy winding, dirt rocky, sandy, narrow trail from the top of
Island In The Sky, 42 miles down through white rim road and then down to
Moab. This trail should be on everybody's "to do list!" It was just awesome not to mention the small gathering of wild Horned Sheep sunning themselves on a not so distant rock tabletop. We both thoroughly enjoyed this trail, Trixie still talks about it...memories were made!
We were down close to the end of the trail between
Williams Bottom and
Jaycee Park, and we stopped at ancient hieroglyphs of the Fremont People depicting their customs and animals they needed to live in this environment. These were carved many, many years ago on the rock Canyon walls.
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| Buck Canyon Canyonlands National Park |
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| Ancient wall carvings site |
P.S. All pics were smoky due to the California fires
as we entered the park August 1st.
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| Grand View looking north I think? |
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| Driving on Shafer Trail |
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| Driving on Shafer Trail |
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| The rim we just came from (furthest back) |
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We loved the whole wild adventure, what an adrenaline rush and now we
set our course for a double dose-Capital Reef and Cathedral Valley....
See you on the Trail!!......
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