Yesterday we had a really strong wind. We woke up this morning in Moab to an even stronger wind and two other elements of weather, cold and snow. As I am writing this I can hear the wind whistling by and the snow is coming down sideways. But it's off season, the rates are cheaper and there aren't many people here! I'll take that trade off any time!
Undeterred, we headed out this morning to check the last of Utah's Mighty Five off our list. Canyonlands National Park is the largest of the Mighty Five. It's over 337,598 acres in size. It's divided into two main sections, the "Island's in the Sky" which is accessed from the north/northwest side of Moab and "Needles" whose entrance is seventy seven miles (by road) south. In spite of it's size it is the least developed and therefore least visited of the Mighty Five. That doesn't mean it's huge canyons and rock formations are any less spectacular. Although with the wind chill in the single digits we didn't tarry too long at any of the viewpoints Needless to say, hiking was out of the question today, although there were some interesting looking trails.
https://www.nps.gov/cany/index.htm
https://images.saymedia-content.com/.image/cs_srgb/MTQ4NTAyNjI3ODk2Nzk2MzAx/canyonlands-np-mileage-map_npsx.pdf
On the way back to Moab we made a quick side trip to Dead Horse Point State Park.
Not really the most "feel good" name for a state park. According to legend, in the 1800's numerous herds of wild mustangs roamed the area. The shape of the area created a natural corral for cowboys to round them up. Unfortunately a herd was left unattended and unable to get food and water. We all know what happened next and pretty soon the area had it's name. Many of the old western movies were shot in this area. In 1991 Dead Horse Point was used for the final scene in the movie Thelma and Louise. An ending that was so final it ruined the chances of any sequels. Today the memory of this movie is kept alive with the annual Thelma and Louise Half Marathon. I haven't looked at the course layout but hopefully the finish line doesn't involve a cliff!
http://www.moab-utah.com/photo/deadhorsepoint/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z88U915uq8
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| Canyonlands National Park with a snow storm blowing in |
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| Canyonlands NP |
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| Grand View Point- Canyonlands NP |
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These two are named "Monitor and Merrimac" after the two civil war ships
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| Panoramic from Dead Horse Point State Park. Don't let the blue sky fool you. The snow started back shortly after this picture was taken. |
