Since we first visited two years ago, I have always really enjoyed Canyonlands. Our first visit took us to the Islands in the Sky, and we spent significant time last year in Horseshoe Canyon. This year we explored the final area that had been left untouched by us, the Needles District. We have some huge hikes coming up in the next few days, so we did three shorter ones today. They were perfect.
The first was about 2.5 miles and it was a delightful; super hot, little drastic elevation change, unbelievable scenery showing millions of years of geological history. (Cute E story: At one point I was admiring some rock layers and made a comment to the girls. Ellie remarked, “Uh, mom. That’s history.” Thanks, El! You’ve learned something from all this trips!) That is everything I love in a hike.
We finished a little after noon and everyone felt like they were melting, so we opted to eat our pb&j&c in the air conditioned car. As we were eating we notice a gigantic raven hanging out around our car and then chilling on the top the car next to ours. It was huge! Next thing we noticed was that the car two down from ours had left their windows down as they hiked and the beast of the bird was INSIDE their car picking at whatever food it could find. Note to selves: Close the car windows!
Our second hike was only about a mile and included an old cowboy camp. It was snug under a cliff next to a natural spring that was creeping through the layers of sedimentary rock. It had been used for 11 years after the park was established, I assume because of some sort of easement they worked out. It was only deserted in 1978, but I still can’t imagine living such a lonely life in the middle of nowhere. A few hundred yards farther along the cliff was another little cave/inlet that the Ancestral Puebloans resided in, most likely seasonally (which makes sense given the hot temperatures of summer days like today!) We learned so much about the Ancestral Puebloans last summer and I have thought so often of their lifestyle throughout the past year. When things get too crazy at home I remind myself that my struggles are so privileged compared to theirs. Anyway, it felt really good to be reconnected with their way of life. We got to get right up to pictographs and their rock grain mills. Just remarkable.
The final little hike, was just that, only 0.2 miles. I don’t think that qualifies as a hike, but rather a stroll through some desert habitat to see Ancestral Puebloan granary. Super cool.
We returned to the Visitor’s Center and the girls became Junior Rangers for the first time this trip, and then we started the drive back to Moab. The drive took us through a portion of Bear’s Ears National Monument. It is heartbreaking to know that Secretary Zinke recommended that Trump reduces the size of the preserved land. It is some of the most drastic and inspiring land I have laid eyes on and should remain public for all.
After our hike tomorrow, well leave Moab until next year. We’re heading off to Great Basin National Park, a first for all of us. Not only are are newbies at the park, we’ll also be camping for three nights in a row for the first time ever. We’ve never done more than a single night. We’ll also be backpacking for first time. I could probably write a whole post on my terrified feelings, but I made a promise to myself to try to go into this with a positive attitude. (I think that has been some of my issues with our earlier hikes.) We will most likely be off the grid from some point tomorrow afternoon until some point on Monday. Goodness help us!
Have faith, not fear Molly! I know you can do this!