After starting our day with the hike to Hickman Bridge in Capitol Reef National Park, we headed north and east to our next destination. Canyonlands National Park is divided into three distinct section: Island in the Sky, The Needles, and The Maze. We visited the Island in the Sky section which is a high plateau (5,000 feet in elevation) situated between the Green and Colorado Rivers. After stopping at the Visitor Center, we took the scenic drive to the White Rim Overlook where a half mile hike brings you to the edge of the mesa. The White Rim is a continuous layer of sandstone some 1,200 feet below the edge of Island in the Sky. Another 1,000 feet below the White Rim are the rivers.
From here we moved on to Murphy Point a 3.6 mile round trip hike that provides vistas of the Green River Canyon.
We also took a short hike along the rim of Upheaval Dome. It is an interesting geologic feature whose origin is open to question. Upheaval Dome is actually a huge hole in the earth. One group of scientist believe that it was created by the collapse of an underground salt dome. Another group believes that it may have been cause by a meteor striking the earth. Either way it was an interesting hike.
Our last hike was to the Mesa Arch, which sits right on the rim of Island in the Sky.
As the arch sat right on the rim, this is about as close as I got to it. Nan however, climbed up to get a look. This time I gave her my camera.
From here we headed into Moab, Utah to spend the night.
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