We leave this amazing state park at about 11am and rejoin US-24 to continue north towards the I-70. The road goes through more flat, open scrubland, with the impenetrable-looking wall of rock of the San Rafael Swell far to our left. Joining the 1-70 at Junction 147, we turn east towards the La Sal Mountains - some of the peaks of which are crowned with snow.

Leaving the I-70 at the junction with US-191 we turn south to obtain a view of two 600-feet high buttes named after American Civil War battleships. These are named Merrimac (left) and Monitor (right) - the buttes are about 12-miles from tonight's stay at Moab, but first we visit Canyonlands National Park.

Our exploration of Canyonlands National Park begins by driving across The Neck - a strip of land only 40-feet wide that gives access to the 43-square-mile mesa known as The Island in the Sky. On all sides the Island is bounded by yawning canyons, and cliffs that drop hundreds of feet. The Neck is the only vehicle access to this area that is isolated between the Green and Colorado Rivers. (Above: Shafer Canyon Overlook)

Our first hike in the park takes us to our most treasured memory of Canyonlands: Mesa Arch, an incredibly beautiful formation amazingly located on the edge of one of the canyon cliffs.

Mesa Arch is a spectacular example of a natural stone pothole arch that is perched at the edge of a cliff with vast views of canyons, Monster Tower, Washer Woman Arch, Airport Tower, and the La Sal Mountains in the distance.

 

Our next trail is that which will take us to Whale Rock. On the drive to the trailhead we make a number of stops at overlooks that provide superb example of Canyonlands' amazing scenery.

 

 

left:

Orange Cliffs Overlook

 

 

right:

Buck Canyon Overlook