Island Hopping

After staying home  for a day, Duane was stir-crazy and the Eagle was screaming.  We loaded up with water and salty snacks and took off to explore the Island In The Sky (northern) section of Canyonlands National Park.  From our rv park about 4 miles south of Moab, we flew north on US 191 past the entrance to Arches National Park (about 5 miles north of Moab). 

The road runs along the bottom of that red wall to the left, makes a hairpin turn and runs up to the top and over the wall to enter the park.

Fifteen miles further we connected to

UT 313 which took us up and and across a mesa

to Canyonlands Island In The Sky, a broad mesa wedged between the Green and Colorado Rivers.  It is Canyonlands’ observation tower.  We had decided that we would not take any hikes on this trip because of the heat.  Instead we rode to observation points and observed a lot. 

Our first stop was the Visitors Center where I stamped my National Parks Passport (again—the first time was in 2014).  Our observation point was Shafer Canyon Overlook.

Far below we could see one of the many dirt off highway vehicle roads where people can get closer to canyon formations.

On we went enjoying the cool breeze (the mesa tops out about 6000’) and the twisty roads that bikers love.

Our next observation point was Upheaval Dome.  We couldn’t find it

until we read the info board.  When we realized that we would have to hike up the hill to see it, we went on.

At the Green River Overlook we were able to see not only the River winding its way through its canyon, separating the Island from The Mazes part of the Park.  Twenty miles further south it joins the Colorado.  The White Sandstone Rim of the river canyon is 1300 feed below us.  Across the river on the horizon (left) is an orange spot—the Orange Cliffs.  That was our next stop.

View of the Green River from the Orange Cliffs.

The road ends in the Grand View Point Overlook.

The La Sal Mountains are close to Moab.

We spent several minutes enjoying the scenery and the intrepid Rim hikers

before winding our way back across the park land,

and the mesa outside of the park.

Rolling down the mesa side we we could feel the cool air changing to warm then hot as we dropped in elevation from 6000’

back down to 3600’ on the valley floor and picked up US 191 again.  By the time we wound our way through the stop and go tourist traffic in Moab, we were too overheated to ride the last few miles home.  We stopped for a fast food lunch and a cool off.  Unlike a lot of restaurants in the west, fast food places always have air conditioning! 

1/2 hour later we were cooled off enough to ride the last 5 miles home and hole up for the rest of the hot afternoon and evening.  Our total trip of 110 miles took a little over 3 hours.

Moving day tomorrow.

Louise and Duane