Continuing our annual tradition, Thom and I talked about a “fall trip” and spitballed some ideas for destinations in Utah. I suggested a few ambitious trails up in the Uintas, and he kind of shrugged it off and said we should hit the desert. We often go to the mountains, so it makes sense to take advantage of all that amazing red rock in the Beehive State. We agreed on the Canyonlands.
As always, it was a great opportunity for me to practice my photography. It’s probably interesting for people to watch the two of us hop out of the car to snap a shot from the side of the road, simply because it’s a cool view!
After picking up Thom at the airport, we trucked south and pitched our first camp near Goblin Valley. We’ve been there before, but it’s always breathtaking to be reminded of the sheer vastness of the desert. You can gaze out over mile after mile of scrub brush, across a seemingly unending landscape littered with red rocks jutting from the earth.
The “golden hour” is more like the “orangish-red hour” in the sandstone desert. Sunsets are spectacular.
At my insistence, we hiked a slot canyon called Little Wild Horse. Slot canyons are fascinating places, with painted rocks and curvy walls that feel like something out of an artist’s sketchbook.
We navigated the canyon, at times barely able to squeeze between the sheer walls. I noticed a little guy scurry up the sandstone by my shoulder.
As Little Wild Horse Canyon tapers off, the trail leads into Bell Canyon. It has a completely different feel, with the enormous imposing rock walls that seem to dominate southern Utah.
This area is part of the San Rafael Swells, and is filled with massive rock strata that’s been uplifted over eons. The photo below isn’t crooked; the rocks are angled that way as they’ve been pushed up from below. So cool!
After a day in the Swells, we headed over to Canyonlands. I’ve been there before but somehow I’d forgotten how absolutely huge the landscape is when you’re staring out across miles of canyons carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers.
It’s October, so the weather is cooler, but still in the mid-70’s. Interestingly, when you’re out hiking (or even driving) in this desert, somehow it feels like it’s in the 90’s. The sun is relentless, and a few wispy clouds add interest to the sky but little shade.
The following day we explored the outskirts of Moab, including the incredible drive along the Colorado River near Arches.
Our final destination that evening was Fisher Towers. We got to talking with a woman in Moab who was asking about my Tesla, and she mentioned that the name was supposed to be Fissure Towers, because of the formations there, but there must’ve been some kind of clerical error by a mapmaker. Regardless of the name, they’re imposing even from afar.
As we came closer, the rock was even more impressive in the fading sunlight. (No, I didn’t ramp up the saturation in these photos– the rocks are really this color!)
With the sun sinking toward the horizon, we started on a hike to a viewpoint somewhere in these tumbled rocks. The trail was fascinating, winding its way around and into a network of small canyons and gullies.
Finally our time was up, and the sun dropped beneath the distant mesas. Thom snapped a few last shots.
Once again, I really enjoyed the time out in nature, and the time with my favorite brother. Until next fall…