The Traveller

The Point, June 2006

This is my first vacation with just our son Mitchell and me.

Day 1…

•16 hours on the road with Mitchell went well. We miss Abby, but we are happy to be in Monticello, Utah.

Abajo Mountains at Sunset

Day 2…

•Started at the Elephant Hill trail head in Canyonlands National Park, with the intent of just hiking in a mile or two. I wanted to show Mitchell a sample of the beauty of Canyonlands. By the time we made it to Elephant Canyon, he decided he would go all the way to Chesler Park. During the entire 5.2-mile round trip, we only saw nine other people.

Mitchell hiking in Chesler Park, Canyonlands

•In late afternoon, we hiked the short trail to Butler Wash on Cedar Mesa, to a view of native ruins and a handsome natural bridge.

At Natural Bridge, Butler Wash

Day 3…

•It was record-breaking hot today, but we were still able to take a couple of very nice hikes.

•In the morning we drove to Moab, Utah, had some breakfast, then took the Potash Mine Road to the Jug Handle Arch.

Sign at Jug Handle Arch near Moab, Utah

•Hiked to Corona Arch, which is in the same vicinity as the Jug Handle. The trail is very similar to the Delicate Arch Trail, both in elevation increase and length, as well as character and difficulty. Aside from a grip cable along one piece of steep slickrock bench, and a few mokee steps, and one ladder, it is not difficult. Corona Arch is beautiful, huge and impressive.

Mitchell ascends ladder, Corona Arch Trail

Corona Arch, with Mitchell underneath

Corona Arch, Far Side

•Later in the day, a park ranger told me that anywhere else in the country, Corona Arch would be park of a national park.

•During the hottest part of the day, we drove to Dead Horse Point State Park just for something to do.

With Mitchell at Dead Horse Point

•Later in the afternoon at Arches National Park, we made the loop between Sand Dune Arch, Tapestry Arch, and Broken Arch. It ended up being a pretty fun little hike.

Mitchell climbs near Sand Dune Arch

Day 4…

•Hiked in Cedar Mesa to a native ruin in Mule Canyon called the “House on Fire.” It was a mile to the ruin, but we never saw anyone else on the trail.

Mitchell at the “House on Fire” ruin

•The heat continued, so after lunch we toured the Edge of the Cedars State Park in Blanding, Utah. It was fun and interesting, and worked out perfectly, since it thunderstormed twice in the afternoon.

Mitchell at Edge of the Cedars

Day 5 and 6…

•These driving days included a quick stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park. It was too windy and rainy to do much, but we definitely want to come back some day. We also stopped and photographed some really cool roadside sites, including a very complex roadside grotto.

Grotto at La Veta, Colorado

•I was glad I was able to bring Mitchell to see Capulin Volcano National Monument, if for no other reason than so he could see the ladybug migration.

Ladybug migration, Capulin Volcano

Mitchell at Capulin Volcano

See The Point galleries at richardbarron.net HERE.