Clouds at sunset, Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park

Day 1…

Cyclone Canyon viewed from the Confluence Overlook Trail, Canyonlands

•Up before dawn in Monticello, Utah, after driving 15 hours the day before.

•After shooting a couple of sunrise images along U. S. 191 south of Moab, my first venue was the Klondike Bluffs at Arches National Park. It was an excellent hike with clear skies, though it was a bit on the warm side.

•Made the short hike in the Windows section at Arches. The park service calls it a “primitive” trail, but it is practically a sidewalk. The day became increasingly hazy.

Hiking the Klondike Bluffs

•Drove to Hittle Bottom east of Moab and hiked the Richardson Amphitheater Loop Trail, which was interesting and fairly un-crowded.

•Visited the historic Dewey Bridge, which I had heard burned in April. Photographed the ruins.

•Made my way to the Castle Valley for sunset. Shot only a few frames – the sun only came out in the last few minutes.

Day 2…

•At first light, drove to the Gemini Twin Bridges. The road was rough but otherwise unchallenging.

•On advice from a park ranger, I drove the White Rim Road down to the Gooseneck Trail and Musselman Arch. The sign at the top says “Speed Limit 15 mph,” but is entirely superfluous, since there is no way to go any faster.

The road was particularly rough and slow near Musselman Arch.

The Honda Element on the White Rim Road

•Hiked the Wilhite Trail from the trail head to the point at which it descends to the Holman Spring Basin below, about 1.1 miles. Saw no one else.

•Re-hiked the Upheaval Dome Overlook Trail, which Michael and I had done in 2004. It was a better, more interesting trail than I remembered, possibly because this late afternoon light was better this time.

•Was sure to be at the Green River Overlook for sunset, simply because I had not been there for sunset before. Despite a small crowd, it made really nice pictures.

Green River Overlook at Sunset

Day 3…

At the Confluence Overlook, Canyonlands

•Spent the entire day hiking the Confluence Overlook Trail in the Needles District at Canyonlands. A 6-mile trail that crosses three canyons, this journey sported excellent variety and beautiful scenery. The overlook itself was much more spectacular than I imagined it would be.

•Hooked up with Bogley.com pal Kevin for dinner at Eddie McStiff’s in Moab. Excellent vegan pizza.

Hoodoos along the Confluence Overlook Trail

Day 4…

Posing with Kevin at the Zeus and Moses formation

•Long, excellent hike with Kevin in a cold wind down the Alcove Spring Trail to the Zeus and Moses formations on the northern most end of Canyonlands. Superior conversation.

•Near the end of the day, took the White Rim Overlook Trail, which Kevin had never seen.

Kevin on the Trail

It was an excellent day of hiking to conclude this trip.

Day 5…

•On the drive home, I stopped to photograph Shiprock Peak, since it was along my route.

At the White Rim Overlook, Canyonlands

See the Quietest Moments gallery at richardbarron.net HERE.