Today we left Durango to head for Utah. On the way, we stopped at the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. This lesser known and less-visited section of the park has very little access for regular automobiles. But the scenery within the park and even the access road to the park is fantastic.

    After viewing the informative film at the Visitor Center, we drove the scenic park road to Wooden Shoe Arch, an appropriately-named formation.

Wooden Shoe Arch

        Next, we stopped at the Pothole Point Trailhead and walked the short but interesting trail. At the point, we got our first glimpse of the Needles for which the district is named.

The Needles

        Our last stop was along the unpaved road to Elephant Hill. Here we were able to get a better view of the Needles and also to see some other rock formations.

View from Elephant Hill Road

      When we left the park we figured that the spectacular scenery was finished, but we were so wrong. Utah Rte 191, which runs from north to south in eastern Utah is replete with stupendous scenery. And Moab is blessed with the best of this scenery. Coming into town, from either the north or the south is gorgeous. Lee says that this area of the state is a “must-see” for all. The sandstone formations are colossal and awe-inspiring; it’s hard to keep eyes on the road because there is always a new, dramatic formation just ahead. For instance, the picture below was taken of a rock formation some 200 yards from the highway, an unnamed but extremely interesting geological oddity.

Rock Formation on Rte 191