In the middle of the Colorado plateau which is centered on the four corners region of the American continent, there is an extremely large mesa top of over 130,000 square miles, which is made up of high desert with scattered areas of forest. In the southwest corner of this huge plateau, the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River cuts a massive canyon deep into this mesa top. Somewhat further north of the Grand Canyon, however, there is another place which holds its own in comparison to the Grand Canyon.

This other place is found where the Green River arriving from Utah in the north meets the Colorada river before it meanders into the Grand Canyon, and at this conjunction, this expansive Colorado plateau gives way to another massive canyon, but one of a different name.

Where these two mighty rivers join is a place of wonderment called the Canyonlands National Park. Here, one can travel into these Canyonlands for many miles with extensive view in every direction.

The national park of the same name, allows access to these Canyonlands, where roads have been built that crisscross the top of the Colorado plateau and allow visitors to drive to the many viewpoints that look out into the abyss that spans across the horizon, often in every direction.

The Canyonlands national park, carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers is divided into several districts, each which have their own separate access. In fact, it is the rivers which divide the park into the districts. Each of these districts are different and have distinct experiences, opportunities and view, but all still share a primitive desert atmosphere and environment.

These Districts are (1) Island in the Sky (north access); (2) The Needles (east access); (3) The Maze (west access) and (4) the Rivers that lie at the bottom.

As a separate Unit of the the National Park, Horseshoe Canyon is located to the west of the national park on SR 1010, Horseshoe Overlook Road.

The Island in the Sky is a section of Canyonlands national park that sits atop a mesa which rests on sheer sandstone cliffs of over 1000 feet above the next lower level of the canyon expanse. Each of the many outlooks command an impressive and amazing view of the canyon valleys far below. In fact, the word valleys well describe the view as there are four separate levels from the mesa top down to the river at the bottom.

Located less than an hour drive from Moab, Utah, this is one of the most popular sight seeing destinations in Utah. At the end of the drive across the mesa top is Grand View Point which is one of the favorites for sunrise photos. The Green River overlook is likewise for the sunset photos.

The Canyonlands National Park is located in the southeastern Utah south of the town of Moab.

Driving directions: Take US 191 north from Moab, Utah, cross over the Colorado River , drive past the Arches National Park entrance and after driving north for eleven miles, turn left onto Utah State Hightway 313. Once on state highway 313, drive west and then south for 21.4 miles to arrive at the Canyonlands National Park visitor center.

Awake, dress, then after checking outside the jammer to see if I left anything, I drive out of the campsite, stop briefly at the Grand View for the sunrise and then drive out of the park, back down SR 313, then turn right on US 191 and drive south through Moab, past Wilson Arch, and then right on SR 211 heading for the Needles district.

I stop first at Newspaper Rock, then into the park to photograph some of the towering needles.

Rising quickly, I get dress and then drive to where I can get some photos of the sunglow, stopping at Shafer Canyon Overlook for a few photos and then continuing further south on the Island in the Sky Overlook road.

Before I can reach the end of the mesa, the sky begins to illuminate, so I pull over at Shafer Canyon Overlook and begin my photo shoot.

38.452597, -109.819910

5811 feet

I continue south on the mesa top to the end of the park road, get out to check out the view and find it is in fact, truly a grand view. Here, it is like standing atop a mountain summit with a sheer drops for thousands of feet down to the canyon floor.

Too, the Colorado river is to the east and the Green river is to the west.

38.310774, -109.856591

6273 feet

By eight this morning, the sunglow display is over, so I drive back north on the road, turn onto the Green River Overlook road where I stop at the Willow Flat Campground, find an open campsite, pay the fee for one night, and set up my camp.

At six-thirty, I look up and see that the sun is shining brightly just above the mountains on the horizon, So, I shut down the computer and drive to the Green River Overlook just a half mile south and begin taking sunset photos.

38.378293, -109.888345

5984 feet

The predawn light wakes me and I get up an go into the store to wash up. Then I fill up the gas tank and head out west on the IH 40 and soon cross the continental divide near the NM-AZ state line.

I call Robert again for another weather report and when he confirms that the storm in only in the higher elevations, I decide to head north on US 191 through Arizona and Utah in order to return to IH 70 and travel west to connect with IH 84 which I plan to take back into Washington.

While in Moab, UT I stop briefly at a ff-mart for WiFi to check e-mail and then just north of Moab, I stop at Canyonlands National park for a few photos.

Afterwards, I continue north towards Washington.