I had a bit of bad luck with the weather during my visit to Canyonlands National Park. Then again, being caught in a thunderstorm with lightning striking to the left, to the right and in front of my car is something I won't easily forget. I kept telling myself that a car functions as a Faraday cage as I drove back to Moab. Partly because I stayed one day longer than I'd originally planned I managed to do some great hikes. I'd love to go back one day and drive the Shafer trail.

Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Green River Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Grand View Point Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Grand View Point Overlook, Canyonlands National Park
Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park
The hike towards Upheaval Dome is one of the most beautiful and most popular hikes in the park

Nature is resilient

A close-up of Upheaval Dome
A close-up of Upheaval Dome
Upheaval Dome, Canyonlands National Park
It is currently thought that Upheaval Dome in Canyonlands National Park is an eroded impact crater
Needles District, Canyonlands National Park
The Needles District in Canyonlands National Park
Canyon wall, Canyonlands National Park
Canyon wall in Canyonlands National Park
Murphy Loop Trail, Canyonlands National Park
Start of the Murphy Loop Trail, Canyonlands National Park

This is at the start of the Murphy Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park. When you stand there it is hard to believe there is a path that descends into the canyon, but there is.

Murphy Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park
Along the Murphy Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park
Murphy Loop Trail, Canyonlands National Park
Murphy Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park

This is at the start of the Murphy Loop Trail in Canyonlands National Park. In the distance you can see the path one plateau lower. It's just a matter of getting there. The path down is to the left.

Left: The path down to the next plateau; Middle: This is what the canyon rim looks from up close; Right: There's a path somewhere between these rocks

Murphy Loop Trail, Canyonlands National Park
Made it to the bottom, or rather, one plateau lower
Soda Springs Basin in Canyonlands National Park
Soda Springs Basin in Canyonlands National Park. This photo was taken along the hike to Hogback.
Soda Springs Basin in Canyonlands National Park
Soda Springs Basin, Canyonlands National Park

Some more views of Soda Springs Basin in Canyonlands National Park. I was tempted to descend one more plateau, but I still had to make my way back up.

Soda Springs Basin, Canyonlands National Park
Soda Springs Basin in Canyonlands National Park

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