Exploring Lost Canyon in the Needles area

 Canyonlands National Park is divided into several sections. Island in the Sky where we hiked a couple days ago; the Maze are which you can only reach via 4wd and the Needles. The Needles is about 1 hour and 25 minutes south of Moab. We drove thru free range cattle land and had a few steer right next to the road and passed a large arch. I have not been able to take a picture of them, but the Jack Rabbits around here are HUGE! We have seen many and they are the size of a small Cocker Spaniel-really.
Our hike today was to Lost Canyon. The trail started our across the flats. We walked by numerous blooming wildflowers and cacti. We began to gain elevation and hiked over slick rock. Cairns showed us the way up and over the massive area of stone. We got good at "reading" the ripples in the slickrock to find ledges to us as steps. Up and ever many areas and along ledges. The height provided wonderful viewpoints. We had to use a ladder to descend to the next level of slickrock. That was a bit nerve- wracking. I had no idea that hiking in Utah would require so much bouldering, actual rock climbing and traversing along and across the slickrock. Looking for hand-holds and foot placements was tricky at times. Maybe we just enjoy the difficult hikes.
The trail eventually got us to the canyon floor. Cottonwood trees followed the creek line. More wildflowers and many birds were singing. Many lizards crossed our path all day long. Saw a new type with a blue belly today. At one large rock there were three. Two were the same and then a much larger one. They started doing the head bob things as a warning. Loved watching this.
The trail wound around large rocks, thru more creek washes and then back up and over the slickrock again. It was a good hike. It is still always an amazing sight to see the contrast of desert landscape and mountains in the background. The Needls area is very quiet compared to the other parks. I am thinking that people don't want to drive that far when they are so close to the others. To me, the different terrain and views was worth the trip. Plus, we always like a challenge.
It was hot today. It was 90 when we got back into town.











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