Getting the Boot from Canyonlands

Well actually, it is called the Wooden Shoe formation, but you get the idea.

Still in the Needles area of Canyonlands National Park, the hike from the end of the road ends up on a point overlooking the canyon.  It looked like a great place to have some lunch, so I found a nice rock on the edge with a great view.  It wasn’t till I was done and walking around when I realized that I had been on a 30 foot overhang!  It’s been like that for a million years give or take a millenium, but that didn’t stop me from walking softly when I went back to pick up my pack.

I was reading Edward Abbey’s ‘Desert Solitaire’ which is based in this general area at the time, so it was quite fitting to be travelling in some of the same places and seeing the things he describes.

Eventually it was time to hook up and head out, so reluctantly we did so.

Several well weathered structures were along the road as we headed back out to the highway and Monticello, where a grocery and propane stop was in order.

Continuing south we stopped in at Goosenecks State Park (Utah), and were disappointed to see that they are now trying to get money out of those who stop there.  Really? There is nothing there but a great view, a single parking lot, pit toilet.  The lot is so small that big rigs would have difficulty turning around.  As for camping, there are a half dozen lonesome picnic tables and a fireplace or two on the rim.  Seriously, it would take most people longer to find the money and fill out the envelope than they would spend enjoying the view.  I’m sure it’ll be popular for tour buses to stop here – at around $10/minute for the stop

Don’t get me wrong, these are great boondocking sites (if the wind isn’t blowing), but I’ve camped in far better places charging $3-4.  Not sure if the unpaved, wide open space down along the canyon rim is in the ‘park’, or if it is still open BLM camping?

Moving south across the San Juan river we were heading down into the Monument valley.