SA Report: Out of Moab - Day 3

Trip Date: 6/5/2013

Location: Canyonlands National Park (Needles District)

Permit/Pass: Individuals (motorcycles, bicycles and walk-ins): $5. Vehicles: $10. Local Passport (entrance to Arches, Canyonlands, Hovenweep and Natural Bridges): $25.

Trails: NPS Park Map, Needles District Map

Directions: From Interstate 70 in Utah, just east of Green River, drive south on Hwy. 191 70.8 miles to Utah Hwy. 211. Turn right (west) on 211. Driving 34.4 on 211 takes you to the Needles District Visitor Center. Drive another 2.8 miles along Scenic 211 to a left (west) turn onto the campground road. Drive another half-mile, staying to the right, to where staying straight takes you onto a dirt road (okay for two-wheel drive). Take the unpaved road for 2.7 miles to the parking lot for Elephant Hill trailhead and four-wheel drive road.

Trail sequence: Elephant Hill trail

Type: Out and back

Distance: 2.2 miles

Elevation: Min. - 5064', Max. - 5451'

Profile:

Rating: Easy (factors: heat, route-finding)

Synopsis: This trail actually goes about .4 miles farther than we were able to take it (and junctions with a loop trail beyond that). Time forced us to stop at just over a mile, but our stop was on top of a rise with a tremendous view toward the needles formations that give this part of the park its name. We're calling it an overlook, and although I would have loved to continue on with this spectacularly varied and colorful hike, the beauty of the view from that spot made it less of a disappointment when we had to turn back. Fabulous red rocks and a mesmerizing variety of shapes make this a must-return place.

Elephant Hill/Overlook - Canyonlands NP

Turn by Turn:

  -- Find the beginning of the trail on the southeastern side of the parking lot near the picnic tables. Follow as it immediately heads up over layered rock and stone, and along a staircase carved right from the rock itself. Be sure to pay attention to the location of the cairns that will guide your way.

  -- After you top out on this short ascent you'll follow the trail around a canyon rim and then along and over slickrock and sand trails as you trend generally southward. Eventually you work your way around some stone outcrops toward an overlook that affords a tremendous view toward the needles that frame the Chesler Park area. (Continuing on from here another .4 miles completes this trail and junctions with the loop trail.)

  -- Retrace your steps to the trailhead.

Photo gallery: Flickr