Negro Bill Canyon Trail hike and Canyonlands

We were up and out early this morning.  Our plan was a 4+ mile round-trip hike up Negro Bill Canyon Trail (named after the first black rancher in the area ).  It was refreshingly cool as we began ....we were surrounded by high canyon walls and 

 thick brush and trees.   We could hear a rushing stream and eventually

 we came to the edge and followed and crossed it many times.    I gave up trying to manuever the stepping stones and just waded through.

 The water was cool and refreshing, but the trail was red thick dust, so in no time, our shoes were caked in red mud.   We had to climb up and down and test our leg muscles and agility  on some boulder strewn areas.    Surprisingly, the trail was not busy at all but most everyone had a dog or 3 with them.    We were quite comfortable in the lower shady part of the canyon but then the sun erupted over the canyon walls and the heat became troublesome.    We finally decided that the smart thing was to turn around.... a bit over halfway.    By the time we got back to the car, it was HOT and we were very wise to lose our pride and give in to Mother Nature.    We'd love to try again....spring would be cooler but the stream would be much deeper for the many crossings....fall sounds perfect.

 You may have noticed that my lens hood is creating some shadows.....I lost my original one....well, it's here somewhere, just not sure where.   So I bought another at a camera store but not happy with it.

Yesterday, on Saturday, we headed out to one section of Canyonlands.   There are 4 parts and none are connected by roads.    We went to the southern Needles section.   A short distance out of Moab is the Wilson Arch, named after the first Superintendent of Canyonlands.  

 The road is about 60+ mi into the Park from Moab and you have to return the same way.    The sky looked threatening at times and there was a haze that obscured the beautiful distant views.   We presume it is from wildfires in Colorado and Arizona.

 Near the entrance is Newspaper Rock.... a large collection of petroglyphs.   They are not dated and may cover several different time periods.

 It's fascinating to look closely and identify all the symbols.   I especially like all the feet.

 The biting gnats were thick so we didn't stay long.

 We felt that there are better scenic areas than this section of the Park.   We did try a 4X4 road but it was rather bland and dusty as well.  

 Parking at a view spot, there were two very large ravens  (or maybe they're all very large)...these had no fear and were obviously looking for a handout.   They didn't get one ...........

 We've both read the Stegner book on John Wesley Powell.... we'd love to see some of the areas mentioned but unfortunately, most are along or on the rivers and it is difficult to access them.     Paul is standing near the beginning of the trail that goes to the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.   This is the reason we drove over to this part of the Park.    It is accessible, IF  you hike over 5  miles , one way, and then look over the cliff 1000 ft down .    We'll have to pass on that one for now.!!

I just picked up another book, Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey,written in 1968 when he was a ranger in Arches NP for 3 summers.  ( Joe and Gay,  you would like this book !!)  It covers environmental, political and philosophical issues of the area and has been compared to  Thoreau's Walden.    It's a fascinating view of the desert and Moab.    

And, I think we've earned a good Mexican dinner tonight .... 

PS:    The dog bites are healing.....  due in part to the amazing nursing care he received.    Thanks for all of your concerns !   When we go to remote areas around here, I usually text son Jon to let him know.....yesterday, when I sent him our itinerary, he sent back his reply " Search Schnauzers on ready alert !!"

PPS:   Just some housekeeping.   I've noticed that at the bottom of the blog, on the email version only, there is a comment about me talking to the wind.    I find that interesting that I wrote that comment months ago but then deleted it and never published it.....and now it shows up.    Wonder if it's going to show up on every email version.....blogger.com can be very frustrating at times.