Day two in Canyonlands led us the rim of the Colorado River. Tough guy decided he needed to ride the remaining bike, meanwhile Amy took a crash course in the finer points of 4x4 driving. At the end of the easy section we met two parties that really illustrate how opposites attract in the Canyonlands. While Amy spoke with Bill and his wife (from Texas with appropriate accents) in their bright yellow FJ about the road conditions for the final 3 miles to the rim, CW consulted with a solo hiker, who was hiking from Arches NP to Grand Canyon NP, that’s several hundred miles of desert and canyons to cross. In this lonely corner in the desert, we come across a guy fresh off the car lot in Houston and a guy that makes the previously mentioned Walking Man look like he going for a stroll at the local mall.
This represents half of the people we see today on the Colorado Overlook road. The remaining parties were a lady driving a Land Rover, and a very serious duo in a jeep with a snorkel, 20 extra gallons of gas and driving gloves. We accept defeat and park about a mile from the rim. Do we really need to go down (and back up) this chunk of road?
The wiser course of action seemed to be parking and allowing the scenery and canyon to slowly unfold while we walked. Maybe Old Joseph has taught us a thing or two. The Canyonlands do reward intelligent choices. It also offers incredible views for those that make the journey.
We returned to FJ and made our way back to the Visitor’s Center, CW went in to give a trip report for bikes on the Overlook Road and to get a preview of Elephant Hill, the famous 4x4 trek in the Canyonlands. After letting the nice lady know that the sand was manageable, he inquired about Elephant Hill, he asked for a comparison to the last mile of the Overlook Road (the part we didn’t drive), she responded that the easy parts Elephant Hill were tougher than that stretch. Okay, sounds good, this duo will not be tackling that road.While CW was patiently waiting (can anyone imagine him butting into the following conversation?) to get his questions answered . . . This guy and kid were badgering the nice lady and demanding a river permit for their large raft. The lady said, we don’t issue permits here. The guy says, “I called, the person on the phone said you did!”. The lady said “We don’t, and we don’t have any to issue anyway”. Finally, CW butts in and tells the guy, “You can’t get to the Colorado River from here”. The guys says, “Yes, we can!”. CW apologizes, and says you’re right, “You and your son could drive up Elephant Hill, then hike several miles down to the river via the only trail that goes below the rim, and if you make it down with all your gear and raft, you can inflate it on the rocks on the wrong side of the river, and if you succeed, you’re reward will be Cataract Canyon, the toughest stretch of white water on the Colorado, and if you survive this several day journey, I sure hope you packed a motor, because you will get several miles of Lake Powell before you can get off the water in Hite.”
We both wondered, should father be watching son or the other way around if they came across that sign? We’re not sure where they went that afternoon, but I do know we returned to camp for another warm night and sunset to match.
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