Wow! To be honest we weren't sure we were ready to hike 11.2 miles in one day, but once we started there was no turning back; the scenery was so amazing it left us wanting to see more. Hiking through and around the Needle and Graben formations was unlike anything we've ever done before. We scaled an "Elephant" two times as we hiked down into and out of Elephant Canyon each way . . . really it wasn't so bad!
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| We got an early start at the Elephant Hill Trailhead |
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| The scenery was amazing from the get-go |
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| Passing through a narrow fracture |
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| Desert Indian Paintbrush added an extra pop of color along the trail |
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| Occasionally, we had a trail . . . most of the time we followed rock cairns over slickrock. |
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| There were great views of the snow covered La Sal Mountains . . . It's hard to imagine we've hiked four of those peaks! |
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| Looking back to where we came from . . . Wow! The colorful Needles tower over Elephant Canyon |
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| After our lunch break at Chesler Park, we had the option to take different trails that would lead us back to where we began . . . Mary returned via the way we came, John circled over to Elephant Canyon & Druid Arch trail, while Kent & I continued on the Chesler Park Loop |
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| Cedar Mesa Sandstone formations |
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| Kent is enjoying the view of Elephant Canyon and beyond |
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| Walking through Chesler Park was like being on another planet |
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| We pretty much had the place all to ourselves . . . ! |
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| We passed through The Joint, a narrow fracture, for about 300 yards |
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| The Joint had several passages that entered from the side |
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| Do you see Kent? |
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| We've just exited The Joint . . . now we are at the halfway point on the trail |
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| Easter Daisy growing in the sand |
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| Taking a little break . . . ahh |
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| We passed by this pretty Claret Cup Cactus in bloom |
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| Heading back towards Chesler Park |
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| Off in the distance we get a glimpse of Chesler Park . . . just beyond are the Grabens rock formations |
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| With about 3 miles to go, Kent's knee started to bother him . . . On went the knee brace and out came the trekking poles! |
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| Notice this well worn tree limb . . . it has helped many hikers through a tight spot |
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| Almost back to the trailhead . . . ! |
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| What a great hike! The storm clouds were threatening at times, but the sun prevailed. It took us about 8 hours to complete the hike, it was awesome even with a bum knee! |
