10.26 Gooseberry Trail in Canyonlands, a hike down a vertical cliff onto the canyon floor

A scene from the cliffs on Gooseberry trail, Canyonlands.

The view to the side as we descend

Editor coping very well in tough conditions, almost vertical, sans red pen. Truth be told, I wanted to close my eyes.

We try not rate hikes too often as we get it wrong. One of us in particular, can be a little impulsive, emotional and we suppose, immature. As a hint, we are not writing of the editor. That’s as close to the answer we will allow. Today’s hike was a little different from most. Firstly, we were on our own, in a stunning area, which we suppose is not unusual these days. The hike is not a trail but a stony path indicated by cairns placed in an orderly fashion. Being in a national park, it is in our opinion, the most dangerous path we have followed in such a setting. In less than a mile, the descent is 1,400 feet, almost vertically. This says a lot for the designers of the trail—it’s well done. The drop-offs on tight edges raise the adrenaline level but also provide a wonderful challenge. Suffice to say, we have no hesitation in wishing to repeat the hike the next time we visit. It so happens that the next visit is scheduled for the year 2156, though. Seriously, notwithstanding winds that chilled and can be intimidating as one stands on very narrow edges, it is a superior experience. Anyone wishing to do it, give us a call and we'd love to join you.

In an alcove as we descend the cliff

A shady scene opposite us

Sort of rough part of the climb, although descent was tougher

From the commencement, one has exposure to the canyon floor which itself has mountains rising from it. After returning to the surface or 'Island in the Sky', we undertook a short hike where we met a professional photographer. He opined that people make the mistake of visiting the Grand Canyon of Arizona, instead of Canyonlands. We don’t know that we agree but definitely do follow his point. The area we visited is known as ‘Islands in the Sky’. We think it is aptly named. The deep canyons all about give the impression that the high ground is in fact island-like, if that makes sense.

A scene from the end of the trail

A marvellous position with perch extended out and above the canyon floor

An afternoon spent in awe, or correction, much awe

This is the fifth national park and sixth area, within Utah in which we have spent our time hiking on this trip. Each hike and each day gets better. Utah and Northern Arizona are the same geographical landscape—they differ only for artificial political boundaries and we suppose, the number of wives a man can take home.

We met an Australian couple, Liz and Gary, at our motel. They have taken off 18 months to travel parts of the world. What a great idea. We wish we had thought of something like that. Had we, we might have considered hiking, we think.

Jenni reaches the first part of canyon floor. The cliffs, our commencement position, in the background

Cheers,

Jenni and Jeffrey

Jenni resting after 3 miles, looking into a canyon in a canyon. Hmm?

Hard to explain the continual fascination with this area...maybe not so difficult

Studying the terrain in a fashion. (Don't overthink the situation, fellow)