Author: Rick Mc

The signature photo of Island in the Sky is the view through Mesa Arch.

larger original

The Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park could not be better named.

It’s a high Mesa at the junction of the Colorado and Green rivers.

Most of the longer hikes drop precipitously off the “island”. There are several to choose from: Gooseberry, Wilhite, Alcove Spring. Many hikers climb down quickly and are picked up by an off-road vehicle on the White Rim Road. If you do not have vehicle support (and it’s not too hot), you can switchback your way up top again, sometimes via a loop.

The Rangers when I was there recommended Murphy Basin, a 10mi (16km) lollypop loop with an optional sidetrip to Murphy Point. Non-stop fantastic vistas.

my view from Murphy Point

The best hike on Island in the Sky for me, however, is the Syncline Loop.

My favourite hike in the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park circles unique Upheaval Dome, the strangest and most controversial geological feature in the region.

To me, it looks like an ancient eroded meteorite crater. It’s huge, 6.2mi (10km) in diameter.

I circled it on the 8mi (12.8km) Syncline Loop trail, finishing with a side trip to the popular Upheaval Dome overlook. That’s a wonderful, challenging day hike. (Especially difficult after damage during the winter of 2006. Volunteers were making repairs when I was there.)

from NPS map

You might prefer the longer Alcove Spring / Syncline Loop 19.6mi (31.5km) which takes you to Aphrodite, Zeus and Moses spires. And returns via Upheaval Canyon.

This is dangerous territory. People get lost and die in Canyonlands National Park. I just read an account of a 62-yr-old man who was found curled up, dead under the only shade tree a short distance from his vehicle. Somehow he got confused and couldn’t find the car.

I don’t want to understate the risks while extolling the wonders of hiking there.

Routes are maked by stone cairns. Inevitably you will spend a lot of time backtracking to the last cairn, trying to find the correct route. I got particularly muddled on Syncline Loop.

Here’s the obligatory warning:

The park’s greatest danger is weather. Summer temperatures often exceed 100 ° F, but even during the spring and fall visitors should plan on drinking one gallon of water per day.

When hiking be aware that it can be easy to get lost in the twisting canyons, so let someone know where you are going and bring more food and water than you think you’ll need.

During storms avoid high open areas which can be prone to lightning strikes. In addition, be extremely cautious in narrow canyons as flash floods can occur with even just a small amount of precipitation.

If you are in a canyon and it begins to rain, look for higher ground immediately; if you can hear the sounds of floodwaters approaching or notice rising water around you it is already too late to seek safety.

Canyonlands National Park – WikiTravel