Canyon Rim Overlooks
We had just finished exploring the Boxcar Bridge trail and we ended up in between the Needles Overlook and the Canyonlands Overlook on the gravel road. We decided to check out everything in the reverse order so we headed out to the Anticline Overlook first. It was very easy going as we were already aired down.
We parked at the Anticline Overlook and did the short hike. It was amazing how much we could see! We were there for quite awhile, pointing out trails and landmarks that we could spot. It was Mark's first time to Moab so he really enjoyed seeing everything. This overlook really is impressive.
There were huge flies that would dive-bomb at you if you got near them, but they were harmless. Even with the flies, no one was in a hurry to leave. But, eventually, we left to see the other overlooks.
We drove around the Minor Overlook but only Roger got out to snap a picture. After the Anticline Overlook it didn't offer much more. We also spotted the Wine Glass Arch this time after not being able to see it on the way by the first time. We chose not to hike up to it this time.
The turn for the Canyonlands Overlook wasn't marked, but we had it on the GPS. The road was instantly rougher, an actual trail. It wasn't difficult, though, and it wasn't long before we were at the end. It was crazy to find a pit toilet and picnic table there.
The views from the Canyonlands Overlook were also impressive. Mark and Roger walked way out to the edge where the winds were very strong. There was a tempting jump across a crack hundreds of feet deep, but with the wind neither of them tried it.
We headed back to the gravel road, and soon we were making good time to the last of our big views at the Needles Overlook. We soon found pavement and worked our way to the parking area.
Robert almost made it. He ran out of gas just short of the Needles Overlook, and Mark towed him to the end. Robert has a new fuel cell set up, and it didn't hold as much gas as he had thought. We ran a lot of miles, and no one had a lot of gas left.
We checked out the overlook as we figured out what to do. We were disappointed to see that the Needles area was still very far away. The overlook didn't really show that area, even though the views were still amazing.
Mark and Robert took Mark's Jeep back to Moab to get Mark's gas cans and bring gas back to Robert's Jeep. Andrew took a much-needed nap on a picnic table. Roger headed to the end of the trail to snap some pictures of Jail Rock before the sunset.
At that point, Roger realized that he didn't have enough gas to return to the Needles Overlook. He went back to town and passed Mark and Robert in a tow rig on their way back to the overlook.
Putting Robert's Jeep up on the trailer wasn't a big deal, but Andrew was too delirious to drive back now that the sun had set. Mark drove Andrew's Jeep back to town and everyone else came back in the truck.
It was a long day but soon everyone was back in town at our rented condo. What a way to start the trip!
