Cryptobiotic soil
Location: 38.1257095336914, -109.825263977051
Avoid stepping on cryptobiotic soil (consists of soil cyanobacteria, lichens and mosses). Doing so can damage this delicate and important ecological feature of the arid Southwest. © Steffan Fay.
EHT001
Location: 38.1418800354004, -109.827499389648
Head S from the Elephant Hill trailhead on dirt path. *Tip*: Pack at least 3 liters of water
EHT002
Location: 38.1366996765137, -109.82869720459
Pass a shallow canyon punctuated with red and tan sandstone formations; snowcapped La Sal Mtns. line NE horizon
EHT003
Location: 38.1252403259277, -109.832496643066
Turn L @ T; head NE on slickrock pitted with natural potholes; colorful spires ahead
EHT004
Location: 38.1280899047852, -109.824600219727
Trail swings right and drops gently into wash.
EHT005
Location: 38.1256294250488, -109.825401306152
Head SE on dirt and slickrock path. *Leave No Trace tip*: Step around black mounds of cryptobiotic soil
EHT006
Location: 38.122200012207, -109.82039642334
Trail curves NE
EHT007
Location: 38.133129119873, -109.813903808594
Follow switchback for descent into a wash with shady junipers
EHT008
Location: 38.135929107666, -109.810997009277
Continue straight; trail leading to Big Spring Canyon enters on R
EHT009
Location: 38.1443710327148, -109.806800842285
Turn R @ Y
EHT010
Location: 38.1450691223144, -109.804100036621
Bear L and head N. More campsites: Turn R and head S for sites in Campground A
EHT011
Location: 38.1486511230469, -109.800796508789
Camp under trees in Squaw Flat Campground (26 sites; first-come basis). Hike or shuttle 3 mi. back to trailhead on dirt road
Hoodoos
Location: 38.1251983642578, -109.832221984863
Jacquelyn Fay ponders the erosive forces that left these striated, multi-hued hoodoos in the Needles District of Canyonlands. © Steffan Fay.
Lone juniper
Location: 38.1444816589356, -109.80632019043
Steffan Fay poses next to a lone juniper. © Steffan Fay.
Needles District and the La Sals
Location: 38.1251411437988, -109.832221984863
Jacquelyn Fay and Joe Monaco in the Needles District of Canyonlands. Pinyon pine and Utah juniper in the middle-ground, and the ubiquitous La Sals on the horizon. © 2005 Steffan Fay.
Red rock and hoodoo canyon
Location: 38.1366767883301, -109.828659057617
Joe Monaco in front of a Big Spring Canyon feeder. © Steffan Fay.
Rock formation and soil
Location: 38.1220893859863, -109.820457458496
Joe Monaco and Jacquelyn Fay (in backpack) pose in front of interesting rock formation and cryptobiotic soil. © Steffan Fay.
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