- Joined
- Dec 2, 2019
- Messages
- 142
I recently completed a 105 mile loop hike, over 7 days, around the eastern section of the Needles canyon system in Canyonlands National Park; namely Salt Creek, Horse Canyon, Davis Canyon, and Lavender Creek.
One of the inspirations for the hike was the incredible Google Earth aerial view of the canyons of Needles, which appear, in color and form, as if they are arteries and blood vessels of the human circulatory system. It is a truly mesmerising image of the natural world. I had always wondered whether it would be possible to access these high ridges above the canyons.
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.....![Aerial view #2.png Aerial view #2.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110475-a7ec64d192e84b8a013e1478441ab326.jpg)
Although the initial part of the route would follow Salt Creek to the southern park boundary, my plan was to try to return along the high ridgelines which separate the individual canyon systems. These rims sit 500-1,000 feet above the surrounding drainages. Despite my detailed planning, and advance permit reservation, I wasn't 100% sure that I could link the various ridges together to form a loop, but after several conversations with the excellent Backcountry Rangers in the park, I realised that it could probably be done.
My hike started at Needles Outpost (4,900 feet) and followed Salt Creek for 27 miles, before climbing up to the Cathedral Butte Trailhead. From there, I did a return hike out to Cathedral Point (7,100 feet), at the end of the nearby promintary (the Cathedral Catwalk
). I then dropped into Lavender Canyon, which has several interesting ancient granaries, located in alcoves. I then exited Lavender, and hiked along the Davis/Lavender Ridgeline, before following an old 4WD track out to the edge of Cedar Mesa, at 7,000 feet. From there, I dropped down from the mesa onto the Salt/Davis Ridgeline (6,300 feet). I then day-hiked a spur route along the Salt/Horse Ridgeline (Archview Ridge
) until no further progress was possible. I then hiked along the Horse/Davis Ridgeline and dropped into Davis Canyon, to visit some of the archeological sites in the area. Returning to the ridge, I then followed the eastern rim of Horse Canyon (5,800 feet), before dropping back into Salt Creek, and completing the loop at Needles Outpost.
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.One of the inspirations for the hike was the incredible Google Earth aerial view of the canyons of Needles, which appear, in color and form, as if they are arteries and blood vessels of the human circulatory system. It is a truly mesmerising image of the natural world. I had always wondered whether it would be possible to access these high ridges above the canyons.
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.....
![Aerial view #2.png Aerial view #2.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110475-a7ec64d192e84b8a013e1478441ab326.jpg)
Although the initial part of the route would follow Salt Creek to the southern park boundary, my plan was to try to return along the high ridgelines which separate the individual canyon systems. These rims sit 500-1,000 feet above the surrounding drainages. Despite my detailed planning, and advance permit reservation, I wasn't 100% sure that I could link the various ridges together to form a loop, but after several conversations with the excellent Backcountry Rangers in the park, I realised that it could probably be done.
My hike started at Needles Outpost (4,900 feet) and followed Salt Creek for 27 miles, before climbing up to the Cathedral Butte Trailhead. From there, I did a return hike out to Cathedral Point (7,100 feet), at the end of the nearby promintary (the Cathedral Catwalk
...
![3D View #1b.png 3D View #1b.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110483-42e468c244c776d8a395e95e463d2969.jpg)
![3D View #2b.png 3D View #2b.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110482-8eaa9b0bc1b9eb3a017516842fa0970e.jpg)
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![Elevation profile.png Elevation profile.png](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110481-32f0bbfc48bb0d4c089f4e1b620d3b01.jpg)
Although I had researched the ridge routes quite carefully, my planning for accessing water wasn't very well thought through. I knew that I would be able to obtain water at several places in Salt Creek, especially towards the southern section at Kirk Spring, so this wasn't an issue initially. As I hoped, there was running water in the upper sections of Lavender Canyon, and also some more further down. Thus, I had plenty of water for the first 4 days of my hike, until I reached the Salt/Davis Ridgeline.
Since I wasn't certain of finding water in Davis Canyon on the following day, I realised that I would have to sacrifice at least half a day to drop back 500 feet into Salt Creek, via the Fisheye Route, and load up on water from Kirk Spring. I would then need to return to camp with at least 9 litres, to get me through the final 3 days. Incredibly, about 1/3 of the way down this route, I came across a pothole in the slickrock, containing clean water. I was very fortunate, and celebrated my good luck, by spending an unexpected free afternoon lazing in the sun !
Although there is a continuous 1/2 mile stretch of large healthy cottonwood trees in Davis Canyon, I wasn't able to ascertain whether there was actually any accessible running water nearby. I had therefore made the correct decision to collect enough water on the previous day, to see me through to the end of my hike. In hindsight, apart from caching water in advance, there probably weren't too many other options for obtaining sufficient water on this route, but I should certainly have thought it through a little better, before setting off.
This route lived up to all my expectations, and then some; it was a wonderful week's hiking, with a series of magnificent views of the surrounding canyons. In fact, it would be quite difficult to select a camping spot on the route that did not have an incredible vista !
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Rock Art in Salt Creek
.Since I wasn't certain of finding water in Davis Canyon on the following day, I realised that I would have to sacrifice at least half a day to drop back 500 feet into Salt Creek, via the Fisheye Route, and load up on water from Kirk Spring. I would then need to return to camp with at least 9 litres, to get me through the final 3 days. Incredibly, about 1/3 of the way down this route, I came across a pothole in the slickrock, containing clean water. I was very fortunate, and celebrated my good luck, by spending an unexpected free afternoon lazing in the sun !
Although there is a continuous 1/2 mile stretch of large healthy cottonwood trees in Davis Canyon, I wasn't able to ascertain whether there was actually any accessible running water nearby. I had therefore made the correct decision to collect enough water on the previous day, to see me through to the end of my hike. In hindsight, apart from caching water in advance, there probably weren't too many other options for obtaining sufficient water on this route, but I should certainly have thought it through a little better, before setting off.
This route lived up to all my expectations, and then some; it was a wonderful week's hiking, with a series of magnificent views of the surrounding canyons. In fact, it would be quite difficult to select a camping spot on the route that did not have an incredible vista !
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Rock Art in Salt Creek
![DSC00791_20pc.JPG DSC00791_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110403-eb1b57169e8e44cbea813c2109a718a4.jpg)
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Kirk Cabin in Salt Creek
![DSC00834_20pc.JPG DSC00834_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110406-5555035fb24c1860bfc0109a98e77ead.jpg)
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Kirk Spring in Salt Creek
![DSC00845_20pc.JPG DSC00845_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110407-9c1e3a19d9e0e23f3960fb813717e0ab.jpg)
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Leaving the National Park and ascending towards Cathedral Butte
![DSC00861_20pc.JPG DSC00861_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110408-21c23d648aab436e5d13ec17bfa4e01e.jpg)
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Lavender Creek from the Cathedral Catwalk
![DSC00889_20pc.JPG DSC00889_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110409-a5fee6d6b39eec59f04f1e97e5746f13.jpg)
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Big Pocket from Cathedral Point
![DSC00902_20pc.JPG DSC00902_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110410-1dfaaaaf68bac8ee8815645485080b5d.jpg)
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Salt Creek from Cathedral Point
![DSC00912_20pc.JPG DSC00912_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110411-d6854d19c86e2880c56e2a8e5bd70930.jpg)
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Descending towards Lavender Creek from Cathedral Butte Trailhead
![DSC00943_20pc.JPG DSC00943_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110413-3cabf33a9ed0af3c941c4f3af9354ef7.jpg)
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Teapot Arch in Lavender Creek
![DSC06074_20pc.JPG DSC06074_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110417-d7a45fe5a524805280e54095f7bd4745.jpg)
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Cleft Arch in Lavender Creek
![DSC06094_20pc.JPG DSC06094_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110420-d67af0c89bb6a3bdc356f060be501dc2.jpg)
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Granary in Lavender Creek
![DSC06125_20pc.JPG DSC06125_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110422-e253a3fa803c44336a0f8d3a0d8db276.jpg)
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Large alcove in West Fork Lavender Creek
![DSC06146_20pc.JPG DSC06146_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110423-c80b1ff82d02682c6cc8e41052b53f00.jpg)
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Granaries in Lavender Creek
![DSC06166_20pc.JPG DSC06166_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110424-2693dbae0e34a1f08fa3f81b9733dcc5.jpg)
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Old 4WD track along the Davis/Lavender Ridgeline heading towards Cedar Mesa
![DSC06203_20pc.JPG DSC06203_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110425-a113dc8b009ddd9c535c52cda330b8b5.jpg)
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Davis Canyon from Davis/Lavender Ridgeline
![DSC06221_20pc.JPG DSC06221_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110426-ed292c0f629a1c9b844f7326bd4fe047.jpg)
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Old jeep on the steep descent from Cedar Mesa
![DSC06227_20pc.JPG DSC06227_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110427-7d34b4afadce4735f869745fb7f363aa.jpg)
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Salt Creek from Cedar Mesa, looking north-west
![DSC06235_20pc.JPG DSC06235_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110429-4730d70a59365a3e8d26d33fcc6a84d3.jpg)
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Salt Creek from Cedar Mesa, looking west towards Beef Basin
![DSC06244_20pc.JPG DSC06244_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110430-60a867ce20a7b1e7a81cfa2503bcb93e.jpg)
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Big Pocket and Salt Creek from Cedar Mesa, looking south-west towards North Long Point and Dark Canyon Plateau
![DSC06253_20pc.JPG DSC06253_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110433-236712747eb93884d4183eb08a9dc622.jpg)
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Davis Canyon from Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06262_20pc.JPG DSC06262_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110435-c891ea3dc48575fd50a98e48705cdbcb.jpg)
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Davis Canyon, Indian Creek Recreation Area, Hatch Point Mesa, and La Sal Mountains from Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06289_20pc.JPG DSC06289_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110436-c7cd42d56d3a78fae0c88764ebdfc426.jpg)
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Descending the Fisheye Route towards Salt Creek
![DSC06298_20pc.JPG DSC06298_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110437-e3994a8b1257ca11a8100b2d760e2ad2.jpg)
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Descending the Fisheye Route towards Salt Creek
![DSC06301_20pc.JPG DSC06301_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110438-fd3ff6acd4db23a0d5d1d33e5b076721.jpg)
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A pothole on the Fisheye Route
![DSC06318_20pc.JPG DSC06318_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110439-4a5ceb814f7d94b6c13305708f2fee89.jpg)
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Side canyon of Salt Creek from Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06333_20pc.JPG DSC06333_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110440-6a768847f703c1f3d9ab1e3c74bba083.jpg)
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Horse Canyon from Archview Ridge
![DSC06354_20pc.JPG DSC06354_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110443-3cd799da5ac5488706a973fba3df74ae.jpg)
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Side canyon of Horse Canyon and Castle Arch from Archview Ridge
![DSC06372_20pc.JPG DSC06372_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110444-2a58ebd139961cccaf8a20e604a4cc27.jpg)
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Castle Arch from Archview Ridge
![DSC06410_20pc.JPG DSC06410_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110449-eb1a835d4a59d6838eb5784563864c18.jpg)
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Castle Arch from Archview Ridge
![DSC06408_20pc.JPG DSC06408_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110448-f3314c733c735fde9a1f7b9f50e85dbb.jpg)
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Side Canyon of Salt Creek from Archview Ridge
![DSC06392_20pc.JPG DSC06392_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110446-221d11aef55512a61ad2ded486e1d660.jpg)
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Unnamed (?) Arch from Archview Ridge, perhaps Turnaround Arch
![DSC06427_20pc.JPG DSC06427_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110450-9307693d7916a76bccf678d19c15fb3f.jpg)
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West Fork Horse Canyon from Archview Ridge
![DSC06457_20pc.JPG DSC06457_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110451-0939bc688b6d1ab3c951ec7ffe60be86.jpg)
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Angel Arch from Archview Ridge
![DSC06495_20pc.JPG DSC06495_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110456-6ceb74f66a7788144a949f1a48dc8441.jpg)
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Davis Canyon from Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06507_20pc.JPG DSC06507_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110457-79f22f42bc194e81dc99b28ffdf58c08.jpg)
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Camping on Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06516_20pc.JPG DSC06516_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110458-fdc5df6251598612863f9387ff1d3549.jpg)
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Side canyon of Salt Creek from Salt/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06345_20pc.JPG DSC06345_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110442-12631a609aa3d0ef915c4bb9935c015c.jpg)
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Side canyon of Horse Canyon from Horse/Davis Ridgeline
![DSC06741_20pc.JPG DSC06741_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110465-13be14c3434aad24cdbe694e4ed92c26.jpg)
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Descending towards Davis Canyon
![DSC06714_20pc.JPG DSC06714_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110463-bf1f1b07a804cf418fdf8ba6d789e810.jpg)
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Descending towards Davis Canyon
![DSC06717_20pc.JPG DSC06717_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110464-ceb35385a05999cc8aa5fd8a840a0f49.jpg)
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Signs of the Ancient Ones in Davis Canyon
![DSC06666_20pc.JPG DSC06666_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110460-8eb4bd1d60ef5eded833fe9ffc08f91a.jpg)
![DSC06675_20pc.JPG DSC06675_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110461-507fa4072fac17d1b0e2eb165115e49e.jpg)
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Rock art in Davis Canyon
![DSC06687_20pc.JPG DSC06687_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110462-a1998668fb8234a435ed6f5eb5686507.jpg)
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Tower Ruin Pocket from rim of Horse Canyon
![DSC06750_20pc.JPG DSC06750_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110467-1c3ecc5f3ce4f0872bc63d7ef42f0c8e.jpg)
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Davis Canyon area from rim of Horse Canyon
![DSC06768_20pc.JPG DSC06768_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110468-ab9983c742c31db4463a035dcd2c87ba.jpg)
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South Six-Shooter Peak
![DSC06777_20pc.JPG DSC06777_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110469-104cb643d0baecdb68ca4e0182b0832a.jpg)
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Salt Creek Pocket
![DSC06783_20pc.JPG DSC06783_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110471-10cf87d2deab844a96c0d755ebeef253.jpg)
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Old gate-post above Salt Creek Pocket
![DSC06786_20pc.JPG DSC06786_20pc.JPG](https://backcountrypost.com/data/attachments/110/110472-9cd366940ec6ef07d87dc35de53fd594.jpg)
O ye'll tak' the high road, and I'll tak' the low road, and I'll be in Scotland a'fore ye
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