Our first day back in Monticello, Utah, we found ourselves excited about a revisit to Canyonlands National Park. Fortunately, as with most National Parks, this one was certainly worth a repeat visit. Our camp host suggested we try a new "shortcut" to the park. It took us up and over the shoulder of the mountains where we saw large stands of Aspens and snow-covered ground - a nice counterpoint to the high desert environment in the park.
This looks like a Groucho Marx llama instead of a mule deer. Am I wrong?
Newspaper rock is only a few steps away from the highway leading into the park, so we made a quick stop. I am assuming a Native American had visited and left the ribbon and feather to honor his ancestors.
We did not remember this roadside lake on previous visits. It would have been an even more impressive view if the lake were calm enough to reflect the distant rocks.
North Sixshooter, far right, and South Sixshooter, center, stand at 6,374 and 6,132 feet, respectively, just outside the park boundaries.
There was a little rainwater left in some of the potholes and we tried to make the most of it in our pictures. Of course, the abundance of wildflowers added a splash of color we didn't see on our last visit (Oct 2014).
Delphinium andersonii, Anderson's Larkspur
Calochortus, Pink Mariposa lily
Wildflowers were abundant and beautiful in the park.
I think the snow-capped mountains in the distance this time were a nice addition as well.
Calochortus, White Mariposa lily
Nature had carved the perfect likeness of an elephant's head.
The cool, high elevation meant the prickly pear cacti blooms were still fresh compared with the waning flowers back in Mesa, AZ.
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