Once we arrived at the gate, the attendant said that they had a 60 foot pull through but the people hadn’t check out yet...check out time was noon. That sounds good, we could drive back and pack up the truck and be back...the attendant couldn’t reserve it for us but knew we wanted it. They have 50 amp power so we naturally thought they had full hook ups...but we were wrong. They have no water...just in the restrooms. All water is trucked in so they don’t have any for RV’s. Oh well...now that changes everything. The lack of water at Horsethief Campground was the main reason we were going to move but we might just as well stay where we are at. I definitely think that more information could be provided on their website about the lack of water...ensuring that all RVer`s fill up their water tanks before heading the 20 miles up to the park. The brochure they hand out at the park entrance has a sentence under the camping description saying that recreational vehicles should fill water tanks before coming to park...a little, don`t you think?
So we changed our minds about moving and decided to pay the $10 entrance fee and go and see Dead Horse Point State Park. How did Dead Horse Point State Park get its name, you ask?? Well...here is The Legend of Dead Horse Point...
According to one legend, the point was once used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa. Cowboys rounded up these horses, herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point. The neck, which is only 30 yards wide, was then fenced off with branches and brush, creating a natural corral surrounded by precipitous cliffs. Cowboys then chose the horses they wanted and for reasons unknown, left the other horses corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below.
Poor horses...sheesh...rather cruel...bad cowboys!
We drove into the park and stopped at the Visitors Centre. There are displays describing the area and how it was formed as well as how the plants and animals have adapted to the harsh seasons...from sub-zero temperatures in the winter to over 100 degrees in the summer. And they only receive 9 to 10 inches of precipitation a year.
After finishing in the Visitors Centre, we walked along the path to the edge of the canyon...beautiful vistas...
On our way to the actual Point (another couple of miles up the road), we stopped at another viewpoint and took more pictures. One thing we find totally amazing is the lack of guard rails or fences...that is a shear drop off behind me...
The views from Dead Horse Point are just absolutely incredible...the very green Colorado River meanders through the canyon below...
After spending a couple of hours in the park, we headed to the Canyonlands Visitors Centre to refill a water container and then home. Steve is going to put the water from the two 5-gallon containers of water into the trailer so we can shower. We usually run water through 2 filters before it goes into the trailer water tank but we have made the occasional exception...and this is one of them.
We relaxed outside in the sunshine for a bit before going inside to do our resistance exercises and then we each had a shower...using as little water as possible...but oh, it felt good! We have decided to stay here for a couple of more nights and then go to Archview RV Park, a private campground back down on the main highway into Moab. I made reservations for Tuesday. We will pack up Tuesday morning and go the short distance there and then spend some time in Moab before picking up our ATVs. With full hook-ups, we will be able to get all cleaned up and then head off again with a full fresh water tank.
This evening we thought we would take in the sunset at Dead Horse Point. So at 5:00 we headed off...but before going to the State Park, we were making another stop at the Visitors Centre at Canyonlands to fill our water containers.
We arrived at Head Horse Point lookout shortly before 6pm...lots of time to get the camera and tripod set up. Steve took some great pictures....
To see all our pictures taken at Dead Horse Point State Park...here is the link... Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah Web Album
It was dark as we drove home...not often that we drive in the dark. After a light dinner, we settled in for some TV. We are looking forward to exploring Arches National Park tomorrow.
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