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The overlook at Horseshoe Bend is served by a large parking area on the west side of US 89, 5 miles south of Glen Canyon Dam; big enough to accommodate the tour buses that often stop here. The adjacent land, and the viewpoint, are actually just south of the Glen Canyon NRA boundary, on the Navajo Reservation, but the trail is managed by the NPS.
After walking up a steep hill we thought that this was the overlook...but nope...
The wide path climbs a little to a low, flat-topped hill then descends gently down the far side, across a mix of slickrock and dunes to the unfenced overlook, on the rim of cliffs that are quite sheer for most of the 1,100 foot drop to the river below. The water in the Colorado is slow moving, greenish blue in color and edged by thin strips of bright green vegetation - a striking contrast to the red-brown Navajo sandstone cliffs at either side. There are often several rafts and boats in view, making the short upstream journey from Lees Ferry; sandbanks and bushy areas along the river provide many stopping places.
(Note the girl pictured in this sign)
The overlook is way down there past that blue outhouse...
Somebody didn't read the sign. Can't fix stupid! Crazy!
There's a raft down there...
We had a quick visit at the Overlook and then headed back up the trail over the top of that hill...
Lake Powell and Page in the distance...
See our rig on the far left...
Steve stopped at the restrooms...he got a kick out of this sign posted inside...
As we pulled up to the highway, Dave and Cheryl went driving by waving at us. It took us a few seconds to realize who it was...what timing! Safe travels, you two!
Beautiful views as we start our climb south on highway 89...
We're now up over 6000 feet...and it's time to go down...
Wow...what a view from up here!
The highway continues down below where that semi truck is...
Cameron, AZ...and a bridge over the Little Colorado River...
Which is bone dry...
We pulled over just before the next mountain pass and had our lunch...
Back into a forest...
We're now at 7,286 feet and you could feel the coolness...
Down we go and it's getting warmer...
We arrived at our destination just before 2:30...one of our favourite parks, Dead Horse Ranch State Park in Cottonwood, AZ...
We're in site 50 and Ray and Deb are next door on the right in site 49...
It was after 4:00 when we were all set-up...time to relax with an adult beverage. Ray, Deb and Freya joined us...
It was a rather cloudy, hazy day today but we didn't come across any rain. The forecast for tomorrow and the next week or so, is for sunshine and temps in the mid 20'sC/70'sF...looking forward to our few days here!
The wide path climbs a little to a low, flat-topped hill then descends gently down the far side, across a mix of slickrock and dunes to the unfenced overlook, on the rim of cliffs that are quite sheer for most of the 1,100 foot drop to the river below. The water in the Colorado is slow moving, greenish blue in color and edged by thin strips of bright green vegetation - a striking contrast to the red-brown Navajo sandstone cliffs at either side. There are often several rafts and boats in view, making the short upstream journey from Lees Ferry; sandbanks and bushy areas along the river provide many stopping places.
(Note the girl pictured in this sign)
Beautiful views as we start our climb south on highway 89...
What a wonderful area and great photos., thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for tagging along!
DeleteI have enjoyed your Lone Rock stay, and put that on my bucket list for maybe next spring.
ReplyDeleteGood move, from the Lake Powell area (gorgeous) to the Sedona area (lots to see there I bet). Dang, we are stuck here in the sticks and bricks until after the 1st. Oh well, I am having fun playing jeep in the mud and snow, so all is not lost. Although, cleaning off the mud is a chore...
Safe travels as you head south. We'll have to get together in Q if it works out.
DeleteIt is quite a slog in deep sand to see Horseshoe Bend. I understand they are putting in a barrier to keep people from the edge. Enjoy your time at Dead Horse. We enjoy this park, also. I like that we can walk/hike from the park to Old Cottonwood.
ReplyDeleteIt was good to get some exercise as we haven't been doing enough hiking lately. Cottonwood is a great area with lots to see and do.
DeleteI got a chuckle out of your comment on horseshoe bend and thinking the pavilion was the viewing point. We too thought the same thing. We really enjoyed our time a Lone Rock but were thankful when we hit blacktop again on our trek out of the sand. You just never know what could happen down there!
ReplyDeleteWe got back to the parking lot just in time as a bus load of people had just arrived. Lone Rock was great until the wind whipped up the sand 3 days in a row. You're right about getting back on the blacktop. A couple of vehicles did have to get towed out while we were there.
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