Day Canyon Point Trail

Mike & Joanne Kelso, Leaders Big Saturday, 4/16

Beautiful Day Canyon Point is accessed from the Island in the Sky area near Deadhorse Point, and descends a bumpy fi ve miles to an overlook of the Colorado River at a section called Lake Bottom. The trail retraces the route down on its return, so all the short drops become obstacles that must be ascended to return to the well traveled Deadhorse Point Road. This trip is designed to be pleasant, family style scenic trip for those that pay attention to the ratings and bring an appropriate vehicle and driving skills to match. Those looking for Yahoo Jeeping will be disappointed, and novices are advised to choose a diff erent trip also. Approximate mileages: 70 overall, 10 off highway.

Scenery: Bordered on the north by Day Canyon, the south by Long Canyon and on the east by the Colorado River there is scenery everywhere you look on this trip. The La Sal Peaks are constantly in view on the descent, distant views of most of the Golden Spike Trail, parts of the Poison Spider Mesa Trail, the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes, Gooney Bird Rock, Jeep Arch, the Moab Rim Trail, and the far end of the Cliff hanger Trail can all be seen.

Road Surface: There are two track dirt sections, a lot of descents and climbs on slickrock ledges, and even the occasional section of smooth slickrock.

Highlights: The obstacles are small ledges that are encountered as diff erent rock layers are crossed. Only one has earned a name-“Broken Bill Hill”-where a broken axle resulted in a wheel/tire/brake drum assembly abruptly departing from a Cherokee. Some notable rock formations have been named the Puppet Show and the Lodges.

There are even several arches that can be viewed with short hikes, but usually there is not enough time to accommodate them.

To be used:

Sunday, 4/10 Monday, 4/11 Wednesday, 4/13 and Big Saturday 4/16

Dan Lindblad Sunday, 4/10 Kevin Heckman Monday, 4/11 Dawn & Roger Peck Wednesday, 4/13

Associate Leaders:

Dempsey Bowling, Kevin Fox, Davy Jones, Jim Kochenderfer, Adam Morris, Mark Pope, Brian Price, Sid Thompson, George Thornock, Donn Voss, James Walden.