Canyonlands Needles District: backpacking the Chesler Park Loop:
From the Elephant Canyon 2 camp site: Druid Arch trail, Joint Trail, Chesler Park Loop trail, Elephant Hill trail.
Canyonlands National Park Needles District, Monticello Utah
Trailhead: Elephant Hill Trailhead.
Itinerary:
This video is about the hiking of day 2 of an overnight backpacking trip in the Needles district of Canyonlands National Park which included the Druid Arch Trail and the Chesler Park loop.
Day 2 itinerary: EC2 camp site (Elephant Canyon 2), Druid Arch Trail to the Joint Trail junction. Joint Trail to Chesler park and to The Joint. Joint Trail to the Chesler Park Trailhead and to the Devils Lane Road. Devils Lane Road to the junction to the Chesler Park Loop Trail. Chesler Park Trail to the Junction to the Elephant Hill Trail. Elephant Hill trail to the Elephant Hill Trailhead
Day total: Approx. 10 mi, approx. 1,800 ft elevation gain.
Hike Notes
Chesler Park is a feature trail of the Needles District, a unique landscape of pinnacle rock formations and hoodoos in an open meadow area which enhance their prominence. Beautiful landscape. Certainly an area not to be missed if one plans to visit Canyonlands Needle District. Consequently the Chesler Park Loop trail is a busy trail with both day hikers and backpackers. Camp site permits for Chesler Park are really difficult to get. Chesler Park also features The Joint, a unique "crack" in the landscape similar to a slot canyon, relatively short and easily accessible. Admittedly, I preferred other trails and areas of the Needless, yet I really enjoyed this day of hiking despite the fairly heavy foot traffic.
Camping at EC 2 was great. It is a beautiful location right above the canyon and golden hours are very beautiful in the evening and also in the morning.
Music:
All That You Will Be by Gavin Luke
Licensed by Epidemic Sound.
