The stone sombrero
A rock formation is called a ” Mexican Hat ” which, depending on the perspective, is reminiscent of a Mexican sombrero. Pancakes might be a more appropriate term. The sombrero balances on a 90 meter high hill of rubble and rocks called “Mexican Hat Rock”. The rocks in the Mexican Hat region were probably formed around 250 million years ago. Dinosaurs at that time roamed the once lush green and water-rich region of Utah. The San Juan River flows through the area to provide water to an otherwise arid, rocky region. It can get extremely hot here, especially in the summer months.
In the middle of nowhere
A very small community nearby, about 4 kilometers away, also bears the name Mexican Hat. The settlement was only founded in 1908 due to suspected oil deposits in the area, which later turned out to be wrong. Cruises on the San Juan River are available from the community of Mexican Hat. The small monument is located just outside of Monument Valley in southeastern Utah off Highway 163, about 20 miles from the town of Bluff. The larger city of Moab is about 100 miles away.
According to anycountyprivateschools, the rock can be circumnavigated on an unpaved path. The path is unpaved and should be circumnavigated carefully with a car and not at all with a camper. It is best to walk the route. Courageous people try to climb the Mexican Hat Rock, only very few make it. In contrast to the impressive rock cathedrals in Monument Valley, the Mexican Hat looks a bit puny, but it is still worth seeing. There is a camping facility near the site of Sombrero Rock. The Mexican Hat Skirt looks relatively small in the pictures on this page. But if you stand in front of the Mexican Hat, you will notice how small the person really is.
The Hut and the San Juan River
The lonely and isolated stone monument is located in the middle of a barren desert landscape with predominantly red-colored, bare rocks and red sand. Only the San Juan River brings a color contrast to the landscape. Accompanied by green overgrown shore areas, it winds its way through the area in southeastern Utah not far from the “Sombrero”.
Canyonlands National Park in Utah – USA
Canyonlands-Badlands
Canyonlands National Park is located in southwest Utah, United States. The city of Moab is relatively close by, as is Arches National Park. The protected area has existed since 1964. The area of Canyonlands National Park is about 1,400 km². About 380,000 tourists come to the protected region of Utah every year. The Green River and the Colorado River have carved deep into the Colorado Plateau and created deep canyons.
The Canyonlands are quite comparable to the Grand Canyon in Arizona. Canyonlands National Park is the largest of the national parks in the US state of Utah. The landscapes in the Canyonlands Conservation Area are incredibly impressive. You can visit Canyonlands National Park all year round. During the holiday season in summer, the popular and well-known “spots” in the national park can be quite overcrowded.
Activities in Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park is not just a visual experience. Active natures can go on hiking tours through the gigantic, extensive region. You can do a day tour or start a multi-day tour. Guided hikes are offered. Mountain biking is also very popular on prescribed routes. There are many designated trails specifically for mountain bikers in Canyonlands National Park. In summer, make sure you bring enough drinking water with you. Highlights include white water rafting through the Canyonlands. Horseshoe Canyon forms a small area in the west of the national park.
Difficult to access, The Maze District in Canyonlands National Park is relatively untouched and lonely. There is a ranger station there to administer the national park. Canyonlands National Park Visitor Centers are located in The Needles and Island in the Sky regions.
Camping in the national park
Squaw Flat Campground is located in ” The Needles ” region. Squaw Flat Campground can be used as a base for exploring Canyonlands National Park. This campground is within easy reach of some of Canyonlands highlights (Druid Arch, Chesler Park and the Joint Trail). Another campsite is located in the ” Island in the Sky ” region. The campground, named Willow Flat Campground, is near the famous Green River Overlook in the national park. Camping in the hinterland is possible with permission from the national park administration.
Climate in the national park
The climate in the Canyonlands can be described as desert-like dry. Rain or even continuous rain is rare in the region. Thunderstorms are frequent. In winter there is moderate snowfall in the sanctuary. In summer it can get very hot in the national park, with very cold nights. The best times to visit Canyonlands National Park are in the spring and fall. The protected area has not yet been fully developed. There are only paved roads in the area of the highly frequented vantage points. Otherwise there are only easy paths and gravel roads through the “rocky” region in Utah.
Regions in Canyonlands National Park
- “The Maze District” im Westen
- “The Needles” im Südosten
- “Island in the Sky” im Norden
