I was surprised at the number of people in Canyonlands--campers and hikers. The reason being it's so isolated! One has to drive 30 miles into the park. Since it dead ends, you have to return the same way. And it's not near any towns, so once your there, you have to stay.

There were 12 of us, including a leader and co-leader. I knew them, plus one other volunteer from other trips. We worked 4 days out of the week on the same project--cutting out tamerisk, an invasive tree. That got boring and tiresome (and really hopeless). I guess there's a beetle that's been introduced to eat the plant. Hurray for that!

On our free day, we (all)took a day long hike back into the hinterlands. Quite spectacular scenery. Some slow pokes made the hike a lot longer than it needed to be. This one gal drove us all crazy, whining and moaning about one thing after another--and that was all week! Otherwise, the group was great.

We ate and slept well (tents), but I was ready to head for home. I thought I'd take 3 days, so I took some back roads through western Colorado--stopped at the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. But once I started driving, as long as it was daylight, I kept going. I moteled it for rest and shower purposes, then drove straight home from Kit Carson CO. It was a long haul, but I wasn't sleepy, so I was fine.
All in all, a good, but expensive trip. Gas prices are ridiculous! Questions?