Maze 4WD 2012

In April 2012, I joined Ron Bartell, Christine Mitchell, and Greg and Myrna Roach for a 6-night trip into the Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, It was my 5th visit to this area but the first time I entered via the Flint Trail. Few people come to the Maze since you must either walk-in 15 miles or drive some gnarly roads with a 4WD vehicle. The Maze sees 2,000 visitors a year compared to 260,000 who visit the more popular "Island in the Sky" region of Canyonlands National Park. We took 2 vehicles and did dayhikes from our designated camps. Reservations and a toilet system are required if you are car camping. We carried all of our water and there are no services. It is worth it. The canyons of the Maze are really a maze. There are also spectacular pictographs, rock pillars, and colorful buttes. The area is near the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers but there are few trails that reach the rivers.
Day 1- Approach. It is a long drive from Southern California.
Day 2- Drive along the road south of the Hans Flat Ranger Station, down the Flint Trail to Maze Overlook Camp
Day 3- Dayhike down into the Maze and return to Maze Overlook Camp.
Day 4- Hike above and into Horse Canyon and then drive to Ekker Camp.
Day 5- Dayhike to Anderson Bottom and camp at Millard Camp.
Day 6- Drive to Golden Stairs Camp
Day 7- Dayhike and return to Golden Stairs Camp
Day 8- Drive out of the Maze to Cataract Overlook Camp
Day 9- Drive toward home.
The 82 images that follow are mostly in chronological order.