NEEDLES!

Chestlerer Park and the Joint Trail! Note to future Haydukers: do not attempt to go through Canyonlands, especially the Needles, without permits. We saw two rangers in under an hour, both of whom asked about our permits. One was cool, one a bit gruff, both clearly would have cited us without permits. One also said he regularly patrols the Hayduke route. Neither gave us too much trouble that we're a day off our permit.

Anyway, we climbed out of Indian Creek, found a surprise pothole, and headed cross-country for Squaw Flat Campground, where we luxuriated in running water. We both took 7.5+L, maximum capacity with us when we left. Except, you know, it was 2PM in southern Utah in early September so I've already drunk a third of it. Hope the springs coming up aren't too cow-fouled.

The route to Chesler Park is crazy. Up down around slick rock, lots of climbing through the Needles. Then the super narrow Joint Trail. Google image search them if you haven't seen them.

Alternate route tomorrow to cut a few miles off a supposedly-boring wide sandy canyon (Butler Wash).

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