Left work a little late and also did not realize that the Needles District (southeast entrance of the park near Monticello, Utah) is an hour from the highway. So that turned into more of a detour than a hike on the drive. On the way in, a birthday:
As I started up the trail, the sun was already behind a canyon wall. Two hikers coming down looked at me, puzzled, and asked, “You’re starting your hike now?” Followed soon after by two hikers who had gotten into more than they’d intended begging to know that the trailhead was close. Both good omens…
So when I came around the wall and saw the sun low over a big valley, I swapped my 7 mile hike for a short scramble up a giant sandstone slab for a sunset beer instead.
Made it Alamosa, Colorado far later than I meant to. Also sad that I did the entire Wolf Creek Pass in the dark because it seems gorgeous. I hadn’t realized the elevation until I felt the air thin while I was driving out around 10,000 feet. But I also found more in Needles that I want to do, so I guess I’ll just have to come back.