Photo Essay: Winter Solstice in the Needles

Photo Essay: Winter Solstice in the Needles

Short days. You can love em or hate em. 

Winter is upon us and the longest of nights settles in over North America. Kim and I try at minimum one ‘freeze your ass off’ trip to SE Utah during the coldest months. Why? Simple: No one is there. In fact, due to budget cuts and low visitation, Canyonlands closes down the visitor centers and ranger stations from December 6th till the end of February. Granted, they still patrol somewhat, but otherwise the park feels completely empty. This trip was no different as we found ourselves alone in the normally bustling Squaw Flat campground. Between the near single-digit temps and an occasional light snow, this year was punctuated by extreme solitude and quietness only disturbed by the rustling of a rabbit or the croak of a begging raven. Enjoy the short video and the gallery.