Upheaval Dome Hikes in Canyonlands

 We headed up to Island in the Sky to combine three of the Upheaval Dome hikes. We started at the trailhead and did the south side of the Syncline Trail, dropping 1,300 ft and going 3.5 miles to Upheaval Canyon. Then we hiked up 1.5 miles and 350 ft into the crater of Upheaval Dome before retracing our route. Once back at the trailhead, we hiked .03 miles and 150 ft up to the first overlook to look down into the crater.

We heard that the difficult sections were on the north side of the Syncline Trail, which we did not do today.

For a short distance the trail is relatively flat,

 before dropping down to the White Rim. The first section of down hill was through boulders that obscured our view of the White Rim below.

Soon the view began to open up and we could see the canyons below.

Our trail continued to descend,

 with great views of Canyonlands to the west.












There were many interesting rock formations, and this area is very different from the Needles area of Canyonlands.

The trail then drops down into a wash leading to Upheaval Canyon.

 a balancing rock

 views from the wash

 Once we reached the junction with Upheaval Canyon, the trail begins to climb.


















View overlooking Upheaval Canyon.

Wide angle shot looking up into the entrance into Upheaval Dome.

 The trail into Upheaval Dome follows a wash.

 There a couple of places the trail goes up over rocky ledges.

 Here the official trail ends. Pano looking into the far eastern end inside Upheaval Dome.

 We felt small down inside the crater of Upheaval Dome

 Many colors and types of rocks inside the crater.

Heading back down to Upheaval Canyon.

 And then back up the trail,

 climbing up toward the trailhead,

 taking short breaks to enjoy the distant views.














Sign showing the trails around Upheaval Dome.

At the first Overlook, looking down into the crater of Upheaval Dome where we were a few hours earlier.

 Pano of the inside of Upheaval Dome: