Lathrop Canyon
Utah · United States
A lot of natural landmarks and trails in Canyonlands are named by or after cowboys and ranchers. In fact, Ned Chaffin’s father and one of his brothers had a spring named after them.
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Lathrop Canyon
Welcome, intrepid explorers, to the rugged isolation of Lathrop Canyon. We are embarking on a journey far off the paved roads of the Island in the Sky, venturing into the deep backcountry of Canyonlands National Park. …
Listen in the app2Departing the White Rim
Our journey begins at the junction with the famous White Rim Road. The White Rim is a vast bench of resistant sandstone that forms a mid-level plateau within the canyon system. …
Listen in the app3The Ancestral Puebloan Traces
As we navigate the upper reaches of the canyon, it is crucial to remember that we are not the first to travel this harsh corridor. For thousands of years, Native American populations, specifically the Ancestral Puebloans,…
Listen in the app4The Inner Gorge Geology
We now enter the deepest, narrowest section of the drive: the inner gorge of Lathrop Canyon. The walls close in around us, towering hundreds of feet straight up. …
Listen in the app5Flora and Fauna of the Wash
Despite the harsh conditions, the canyon bottom supports a surprising variety of life, concentrated along the ephemeral wash we are following. Even when dry, the sandy wash retains subsurface moisture. …
Listen in the app6The Oasis at the River
Our arduous descent concludes as the canyon suddenly opens up, revealing the mighty Colorado River. The contrast is startling. …
Listen in the app7Preparing for the Ascent
Before we depart the riverbank, it is essential to prepare the vehicle and ourselves for the ascent. Climbing out of Lathrop Canyon is often more difficult than descending. …
Listen in the app8Closing
We have successfully navigated Lathrop Canyon, returning to the relative civilization of the White Rim Road. Our academic expedition has taken us from the arid mesa top, through the artifacts of ancient peoples, down into the…
Listen in the app
What is Lathrop Canyon?
Lathrop Canyon is a place in Utah · United States with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Utah · United States |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 38.3900, -109.8700 |
| Last updated |
