Corson boys hit the White Rim Trail.

None of us can remember the last time the three of us spent any quality time together, so we all agreed on a trip to Canyonlands for a few days of camping in the desert. Specifically, Tom & I rode the White Rim Jeep Trail as Duncan drove the support vehicle along the 85 or so miles. For Duncan, it had been about 18 years since he slept on anything but a bed, and he has become accustomed to a certain routine in his home life, so I'm sure it was a shock to his system. He really seemed to do well (with a little guidance) overall.

The advance team (Tom & I) arrived a day early to organize for the trip. Tom & I slept out at the tent in Castle Valley & tested out Duncan's mattress.

Tom & I hiked along the Flat Pass/Steelbender trail and witnessed this bizarre natural phenomenon. One cloud was a vivid rainbow color! Stayed like that for a good 10-15 minutes. I guess that's what its like to use hallucinogens.

The entrance to Canyonlands National Park.

Finally on our bikes after picking up the permit and making some final adjustments. This is the view down to the White Rim trail at the bottom. The road makes a series of switchbacks cut into the face of this cliff all the way to the bottom. It is a good quality road, but unnerving when you look down over the edge.

Duncan maneuvering down the switchbacks in the Jeep. He was white knuckles all the way down, but steadily gained confidence as the miles passed.

Colorado River overlook early on in the ride.

The first day was a short one, so after we set up camp at Airport we drove down Lathrop Canyon to the Colorado River to put the Jeep to the test. It performed well up and down some steep ledges. Duncan was disappointed at how dirty the river was when we arrived, but I jumped in between all the foam floaties for a brief swim.

Luckily from the driver's seat you are unaware that the road is so overhung.

Watch that first step. It's a doozy!

Corson boys on the White Rim.

Duncan chases down Tom on some of the easier sections of the trail.

By the second day, this kind of driving was nothing for the old man.

Lunch at the White Crack campsite. Fantastic overlook to the rivers below, and a lot of scary overhangs. This is where we overheard a guy talking about how scary the Murphy Hogback hill was. He basically endorsed every fear Duncan had, and his anticipation and anxiety built as we approached the Murphy Hogback.

View from the Murphy Hogback hill. Below you can see the rim of white rock that gives the trail its name.

Ooooh, Rob, take my picture in a slot canyon.

Duncan does a Bull in the slot canyon.

Duncan posing.

Potato Bottom campsite. By now, Duncan was able to set up and take down his tent all by himself!

Tom begins the climb out of the White Rim.