The Confluence Overlook report is by Felix. The Confluence Overlook Trail starts at the far end of the scenic drive through The Needles, Canyonlands National Park. The trail runs through dry and open country with a variety of terrain.

You begin the hike by descending from the parking lot into Big Spring Canyon and after a short traverse along the canyon bottom ascend up a trail on slick rock through an opening in the sandstone referred to as the Keyhole. Emerging from this opening, the view extends out over another ravine that is part of Big Spring Canyon. From there, the trail follows a ledge and after climbing a short ladder, the trail then begins a more level route that eventually descends into a wide basin, a tributary of Elephant Canyon. Whereas the Elephant Canyon drainage extends north all the way to the Colorado River before it reaches the confluence, the Confluence Overlook trail travels in a more westward projection. The trail then begins an upward climb on slickrock to a ledge with interesting views. If you look to the northeast, you can see the La Sal Mountains and to the southwest, the colorful Cedar Mesa sandstone needles from which this section of Canyonlands derives its name. A dark red butte derived from Organ Rock Shale becomes visible to the west. This sedimentary layer is more common to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands. From here, the trail runs up and down through slickrock, sandstone and drainages. Eventually, the trail arrives and crosses a high-clearance, 4-wheel-drive road that has traveled through Devils Lane as referred to on The Canyonlands Map and Trail Guide. This road extends far beyond Chesler Park to outside the park boundary but does include a junction originating from Elephant Hill. The trail then crosses the road and continues through a grassy area referred to as The Grabens on the park map. The Grabens are defined as collapsed valleys of rock between parallel faults. The collapse of rock is caused by underlying salt deposits moving toward the canyon of the Colorado River. This is in contrast with river canyons caused by the process of erosion. After a little more than a half mile, the trail again joins the 4-wheel-drive road. From here the trail follows the road until it concludes at a shaded area that includes a picnic table and an outdoor, pit-style toilet. Just beyond this rest area the trail concludes with a one half mile hike up a slight hill to the confluence overlook. The Confluence Overlook Trail includes perhaps two places where you need to exercise some caution especially if hiking alone.

[photo by Felix]

[photo by Felix]

The cliff or overlook is about 1,000 feet above the confluence marking the conjoining of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The views here are sublime and a fair reward for the over 5 mile hike out to the overlook. At times, you may even spot river runners down below who may be resting before descending through the treacherous waters of Cataract Canyon which lies shortly downstream. The canyon walls visible across from the overlook include ancient layers of sandstone, siltstone and limestone. There is a very strong demarcation in color at the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers. The Green is lighter in color with an olive green hue whereas the Colorado displays a darker reddish-brown color. It is said that the lighter color of the Green River which has traveled approximately 730 miles to the confluence results from suspended sediments. The reddish-brown of the Colorado River is due to the oxidized iron and other minerals contained in its sediment. Ironically, subsequent to the confluence, the Colorado River takes on more of the Green River coloring. Colorado in Spanish means colored red or ruddy. Historically, it was on July 16, 1869, that the Powell Expedition reached the confluence of the Green and at that time what was referred to as the Grand River. The Grand River and the river subsequent to the confluence were officially renamed the Colorado River on July 25, 1921 a change spurred on by Colorado Congressman Edward Taylor. Taylor argued that the river originated in Colorado and consisted of a larger volume of water than the Green River. Representatives from Wyoming, where the Green River headwaters are located (Wind River Range) and Utah along with the US Geologic Service opposed the name change arguing that the Green River was significantly longer and possessed a larger drainage basin prior to the confluence.

[photo by Felix]

[photo by Felix]

On the hike out, I encountered one young women running the trail to the confluence and an older couple who were returning from the confluence. I spent about one solitary half hour at the overlook and only upon leaving encountered four individuals who arrived in two vehicles on the high clearance road that ended at the picnic area. Later, I encountered two other hikers making their way out to the confluence and a backpacking couple who probably had spent the night somewhere in the vicinity of the overlook.

Because of the open and dry terrain, it is recommended that you do the hike in cooler weather preferably Spring or Fall and carry additional water if you attempt the hike in higher temperatures. You need only to read the reviews of this hike in All Trails to note the heightened water consumption by various hikers during rising temperatures. The hike is considered strenuous by some but easily traversed by experienced hikers especially anyone adept at locating cairns. I logged 10.48 miles and 1,381 feet elevation gain with the All Trails App. All Trails references the hike as moderate at 10 miles and 1,371 feet elevation gain. The Canyonlands Map and Trail Guide provided by the National Park Service references 11 miles (undoubtedly from rounding up) out and back with 5 to 6 hours to complete. The hike should not be attempted too late in the afternoon as the cairns will be difficult to locate in lessened light conditions.

I have now done this hike several times, the first time was over 43 years ago and the most recent two times as a solitary hiker. Although not the most popular hike in The Needles district, it is thoroughly rewarding for it open spaces, varied terrain, solitude and stunning overlook of two of the American Southwest's most prominent rivers.

[photo by Felix]

Confluence [photo by Felix]