Continued from the previous page.

WHIMSY IN "CASTLE COUNTRY"

The trail continues to undulate past more pastel-colored rock spires that look like whimsical fairy castles. This trail is aptly-named!

The next set of photos shows one of the prettiest formations in the park. Going clockwise, you get the "small picture" first, then the "large picture" looking back a quarter mile farther along. It looks different around every curve and from varying distances:

The trail passes close to the west side of the large formation.

 

 

 

View of the whole south side of the formation

In the second mile of the loop the trail continues to wind generally southeast through small canyons on the east side of Boat Mesa, with more views of pastel-colored "fairy castles" in all directions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Climbing up to the ridge, hikers can begin to see Boat Mesa again in the distance.

The trail gradually climbs up to a ridge with expansive views in all directions.

SCENIC RIDGE BELOW BOAT MESA

We're about 2½ miles into the Fairyland Loop now, after switch-backing up to the ridge that faces the southeast end of Boat Mesa. The elevation is about 7,500 feet.

The 3/4th-mile section along this ridge, highlighted in purple on the map below, is my favorite part of this awesome trail because of the panoramic views and a narrow spine for a couple hundred feet:

Let's continue along the ridge in the clockwise direction: 

First view of Boat Mesa from an overlook on the ridge; the trail is off to the right.

Narrow trail along part of the spine

View east toward the "Sinking Ship" formation

 

It's interesting to look down to the trail where you walked several minutes earlier, before climbing up to the ridge.

When you're down there, you're mostly looking up at the rock formations. There's such a different perspective of the formations when you're looking across at, or down to, them from the ridge. It's also fun to look at the tiny people 'way down there. They have no idea their voices carry so loudly to the ridge.

 

 

 

The trail on the ridge gets close to more colorful castle-like formations below this side of Boat Mesa:

 

 

 

See the arch/window on the right?

There's a rock to the right where I like to sit, have a snack, and enjoy the panoramic view.

After this spot the trail begins a long and gradual descent as it switchbacks past more colorful spires below Boat Mesa.

Continued on the next page . . .

Happy trails,

Sue
"Runtrails & Company" - Sue Norwood, Jim O'Neil, Cody the ultra Lab, and Casey-pup

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© 2015 Sue Norwood and Jim O'Neil