To whom it may concern,
Lavender Canyon Update:
The access road to Davis and Lavender Canyon outside the park is
accessible as of 9/25/12 with the following precautions: One lane has been washed out just before the “cut bank” (just before the green gate) that was repaired/ moved in the spring. This spot could cause the road to become impassable if this section is washed out any further. The access road to the Lavender gate is wet with sporadic patches of quicksand. By keeping a consistent speed one might exit without getting mired in quicksand. Just before the Lavender Gate the road takes a sharp 90 degree turn to the right or SW and climbs a short cut bank. At the top of the climb, one lane has been washed out. The hole was partially filled and is passable with high clearance 4WD only.
Inside the park boundary there are various patches of quicksand. Conditions are challenging: expect up to two feet of water, quicksand, and debris in the wash that must be maneuvered by staying within the boundary of the wash.
We recommend traveling in groups of two or more vehicles, with winches, in order to facilitate self-rescue. Park rangers are unable to winch vehicles out. Conditions can change rapidly with any weather event in the area.
Please visit the Road Status page on the Canyonlands National Park
website at
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/roadstatus.htm for further advisories and precautions. If you have further questions please contact the Needles Visitor Center at 435-259-4711 ex 10.
Thanks, -Clay
Clay Hanna
Needles District Interpreter
Canyonlands National Park
Office 435-259-4711 ex.11
Fax 435-259-4266
Clay_Hanna@nps.gov
