It is barely an exaggeration to say that every step toward the Roadside Ruin covers one year of history. The short, easy trail in Utah's Canyonlands National Park takes you to a masonry feature that's more than 700 years old. The Puebloan storage granary has remained in remarkably good condition structurally through the centuries. The Roadside Ruin Trail is framed by the hardy juniper trees that thrive in the southeastern Utah desert, adding to the rugged beauty of the landscape.
The rock alcove serves as a shelter for the Puebloan granary, making it a well-chosen site for storage.
A juniper tree frames the entrance to the masonry, providing variety in the landscape.
Depending on the time of day, the junipers can provide some shade, which is helpful even during a short hike.
There's a rugged element to the beauty of Canyonlands National Park, with rock formations and vegetation providing the framework. Markers along the trail identify native plants.
This closer view of the granary illustrates the craftmanship and lasting quality of a structure that dates to more than 700 years ago.
This sign gives visitors the assurance that there's a historical reward awaiting them at the end of the short trail.
The return portion of the loop on the Roadside Ruin Trail includes a slickrock section that characterizes the area surrounding Moab, Utah.
The Roadside Ruin Trail is a good starting point for Canyonlands National Park visitors, with the trailhead located along the main access road, just past the Visitor Center. The 0.3-mile loop trail is accessible year-round and accommodates hikers of nearly all ages. For information about the trail, see the official National Park Service (NPS) website for Canyonlands National Park.
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