Scarlet hedgehog cactus, Needles District, Canyonlands National Park, Utah, September 26, 2011
I’m no expert on cacti – or any other types of plant for that matter – but the internet has a lot of resources for identifying plants. The closest description I was able to find for this one was at Cacti of Utah.
I spotted this little cactus clump when we were hiking the Slick Rock Foot Trail in the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park on September 26, 2011.
Slick Rock Foot Trail (Trails.com)
If you’re a beginning or experienced hiker with only a half-day to spend in the Needles District, the Slickrock Foot Trail would be a excellent way to enjoy it. Many hikes in the Needles follow canyon bottoms, but this trail stays high and gives an overall perspective of the entire southeastern corner of the Canyonlands National Park. The NPS suggests this trail to inexperienced hikers so that they can get a look at the entire area before deciding where they want to go on their next trip. On this trail, beginners also learn how to follow cairns and hike on slickrock.
