Fisher Towers
Do these soaring towers look familiar? You’ve seen them in numerous advertisements, magazines, and TV shows. They have also been featured in multiple movies including:
- Westworld – 2016
- John Carter – 2010
- City Slickers II – 1993
- Geronimo – 1993
- The Comancheros – 1961
- Wagon Master – 1949
Fisher Towers, east of Moab on State Route 128, is one of Utah canyon country’s most bizarre landscapes. It’s a maze of soaring fins, pinnacles, minarets, gargoyles, spires, and strangely shaped rock formations. The highest are about 1,000 feet tall.
They are soaring monuments to hundreds of millions of years of erosion. Over the eons, the soft rock has weathered into the spectacular shapes visible today.
There are two main layers. The caps are harder Moenkopi sandstone (245 million years old). Underneath lies the softer dark red Cutler sandstone (created 290 million years ago). The formations are draped with mud curtains.
Fisher Towers National Recreation Trail is a popular trail through the area. It was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2007. It’s a hike worth taking.
The views of the Colorado River basin, including Castle Rock, Castle Valley, and the Book Cliffs to the north, are stunning. It winds for 2.2 miles around the base of Fisher Towers and climbs up to a 360-degree view. Bring lots of water as the trail is in the sun.
The Towers are a popular climbing location. I think I’ll stick to ground level with my camera!
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The Shot
In March, we took a break from flying our drones to explore the trail. It had recently rained, so there were occasional puddles. A reflection shot came to mind and I found this puddle about a mile into the trail.
As usual, we were in position an hour before sunset. Just before the sun dipped below the horizon, the distant cliffs were glowing with sunset light. After that, it was time to hike back to the car and ride back to Moab for a well-deserved dinner and an early bedtime.
Thanks for looking,
Chuck Derus