Strong knees, a light pack, plenty of water and a good map are a few of the basic essentials for an adventure into Dark Canyon. Located in southeastern Utah, the wilderness is found north of Natural Bridges National Monument, west of the Manti-La Sal National Forest and borders of the Colorado River to the northwest. Apart from Sundance Trail, access to this wild and remote region requires a rough ride and several days backpacking.
     In this view from Horse Pasture, the skyline buttes of Elk Ridge announce the gateway to the Dark Canyon. It's easy to guess why the name, with 1,300 foot vertical walls. The 47,000 acre wilderness area, added in 1984 with the wilderness act, is a rugged extension of the northern canyonlands. Wildlife roam the area, with ever-present mule deer, occasional bighorn sheep, and a few black bear and cougar. The Dark Canyon walls, some towering 3,000 feet, will dwarf its human visitors. The highlights include petroglyphs, natural arches, springs and seeps, and hanging gardens.