The Neck Spring Loop circles the rim and upper reaches of Taylor Canyon in Canyonlands National Park. This moderate 5.8 mile loop begins at Shafer Canyon Overlook and drops past three natural springs before returning to the rim. Visitors will enjoy varied terrain, oasis-like springs and exceptional views from high open slickrock.

Cryptobiotic crusts stabilize soil, fix nitrogen and increase soil's ability to absorb and retain water

Sunrise across upper Taylor Canyon on the Neck Spring Loop

The Claret Cup Cactus is distinguished from other hedgehog cacti by it's deep red-scarlet flower

Navajo Sandstone is the youngest rock layer exposed in Island in the Sky, found along canyon rims and as rounded buttes and domes across the mesa

Bluestem Penstemon is in the Figwort Family, a large and complex group with many parasitic and semi-parasitic members

Neck Spring is lined by deciduous oak and cottonwood, in sharp contrast with the surrounding desert

Open slickrock on the east side of the loop offers terrific views and room to explore

The Pale Evening Primrose genus name Oenothera means 'wine-scented', referring to the use of its roots in winemaking

Past Neck Spring, the trail negotiates deep sand through an area called the Sand Hills

Many desert wildflowers can avoid drought and heat simply by surviving as seeds or bulbs in the soil, and for many years if necessary

Views of inner Taylor Canyon emerge on the far west side of the loop

The trail climbs steeply from Cabin Spring back to the rim, with great views over the oasis-like corridor

Mariposa Lily's genus name 'Calochortus' is from the Greek word 'kalos', which means beautiful

Canyonlands receives 9-14" of rain per year, with August being the wettest month

The water quality of nine springs, seeps and canyon pools are regularly monitored across the park

Blackbrush is an important forage food for bighorn sheep, despite its relatively low nutrition and thorny texture