Chesler Park, a city-park like green space surrounded by thin, towering red and white spires is the star feature of the remote Needles district in Canyonlands. My planned, 15 mile hike, would take me around the Chesler Park loop, up a slot canyon-esque Joint trail, then up a side canyon to the Druid Arch and then back six miles to the starting point, the van. I awoke at 6am so I could be gone from my suspect campsite before any off road vehicles pulled up. I had not slept well the night before but drove on anyway to Needles. I arrived at Needles at 730am but all the campsites were already taken during this popular time of year here. I settled for a campground just outside the park which was $5 more but included a luxury item, a shower. The skies were filled with threatening-looking clouds but the forecast was for only 30% chance of afternoon showers. The beginning of the hike was a bit mundane, hiking up slick rock to good views of the red and white needles. I found myself b...