A lap around Upheaval Dome...

on the Syncline Loop Trail in the Island-in-the-Sky District of Canyonlands National Park was the objective of today's explorations (click images to enlarge). This is an arduous trail as a sign clearly warns after only a short distance from the trailhead:

There is about 1,500 feet of elevation lost/gained along the loop, and I strongly recommend following it in a clockwise direction. Here's a view into Upheaval Canyon from the steep downgrade on the west side of the structure:

Near the low point on the northwest side of the structure, a 1.5 mile spur follows a drainage and takes you into the core of the dome/crater, where strongly contorted beds of the Cutler Group are starkly revealed:

While I guzzled water and nibbled on some nuts, this foot-long female collared lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) investigated my presence in this odd place:

This trail is a geological joy and I give it my highest recommendation, but you must be fit and well acclimated, and be aware that route finding can be problematic (don't let this experience happen to you!) At no place along this trail do you get an overview of the dome/crater, so be sure to take a few minutes and visit the viewpoint. Lastly, here's a good reference (2.78 MB .pdf file) on the geology and proposed origin of this enigmatic structure.

UPDATE: I've added this vertical panoramic image of a towering water gap in the Wingate Sandstone through which the trail passes on the north side of the structure: