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350 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 6:00 PM
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I am planning this 12 day road-trip down to Utah, centering around Moab and was wondering if anyone knew of any good sights, must-see's, hiking trails or things to check out.
I plan to do some canyoneering, hiking and camping. Thanks a lot! |
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ALBANY, OR
USA
588 Posts |
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Langley
241 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 6:13 PM
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Here's a few links I've been using to research non-NPS attractions for my next trip, I've found the information very useful.
Climb-Utah http://climb-utah.com/index.htm - some material is members-only
The American Southwest http://www.americansouthwest.net/utah/index.shtml - also has a section dedicated entirely to slot canyons: http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/index.html
Tom's Utah Canyoneering Guide http://canyoneeringusa.com/utah/index.htm
I hiked Little Wild Horse & Bell canyons the last time I was done there, they seem highly recommended as one of the nicest non-technical canyons out there, outside of the Antelope Canyon tourist trap. If you're in Moab I'd recommend heading south to Bluff (about 2hrs south) & the Cedar Mesa area - lots of canyons, native ruin sites, the Goosenecks, Valley of the Gods, the Moki Dugway & Muley Point.
ETA: Corona Arch is a nice easy hike to an impressive arch just outside Moab. It is outside the parks and it was dead quiet when I was there. You can walk right up to & underneath it and (apparently) you can even scramble to the top if you find the right route. |
Edited by - another jeff on 04/26/2012 6:36 PM |
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 Outdoors addicted flyfishing, skiing, snowshoeing, hiking car crooner and resident motormouth
Da'Wack, BC
Canada
5372 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 8:12 PM
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| Escalante. |
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Abbotsford, BC
Canada
723 Posts |
Posted - 04/26/2012 : 9:09 PM
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Moab Brewery - Handcrafted Ales and Great Food! Try the Porcupine Pilsner, Deadhorse Ale or Elephant Hill Hefeweizen, or any of the dozen beers they brew on site. Food and drink are reasonably priced, but go early, the place is very popular.
As for hiking/sightseeing, there are the National Parks, Arches and Canyonlands which are kind of obligatory, but I can also recommend scenic drives outside of the parks, i.e. Hwy 128 along the Colorado River NE of Moab, and Hwy 279 SW of Moab, also along the Colorado, where the rock climbers hang out. Along this road is the Corona Arch which can be reached in a 3-mile hike (return). Like Jeff, I really liked this short hike and found the arch more impressive than many in Arches National Park.
There is no shortage of free (or cheap) camping in and around Moab.
As is also mentioned by Jeff, Bluff is another area worth visiting. It is on the San Juan River, the fastest flowing of the major rivers in the US. There is a very nice BLM recreation area and campground right on the river (Sand Island, $10/night, $5 if you have a National Parks Pass). Bluff is a handy base for the Natural Bridges Monument, Monument Valley, Hoovenweep and Mesa Verde.
I could go on at length as we've toured the Moab area twice - it is a great destination with lots of things to do and see. You will have a great experience! |
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North Vancouver, BC
Canada
1606 Posts |
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High River, (just south of Calgary eh!), Alberta
Canada
1703 Posts |
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Calgary
198 Posts |
Posted - 04/27/2012 : 09:20 AM
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We were down there a few years ago. Highly recommended!
I've got the photos from our trip on my website (http://mattclay.zenfolio.com/utah) if you'd like to take a look. The trips were from all over Utah.
A couple things to note: Hiking is surprisingly difficult on sand! 20 km and 800+m elevation gain in the Rockies is easier than a lot of the hikes we did in Utah with seemingly minor statistics. Also, our tent (Tarn 3 from MEC) filled with sand within hours from the perpetual breeze, which also make cooking difficult and food crunchy.
"Utah Canyon Country" by Kathy and Craig Copeland is a good guide book for the area.
Have fun! |
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Suggestions for Utah
