A history rich in outdoor adventure from uranium mines and Cowboys, to offering 4×4 tours and river adventures for generations, and recognizing present day Arches as a true natural gem. Making Moab a destination for outdoor enthusiasts from all over the world.
We arrived at Portal RV Resort and plugged in the camper for the first time in over 7 days which meant showers and laundry. This resort in Moab seemed to be under new management or ownership and making some great updates. This was going to be a great place to hang out for a several days considering we had not seen an actual grocery store in over a week. The first day we just used as a recharge day. Literally – plugged everything in. This resort even had a dog run and swimming pond, just for dogs. The weenies definitely approved.
The following day we went into Arches National Park. We started early because the crowds at all the Utah parks can be overwhelming. We did the Devils Garden hike which was recommended to us by a young Dutch couple in the Grand Canyon. This 7.2 mile loop takes you to 7 arches that you would not otherwise see: Landscape, Double O, Partition, Navajo, Private, Pine Tree and Tunnel Arches all unique in their own way. Landscape is the world’s longest arch with the stone spanning 306 feet with it only being 11 feet thick at its center. Part of the Devils Garden is a primitive trail meaning you have to careful follow the rock cairns through sand and slick rock. This trail is my favorite hike thus far throughout this whole trip. The trail environment changes constantly making it fun. It was easy to find solitude; we even saw a group of does. Hearing their hooves clap on the slick rock and navigate through the trees and dry washes was really amazing.
We also took the smaller trail to see Delicate Arch which is a the largest free standing arch and is featured on the state’s license plate. The overlook is just one mile out and back with a small climb. Arches became a National Monument in 1929 and a Park in 1971. There are over 2000 arches catalogued throughout the park, the majority of them made of the Entrada Sandstone formation. Talk about observing erosion at it’s finest. Water and wind are constantly changing these natural structures.
Double O Arch
Landscape Arch
Does on the Slick Rock
Someone took our picture
Pine Tree Arch
Delicate Arch
Deadhorse Point State Park is a short drive from Moab and a must visit recommendation from a friend. The park gets it’s name from a Point where horses were once corralled and left to die of thirst towering 2000 feet above the Colorado River. We hiked the 8 mile loop with the weenies! They were allowed because it is a state park. The overlooks are absolutely breathtaking and at “the point” the rock bottlenecks with a view of a horseshoe bend in the river. After dropping the weenies off at the camper we went to check out Moab Brewery where enjoyed some cold local beer and some great sandwiches. Utah has some crazy liquor laws so this place has found some unique ways around them. You could purchase growler fills of 3.2% beer or buy full strengths packs to go. Which I know doesn’t sound like anything we are not familiar with but for Utah it’s blowing minds!
Weenies at Deadhorse
Colorado River overlook from the point
Beauty at Deadhorse
Brennan
Also from Moab we went to Canyonlands National Park. The first day we took a trek to the Island in the Sky section. First we checked out the Upheaval Dome, a 2 mile hike to an unexplained crater. Scientists say that it was formed from meteor impact or from a collapsed salt dome. The mystery is still unsolved but the presence of quartzite may conclude a meteor impact. Then we decided on Gooseberry a 5.4 mile out and back with 1400 foot climb that was not for the faint of hearts. The switchbacks are tight and intense. We even saw two rangers working on maintaining the trails integrity. The trail involves descending to the White Rim bench and is the steepest hike in this section of the park. We also stopped at the Grand View Overlook as well as the Wooden Shoe Arch. After returning to the camper, Brennan ventured 8 miles up the road to partake in some of Moab’s mountain biking trails. Enjoying riding on the infamous slick rock he can now check it off his bucket list.
Upheaval Dome
Sandstone Seat
Baby Window
Gooseberry Trail
End of trail is the edge of another canyon
Grand View Overlook
Grand View – all the way to the left edge at that 4×4 Road is where we hiked to from Gooseberry
Wooden Shoe Arch
On our last day we drove to the Needles section of Canyonlands. It was over 40 miles from Moab. The park actually has three sections but we only made it to two. The Ranger at this visitor center recommended the Chesler Park Loop with the Joint trail. It is a 11 mile loop with 2200 foot elevation gain. The hike is a roller coaster trail of sand and slick rock including a deep crevice in narrow fractures in the rock with a ladder to climb over the chockstones. This trail was definitely the most challenging hike we have done – maybe with the exception of the Grand Canyon. I felt like Lara Croft: tomb raider for about 15 minutes on the joint trail; but I also felt like I wanted to die for the last 1.5 miles. It is beautiful there with a landscape of spires and needles as well as balanced boulders and slot canyons. On our way back to town we decided to order take out from Atomic Grill and practically inhaled the bison meatloaf with Mac and cheese and a mushroom steak burger and fries!
Needles
Joint Trail
Lara Croft
Rock Cairn Mecca
Slot Canyon
Needles Landscape
Overall Moab is an amazing place to love on the outdoors. The ridiculous Jeep parades, UTV loaded 4×4 trails and mountain biking on slick rock is what Moab thrives on. Even spending almost 5 days in this Utah gem we did not see it all; making it a place to come back to.
Happy Trails. Love and Peace!
#utah #hiking #nationalparks #arches #canyonlands #islandinthesky #needles #deadhorsepoint #moab #camping #wanderlustweenies
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