Advice for 2 night intro trip to Moab in early June (1-3)
May 22nd, 2013, 06:25 PM
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Advice for 2 night intro trip to Moab in early June (1-3)
I am thinking about doing an impromptu brief trip to Moab to check it out, June 1-3. I will be driving my own 4 wheel drive from Salt Lake City. I love white water rafting and would like to do a 1 day trip or even an overnight trip. I found a place called Red River adventures, anyone have any experience with them?
http://redriveradventures.com/utah-r...dolores-river/
I suspect this is peak season and I am hoping I can do the rafting with little advance notice since this is coming up soon. I would love to do class 3 to 4 rapids.
I am seeking any advice from cool places to eat, great hikes, things not to miss, thoughts on my timing and short notice spontaneous plans, etc. I am going solo on this trip, am in pretty good shape although not an experienced hiker or mountain biker. I am good for moderate exertion but am not hard core.
http://redriveradventures.com/utah-r...dolores-river/
I suspect this is peak season and I am hoping I can do the rafting with little advance notice since this is coming up soon. I would love to do class 3 to 4 rapids.
I am seeking any advice from cool places to eat, great hikes, things not to miss, thoughts on my timing and short notice spontaneous plans, etc. I am going solo on this trip, am in pretty good shape although not an experienced hiker or mountain biker. I am good for moderate exertion but am not hard core.
May 22nd, 2013, 09:17 PM
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May 23rd, 2013, 10:05 AM
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http://www.discovermoab.com has a full list of restaurants with live links to any with websites. http://www.discovermoab.com/pdfbrochures.htm provides free flyers to some cool region specific items -- Dinosaur remains, rock art sites, movie locations (The Lone Ranger premiers July 3rd, Wil and Jaden Smith's After Earth opened May 30th! and the two more films are in town this summer).
Please be advised to take nothing but pictures (unless someone's wrapper fell out of a pocket and you can pick it up and pack it out) and know these resources are protected by federal law and YOU the visitor. Educate others. Do not leave any marks of you own on any surfaces.
NAVTEC and Tagalong Expeditons does a one day Cataract Canyon trip this time of year. it is a motorized 100 mile trip from Moab to Lake Powell. Flatwater of 52 miles to the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers then 26 grand canyon style rapids in around 13 miles to finish on 30 some miles of Lake Powell. Outfitters are under Area Info and Services too.
Please be advised to take nothing but pictures (unless someone's wrapper fell out of a pocket and you can pick it up and pack it out) and know these resources are protected by federal law and YOU the visitor. Educate others. Do not leave any marks of you own on any surfaces.
NAVTEC and Tagalong Expeditons does a one day Cataract Canyon trip this time of year. it is a motorized 100 mile trip from Moab to Lake Powell. Flatwater of 52 miles to the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers then 26 grand canyon style rapids in around 13 miles to finish on 30 some miles of Lake Powell. Outfitters are under Area Info and Services too.
May 23rd, 2013, 10:37 AM
#7
I'm sure there are several outfits and one is probably as good as the next.
I believe we used Moab Adventure Center. They had half and full day rafting. We were there about the 3rd week of May.
We felt a half day was enough for us as we still had other stuff to see. Later we hiked to Fisher Towers.
They're right on main Street. They start of by giving a quick safety class. Then they give out life preservers and load you on to a bus (I think). We drove less than a half hour out of Moab and east on Rt 128 to around Fisher Towers.
It was a lot of fun but a half day was enough. A couple of times we turned our raft back and paddled against the current and ran them again.
I believe we used Moab Adventure Center. They had half and full day rafting. We were there about the 3rd week of May.
We felt a half day was enough for us as we still had other stuff to see. Later we hiked to Fisher Towers.
They're right on main Street. They start of by giving a quick safety class. Then they give out life preservers and load you on to a bus (I think). We drove less than a half hour out of Moab and east on Rt 128 to around Fisher Towers.
It was a lot of fun but a half day was enough. A couple of times we turned our raft back and paddled against the current and ran them again.
May 23rd, 2013, 06:21 PM
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The 100 miles is covered by a motorized boat--VERY different experience than river rafting!!! Depends on what you want. I prefer the no motors experience myself.
If you are looking for a GREAT meal, Desert Bistro is the THE only place in Moab. Seriously--it is. The rest is great brew pub fare. The thai place in town is ok but that's about it aside from breakfast. Depends on what you are looking for there.
If this were an intro to Moab, (and you really want to raft), I would do a one day raft. The spend the next day in Arches for lots of in/out of the car hiking. Delicate Arch NEVER fails to amaze me. Never. You can see some truly awesome stuff in Canyonlandst--but that is 10 miles of hiking. Not hard, very doable, but lots of time. Whereas Arches gives you more flexiblity. I highly recommend the Fiery Furnace Tour if you can get it--very interesting.
Given that you will have lots of day light,you might want to do the driving rock art tour--check out the brochure from the visitors center in town. Also, if you have any interest in dinosaurs, there is a great trail north of Moab where you can see bones in situ. Stopping by the museum in Price to stretch your legs is worth an hour if you have it!
If you are looking for a GREAT meal, Desert Bistro is the THE only place in Moab. Seriously--it is. The rest is great brew pub fare. The thai place in town is ok but that's about it aside from breakfast. Depends on what you are looking for there.
If this were an intro to Moab, (and you really want to raft), I would do a one day raft. The spend the next day in Arches for lots of in/out of the car hiking. Delicate Arch NEVER fails to amaze me. Never. You can see some truly awesome stuff in Canyonlandst--but that is 10 miles of hiking. Not hard, very doable, but lots of time. Whereas Arches gives you more flexiblity. I highly recommend the Fiery Furnace Tour if you can get it--very interesting.
Given that you will have lots of day light,you might want to do the driving rock art tour--check out the brochure from the visitors center in town. Also, if you have any interest in dinosaurs, there is a great trail north of Moab where you can see bones in situ. Stopping by the museum in Price to stretch your legs is worth an hour if you have it!
May 23rd, 2013, 06:59 PM
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Fantastic info, StantonHyde. I had Desert bistro planned on my agenda, especially after reading your recent excellent report. I love rafting (last one was Class 4+ rapids on the Urubamba river in Peru 2 years ago) so the one day raft sounds great. I would rather do tours than explore on my own since I am alone, female, and don't know the area. I am hoping I can just sign up for tours on site rather than needing to reserve so I can figure things out the afternoon of arrival.
May 23rd, 2013, 08:09 PM
#11
More nights ncounty! You will love it.
I went alone a few years ago, here is my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
I went alone a few years ago, here is my trip report:
http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm
May 23rd, 2013, 08:15 PM
#12
I didn't write down who I did my raft trip with, sorry! One of the big outfits. I think it was Canyonlands by Night (only I did the day trip). Although it is a jetboat they do turn the engine off now and then and float.
May 23rd, 2013, 08:28 PM
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With your 4-WD, I strongly recommend the 110 mile White Rim Trail - clockwise route recommended. With EXTREME luck you may be able to obtain a campground site -they are very limited.
The prime rapids are Cataract (sp) Canyon. Problem is time - it ends at Hite Marina.l See video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EaXW6n5ivc
Since I'm a micro-brew guy, my favorite brew-restaurant is Eddie McStiff with their pizza. The other micro is further down the road. There is a large wine tasting on highway 128 east at mile 14. Castle Creek Winery and Red Cliffs Resort.
I use this book as my reference - exceptional details.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COBH45M
You know that Moab is Mountain Biking land?
The prime rapids are Cataract (sp) Canyon. Problem is time - it ends at Hite Marina.l See video at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EaXW6n5ivc
Since I'm a micro-brew guy, my favorite brew-restaurant is Eddie McStiff with their pizza. The other micro is further down the road. There is a large wine tasting on highway 128 east at mile 14. Castle Creek Winery and Red Cliffs Resort.
I use this book as my reference - exceptional details.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00COBH45M
You know that Moab is Mountain Biking land?
May 23rd, 2013, 09:32 PM
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I'd love to do cataract canyon, but may have to save it for a longer trip, probably not solo. I love micro-brews as well so I may just stop in to try a pint! thanks.
Great trip report, mlgb.... I loved the pictures and the factual tips. Amazing you covered so much terrain all on your own!
Great trip report, mlgb.... I loved the pictures and the factual tips. Amazing you covered so much terrain all on your own!
May 25th, 2013, 09:59 PM
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ncounty--Moab is very safe for single females so no worries there. As for going out on adventures--yes, it is better to have someone with you because you just never know. I would say that you could hike anywhere in Arches (main trails) and be fine because there are plenty of people. The Fiery Furnace is a tour with a ranger--I would never do that one any other way because it would be so easy to get lost! With Canyonlands, you can get out there a ways and it would take a bit for someone to come across you. So I can totally understand doing tours for certain adventures!
Eddie McStiffs has great beer. Save it for a night when you really want a beer and a burger. yum! I have also heard that the Thai place in town is good.
Eddie McStiffs has great beer. Save it for a night when you really want a beer and a burger. yum! I have also heard that the Thai place in town is good.
May 26th, 2013, 04:09 PM
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Ah - micro-brew fans
Eddie once brewed his own beers, but had problems with retaining master brewers. So he sold his receipe to Squatters Brewery in Salt Lake City. Same outstanding beer, but made by a larger brewery. Eddie also has 9+/- "guest" micros on tap.
The other brewery, Moab Brewery, makes its own beer on premises and is very good to excellent. My problem is their pizza does not equal Eddie's. Yet, overall, they have a more elaborate menu.
When in town, we ping-pong between the two.
Unforltuantely, Utah's "save the world" limits alcohol to 3.5%. And, you can't have more than one glass in front of you. Thus, your left/right had has nothing to do.
Both have Internet addresses
Eddie once brewed his own beers, but had problems with retaining master brewers. So he sold his receipe to Squatters Brewery in Salt Lake City. Same outstanding beer, but made by a larger brewery. Eddie also has 9+/- "guest" micros on tap.
The other brewery, Moab Brewery, makes its own beer on premises and is very good to excellent. My problem is their pizza does not equal Eddie's. Yet, overall, they have a more elaborate menu.
When in town, we ping-pong between the two.
Unforltuantely, Utah's "save the world" limits alcohol to 3.5%. And, you can't have more than one glass in front of you. Thus, your left/right had has nothing to do.
Both have Internet addresses
May 26th, 2013, 04:33 PM
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www.deserthighlights.com Easily my all time favorite adventure in any national park. I have been canyoneering with them twice, they also do packrafting(which I have not done).
