I am in the very preliminary stages of planning a trip to Moab for the Moab Music Festival. We have one week and would like to fit in Arches, Canyonland, and Capitol Reef. We will fly into Salt Lake City. I have read that the parks get extremely crowded on the weekends. I've also read that spring and fall are the best time to go. Given the choice of taking the trip 8/28 - 9/3 to avoid the weekend, but risking hotter weather, or waiting until 9/8 - 9/14 which will have us in the parks during the weekend but possibly be cooler, which would you choose? I know it's only an 11-day difference so it's probably a ridiculous question. (I really tend to overthink things as you can tell.)
Also, should we stay in Moab as a home base for the whole trip or move around?
And lastly, I like EASY hikes. I do not do well with a lot of uphill climbing or scary ledges. Are there enough easy hikes in all 3 of those locations? I love the outdoors and don't want to spend the whole time in the car.
Thanks for any advice you can give me.
Laurie
Advice needed for Moab trip
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I don't think it's a ridiculous question at all. Personally, I'd choose the 9/8 - 9/14 dates because kids will be back in school and the chance of the weather being cooler is possible. Also people will start coming on Friday, Sept. 2nd for the long holiday weekend.
Arches Hikes: I guess that means that Delicate Arch is out. Landscape Arch is easy and a nice walk and you could continue to Double O arch but you don't want to continue and go to Dark Angel. The Windows section, Double Arch and park at the The Courthouse Towers parking lot and do Park Avenue from there and then if you don't want to do the stairs, you don't have to. It's been a while since I've done Sand Dune Arch but I don't remember it having ledges.
Canyonlands Island in the Sky District: I would try Mesa Arch. It's pretty easy and not a lot of up hill. Just don't go to the edge of the arch if you don't like drop offs! My other favorite hike is Grand View. You do have to go down some stairs here at the beginning so if that doesn't work for you, you at least know it in the beginning. Make sure you go to the Green River Overlook! My FAVORITE!
While in Moab take the drive out scenic Hwy 128, Potash Road 279 and look for petroglyphs and also Kane Creek Road for more petroglyphs. All three roads follow the canyon along the Colorado river and there are fantastic views everywhere!
Utahtea
There are plenty of easy hikes at both Arches and Canyonlands; I haven't been to Capitol Reef.
I truly enjoyed Arches National Park. Some easier hikes: Sand Dune and Broken Arch Trail; Windows Trail (and several other hikes in "The Windows" section of the park.
Devils Garden Trail is a little more strenuous, and involves slickrock and narrow ledges. However, if you stop before the hard part, you'll still get to see some interesting stuff, including Landscape Arch (at 290 feet across, the longest arch in the world).
The famous Fiery Furnace Trail (requires advance reservations) may be a bit much, but a surprising cross section of people are able to manage it. If you go to my description of Arches at http://home.comcast.net/%7Elgott3141/Travel_LV_TripReport_2009_May-Arches-Detail.html , skip down to the last picture in the Fiery Furnace Trail section, and you'll get an idea of what the hike is like, and what kind of people can do it.
Canyonlands is probably best seen via overnight hikes, but a day trip also works, and there are many easy hikes, or even just roadside pullouts. See http://home.comcast.net/%7Elgott3141/Travel_LV_TripReport_2009_May-Canyonlands-Detail.html . Almost all hikes and overlooks I tried were easy, and the biggest exception (Neck Spring) wasn't worth it anyway.
igott, great pictures!
I forgot the easy hikes at Capitol Reef. Capitol Gorge to Pioneer Register is an easy hike. I also like Grand Wash. Both of these hikes are at the bottom of the canyon. Make sure you do the short Petroglyphs trail and stop at the Gifford Historical House for a home baked pie! YUM! You can also walk around the orchards and pick fruit that is in season. There are self checkouts for the fruit you want to take with you.
Utahtea
Thanks so much for your replies. Great information -- I'm going to print everything out. It just looks stunning! I spent most of yesterday checking trip reports, but I'm sure I'll be back with more questions. Do you think we can do it all with Moab as a home base or should we move around?
Thanks again
Moab makes a great base for Arches and both the Island in the Sky and Needles districts of Canyonlands, but at around 320+ miles round trip it's a little to far to have a lot of time for Capitol Reef. Spend a night or two in Torrey, Utah either at the beginning of your trip before Moab or on your way back to Salt Lake City.
Utahtea