sethro

My hubby and I are making our 3rd trip to Moab the long weekend in October. We will be there for 3 nights then a night in Torrey and 2 nights in Salt Lake City.. The last trip to Utah we spent a lot of time in Springdale so we are skipping it this trip to be able to explore Salt Lake City.

We also decided to concentrate on Moab because we just love that town and the 2 National Parks there. We have done the popular hikes of both Arches and Canyonlands. I am now looking for some interesting or off the beaten path things to do this time.

Suggestions anyone?

Dayle

sethro,

I live in Utah, so go down to Moab at least once a year. There are some really nice hikes outside of the parks. Two I recommend are the Corona Arch hike which is on the Potash Rd. heading west along the river. Also on this road, if you haven't already visited these, is an area with lots of pictographs. It's also an area where people do a lot of climbing. It's marked with a brown site sign saying "Indian Writing". The Corona Arch hike will be further out past this area.

I also like the hike in "Negro Bill Canyon" that goes to Rainbow Arch. Not too long or hard, but with a great payoff. The canyon is named after the old homesteader who made it his home long, long ago.

If you haven't made it to the Needles section of Canyonlands, do it! October will be a fantastic time for hiking there and there are both short and long ones. The longer ones are the very best. If you go, be serious prepared with plenty of time from an early start, lots of water and food. Water is scarce in the area.

If you mountain bike, it's also a great time for that. Or, you could go for an off road tour of your choice.

Have fun! Desert Bistro is the best restaurant in town. Make reservations and eat outside.

utahtea

We did Corona Arch. It was a great hike and I'm glad we did it but it's not a trail to do if you are afraid of heights! There are some really scary places you have to scramble around on the slickrock with big drop offs!

I'll second a trip to the Needles section of Canyonlands.

If you haven't rented a 4 x4 jeep before, I highly recommend doing so in Moab. The Potash Road, with side trip to Musselman Arch before climbing up the Shafer trail into Canyonlands National Park, and the drive back on the Long Canyon is a great day trip from Moab and a FUN adventure.

Have you done the hike to Dark Angel in Arches. That was a fun hike...but on the long side.

Utahtea

sethro

thanks for the suggestions, unfortunately I am deathly afraid of heights. when we were in Zion a few years back I was freaked out by the hike to Angel's Landing and could not do the last .5 mile of the trip. We have been to the Needles section of Canyonlands twice. We also took a hummer ride to hell's revenge last time in Moab and a 1/2 rafting trip.

Does anyone have an opinion on the whole day river trip at Canyonlands? I am not a bike rider but my husband is and I know he wants to do biking at some point too

While I am asking for help does anyone have suggestions for activities in Salt Lake city. We already have visited temple square so do not feel like we have to revisit there

cloveridge

Shafer Trail is one of my favorites but before you do ask at the Moab Visitor Center. There has been a lot of rain in Moab and some severe road damage. Take a look at a picture from the Times Independent to see what I mean (http://www.moabtimes.com/).

Too many people think in terms of organized trails when they talk about hiking.

There is lots of open land and almost all of it is scenic. If you don't like heights, just find a dirt road somewhere, drive down it a mile or so and start walking. You never know what you will find.

If you want something challenging, try the Hidden Valley Trail. It climbs 900 feet out of the Moab Valley to the top of the southwest rim of the valley but is not scary.

My favorite restaurant is Singha, a very good Thai restaurant on Center Street and the pricey Jail House Gallery for breakfast.

Dayle

sethro,

If you have already visited SLC before, I suggest you come up to my town, Park City, and check out all the fun stuff here! www.parkcityinfo.com. Click on my name for old posts of all types of activities, restaurant recos, etc.

utahtea

Looks like the Shafer trail is still open: http://www.nps.gov/cany/news082410.htm

If you are afraid of heights, then the Dark Angel hike might not work because you have to walk on the top of sandstone fins.

Have you done the Grand View Point hike in Canyonlands or Whale Rock?

Utahtea

Sara

When we were there in April, we took the half day jet boat trip that goes into Canyonlands, and thought it was great - fabulous scenery, seen from a different perspective than you'll see from driving or hiking. We really enjoyed that.