Maob, Utah
Mar 4th, 1998, 12:32 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Hi Amy,
Am sending direct but will put a note on Fodor's where I saw your post.
You couldn't visit a more scenic area; there is so much to see and do in and around Moab. Hope you have plenty of time. Take cameras/video & lots of color film. A wide angle lens or 'panoramic' capability would be great. No matter what camera/lens, you won't truly capture all you see. If you have video or through-the-lens camera, a polorizing filter is great - takes the shine off non-metalic objects and darkens the sky allowing the clouds to stand out and all colors appear deeper. Here are some notes for the area with sites to visit:
(UT) Arches Nat'l Park: http://www.nps.gov/arch/
Also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/archn.html
Just north of Moab, UT, this area contains the most natural arches in a relatively small area. Lovely hikes from short to moderately long. Especially nice are Devils Garden/ Landscape Arch (moderate) and Delicate Arch (moderately strenuous) - don't miss Delicate Arch even if you have to take the easy viewpoint rather than the hike up to it. Nice but small campground hard to get into - space available early AM. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend 2 days minimum. Motels & campgrounds available in nearby Moab. Also see Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point. (MUST SEE).
(UT) Canyonlands Nat'l Park: http://www.nps.gov/cany/
also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
A very large area located west of Moab, UT. Upper regions of Grand Canyon. Many views only can be reached by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Tours available from Moab. Motels and campgrounds in Moab. Consists of three 'districts':
Island in the Sky (Northern area): US-191 about 10 miles north of Moab to UT313. West & south to Park. Paved road all the way to Grand View Point - lovely drive. (Note: Dead Horse Point State Park turnoff is found about 18 miles into UT-313 - see below). Drive down/up Shaffer Trail (dirt) not for 'faint-hearted' (1,200 ft drop in about 2 mile drive) but worth every 'gut-wrenching' moment (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). Hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water not available in the Island area but is available in Dead Horse Point. Recommend one day for this area and Dead Horse Point (see below).
The Needles (Southern area): US-191 about 40 miles south of Moab to UT-211. West about 50 miles (all paved) to Visitor's Center - lovely drive. Newspaper Rock (about 12 miles along UT-211 - see below). Camping (pit toilets) & hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water available spring through fall. Four-wheel drive roads are just that - need high clearance. Recommend one day.
The Maze (Western area): The most primitive area and not many casual visitors. Lots of dirt roads and no water available. Have full gas tank and take lots of water. From Ut-24 or 95, take paved (some) and dirt (lots) roads to overlooks. Worthwhile for dedicated but not for casual visitor. Primitive camping & hiking available.
(UT) Dead Horse Point State Park:
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
Very spectacular view point overlooking Colorado river (2,000 ft below). View seems to change by time of day. Lovely drive just northwest of Moab & Arches Nat'l Park. Continue further to view Island In The Sky area of Canyonlands. Leave 'Pucker Pass' to the Pros. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Recommend one day. (MUST SEE)
(UT) Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/newsn.html
A vast collection of early Native American rock drawings. Located along state road 211 into Canyonlands The Needles area. Views along drive & past Newspaper Rock worth effort. Motels & camping in nearby Moab.
(UT) Moab: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/moabn.html
Center of spectacular red rock scenery areas. Also, white water rafting in Colorado river and jeep tours of Canyonlands areas. Motels & Campgrounds available. Mountain scenery in nearby LaSal mountains. (MUST SEE)
Native American Music: Check at Park Visitor Centers for music by R. Carlos Nakai. Wonderful wood flute music (sometimes accompanied by William Eaton on strings). Some of my favorite albums are: Canyon Trilogy, Desert Dance, Carry the Gift, Sundance Season, Feather Stone & Light and Changes. Also available through Canyon Records: http://www.canyonrecords.com/artnakai.htm and some local music stores.
Am sending direct but will put a note on Fodor's where I saw your post.
You couldn't visit a more scenic area; there is so much to see and do in and around Moab. Hope you have plenty of time. Take cameras/video & lots of color film. A wide angle lens or 'panoramic' capability would be great. No matter what camera/lens, you won't truly capture all you see. If you have video or through-the-lens camera, a polorizing filter is great - takes the shine off non-metalic objects and darkens the sky allowing the clouds to stand out and all colors appear deeper. Here are some notes for the area with sites to visit:
(UT) Arches Nat'l Park: http://www.nps.gov/arch/
Also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/archn.html
Just north of Moab, UT, this area contains the most natural arches in a relatively small area. Lovely hikes from short to moderately long. Especially nice are Devils Garden/ Landscape Arch (moderate) and Delicate Arch (moderately strenuous) - don't miss Delicate Arch even if you have to take the easy viewpoint rather than the hike up to it. Nice but small campground hard to get into - space available early AM. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend 2 days minimum. Motels & campgrounds available in nearby Moab. Also see Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point. (MUST SEE).
(UT) Canyonlands Nat'l Park: http://www.nps.gov/cany/
also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
A very large area located west of Moab, UT. Upper regions of Grand Canyon. Many views only can be reached by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Tours available from Moab. Motels and campgrounds in Moab. Consists of three 'districts':
Island in the Sky (Northern area): US-191 about 10 miles north of Moab to UT313. West & south to Park. Paved road all the way to Grand View Point - lovely drive. (Note: Dead Horse Point State Park turnoff is found about 18 miles into UT-313 - see below). Drive down/up Shaffer Trail (dirt) not for 'faint-hearted' (1,200 ft drop in about 2 mile drive) but worth every 'gut-wrenching' moment (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). Hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water not available in the Island area but is available in Dead Horse Point. Recommend one day for this area and Dead Horse Point (see below).
The Needles (Southern area): US-191 about 40 miles south of Moab to UT-211. West about 50 miles (all paved) to Visitor's Center - lovely drive. Newspaper Rock (about 12 miles along UT-211 - see below). Camping (pit toilets) & hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water available spring through fall. Four-wheel drive roads are just that - need high clearance. Recommend one day.
The Maze (Western area): The most primitive area and not many casual visitors. Lots of dirt roads and no water available. Have full gas tank and take lots of water. From Ut-24 or 95, take paved (some) and dirt (lots) roads to overlooks. Worthwhile for dedicated but not for casual visitor. Primitive camping & hiking available.
(UT) Dead Horse Point State Park:
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
Very spectacular view point overlooking Colorado river (2,000 ft below). View seems to change by time of day. Lovely drive just northwest of Moab & Arches Nat'l Park. Continue further to view Island In The Sky area of Canyonlands. Leave 'Pucker Pass' to the Pros. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Recommend one day. (MUST SEE)
(UT) Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/newsn.html
A vast collection of early Native American rock drawings. Located along state road 211 into Canyonlands The Needles area. Views along drive & past Newspaper Rock worth effort. Motels & camping in nearby Moab.
(UT) Moab: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/moabn.html
Center of spectacular red rock scenery areas. Also, white water rafting in Colorado river and jeep tours of Canyonlands areas. Motels & Campgrounds available. Mountain scenery in nearby LaSal mountains. (MUST SEE)
Native American Music: Check at Park Visitor Centers for music by R. Carlos Nakai. Wonderful wood flute music (sometimes accompanied by William Eaton on strings). Some of my favorite albums are: Canyon Trilogy, Desert Dance, Carry the Gift, Sundance Season, Feather Stone & Light and Changes. Also available through Canyon Records: http://www.canyonrecords.com/artnakai.htm and some local music stores.
