What did you have planned? I think hiking would be ok still. Might sweat in the cast though. Stinky and itchy.

Many of the hikes in Arches and Canyonlands are on flat enough surfaces that you don't really need to use your arms, so go and enjoy the beautiful place.

If you fly, think about getting a seat where it won't be likely to be hit.


Sorry for your pain, have a great trip anyway.

Do you fly there? Put your arm in a sling, even if you don't need it. This will be a signal for others to be careful with you.

I hope somebody else will be driving. Even if you are feeling fine, it's an additional stress on your arm.

Will the new cast be removable? If it's hot, bring baby wipes to wipe your wrist if it gets sweaty or uncomfortable.

I would rule out activities where you need to hold on with both arms, like riding rocky roads on a 4-wheeler. Will you be able to rest during the day? I guess you'll need it.

And I wish you fun time anyway, and speedy recovery!

Don't go canyoneering. I wouldn't do a hummer tour either.
The flight over canyonlands would be ok. slick rock air, and there is another company as well that does flying tours.
No rafting.

Don't know about Mesa Verde now though. There is a bit of climbing on ladders. I would be fine with a cast, but I know my wife wouldn't.

I hear that Mosquitos really like to get inside a persons cast. LOL.

Do you think rafting is out? We could do a boat tour instead. How about the hummer tour? Wonder about the hot air balloon?

Ya, I do plan to hike.

Good idea about the plane seats. We have two flights each way w/seats reserved. There are 4 of us though so I'll have a pretty good choice.

i was typing (slowly). Nice bulldog!!

Hot Air Balloon would be fine. I think your cast is about 100% sure to get wet rafting.

Not sure which Hummer Tour you are going on. You would probably be ok, but it is a fairly jarring ride that you are going to get thrown around a bit. We did one with Moab Adventure Company. It is the scariest thing I have ever done. I still do not know how they keep from rolling. We did the one that goes up Lions Back and out to Negro Bill Canyon.

So much of rafting depends on how high the water is running, how much the guide expects you to contribute, etc. If you can go - just wrap it with some saran wrap - tape it good and hope to keep it dry.

Other than that - hope you don't use a two handed backhand in tennis?

Thanks dayenu. I won't be driving. We also switched our lodging to a house, fortuitously seems now, in Coyote Trail, which is spacious & looks pretty nice for hanging out. Well, most activities on my itinerary are likely out. Lucky I only see red rock every few years so just being there is a really big deal!

I hope the dr. will put me in a different type cast than I have now. I'll definitely be asking for least restrictive. I think it depends on how well I'm healing.

I can ask the tour people. Maybe there are tours for families w/little kids that aren't as wild. Thanks everyone!

I have "ridden the rapids" by Vail where you could safely have been in an inner tube (and they had the gall to call it Class 3 - when it was more like "glass 3"), and in other places - such as in Costa Rica - where you really had to be on your game in Cat/class 4+ rapids. Again, so much depends on how much water is flowing in/into the river and what stretch they are running, and how the raft is configured, what the guide wants you to do, or not to do, etc etc.

I would absolutely NOT raft; you will need to hold on with both hands no matter how much or how little you do [paddling or not]. The same thing for hummer tour. Any thing that will bounce you around, or jostle you most likely would require you to "hold on" would be uncomfortable and best and impossible at worst.

I went to Mesa Verde for the first time with a broken wrist, so I have been there and done that.

Not sure if you were going to Mesa Verde, but you can do Spruce Tree House tour no problem [nothing to climb], you can also do the Loop Road, and may be able to do Petroglyph Trail.

Correction: Coyote Run, not Trail, as lodging. Thanks again.

thanx debit, specific suggestions are good.

I would use a sling as much as possible. Depending on the type of cast keeping your arm up will reduce swelling.

- - - -
Camera. What kind of camera? Practice using it before the trip.

I guess the right hand is more important than the left for taking photos.

You can always do a jetboat tour (not a rafting one). If memory serves, the company I did this with was called "Canyonlands by Night and Day." If it's like the tour I took, it won't jostle your arm around like a rafting ride would and was very good. This one traveled down the Colorado River into the start of Canyonlands National Park, showing lots of interesting stuff along the way.

Agreed that if you go on the same Hummer tour I did (can't remember the name of the guy who did mine), that will yank you around pretty solidly. I definitely can't imagine it being good to take if you have an injury, and like spiro, I found it pretty scary in general (among other things, the guy running it likes to "pretend take chances" and you'll swear he's going off a cliff) -- though it was interesting in its way.

For the hike out to Delicate Arch carry a walking stick in your good hand. There are a couple of areas of slickrock but you should not have to grip anything to hike the trail. The view is worth it at the end. I also hiked the flatter trail out to Landscape Arch. Beyond Landscape, there may be steeper places that might require a handhold.
To keep a cast dry, use a grocery bag and some adhesive tape which you can keep in your pocket until needed.

I have a shoulder injury (rotator cuff tear) and so limited use of my right arm but I can get it wet!

I had no difficulty taking the Delicate Arch hike last week but there were a couple of spots in the Fiery Furnace (ranger led hike) that were a bit of a struggle but not impossible using only one arm.

I think I'm past the swelling mostly. I've had the cast for 2 wks. tomorrow & I'll also be seeing the dr. again. I see him every 2 wks. & if the healing is progressed, each time I'll get a new & less restrictive cast. I don't know what the 3rd cast would be like. I didn't really ask him much as I was in a kind of shock at finding out I had broken bones instead of having a sprain. Still have pain though, but ice packs help a lot & I still elevate & I have 2 more weeks to get well. I'll definitely wear my sling, as I'm very protective of my hand/wrist.

I can hike many of the trails (will research them more, suggestions welcome), probably go to Mesa Verde, go scenic boating, take a scenic flight, maybe the hot air balloon, and go on car tours. I can rest when my family does the rough stuff. Sounds good.

Wish me luck tomorrow! I'll be ready w/questions for doc this time. Thanks!

I still hope to rent a 4WD for a day, on our own. Sound okay?

You will have a problem trying to climb a ladder at Mesa Verde.

You'll probably be ok, but just want you to know that even with a 4 wheel drive on your own, you will get thrown around a lot. And do not get yourself in a place that you can't navigate. There is easy, serious, and super duper serious jeep stuff around Moab. All you have to do is youtube moab crashes. It seems there is someone that rolls a jeep weekly, if not more often.

You'll have a good time and find plenty to do.

I went to my dr., got a new cast that starts a few inches below my elbow & got good news too. By the time of trip, I'll have the third type of cast, which is removable (knock on wood, all goes well). And I can take the hummer tour as long as I'm in a right side seat secured well. Also called Moab Adventure & will accommodate.

So w/a removable cast, my mind is at ease on a lot of counts, i.e. sweating, itching, cleaning, etc.

The rest - rafting is out, climbing is out, but if I just need a hand up on a hike here & there (a little), that's fine. In 2 wks. I improved a lot, so in 2 more wks., I think I'll be good to go. Still be hard to shower & dress, can't fix hair, but I have a nice Tilley hat! Thanks for assist!

Looking forward to the photos .. Tilley hat and all

For the Family http://www.discovermoab.com/family.htm seek out the Scale Model Solar System radiating from Sun Court on Center Street. The little museum is also on Center Street.

GO see Dinosaur Stuff (Very region specific). First Utah bones were found near Moab in fact, 50 years to the day before the ones in world famous Dinosaur National Monument. get the brochure for Rock Art panels around Moab.

Keep in mind all this stuff is protected. Do not add a mark or take anything away and educate those who are inadvertently may be doing damage.

If you need medical help there is an xray technician on Main Street next to Highpoint Hummer or a new Moab Regional Hospital...just in case...

I'm here! Saw my dr. the day before we left. This visit, he told me not to do stuff that would jostle my arm. That covers a lot! I thought I'd do what I felt up to. We had 2 flights & to make the 2nd one, we had to run for about 20 minutes through the airport but made it. We flew into Moab, so we had a short drive to our lodging. By the time I got here, my arm was swelling & throbbing even tho I was taking pain meds. So, even though I hate the pain meds, I have to take them to do anything. (At home, I'd taken a total of 3). So worse than I anticipated.

The 1st day we drove to Canyonlands & spent the day at the overlooks. Wow! Fabulous! Today, we drove through Arches and did the same. I'm awestruck!

So, I feel a little lost w/out much planning. I want to hike to Delicate Arch for sunrise. Do we need flashlights? I'll have taken the hydrocodone. What do u think?

Would be careful about pushing it too hard.

We plan to do the boat tour & air tour,etc., the stuff I know is doable, but I really don't want to miss hiking to DA & Mesa Arch.

We will do Mesa Arch sunrise tomorrow. Today, we walked up to Turret Arch, and I was perfectly fine. Yet my daughter kept freaking out & telling me to get down from the rocks in the arch, so my family is making me nervous & I'm second-guessing myself. They have been constantly telling me to be careful, but it's understandable, as they were shocked, as was I, that I'm actually breakable. I better go to sleep.

Just keep the arm elevated to reduce swelling.

Mesa Arch is in Canyonlands. You're going back there?

I would do Delicate Arch in the late afternoon so as to be there just before sunset. That way you can go in daylight and very probasbly mske it back before it gets really dark.

In the morning the sun is basically in you eyes. For sunset the Arch turns golden.

If you're looking for difficulty then it's not a difficult trail though it's uphill going and downhill coming back. So easier coming back. We took flashlights for the return but didn't need them as we made it back to the car just as it was getting really dark.

I agree with Myer about Delicate Arch, go before sunset.
I didn't need to use my arm to get to the viewpoint on the trail at all (I have a shoulder injury).
Using only one arm it was a little awkward to scoot down over the edge to get down to the arch but I managed.

Get yourself a headlamp! Having a light that you don't need to hold with your good hand will be handy.

I like the headlamp idea. I think the Delicate Arch trail is fairly easy, but if I was taking hydrocodone, which messes me up and makes me dizzy, I would probably stay up at the viewpoint rather than walking down to the arch.

We just got back. We went to Mesa Arch. We got up at 4:15 a.m. & made it w/about 10 min. to spare. It was pretty crowded, about 20 people, about 8 tripods. We squeezed in. It was lovely!! We went to Green River Overlook & then on to Arches. We did the short hike up to the Delicate Arch viewpoint, but we are still planning to do the Wolf Ranch trail and we'll do it at sunset. There was actually plenty of moonlight today so we didn't need flashlights, but headlamp is a good idea for after sunset. I'll get a cane too.

I only fell once. Really, I actually tripped, but it was on a step going up. Luckily, dd was still in bed asleep. Anyhow, I think tomorrow I'll bite a pill in half. The worst time of day for pain is when I wake up. I sleep in the cast/brace. Dh is really staying close now after the little trip.

We've eaten at Peace Tree twice, Love Muffin & Desert Bistro for Mother's Day. All of the meals were yummy to very yummy! Oh alsoPasta Jays once.

I'm home to rest, ice & elevate right now. I think we'll do a boat ride & DArch tomorrow. The kids are hiking in Can

...Canyonlands today.

I love it here!!! It's so beautiful & different from other Red Rock places we've been.

So sunset is about 8:20 p.m. & I really want to be at Delicate Arch at sunset. So, we may be a little slow. Do u think we should start trail at about 7:45 p.m.? I wonder if it'll be crowded. The only kids we see are babies, toddlers & college kids, like ours. In fact, 2 friends of our kids came by here & crashed one night. They 're camping.

7:45 would be way way to late. I would start like 5;30 or 6:00.

I have been at sunset and first thing in the morning. I prefer the morning. Now, I know that everyone else hikes it at sunset. But, I far prefer being the only one there compared to being there at sunset with a hundred other people.

Start by 7 at the latest. Better yet, start earlier and take a lunch to eat along the way or at the end. Just make sure you pack out all your trash.

Trail probably won't be crowded but the area by the arch will have plenty of people hanging out, waiting for sunset.

I think we'd prefer less crowded too plus the mornings are so much cooler. My husband just suggested we go to Dead Horse Point now & be there at sunset.

Though I was assuming that if so many people want to be at a certain sight/location at sunset or sunrise that it is much more beautiful at that time.

spiro is right. Start at 5:30 or so.

It's an event. People, talking, taking turns going uner the Arch for a photo, spend too much time there and have people yell at you, etc.

At the correct angle you'll see snow on the LaSal Mtns in the background.

There's a reason people do things in certain ways. Maybe because it's more desireable?

Whenever you go, it will be a spectacular sight. It will be cooler in the morning so if that helps then go for it. Unless you're really into photography, going for sunset is nice but not a must-do.

We also started the trail at 5.30pm and we returned just before sunset (a park ranger told us that the colors are best just before sunset!)

The trailhead car park fills up so leaving later might mean waiting for a parking slot!

The trail is fairly level all the way up. Yes, you could stumble and fall(it's not a paved sidewalk), but there isn't anything really to get in your way here much. It is slightly strenuous going up. I think it will take you about 1.5 hours getting to the arch and probaly 45 minutes or so to come back down.

How did it go?
We did it before sunset and the parking lot was full..

Thanx! I love an event so I'll go at sunset! I'll leave early too!

After early dinner (or late lunch) today, we went to Dead Horse Point where we could see Grand View Pt. & arch across the canyon, which was pretty cool. The kids had not been to GVP as they were off w/friends when dh & I went, so we had just enough time to drive over there for sunset. It was a beautiful sunset! What a day! I am so tired, up since 4 a.m. I' m elevated & icing at the moment, but will be sleeping soon!

I was just thinking how we went full circle in Canyonlands today. Sunrise at Mesa Arch...sunset at Grand View Pt.

I'm so tired. I think I'll rest all day tomorrow until we go to Delicate Arch. Thanks again for help.

You were at Turret. How about walking into Double Arch that's right near there and easy to get to.

Balanced Rock. Many people write it off as it's right off the roadway and parking lot. But few people actually walk right up to it and around. It's large and worth it even though not an arch.

Good choice for Delicate Arch sunset.

It's one of those sights you remember.

Delicate Arch, Bryce Canyon sunrise, Antelope Canyon, etc.

I'm at the house today because I overdid it yesterday. My arm was throbbing pain last night, too much jiggling around I guess. The 2nd pain pill I took later in the day took the edge off, but that was all. I wonder if taking 2 a day, as I have since the start of trip, lessens how effective pills are. I'm soaking my arm today & trying not to take a pill, at least not til later.

So, Dh & kids are at lunch, grocery store & museum while I rest. Then we are all going on the boat sunset tour. So, we r delaying Delicate Arch until tomorrow. We may go in the morning after all if it's less stressful for me. The morning would be better in that I'm at least fresh. Decisions, decisions. Will depend on how I feel tonight after such a light day.

Myers, we did the stroll to Balanced Rock. Regarding Double Arch, what's funny is that we thought Turret was a part of double arch because there is another arch facing turret that u can't see until u r up there. All the stops w/little strolls r perfect for me, so we'll go to double arch when we're back in Arches.

Disappointing is that the kids can't do Fiery Furnace as it's booked all week. They r having a great time though. Love both parks! Luckily they r able to take the rental SUV without us along for some activities even tho under the age by paying $20 extra per day - for those who don't know. We were unaware before this trip.

No, taking a 2nd pill does not make the 1st one less effective. What does actually happen is that if you wait too long to take another pain pil, your pain is more elevated and the 2nd one may not relieve it as well. If your prescription says something like "take every 4-6 hours as needed for pain, take another within the 4-6 hrs, not 8 hrs later. This was really stressed to my husband when he had knee replacement surgery in terms of pain management.

Sounds like you're having a great time. I loved Canyonlands when I went during college spring break eons ago. Hope your arm feels better soon!

Thanks for the information Hazel. I didn't know that. Very helpful.

We hiked to the iconic Delicate Arch this morning!!! Yay! It's huge. It looked so tiny from the overlook. We arrived at 8-ish & there was parking still in the lot. By the time we left, it was very crowded w/the lot filled. During our return hike on the trail, we ran into a couple of very large groups of kids on a field trip.

Also, last night, did the boat tour w/dinner. I didn't get my 1st choice to ww raft, but it was a lot of fun, very scenic. Nice guide too. We also went into Arches to see the sunset but didn't make it to where we could see it unto too late. We went to Double Arch, and that is actually my favorite arch.

We found a private tour guide to take the kids on the Fiery Furnace trail/tour tomorrow. Dh and I want to do a special last day activity, but don't know what.

Will probably take a trip into Arches later & catch the sunset there. Icing & elevating now as always.

Also, we met lots of nice people this morning & traded taking pictures of each other at DArch. My daughter was in high demand especially, as she is sweet & a pretty good novice. So it felt a lot like an event.

It looks like you have Arches covered.

We're home and thanks to all for much help! All of us had a great time! Even so, I recommend travel insurance. I took A LOT of pain killers & wonder if at times I was engaging in risky behavior. Well, I'll be looking into insurance when I'm up to it. I never even thought of it before this happened.

Today was the first day I could use my left hand to pick something up. I dropped it, but there's a start.

Happy travels!

claire_bluesky, glad you made it back home safely and we're looking for the pictures so we can pretend we just were there too!