fleabug

We'll be in Moab Utah for 3 days beginning Oct. 20th. Plan on 1 day for Arches, 1 day for Canyonlands and possibly Dead Horse State Park on either of those days time permitting. Thinking of a scenic flight on the third day. Does anyone have any thoughts on the various companies that provide flights? Any thoughts on 1hr versus 2 hrs disregarding cost? Or, what about jet boat tours? Any thoughts on those? Also, horseback riding - has anybody done any of that? After Moab we're heading for Torrey for two days, 1 night near Bryce and then on to Zion for 2 or 3 days. Any one place better for horseback riding? We've done horseback rides in Bryce and Zion previously.
I know I'm asking a lot but any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Fleabug

Dayle

Hi fleabug,

Dead Horse Point St. Park is just next to Canyonlands Island in the Sky district, so you should visit it on the same day. It's kind of a long, but scenic drive, up to Island in the Sky so you don't want to spend your short time doing it twice.

You will probably want more time in Arches than just 1 day. Do you plan to hike a lot or not? You can see the highlights for non-hikers just by short walks in 1 day if you like. Highly recommend doing the Firey Furnace hike, but it must be reserved ahead and you go with the ranger and a group. Usually booked up at least a day or so in advance.

I did the 1 hour flight with Slick Rock Air and loved it. You get to see Dark Angel Arch, the Confluence (where the Green River and the CO River meet = two distinct colors of water), and parts of the Maze District where the Chocolate Drops are and more.

Remember to take layers - our weather can be absolutely anything this time of year.

Riding might be best around Torrey. Call ahead and make arrangements, otherwise you might be out of luck this late i the season.

I once rode at Red Cliffs Lodge and it was BORING for an experienced rider. Depends what your experience level is. Their riding is geared to people who have never been on a horse.

Have fun!

spirobulldog

I flew with Slick Rock Air and thought it was good. We were lucky enough to have a retired park ranger(who was Chief Park Ranger @ Canyonlands)that was our pilot(I'm sure you could ask for him). He let my daughter ride with him. I think the 2 hour flight goes further south and includes Monument Valley. We just did the 1 hour and it was enough for us.
The Confluence and Chocolate Drops that Dayle mentioned is very cool to see from the air.

DO NOT MISS Goblin Valley on your way to Torrey. I also really like Little Wild Horse Canyon (not to be confused with Wildhorse-you want LITTLE WH), its a really good slot canyon.

I really like

I've been to 32 National Parks, the single best adventure I've done at any of them(including rafting the Grand Canyon)is Canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com in Moab. It is amazin!! I've been with them twice.


Link to Utah photos- 2010 Trip
includes Little Wildhorse, Goblin Valley, Arches
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWfi

Link to Arches/Moab photos 2007
Includes Canyoneering and Slick Rock Air tour
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWfz

Link to Capitol Reef, Torrey, Goblin Valley, Little Wildhorse,
Horseshoe Canyon/Great Gallery--2009
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...0IatW7FqybsWgD

spirobulldog

I meant that my daughter got to ride copilot.

spirobulldog

air photos are #73 thru 90

also Little Wildhorse is just a couple of miles from Goblins

spirobulldog

Sorry for the multi post, but I have a couple of other thoughts

You might want to try a Hummer Tour in Moab, they are kinda scary though.

Also, I really like pie at The Gifford House in Capitol Reef. Then eat them right next door in the picnic area underneath the two big trees there. Deer are usually there too. The pies arrive at 8:00am and sell out by noon or earlier. So, we eat them for breakfast and they are sometimes still warm.

fleabug

Hi Dayle and Spirobulldog!

Thanks so much for all your input. I've looked into Slickrock air and think they're the outfit we'll go with for a flight. We're seniors and won't be doing a lot of hiking but plan on doing some. My hubby is the rider and he's had experience on horses so it'll be up to him to plan that.

Yes, we are planning on Goblin Valley and Little Wildhorse Canyon. I found out about them by reading previous posts on Utah.

Spirobulldog,

Looked at all your pictures from your trips and they were great! I love to see other peoples pictures. It looked like you had perfect weather! The pictures from the air were great and have gotten me excited about a scenic flight! In Capitol Reef where did you hike? Were they easy or hard hikes?

Again, thank you both for all your help

Fleabug

spirobulldog

I really haven't done much hiking in Canyonlands, other than Horseshoe Canyon/Great Gallery-which is detached section of Canyonlands. You can only get to it on a 20 mile dirt road. You would probably want to have a high clearance 4 wheel drive if it had rained recently as the road might be bad. The entrance is near Goblin Valley entrance. It's not an easy hike.
You might want to see Mesa Arch/Washer Woman and the Huge Depression/Bowl/Crater(i'm blank on the name right now).

The only hike that is moderate that I really suggest you try to do if you can is the one that goes to Delicate Arch. It is all up hill and the all downhill on the return. No shade at all. it isn't that hard, but if you have some real physical issues, then I wouldn't try it. The hike to Landscape Arch is easy.

The only problem with Little Wildhorse isfinding the entrance. Hopefully, enough people there that you can spot it easily. The parking area is well marked.

We have always had good luck with weather in Utah. Have been there 5 times now. All visits were 3rd week in October or over Memorial Day weekend.

I've hiked all the major trails in Capitol Reef(about 30 miles there). It is my least favorite park in Utah. However, you might have a few of the trails to yourself, so that is nice too. I do really like the orchard area there-pretty cool to see.
Hickman Bridge and Cassidy Arch are probably the best two features in Cap Reef. You might do a couple of the scenic drives there too.

We hiked Grand Wash/Frying Pan/Cassidy Arch area which is a bunch of interconnecting trails. You can make your mileage as much or as little as you want to make it, in that area.

Devils Garden in Escalante is pretty cool to see as well. (there is another Devils Hall in Arches, so don't get those confused). The one in Escalante is like a smaller verion of Goblin Valley, but the formations are much taller. It is down a nice dirt road for about 10 miles or so.