Trail Report: Canyonlands / Moab Trails

[mkjeepers]

[COLOR="Blue"]We were able to finally make out annual trek to Canyonlands NP & Moab Utah. It's hard to get tired of going there, but it is a long drive.

This time we did mostly scenic trails with a moderate degree of difficulty. There is only one or two trails left that we haven't done yet - Steel Bender and WipeOut hill. After 60 miles on the Beef Basin trail Steel Bender just didn't sound too good -dinner won us over this time.

One new trail that we did that was outstanding and highly recommended is in Arches NP. It's a sandy 4x4 trail that goes to Eye of the Whale & Tower Arch - very nice. It follows the sand belt through the rock formation area. Very nice

Then we went through Long Canyon on the way over to Mineral Bottom. This is an easy 2wd that takes you down to the Green River & the White Rim Trail - very scenic.

With a little time left over before dark, we did one of my favorite trails - Moab Rim Trail. It's located less than a mile from town and is pretty challenging for a stockish open vehicle. It takes you up to a great overlook of the Moab Valley and surroundig area.

We then ran about 3 miles of the Pritchett Canyon trail before I noticed we were out of gas and also out of daylight. I was wanting to at least try a couple of the notorious obstacles - maybe next time. This is also one of the most scenic trails in the area.

On the way home we made a stop at the Valley of Fire Park just north of Las Vegas. The formations are pretty impressive, but the park is fairly small.

All in all this was a nice get away.

Elephant Hill trail
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

Moab Rim Trail
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

Mineral Bottom
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

Arches NP
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow

Valley of Fire
http://s304.photobucket.com/albums/n...view=slideshow


A few pix below.[/COLOR]

Needles district of Canyonlands






Ancient Indian ruins - Ruins Park - Beef Basin


Near Bobby Jo's campground.






The Squeeze


Colorado river


Moab Rim Trail




















Mineral Bottom trail


The Green River




The Eye of the Whale - Arches NP




The Marching Men formation.


Tower Arch


Sand Dune Canyon


Balancing Rock


Wall Street Area.


The 3 Gossips

[lakev2]

Wow, that is an impressive area. Gotta take the kids their sometime in the next couple years.

[mkjeepers]

Wow, that is an impressive area. Gotta take the kids their sometime in the next couple years.

[COLOR="Blue"]This is a great area to take the family on a vacation. Moab is totally a resort town, and is visitor friendly. [/COLOR]

[Mitch]

Mike,

Just like being there again. Incredible photography. I really love that area. Thank you for sharing.

[Ol Man]

Mike, nice pictures as usual. You sure get out and about for a guy who works.

One of my favorite stops on the way to Moab is Ray's Tavern in Green River. Have you ever been there? Here is a link to a review site. Their web site appears to be down:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-tavern-green-river

Great place for a burger and a cold one.

[mkjeepers]

Mike, nice pictures as usual. You sure get out and about for a guy who works.

One of my favorite stops on the way to Moab is Ray's Tavern in Green River. Have you ever been there? Here is a link to a review site. Their web site appears to be down:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/rays-tavern-green-river

Great place for a burger and a cold one.

[COLOR="Blue"]We haven't been there, but we did stop at the Blimpy's a time or two.[/COLOR]

[nwoods]

Mike, you really know how to enjoy life. I hope your kids realize how lucky they are. Happy Fathers Day

[mkjeepers]

Mike, you really know how to enjoy life. I hope your kids realize how lucky they are. Happy Fathers Day

[COLOR="Blue"]I do enjoy the great outdoors. I'm happy that my kids still like exploring. Ryan is 18 and Clarissa is 20. They're great companions and we always have a great time traveling.[/COLOR]

[MrBash]

I love MOAB. Great pictures Mike, thanks for sharing

[dirtman13]

Very beautiful. Great pictures Mike. Looks like a wonder trip.

[mkjeepers]

[COLOR="Blue"]Canyonlands & the "Grand Circle" are some of the nicest areas in the US. There are still a lot of back country 4x4 trails to travel.[/COLOR]