The Major Wonders near Moab (Part 2) - Arches National Park, Utah

I've been told that this is the place where the WORLD's largest collection of sandstone arches exists. I think that certainly is quite an accomplishment for my state. After visiting this park, I think it should also be the place where the world's most SPLENDID collection of sandstone arches exists.

The day after exploring Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, we decided to head northeast - towards another unique collection of wonders - Arches National Park. We paid the entrance fee at the gate and we then followed a long, winding road uphill that eventually took us to the top of a large cliff. When we came in, we knew that we were in for something dramatically different from the scenery we saw the day before.

The scenery upon our welcome.

The Organ, another of the awe-inspiring rock formations
that welcome you to Arches.

We continued through the road and made a turnoff towards the Windows. There were a couple of neat formations along the way, but this was just an introduction to some really fascinating ones up ahead. We arrived at the end of the road and parked at the loop.

We explored for a little bit, and then we decided to do a short, yet rewarding hike - Double Arch. It was only about a half mile, but when we arrived at the base of Double Arch we were took by awe. To think that it was formed naturally is truly an outstanding feat.

One other interesting aspect about Double Arch that I recall was the echo near this place. You could talk at a whisper and it would still produce an echo. Even your footsteps would produce an echo.

Double Arch.

Shortly after, we headed back out of the Windows section and back on the main road through the park. We headed towards the right end of the large junction of the park, towards the trailhead for Delicate Arch. When we arrived at the parking lot for Delicate Arch, we noticed there were a lot of cars. It was a little tough to find a parking place, but we managed to find one.

We got out our bags for water and food, and began the hike up towards Delicate Arch. We were in for a fairly difficult hike. There were lots of small hills we had to climb up and over, plus a very large hill I dubbed "The Never Ending Hill". This one was named due to the fact that it seemed like it took forever to climb up.

"The Never Ending Hill" we had to climb up.

Beginning the second major climb.

View opposite Delicate Arch.

We finally reached the top of the hill, but we had yet another climb around a large rock.(luckily this one didn't seem like an eternity). This one was slightly more dangerous since there was an exposure to heights. As soon as we turned the corner, there we saw it.

Delicate Arch.

After seeing this arch on numerous posters and Utah license plates for my entire 18 years, I finally got face-to-face with the arch for the first time. I can now see why it is so famous... it truly is a remarkable work of nature.

We snacked here for a good hour, marveling at the arch and made our return journey. Luckily the trail was a lot easier this time since it was mostly downhill.

We then headed for the other junction of the park, heading towards Devils Garden.

There were a couple of neat attractions on the way that we stopped at to take pictures, but there were several that we missed.

Fiery Furnace.

Neat formations on the side of the road.

Soon we arrived at Devils Garden. There were lots of places to park here, but nearly every single one of the parking spots were filled. We finally found a place to park and headed on the trailhead. We didn't have much time (or energy) to explore the arches situated further along the main trail, so we chose to hike to the two closest to us: Pinetree Arch and Tunnel Arch. Both were only about half a mile.

Pinetree Arch.

Tunnel Arch.

By this time it was late afternoon. Dad thought it was a good idea for us to see the sunset at The Windows, so we made our way back to The Windows section of the park, but we still had some time to see the attractions that we missed earlier.

Skyline Arch with a tree in the foreground.
This arch was fun to shoot with the tree.

Skyline Arch.

Sand Dune Arch. This one was difficult to shoot
since the lighting was poor.

I can now see why Sand Dune Arch was named as such - there was a LOT of sand in the area! I could still feel sand in my sneakers long after we came back.

After we left Sand Dune Arch, we headed towards The Windows. By this time, the sun was getting ready to set. We made it just in time for a really neat sunset at the North and South Windows.

North Window.

North Window, closer.

Turret Arch.

Last rays of sun in The Garden of Eden (near The Windows).

Panorama of The Windows.

It was very pretty to see how the sun dramatically changed the color of the rock. It was quite beautiful. It was starting to get dark, so we headed back down to Moab.

We saw all of these sights in less than a day, which was truly overwhelming for me. Unfortunately though there is still more to Arches that I have yet to see. Until next time, Moab.

Arches is closer to Moab than Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point (only about 5 miles from downtown Moab). As you head north from the town, there is a turnoff on your right that leads to the park. Like the rest of the parks near Moab, the entrance fee is only $10 and is good for a whole week. It's a small price to pay to experience a truly magical place.

The Major Wonders near Moab (Part 1) - Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

Remember how I said I was going to have a three-part series about the wonders of Moab? Well, I've decided to actually make this a two-part series since Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands are so close to each other they could almost be considered as one. And hence we begin this two-part series with Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point.

Canyonlands is divided into three major sections - Island in The Sky, The Needles and The Maze. The two sections we got to see (unfortunately, only a small portion of) were Island in The Sky and The Needles.

We first got our glimpse of Canyonlands when we headed towards the road leading to The Needles overlooks (these were not actually inside the boundaries of the park). Upon our arrival we were treated with spectacular panoramas that appeared as if they went out for dozens of miles. The depth was difficult to comprehend.

Shot from Sixshooter Viewpoint at The Needles overlooks.

Another view at The Needles overlooks.

We then headed up the road to a slightly more distant yet also amazing overlook - Anticline Overlook.

Anticline Overlook offers a very unique but amazing view.

Another view at Anticline Overlook.

It was very quiet here. You could only hear the wind, and a few nagging flies buzzing around. Other than that, it was pure silence. Of course, these sights were to only wet our appetite.

Later that afternoon we drove up to Island In The Sky. This would be our chance to truly experience Canyonlands. Every turnoff showcased something dramatic.

Buck Canyon Overlook.

Grand View Overlook.

This overlook did not have a name, but it was one of my favorites.

The pictures cannot even begin to capture the sheer beauty of these places. To actually experience them, you must be there.

It was getting late, so we quickly drove over to Dead Horse Point State Park, which was about 25 miles away. We arrived just in time for perhaps one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen in my entire life.

The way the sun fell on the canyon made the scenery absolutely splendorous. No matter where you looked, you could never escape the awe of the canyon. This was by far the best way to end the day.

Canyonlands is only a little bit further away from the other parks near Moab (the Island in The Sky entrance is about 30 miles). Island in The Sky and The Needles are the most accessible by car. The Maze, however, is made up of dirt road that requires a car with good 4 wheel drive. Dead Horse Point is a bit closer. Heading north from Moab, you will turn left onto State Highway 313. From there, you'll follow a road that leads to the north entrance of the park (leading to Island in The Sky). Dead Horse Point is accessible through Highway 313 also.

I truly wish to return to these places when I find time someday. I probably only saw about a mere fraction of the sights in these places.

Map of Canyonlands:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/tripmap.pdf

More of my shots of Canyonlands:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=52619990%40N06&q=canyonlands&m=text

More of my shots of Dead Horse Point:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?s=int&w=52619990%40N06&q=dead+horse+point&m=text

Surrounded by Red Rock - Moab, Utah

Over my university's fall break, I was very, if not extremely privileged to make a pilgrimage to Moab, Utah and nearby parks.

After making this privilege, I became more proud of the fact that my state of Utah holds some of the most amazing places on Earth.

The tourist town is surrounded by beautiful red rock. It is almost impossible to view an angle of the town where you cannot see red rock.

Those dreaming of finding the ultimate desert paradise will have their dreams fulfilled upon their entrance to Moab.

One of the best parts about Moab is the fact that two of Utah's national parks are almost within arm's reach, and many other wonders I have never been to also lie within arm's reach.

Downtown Moab.

More of downtown Moab.

Moab's Main Street (Highway 191).

There are also many great restaurants that we got to try in Moab.

Zax Wood Fire Pizza offers a great pizza buffet, as well as a delicious salad bar, steaks, sandwiches and more. The salmon omelette breakfast I tried was also delicious. Zax had a pretty hip atmosphere.

The Moab Diner we also tried for breakfast. I liked their omelettes and it had a fairly easygoing atmosphere.

Slickrock Cafe also turned out to be pretty good. The turkey sandwich I tried was good, but the cookie desert, cooked in a manner where you could use your spoon to eat it, was killer.

The last place we tried, La Hacienda, offered excellent Mexican food. We had to wait almost an hour to get a seat, though, even though it was a Thursday night. The food was definitely worth the wait, however.

Moab is about a 4 - 5 hour drive from Salt Lake City. It is accessible from I-70, which you will turn on to State Highway 191 to reach Moab. It is only an hour and a half drive from Grand Junction, Colorado.

Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park and Arches National Park are all  less than 40 miles away. And those are only three of the "big" attractions near Moab. There is still a lot for me to see next time I visit.

But this is only an introduction of the many fantastical wonders in this area. So, I'll consider this post an introduction to a three-part series of the nearby parks mentioned.

Playground in The Desert - Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

Not everything amazing has to be in a national park. This is definitely the case with Goblin Valley, a desert playground well preserved in a state park, located in southern Utah.

Dad and I decided to make a stop here on our way to Capitol Reef, which we would be seeing the next day.

We were treated with panoramas showcasing all sorts of unique rock formations, more unique than those seen in the canyons.

Some of the odd rock formations in the park.

Here is a place that you can truly go out, bring the kids and have some fun exploring the rocks shaped like goblins. Now that I think of it, I guess that's why this place got its name.. the rocks do look like goblins.

Most national parks that I have been to forbid any disrupting of the land, but here you may explore the area freely and go wild. In a sense, you actually become a child again.

And for those who truly love this place, there are campgrounds in which you can camp, surrounded by beautifully colored rocks.

Closeup of the "goblins" inside the park.

Campground in Goblin Valley.

The park is quite accessible. From Interstate 70, turn off the road onto Highway 24. The park will be the next turn off you make.

Goblin Valley does require a $7 day use fee, paid at an entrance gate. Camping is $16.

It is situated about 50 miles from Capitol Reef National Park. The nearest towns, Green River and Hanksville, are a tad closer.

A Different Canyon Experience - Zion National Park, Utah

Although nearby Bryce Canyon offers great sights of hoodoos and canyons, Southwestern Utah's Zion National Park offers a totally different canyon experience.

Unlike Bryce, most of the beautiful views come from inside the canyon, rather than viewpoints along the canyon rim.

Dad and I came into the east entrance of the park through the Mt. Carmel Junction (coming down through State Highway 89, turn right and head on to State Route 9, also known as Zion Park Scenic Byway).

The park's entrance was by far the most dramatic welcome to the National Parks I have been through. The road winds its way through impressive sights of the canyon, the Checkerboard Mesa, and a long tunnel that cuts through the canyon rock. Unfortunately, I did not take pictures of the sights on the byway.

The aforementioned scenic byway. Photo taken by Wikipedia user Crevans.

We kept going through the road and continued up to Zion Lodge, where we would be staying. Although the road continues on to the north end of the park, no cars are allowed beyond the lodge. In order to access the rest of the park, the Zion shuttle must be taken.

The primary view of the canyon from Zion Lodge.

We left our stuff at the lodge and took the shuttle up to explore the rest of the park, getting an idea of any hikes we would take the next day. As we looked out, we saw many beautiful rock formations that surrounded us.

The Great White Throne, one of the famous formations in the park.

The next day, we headed back up the shuttle and stopped at Weeping Rock. It was a short half-mile hike to the formation, which was more than worth than walk.

Weeping Rock.

It was quite beautiful to see the water fall from the top. But we had more to see, so we left and explored more of the hotspots near the south entrance of the park, where the visitor center was. After we stopped at the visitor center, we came back to the lodge and embarked on the Emerald Pool trail.

We got to see many little waterfalls and neat rock formations here. Yet, this was only the Lower Emerald Pool. The Upper Emerald Pool was still a ways to go.

Small waterfall on the trail.

We saw many other beautiful rock formations on the way, but when we arrived at the Upper Emerald Pool, we were rewarded with the view of a waterfall from way up high! We stayed here for a good while, trying to comprehend the staggering height of the fall.

Waterfall at the Upper Emerald Pool.
I was looking almost straight up when I shot this photo.

The cliffs from Upper Emerald Pool.

There are many other hikes and views that I have yet to see in this park when I return. I didn't get to hike Angels Landing, which is one of the most famous (and one of the most dangerous) trails. Angels Landing offers a rewarding, spectacular view of the canyon from an overlook at the very end. However, the trail offers exposure to dangerous heights and is quite strenuous. In fact, several people have been killed from falling off the canyon cliffs on this trail.

Like most national parks, there is a $25 fee that must be paid upon entrance, if you are driving in to the park, which is good for one week. However, you can buy other kinds of passes here:

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/feesandreservations.htm

View on our way back to the lodge from the Emerald Pool Trail.

The Zion Lodge was a great place to stay, with great dining that lets you view the canyon from inside. One downside was that the phone in our room did not work during our stay, so we had to use a pay phone in the main building.

More shots of Zion are on my Flickr:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=zion&w=52619990%40N06

Views of The Great Wyoming Highlands - near Pinedale, Wyoming

There's a fairly quiet, little-known town a ways southeast of Yellowstone Park, yet it represents a door leading to an extremely large country comprising of gorgeous highland forests properly situated in the Wind River Mountain Range. This little town, you ask? Pinedale, Wyoming.

A tree near Halfmoon Lake.

Halfmoon Lake.

On the first day of our arrival in the town, we took a route toward the Halfmoon and Fremont Lakes. We first went through the area around Halfmoon Lake, and got the chance to enjoy peace and quiet in the lush forest scenery. We turned around and headed on another road that led to a viewpoint of Fremont Lake.

Viewpoint of Fremont Lake.

Seeing the rolling hills and the lake... it was almost out of a fairytale. The only downside was that there were quite a few of pesky bugs flying around, which was a little annoying, but the great view overcame this small annoyance. Unfortunately, in many of the nearby places we visited there would be a lot of bugs. However, we were about to encounter an even more spectacular view just up the road.

View of the Wind River Range.

This next overlook presented a view of the Wind River Range; over 10 mountains in the view were at least 10,000 feet or higher. It did prove to be much more dramatic, primarily because we were up so high. We could also part of the Fremont Lake below, which was now almost a speck.

 The next day offered spectacular views as well. This time, we headed out of the city and onto another road through the settlement of Cora, Wyoming. A short distance later, the road turned into bumpy gravel, but this didn't stop us from proceeding. As we continued, the Green River eventually came in by our side. Although it wasn't officially designated as a scenic road, it certainly should have after seeing the views of the pine trees, rolling hills and the beautiful Green River on our sides of the road.

The Green River.

Finally we reached the end of the gravel road, and we came face to face with a striking view of the Green River Lake, with the Squaretop Mountain in the distance. It was like it was out of a dream. In fact, it WAS out of a dream I had several months before I came here.

The Green River Lake with Squaretop Mountain.

A Magical Fairyland - Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Only three years ago was I privileged to make a trip with my Dad to Bryce Canyon National Park, one of my home state's treasures. Coming from Salt Lake City, Utah, the trip was not too long at all, only about 5 hours (coming from a Google Maps calculation). However, we spent the night in Cedar City, Utah before we made our drive to the park the next day, where we were about to experience the sights of a truly magical fairyland.

From one of the first overlooks we saw.

When we finally arrived in Bryce Canyon, we checked in at the Rubys Inn and proceeded through the Bryce Canyon Scenic Drive, and got out of the car at one of the first viewpoints. When we peered over the railings, we got a very dramatic view of the canyon, shown to the right. It was truly amazing to see the beautiful red rocks and hills stretch out for miles; this made for an interesting combination for a view.

The Natural Bridge.

 There were more other natural wonders this place would have to offer. On our next stop, we saw the awe-inspiring Natural Bridge. It was absolutely wonderful to see how expansive this bridge was, even though in this picture it looked rather small. As we headed onward through the scenic drive, we saw many more scenic views. The view at Rainbow and Yovimpa Points were equally spectacular, yet each in their own way. Rainbow offered a dramatic viewpoint of the prime canyon, whilst Yovimpa, a small hike away from Rainbow offered a dramatic view of the rolling hills.

From Rainbow Point.

From Yovimpa Point.

On our way back to Rubys Inn, we went backwards through the drive and decided to stop at Bryce Point. At the end of the short hike leading up to the point, we dropped our mouths.

The vista at Bryce Point.

View of hoodoos from inside the Queen's Garden / Navajo Trail.

It was truly a different, yet heart-stopping view of the many hoodoos (the nickname for the rock formations in Bryce Canyon). We stayed for a good long time, but soon the storm clouds began to roll in, so we had to leave. The next day brought forth another unique view of the canyon - from inside. We went on a hike through the Queen's Garden / Navajo combination trail. This trail offered the chance to view the hoodoos from the bottom, not from the top of an overlook, and it was quite wonderful. There were infinitely many inspiring formations inside the trail. It was a fun and rewarding hike that was not strenuous at all, except when it came to the climb at the end, which ended at another overlook.

I could go on forever raving about the many wonders in this park, but I don't want to spoil too much. I didn't mention all of the trails or viewpoints I took on my trip. I decided for this post to show a few shots and share a couple of my experiences in the park to simply wet your appetite. It is up to you to explore this fantastic fairyland for yourself.

A view from the Queen's Garden / Navajo Trail.

Ruby's Inn was a comfortable place to stay with great dining and lodging. I highly recommend it if you decide to stay in the park. Bryce Canyon Lodge is a bit further in the park, this one is owned by Xanterra. I did not stay in this lodge, so I don't know what it is like. The scenic drive is lengthy, branching off to a rather large array of overlooks and trails to hike. The Queen's Garden trail mentioned earlier was the only large hike my Dad and I ventured. There are many other trails that are lengthy and offer rewarding views of Bryce Canyon, but we never hiked them, and hence never saw the rewarding views of Bryce that they offered. The next time I return to this place, it will be my turn to take those trails.

Check out my photos from my trip:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=bryce%20canyon&w=52619990%40N06