Rainier wrote:
I would love to go to Arches NP.
>>>>>> Great to visit and lot's to see,
Never been and have always wanted to.
>>>>>> So when do you plan on going? You will not be alone, it is popular all year.
Is it a bad a idea to go in the summer due to heat?
>>>>>> Obviously it's not cool, and would not be my first choice (1st would be Colorado Mountains) but it is Arches - Canyonlands - RT 128 - Island In the Sky................Lot's to see and do just plan smartly - Early is good - Water is Good - Late is good - Noon might just be Good to Travel in the Car.
Great places to stay (family friendly)?
>>>>>> Yes - lot's of CG's - some BLM's and as it's summer IMHO you will want electric for A/C.
Thanks for any advice. Coming from WA State (i-84).
>>>>>> Look at making a Loop trip so as to go and return on different routes and at least see different areas on the long drive - seek out the Mountains - Scenic drives - Hard to give advice without knowing timeline and interests. Just TOO MUCH to see and do.
Places to stay along the way.
>>>>>> Salt Lake City - Ski Resorts(cooler at elevations) - Goblins SP - Dinosaur NM - Flaming Gorge NRA(Water) - Colorado in the Mountains if you have time - ......................
Thanks for any advice/suggestions.
Here is a good, short,and complete guide from a really good authority on Moab. Ken is usually just spot on.
4runnerguy wrote:
...........
From SLC, I'd head right down to Moab and spend your time there.
The biggest limitation in November in the short days. We have been out there for several Thanksgivings and sometimes we have to hit the trail when it's still pretty cool in the morning as the sun sets so early.
If you like hiking, I'd plan on two full days in Arches. Just hiking to the major arches like those in the windows section and Sand Dune and Broken Arch takes some time. Head up to Delicate Arch near sunset for great pictures. If you have the stamina, hike the trail out of Devils Garden. Lots of arches along the trail and the side trails. Return via the primitive trail.
Definitely do a tour of the Island in the Sky at Canyonlands. There are some shorter hikes up there, but nothing major. Mesa Arch and Aztec Butte are scenic and interesting. At the end, Grandview Point is another sunset picture opportunity.
I don't know how much 4x4 experience you have, so the will determine what to try. One reasonably non-technical route we love is the White Rim Trail around Island in the Sky. The White Rim is nearly 2000' lower than the Island in the Sky. Several short trails off of it. It will take most of a day to do it, so start early. The hardest part are the approaches to Murphy Hogback but any decent jeep can handle it. I've always dropped in on Shafer Trail and done the loop clockwise, but if you go down Mineral Bottom first, you can exit via the Potash Road which eventually parallels the Colorado River. There are some interesting petroglyphs on the walls alongside the road when you're eight or so miles below Potash.
Don't miss the drive up river along UT 128. The hike out to Fisher Towers is interesting. That time of year you might have the trail to yourselves.
Plenty of rooms available in November as the crowds have thinned. One interesting place we have stayed a couple of times is the Inca Inn. Funky might best describe it. Bathroom tile is from the 50's but it is clean. Rates quite high on TripAdvisor, but I think it's because it is quaint. Most of the big motel chains have places there.
For restaurants, we like the Moab Brewery. (Or is that because of the beer?) Pasta Jays has outdoor seating, and even in the fall, they have plastic windows they roll down to keep the heat in. If you're hungry, Zax's has a pizza/salad buffet. The Blu Pig looks interesting but we haven't been there yet.
If you have a shopping card from one of the Kroger affiliated stores, you can use it at City Market for gasoline. Generally the best prices in town.
Ken pretty much covers the town - just add that it is Summer for your trip and your timing (Early - 0r - Late) is critical for the heat.
I've been in the summer - in the Fall - in the Winter - in the Spring - all are different but the one thing in common is they are all unforgettable. We have never regretted going, no matter the time of year. Special Place!
Hope this is of some help,
2gypsies wrote:
If your family won't mind this short time period of getting up early then it's easily doable. Early is a gorgeous time to walk the trails.
2lazy4U wrote:
Go early in the morning and late in the evening and it's wonderful.
And all the others who mentioned early morning or evening hiking REALLY brings out the colors in Moab and the surrounding areas. It's that low light thing that will produce amazing photos with colors that pop out.
