Moab, Utah advice

GordonThree wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
Get Mountain Directory West for your travels in the western mountains.

40 for a used copy in "fair" condition... I suppose good knowledge is invaluable, but is this out of print book from 12 years ago really worth it?

Purchase it directly from the publisher and it's a LOT cheaper.

Road grades don't change so no need for constant updates.

If your CRV is 4WD and your wife is OK with some off-roading, take the Shafer trail from Potash (near Moab) to Canyon Lands NP. We easily drove it with a stock Explorer and the sights were out of this world.

It's 18 miles but will take you several hours, so bring water and snacks.


http://alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/shafer-trail

Oops - double post. Sorry.

WiFi here works about 5% of the time

We did the La Sal Loop that brings you back to the 128 and in short order wound up behind a 40' moho. It is a very narrow road with lots of twists - have done it several times in the past. Moho was going slow and could not get around of course as they had really no place to pull over if they wanted to. But we felt safe he was well over the center line most of the time so I just sat back and let him clear traffic the other way. People would wave at him with their right wheels well off the road............ well, kinda wave! :-)

Stop at the ranch. Nice meal sitting on the river.

We drove it without any problems. Beautiful drive. There's a dude ranch about 3/4 of the way. There's also an old abandoned railroad town near the fwy...Interesting...Dennis
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2gypsies wrote:
UT128 is a very easy drive with a big rig. It's flat and follows the river. There are no fuel stations or other commercial facilities along the way so fill up in Moab or else on I-70.

Here are the BLM campgrounds along the way. I don't believe there are any RV parks.

BLM campgrounds along Hwy 128

I seem to remember a commercial park near the Moab end of 128, just before the intersection with the highway leading to Arches / Moab.

Beautiful road, like I was driving inside the grand canyon at times. wave to the folks kayaking :)

UT128 is a very easy drive with a big rig. It's flat and follows the river. There are no fuel stations or other commercial facilities along the way so fill up in Moab or else on I-70.

Here are the BLM campgrounds along the way. I don't believe there are any RV parks.

BLM campgrounds along Hwy 128

Easy

If by "Rt.6" you mean I-70, yes its a beautiful, slow drive. 128 can be a bit narrow in spots for a Class'A'. Dependin on where u'r coming from/going to, I'd stay on I-70 and down to Moab on Rt.191. There is plenty of gas in downtown Moab, City gas/Supermarket is cheapest. There is also gas at intersection of I-70(6?)and Rt.191. I certainly hope your not just going to visit Arches and you have at least a week to spend in the area. Arches is wonderful, but the Canyonlands sites are just as great. There are a dozen or more RV parks in and around Moab. Most are on the south end of town and to get to Arches & Canyonlands ya gotta drive thru city/town traffic to get anywhere. We always try to stay at a park north of town. Just across the Colorado bridge is RiverSide Oasis Rv resort. VERY NICE full hookup with large, mature shade trees. The ONLY place you'll find shade. About 8 miles farther north on 191, near junction of 191/313 is ArchView RV park. Very nice, but a bit more rustic(Campy) atmosphere, with Great scenery all around. If you decide to explore Canyonlands, everything is up Rt.313 so this camp is very handy.
Amoung the hundreds of amazing sites in the area is one most people overlook and very easy to get to. Just north of Oasis RV Pk. is the turnoff for Rt.279. This is a good, paved road for about 13 miles. Along it you drive next to the Colorado on one side and directly below a 1000 foot vertical red sandstone wall. Watch for Rock climbers, Rustic, no facilitiy camp grounds and the sign for Dinosaur tracks. Also watch for the sign for Tea Kettle, or maybe called Tea Handle arch. If U continue down 279, it'll turn to a good dirt road at the Evaporation pool company and past the Co. becomes the Shaffer Trail. Back at the Teahandle arch, If u'r a bit brave, turn across the RR track and into this sand/dirt road. You are now looking up 'Long Canyon'. This road looks intimidating, but its not. If dry weather, u'r CR-V will be fine. Drive up the switchbacks, under the famous, giant, fallen rock. Continue to the top. Get out of the car, walk 100 feet to an amazing view of what you just drove up. Continue on this road to the rite and it comes to a junction, Turn left to go to DeadHorse State Pk.& overlook or turn rite(straight)and it'll take you to the paved Hyway Rt.313. Turn rite onto 313 to go back down to Rt.191 near Archview RV Pk. or left to go out to Islands In the Sky overlook.