Moab area prior to expo west suggestions??

[JasonKoko]

Hey everyone!

I'm headed out west (from Florida) to hit the Moab area and canyonlands.

Does anyone have any must see suggested routes or roads that we should definitely do?

Could we trek across canyonlands in a day's journey?

We will have 3 full days, 4 nights.

Any help would be greatly appreciated?


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[greatape]

Have to ask but 3/4 days and nights? Is that the total trip time or once you arrive?

 

[Jhalko]

I will likely be camping near Moab the weds before expo west traveling from Moab to flagstaff Thursday. Haven't made any specific plans though.

 

[JasonKoko]

Have to ask but 3/4 days and nights? Is that the total trip time or once you arrive?

Arriving to the area Monday afternoon - camping Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. Heading to expo Friday.

Will have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to explore.

I think I can do most of what I'd like to in Moab in one day (possible?) but not sure about canyonlands...


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[Photoventurer]

Arriving to the area Monday afternoon - camping Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. Heading to expo Friday.

Will have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to explore.

I think I can do most of what I'd like to in Moab in one day (possible?) but not sure about canyonlands...

Canyonlands National Park is divided into districts. The Island in the Sky District is closest to Moab and is definitely do-able in one day if you are just going to hit the main roads and overlooks. You would probably have time to hit Dead Horse State Park also as it is a short side trip on your way into this district.

The Needles District is south of Moab and is a bit of a drive to get down there. This area can be done easily in less than a day but because of the distance between the two areas, it would be hard to explore both in one day.

Now, if your looking for strictly off-road exploration of Canyonlands, there are many trail options, from easy to extreme, that could take a whole day in themselves. You will probably get lots of help from others in this off-road thread. My off-road experience in Moab is limited, but I took a full day and made a trip up the Gemini Trail into the Island in the Sky district and then went back down to Moab via the Shafer Trail. It was not very challenging off-roading but it took most of the day. Be sure to check with the park service or the locals for current trail conditions because they can change drastically depending on the weather.

Here is a link to the Canyonlands area from the Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/tripmap.pdf

If you are heading into Moab from the east on I-70, taking the exit for Cisco and driving Hwy 128 into Moab is a very scenic route that follows along the Colorado River.

Hope this is of some help to you. Happy Travels!

 

[JasonKoko]

Canyonlands National Park is divided into districts. The Island in the Sky District is closest to Moab and is definitely do-able in one day if you are just going to hit the main roads and overlooks. You would probably have time to hit Dead Horse State Park also as it is a short side trip on your way into this district.

The Needles District is south of Moab and is a bit of a drive to get down there. This area can be done easily in less than a day but because of the distance between the two areas, it would be hard to explore both in one day.

Now, if your looking for strictly off-road exploration of Canyonlands, there are many trail options, from easy to extreme, that could take a whole day in themselves. You will probably get lots of help from others in this off-road thread. My off-road experience in Moab is limited, but I took a full day and made a trip up the Gemini Trail into the Island in the Sky district and then went back down to Moab via the Shafer Trail. It was not very challenging off-roading but it took most of the day. Be sure to check with the park service or the locals for current trail conditions because they can change drastically depending on the weather.

Here is a link to the Canyonlands area from the Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/upload/tripmap.pdf

If you are heading into Moab from the east on I-70, taking the exit for Cisco and driving Hwy 128 into Moab is a very scenic route that follows along the Colorado River.

Hope this is of some help to you. Happy Travels!

Extremely helpful!

I'm looking for some fun off-roaring stuff. Interesting terrain is always fun!

I have three days. If spending all three days in there is what I should do - that's what we'll do!

I have a permit and reservations in there for those three days, but I still need to figure out what that means!!


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[wanderMT]

You can do Dead horse, Island in the Sky, and Shafer/Potash back to Moab in one day. After coming down shafer, could take White Rim and camp (reservations required I believe) and then back to Moab by 2nd night. Third day can check out 4x4 trails off Sand Flats (many of the ones you read about) or do Arches etc. etc. Next vacation you could check out Maze or Needles - can spend lifetime of vacations and not see it all.

 

[Rock_Rat]

Arriving to the area Monday afternoon - camping Monday night, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday night. Heading to expo Friday.

Will have Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to explore.

I think I can do most of what I'd like to in Moab in one day (possible?) but not sure about canyonlands...


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I'm pretty sure we need to check in on Thursday night before 7pm. Double check your latest email.

BTW - thanks for the post. I'm doing a similar run after the expo.
Monday - Grand Canyon
Tuesday - Zion
Wed - Bryce and Canyonlands
Thursday/Friday/Saturday - Canyonlands, Arches and Moab
Sunday/Monday - Home

Here's the link to my thread. There's a lot of GREAT info in this thread. http://www.toyota-4runner.org/off-roading/236793-combined-az-utah-parks-trip-may-suggestions.html

 

[JasonKoko]

Ok. I have reservations in happy canyon in The Maze - apparently it's 3.5 hours from Moab... everything else is booked up and has been.


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[RonJR]

You can easily spend a week exploring the Maze district, but be aware that the roads, especially out to the Dollhouse, are pretty rough.

If the weather is good, from Happy Canyon down the Flint trail and out to the Maze Overlook and back would be a great day trip. It's probably about 2-3 hours one way, but the scenery at the Overlook will occupy you for a while. Just know that some of that route contains a lot of clay, and gets slicker than a bar of soap if it rains. There's a primitive trail at the Overlook that will take you down into the Maze if you're into that sort of thing. Some class III scrambling required.

Another worthwhile drive is to head out toward Waterhole flats from the bottom of the Flint switchbacks. You'll come out on a shelf road which gives you an amazing view of the Land of Standing Rocks, clear back to Island in the Sky with the La Salles in the background.

A couple of other things. There is no potable water in the Maze District - bring your own - and no toilets. Car campers are required to bring their own portable toilet. I use the "Luggable Loo", a Home Depot Bucket, and a package of Poo Powder. Works great. Better than a smelly outhouse - even my wife says so. Closest gasoline is in either Hanksville or Hite. If you have Verizon your cell phone will work as long as you can see the La Salles.

Enjoy - it's an awesome experience, totally unlike the Moab side.