What to say about Moab… Nestled between Canyonlands and Arches National Parks and seated at the edge of the Colorado River, Moab has whitewater rafting, rock climbing, hiking, mountain biking, and miles of Jeep trails. This is a great outdoor activity mecca with a laid back vibe, just like our favorite mountain towns. One big difference, Moab’s not mountain. It’s desert – and it’s hot!
We’ve been looking forward to visiting Moab for years, really, and were excited to spend nearly a week exploring the area. As usual, we ran out of days long before we could have exhausted all the adventure possibilities. We spent one day paddling Class II and III rapids on the Colorado, another day driving through serious 4×4 terrain in Arches National Park, and even worked in some amazing rock climbing and canyoneering. There are plenty of slot canyons to hike through and boulders to scramble over, but technically, it’s not canyoneering unless you have to use ropes. We started our canyon adventure with two long rappels, the first about 90 feet and the second an incredible 110 feet of mostly free-hanging descent right next to Morning Glory Arch.
The area around Moab is otherworldly, with red rock towers and winding rivers. The formations and exposed rock we saw in Arches were 65 million years in the making! We had to remind ourselves that the same forces that created those amazing arches is still working – eventually they’ll all collapse. It was incredible to be in an ever changing landscape that so clearly shows geological forces at work, both long term erosion and violent upheaval on a grand scale. Along with the Mother Nature, Moab’s inhabitants have left their mark as well. There are dozens of excellent pictograph and petroglyph sites within 30 minutes of town and even a remarkable rock covered with fossilized dinosaur tracks. This place has been occupied for a while now!
One thing that we really had reinforced in Moab? Water is critical! We always had two Camelbaks loaded with water and ice, plus a couple of bottles in a cooler stashed back in the Jeep for post-hike refreshment. Just breathing in the hot, dry air has a dehydrating effect and we learned to really appreciate the shaded streams along the canyon floors. We got a great tip from a local and on our last day and found our way to a secluded swimming hole right on the edge of town. The cool water cascades over small rocky ledges and collects beneath giant boulders in big, sandy-bottomed swimming holes. It was a great way to cool down and wrap up our visit.
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- Headed down the Colorado River. This was so much fun! We’re looking forward to more whitewater rafting!
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- A shot of Balanced Rock in Arches National Park.
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- On the trail to Delicate Arch.
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- Brian and the boys beneath Delicate Arch. It’s huge!
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- Brian scouting the Jeep trail. 🙂
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- It doesn’t look like a road, but it is!
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- Yay! Jeeps! …we really gave ours a workout in Moab. So fun!
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- The boys on the hike back from Tower Arch.
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- Heading into Morning Glory Canyon for some canyoneering.
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- Bridger making the first rappel of the day. It was a 90 foot drop into Morning Glory Canyon.
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- Enjoying the view from the top of Morning Glory Arch.
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- Bridger hooking up for the rappel down Morning Glory.
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- Carson on the Morning Glory rappel.
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- Overlooking Canyonlands National Park. If you look you can see Brian sitting at the top left. It’s just vast and beautiful.
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- Carson scaring his mom. He does that a lot.
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- My favorite arch was Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Look how far you can see! Next time I’ll be there at sunrise.
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- Canyonlands National Park. Just go. It’s amazing.
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- Carson got to do some Jeeping in Canyonlands!
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- Doesn’t that look fun?
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- Carson on the wall and Brian on belay.
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- Working hard and having a great time.
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- Bridger measuring a dinosaur track at the Potash Road site.
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- Checking out Newspaper Rock. This huge boulder had petroglyphs on all four sides.
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- In the swimming hole at Mill Creek. A great way to end a day!
All Over The Map 