Utah (YOO-tah)
So many of you have been here…it was a discovery for us. Our first steps into this grand land was through Monument Valley and then north to Arches and Canyonlands. The phrase “Now I’ve seen it all”, does not apply.
Monument Valley
The Navajo Tribal Park Visitor Center is stunning and compels you to drive the rutted road past the monuments. You can hire a Navajo guide for a private horseback tour and avoid the many tourists navigating the scenic road. (We did not.)
Monument Valley 
Kachina Dolls – Monument Valley 
Man on a Horse 
Elephant Rock
GO PATS! (at Navajo Trading Post) 
Forest Gump Point – Exit 13 UT 163
Mile marker 13/UT 163 is where Forest Gump stopped his cross-country run. People stop to take selfies in the middle of the road. We did not.
On to Moab
The La Sal Mountains – Highway 191
Sal means salt – the Spanish explorers could not fathom that the peaks were white with snow…so they assumed it was salt (incorrecto).
Along UT 191 
La Sal Mountains in the distance 
La Sal Mountains
Newspaper Rock
Near Moab, off highways 191 and 211, is a rock with petroglyphs representing 2000 years of human history – Ancestoral Puebloan, Fremont, Paiute, Navajo and Anglo travelers. (Including recent graffiti.)
Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs 
Canyonlands National Park – Island in the Sky
Our day on the high mesas of Island in the Sky was filled with wind, rain, snow, hail, sleet, and intermittent blue skies. We stayed on the paved scenic road, although at Shafer Canyon Overlook, 1200 feet below, a lone car was creeping along on the 4WD Shafer Trail.
Shafer Canyon Overlook – had icy spots near the edge 
Shafer Trail Road – Built in 1900s
Mesa Arch
An American kid climbed to the top and the crowd shouted him down – “Can’t you read….? Get off the arch!” He did.
Grand View Point
A most spectacular panorama, and a one mile hike on the rim that we missed, because the gusty wind and sleet was a bit of a hindrance.
White Rim Trail Below – 1300 foot descent – Follows cliffs for 100 miles 
Vista from Island in the Sky to the Needles section of Canyonlands 
Dead Horse Point State Park
The name tells a tragic story from the old days that does not need repeating…but the sunset was spectacular as were La Sal Mountains, Canyonlands, and the Colorado River, 2000 feet below.
Arches National Park
The formations say it all: fins, needles, Devil’s Garden, Fiery Furnace, towers and arches everywhere. They glow like fire. My Fitbit registered 31,000 steps, but if I could do it over, I would choose to hike the Park Avenue Trail rather than to the many arches.
The Windows, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Tunnel Arch.
Landscape Arch is one of the longest spans in the world, 306 feet.
The Windows 
Steve at The Windows
Double Arch 
Landscape Arch 
Tunnel Arch
Devil’s Garden Trail
Which turns primitive after the long trek to Landscape Arch – but that is the fun part.
Fiery Furnace – Pinnacles that glow at sunset.
Fiery Furnance
Park Avenue Trail
The formations are massive – reminiscent of NYC’s skyline. I missed this hike – saved it to the end and then was just too tired. Next time: I would choose to hike the Park Avenue Trail rather than to the many arches.
Trailhead: Stone steps descend to the canyon floor 
Park Aenue Overlook
What We Missed and Recommendations
Between Page, AZ to Moab there is much to see. I recommend a few days in Blanding, UT to check out
- National Bridges Monument
- Valley of the Gods – A fairyland of spires – 17 mile drive.
- Edge of the Cedars State Park
- Four Corners, Lake Powell, Hovenweep
- Within the parks, I MUST go back for these hikes (they say they are easy)
- Arches – Park Avenue Trail, looks like a NYC skyline
- Canyonlands Grand View Point Trail, a rim walk on slick rock. You will feel so brave.
- Moab: Mill Creek Bikeway – paved bike path that goes on and on and on.
Subscribe to receive emails for new posts
Utah Posts
UT-Return to Moab’s Canyons
Oh Utah! A few weeks ago we revisited Moab as part of a 3 week road trip – why not detour to Moab? Our previous visit (2019) left 2 little hikes on my “Next Time” list that needed to be checked off. So worth it!
UT-Towering Zion
Zion is totally unique – diversity in all direction. Hike, climb, sit and wonder.
UT-Bryce Canyon – WOW!
Evident from the first glance why this park is almost every newcomer’s favorite. Otherwordly.
UT-Goblins, Capitol Reef
Quirky – Goblin Valley State ; Challenging – Capitol Reef; Scenic Byway – Burr Road – (THE WINNER!)
Travel Broadly - Marlene & Steve 
Love Arches!! One of my favorite parks!
I saw your post on Arches! Lovely. I remember every arch.
Glad you enjoyed southern Utah so much….the red rock country is my favorite part of the U.S.😊👍
And now I know why. On to Death Valley in November. Send tips and guidance!