Canyonlands; Moab, Utah

Canyonlands National Park

The last time we were in Moab was 22 years ago with Robin and this was a funky little town; now it is 10 times the size with tourists from all over the world. Young people come for the outdoor adventures - Slik Rock cycling, river rafting, rock climbing, ATVing, hiking, zip lining, etc, etc; while older ones and families come to see the great natural sites among the rich, red rock at Canyonlands and Arches.  After spending 6 hours at the first park and 5 hours the next day at the latter, both with hiking in the blazing heat, we decided to move on in hopes for cooler temperatures.  46*C was just too much!  Although close, both parks are so different.  At Canyonlands you are on the top of a 6000 ft mesa and you look down 2000 ft into the canyons that the Colorado and Green Rivers have carved out over millions of years.  In Arches you are at the 5000 ft altitude with all the arches above you and they have been carved out by wind and rain.  

46 C

Mike overlooking the canyons

Colorado River, a 2000 ft drop

A 4x4 on the Shafer Trail, 1000 ft below

The road up the Shafer Trail

Mesa Arch

When I was here years ago a German tourist was unsuccessfully trying to get his girlfriend to stand on the top of the Mesa Arch so he could take a photo but she insisted on crawling on her hand and knees.  When I offered to take a photo of both of them up there, he climbed up and immediately got down on his knees as well.  It turned out the arch is less than 10 ft wide but there is a drop of 1000 ft on the far side!