Up towards Delicate Arch
|
AttractionsUtah is my favorite state in the US
Not sure why lots of people don't go there with all it's natural beauty. Go there and make sure you discover the Big 5 National Parks: 1. Zion NP 2. Bryce Canyon NP 3. Arches NP 4. Canyonland NP 5. Capital Reef NP Other amazing state parks and non government parks include 1. Dead Horse State Park (better than Grand Canyon) 2. Goblin Valley State Park 3. Corona Arch Just a warning if you go in the summer. It's 35-42 degrees C. Start hikes at 6am and/or 6 pm. Base yourself out of Moab - Hiking and Mountain Bike capital. It's near Arches NP/ Canyonland NP/Corona Arch. You'll need 4 days there min. Also base yourself in Springdale for 2-3 days to explore Zion NP, then another 2 in or around Bryce Canyon. In total set aside at least 10-14 days to do the Big 5 Parks. |
Corona Arch at Sunset
Bryce Canyon Utah
Lookout Trail - Zion National Park - 102 degrees
|
AdventureIf you like red rock country this is the place to be.
Corona Arch is amazing especially at sunset. You can fly a plane thru the arch.-it's that big. Just don't bungie jump from it as few people have died attempting this after watching a you tube video. This is the link to the viral video which started this craze.. simply amazing just don't try it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B36Lr0Unp4 Dead Horse State Park is also amazing as it was the backdrop of the opening scene of Mission Impossible where Tom Cruise gets his mission and throws his glasses down the canyon. It looks grander than the Grand Canyon and no people at all. It's basically a continuation of the Grand Canyon. Goblin Valley was the setting for Galaxy Quest with the mini aliens as it really does look like out of this world with those mushroom topped formation. Recently a boyscout leader was fined for toppling over one - when posting a Youtube video - Look but don't stand or tip them over. Goblin valley is also home to a Mars experiment where people are living there without link to the outside world as it really mimics the environment of Mars. At Bryce Canyon National Park do the night sky program and watch the universe in total darkness. They set up huge telescopes for you and you can see planets, diff galaxies, and shooting starts. I saw real life Saturn and it looked amazing - almost fake like animation and you can see details of rings. Best experience ever. Best hike in Bryce is the Navajo / Queens Garden Loop. It goes down from Wall Street slot down to the base where all the hoodoos are. Angles Landing in Zion National Park is known to be one of the best and scariest hikes in the US right along with Half Dome in Yosemite. If you are not afraid of drop offs on both side and using chains to reach the summit, it's a rush. If you're afraid even the hike to Scout's Landing is nice (which is half way up without the hairpin knife edged climb to the top with ropes and chains. Zion has some other great trails such as Outlook Point Trail - A short hike takes you to majestic views of the canyon and surrounding mountains. You can't go wrong with anywhere in this park. There is no shade here so don't do what we did and go at 12 noon when it was 102 degrees F. |
Corona Arch - Sunset
Bryce Canyon Sunrise
Canyonland National Park
Sunset at Delicate Arch
My YOUTUBE VIDEO OF UTAH
Zion National Park
Byrce Canyon National Park
Captial Reef National Park, Willis Creek Slot, Goblin Valley State Park
Arches National Park, Canyonland, Corona Arch,
Dead Horse State Park & Grand Canyon South Rim
Dead Horse State Park & Grand Canyon South Rim
National/State Parks Visited
Arches NP Utah (Delicate Arch*/Double Arch*/Windows*/Landscape Arch*/Devils Garden*/Fiery Furnace*/Balance Rock/Sand Arch/Park Ave)
Zion NP Utah (Angels Landing*/Scouts Landing/Emerald Pool/Weeping Rock/Narrows/Canyon Lookout*)
Bryce Canyon NP Utah (Navajo Queens Loop*/Rim Walk/Night Sky Program*)
Canyonland NP Utah*
Capital Reef NP Utah
Goblin Valley State Park Utah*
Dead Horse State Park Utah*
Monument ValleyAz/ Utah*
Corona Arch*
* hightlights
Zion NP Utah (Angels Landing*/Scouts Landing/Emerald Pool/Weeping Rock/Narrows/Canyon Lookout*)
Bryce Canyon NP Utah (Navajo Queens Loop*/Rim Walk/Night Sky Program*)
Canyonland NP Utah*
Capital Reef NP Utah
Goblin Valley State Park Utah*
Dead Horse State Park Utah*
Monument ValleyAz/ Utah*
Corona Arch*
* hightlights