I convinced Emi to ride Potash Road with me. She really enjoyed it. Me, not so much. I got 4 flats and my tire totally cracked and split down the middle. I was stuck on the side of the road and Emi had to ride back to get the car and pick me up. Not every day is paradise 🙂

Faux Falls Hike at Ken Lake is a nice, short hike. The tan colored cliffs really contrast from the bright blue sky as well as the white rushing water from the falls and the creek. It is named Faux Falls because the falls and creek are man-made. A tunnel was blasted through the rock from Mill Creek and water diverted to make the falls, creek, and Ken’s Lake reservoir. It really looks natural until you reach the headwaters and see the pipe coming out of the ground 🙂

Dead Horse Point State Park is spectacular. The story of its historical significance and name is interesting yet morbid. Cowboys herding wild horses would run them out to the point which requires crossing a neck of land only about 20 feet wide. They would put up a fence of tree branches at the neck which is still mostly intact today. The horses were trapped because the point was surrounded by cliffs that dropped a dizzying way down to the Colorado River. The ranchers would take the horses they wanted to sell and let the rest go free. However, on one occasion, they left the herd of horses on the point to starve/dehydrate to death, hence the name Dead Horse Point. Poor horses 🙁 Anyways, the East and West Rim Hikes were really enjoyable with so many great viewpoints.

Our RV Park kicked us out for a few days. Don’t worry, it was expected 🙂 The Easter Jeep Safari is the biggest event in Moab and all the parks are booked up a year or more in advance. So we left Moab for a few days and stayed up north at Green River State Park.

The first place we visited during our Green River stay was Goblin Valley State Park. Like everything in the natural world, photos don’t fully capture the beauty of this place. A goblin is a special type of hoodoo that is more rounded and smooth because the sandstone is softer. This place has thousands of these rock formations. One area of the park is trail-free where you just explore and walk amongst the formations. This place definitely exceeded our expectations.

Some of our best days living in the RV has been when we have had zero agenda and just decide to do something on a whim. Today was one of those days. We woke up, had a nice breakfast and asked eachother, “What should we do today?” I suggested a bike ride and took a look at some Ride With GPS routes near our campground. Found one that looked interesting, we geared up, and hit the road. We rode along the Green River out to a BLM spot called Swasey’s Beach. The scenery and route, while not spectacular, had some nice views of the river and surrounding canyons. But like alot of rides, it wasn’t necessarily the route, it was just something in the air that made it feel like nothing else in the world could be better than riding a bike at this spot at this moment. I’m sure the blue sky, 70 degree weather helped to create the vibe 🙂 Next, we rode to Ray’s Tavern for lunch. Dining options in Green River are rather limited, but Ray’s is definitely a local gem. From the outside, it looks a bit divey, but the inside is nice and super clean. And the food is incredible. I can’t get enough of the hand-cut fries…mmm 🙂

Green River is the gateway to the San Rafael Swell. I don’t know what a “Swell” is in the geological world, but it looks like a wave of rock that goes on for miles and miles and miles. It really is an impressive sight. One of the best trails to showcase the beauty of the San Rafael Swell is Little Wild Horse. We have only done a few slot canyon hikes, but this one was by far my favorite. We really enjoy them as long as the rock scrambles are not too tricky or if there are ladders, they are securely anchored into the rock 🙂 There is something majestic about the flowing patterns and formations created by the recurring flash flooding in a slot canyon. Eventhough the canyon is dry when hiking it, the presence of water is apparent everywhere in this arid, desert environment.

Utah has 5 National Parks. Capitol Reef is the most remote and therefore least visited of the 5. We were not planning on visiting this park. But while in Green River, I looked at the map and it wasn’t too far away for a day trip. So, why not? I am glad we did. The Rim Overlook hike provided a rewarding, sweeping view of the entire park from up high. From the viewpoint, you could also see the historic town of Fruita which is the park’s centerpiece. A great bit of history that has been preserved. Fruita was a Mormon settlement. The settlers created a simple life in this little oasis along the Fremont River in an otherwise harsh landscape. Orchards that still stand today, farms, even a little school house. While Capitol Reef doesn’t get as much fanfare as Utah’s other National Parks, it is still a special place.

One of the most challenging road bike rides in the Moab area is the La Sal Mountain Loop. It includes a 20 mile, 4000 foot climb which the locals have dubbed Big Nasty. I’ve done alot of scenic rides, but I have a feeling this one will stay with me for a long time. I can’t think of anywhere else in America where you can ride in alpine forests and red sandstone cliffs and monuments all in the same ride. Oh yeah, and a beautiful stretch along the Colorado River. I loved every moment of this ride. Sure the climb was tough, but reaching the summit was so rewarding and the epic downhill among the red cliffs of Castle Valley brought on a feeling of euphoria. This time I made sure to stay properly hydrated and my body rewarded me — I never got tired on this one, just one of those overall great days.

Island in the Sky is the more popular district for visitors of Canyonlands National Park because of its proximity to Moab. It is a completely different experience from The Needles District. In The Needles, you are down in the canyon or valley, looking up at the Needles. In Island in the Sky, you are on top of the plateau looking down into the vast array of canyons that seem to go on forever. Both parts of the park are equally amazing in their own, unique way. I think Canyonlands is my 2nd favorite Utah National Park, 2nd only to Bryce Canyon. We did several short hikes in Island in the Sky. My favorite being the White Rim Overlook Trail. The crowds swarm to Grand View Point, but the lesser visited White Rim provides the best view in the whole park. One of those views you can just sit and enjoy and let it soak in how amazing our planet is.

I felt like we couldn’t leave Moab without doing some white-water rafting on the Colorado River. Emi had never been on a raft. It was a nice sight-seeing float with a few Class II and III rapids. Nothing too intense 🙂 Emi had a great time.

We spent another day in Arches National Park to hike Devil’s Garden. The trail featured Landscape Arch, an impossibly long and narrow arch. Very picturesque. The hike continues along the top of sandstone fins that may one day in the very distant future form arches themselves. It was a challenging hike but the weather was perfect.

On our last full day in Moab, we decided to hike Grandstaff Canyon per recommendation from our rafting trip guide. I’m so glad we did not miss out on this one. In my opinion, the most beautiful hike in Moab. A lush, green oasis full of tall trees, taller sandstone cliffs, a bubbling creek creating soothing sounds of running water. And a cool land bridge at the back of the canyon. I can’t think of what more you could ask for.

And that concludes our adventures in Moab. I am truly going to miss this place. An outdoor mecca for sure. Next stop, Santa Fe, New Mexico.