Ok, I am drinking my Starbucks now and I'm ready for the rest.

I'm looking forward to the rest of your report! You're off to a great start.

Lee Ann

Red rocks surely do rock!!

I'm looking forward to reading more.

Looking forward to more of your report. We're going to some of the same places this July. And having a teenage daughter myself, I'm impressed that you could get her up and out the door by 8:00 on vacation!

Thanks for the encouragement, spiro, Lee Ann, STW & kansasmom.
kansasmom, we're east coasters so that 8am start was closer to 10am for us

We took the Upper Colorado Scenic Byway rt128 to Moab. Beautiful drive with several photo stops.. OK numerous photo stops! We were even stopping to photograph the roadside prairie dogs.
We stopped at Dewey Bridge which burned down in 2008 but until that point was the longest suspension bridge in Utah.
Just past Dewey Bridge the road gets even prettier so we stopped even more frequently until DH reminded me that he was hungry and we needed to get to Moab for lunch.

We still had to stop at Sandy Beach. This was a surprise as we didn't know about the sandy beach right beside the river. 3 little girls were sat near the water with their buckets and spades, very cute. I took a quick photo of their 3 pairs of flip flops discarded on the sand.

It was getting hot by now and I was starting to wish we could have fitted in an afternoon float trip but we pressed on to Moab.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn on night 2 and we again used points (cheap trip!). 2 queen beds in the room seemed small not 5ft wide as I was expecting. The previous night we'd had a king and a sofa. Maybe beds are smaller out west?

Anyway we checked in, dropped our bags and went to get some lunch.
Eklecticafe was very close and looked like our cup of tea (there's even a big mosaic cup in the garden).
I had a big hummus veggie wrap with salad, DD had a curry chicken and rice wrap and DH had ham, eggs and hash browns plus coffee for two. It was good and bill was just under $40 inc tax and tip.

Our aim was to head straight out to hike but when we saw that the pool and hot tub at the hotel were both empty we caved and spent an hour soaking and swimming in the glorious sunshine. By now it was almost 4pm.. eek time to move.

After showers all round we headed for Arches NP to hike Delicate Arch in time for the sunset.
We paid our $10 for the week (didn't have to pay for Canyonlands separately because the weekend was the start of the free week for NPs).

Stopped in at the visitors Center and quickly asked for some advice for the hike. We'd timed it perfectly according to the ranger. She said the best light for photos is probably an hour before sunset so if we set off immediately we'd make it to the trailhead by 5pm.
I also picked up our pink pass for the ranger led Fiery Furnace hike the following day @2pm.

We tried in vain not to stop along the road enroute to the trailhead but were too much in awe of all the rocks to not not pause and take a few photos. The snowed capped La Sal mountains provided a spectacular back drop for the red rocks. By the way the mountains were named because the snow on the peaks was presumed to be salt as it didn't melt in the spring.

We were surprised but pleased to find the tailhead fairly empty and set out just behind a large group of young adults (college kids). Luckily for us they decided to check out the petroglyphs and we passed on ahead of them. After that we met maybe half a dozen people heading back along the trail and no one passed us.

The trail ascends quite rapidly over slickrock and we were excited to get to the top so we limited the photo stops along the way but I had to capture a few digital images. Spring blooms in the desert, our long shadows as the sun was behind us and a little pile of stones that looked like an arch

The first glimpse of the arch is reward enough for the hour it took to get there.. wow

More tomorrow

Somehow, I am fairly sure that Tomorrow will begin with a cup of Coffee.

I remember our first trip to Moab taking 30 pictures of the first prairie dog I had ever seen. I didn't know there was going to be a hundred more of them. They do fine if you stay in the car. When you get out they scurry away.

Sounds like our trip in March. Can't wait to read the next installment.

Can't wait for Delicate Arch sunset. Then of course, we'll have to see the photos.

Great start!!!

Keep up the good writing!! We're along for the trip with you and enjoying every step. Thanks!!!

Round about the moment I set eyes on Delicate Arch I knew that Arches was my favourite NP. Before visiting I thought that I would love it but wasn't sure if it would top Bryce Canyon but it does.

There were half a dozen people at the ridge with us and a couple were heading down for their close up commune with the arch.
Getting down looked easy enough so DD was given permission to make her way down the slickrock. After taking a couple of photos of her I left the camera with DH and joined her at the arch.

Loved the views in all directions but now my camera was on the ridge lol so DH was waved down to join us and I took a few more photos including one or two under the arch. The sky was so blue!

Getting there well before sunset was a great idea as there were so few people about and we took turns to 'visit' the arch.

We climbed back up just as the party of students arrived. They were a fun group and as they settled in along the rim one of them accidentally dropped her metal water bottle top over the ridge. It musically bounced down to the bottom.. and I mentioned to one of the other girls how tuneful it sounded.
Two boys immediately leapt up and raced down to get the lid! Directed by their friends shouting and waving they found the lid and returned triumphant.
Everyone on the ridge applauded.. a bonding moment lol!

I noticed a couple near the end with a BIG lens on their camera so I guessed they must have a good view and from that angle they could see the snow capped mountains through the arch, wow... so I took another few photos.

We'd been at the top about half an hour and with another hour to go before sunset my DD was getting bored... maybe there was no service on her cellphone!! We heard her complain about the lack of cell phone service many times.. but if her phone wasn't working then she hiked at cracking pace so we appreciated going more slowly when she was texting!

The numbers at the ridge were growing so we decided to hike back down before sunset. I was a little disappointed but this meant we would have time fore another hike so we headed to the Windows section.

There were just 3 or 4 people on the short loop trail and the rocks were beginning to glow that beautiful deep pinkish red colour. A beautiful sunset and we felt exhilarated having completed both hikes.

We were more tired than hungry so we skipped dinner and snacked in our room.. everyone was ravenous at breakfast the next morning though!

We ate an OK breakfast at the hotel and then drove through town to .. you guessed it spiro.. Starbucks at the grocery store. Picked up water, snacks and our essential lattes and then returned to pack/check out.

As we were driving past the Holiday Inn Express (our next hotel) en route to the park for day 2 we planned to drop off our bags but our room was ready so we checked in at 10am, yay!

more later.. and photos

wow...nice report, and waiting for more! we are planning simiar route in mid-june...and its gonna be HOT for sure.

We dropped our bags and put some drinks in the mini refrigerator to cool and had second thoughts on rushing out to the park.
We knew we had to be at the Fiery Furnace trail head before 2pm for our 3+ hour hike so we wanted to take it fairly easy. It was also hotter than the day before (above 80F).

So DH caught up on emails for work, we read, played cards and whatever for a couple of hours and then went to get smoothies at Peace Tree cafe in town before driving to Arches.

It took us about an hour to get to Fiery Furnace (exactly the time we'd allowed). It's about 35mins from the park entrance but we stopped at various viewpoints that we'd skipped the day before.

We met our ranger, Dick at the entrance and our group of 24 (25 is the max on the ranger led hike). Dick looked as if he might have been as old as the surrounding rocks and we hoped this meant the hike would be less strenuous than we expected.
Never underestimate the old guy .

Our group was a good mix... a bunch of ladies were cancer survivors and some were facing their fears on this hike, a few 20 somethings, a large family including grandma and young grandson aged about 9, a couple of guys that looked like they knew what they were doing plus us. My DD was disappointed that there were no other teens but happy to see she wasn't the youngest on the trail.

We set off and quickly it became apparent that a couple of the ladies and grandma would need a little more help and time to cover the terrain. Not a problem Dick said it would just probably take a little longer than estimated.

The hike was fun! Squeezing through narrow slot canyons, scrambling over rocks and being surprised by 'Surprise arch'!
It was also literally cool as the hike is shaded. We made it through in just over 3.5 hours.

As we were leaving the parking lot another hiker suggested we carry on to Landscape arch for another hike. We did but it was the wrong time of day to do this one.. the arch was completely in shade so a little disappointing. We did stop at Skyline arch en route and took a photo from the trail head though.

Dinner was at Fiesta Mexicana, DD's choice and the plates were huge, my margarita was really good and we left stuffed.. another early night!

Loving your report! This may sound like a silly question, but is the trail to Delicate Arch clearly marked? I have a silly little fear that the trail is just over rocks, and I could end up going the completely wrong way. Maybe there's enough people on the trail that I couldn't get lost anyway!

kansasmom,

There are "rock cairns" along the way for markers. And this trail is popular, so it would be kinda hard to get to far off here. You can basically see the line of people all the way up from the parking lot.

I agree with spiro, it would be hard to lose the trail especially in the summer when it's busier.

We revisited Delicate Arch at the weekend but this time we just went to the viewpoint and there were a lot more people sat along the ridge on the Sunday evening compared to the Thursday.

The parking lot for the hike was FULL on Sunday with cars waiting for spaces when hikers returned from the arch. I'm pretty sure it will be busier still in the summer so allow extra time for a parking space!

@sassy_cat, I think I'm your 'biggest' follower of the day I check this thread almost every hour for update! As I said, We are planning the same route in mid-june. I really appreciate your report and all details like food place etc.
Thanks!

@ansh, glad to help! We have friends in Salt Lake City who visit Arches every spring.
Biggest tip we got was to visit mid week and go to the quieter places (Canyonlands especially Needles section or Monument Valley) at the weekends.

On Saturday morning we checked out after breakfast and headed south. We had the whole day to get to the View Hotel in Monument Valley and we wanted to arrive in time for dinner (before sunset).
http://www.monumentvalleyview.com/
We weren't sure exactly what we would fit in along the way but it was fun to go with the flow.
We drove past Wilson's arch before I had time to say 'stop' so I mentally put it on the 'to do' list for the return trip.
After about an hour or so we stopped at a tourist information place in Blanding that also had a small museum attached. We decided to stop at Natural Bridges and Goosenecks State Park. Natural Bridges would give us the opportunity to stretch our legs.

I called in at the visitor's center to stamp my NP passport and ask a couple of questions and we decided to just take the shortest trail down to the 3rd bridge (Owachono).
It was hot, with virtually no shade and the sun was fierce so we didn't feel up to a longer hike especially as these trails were downhill and steep. It was the accent I wasn't so keen on

The loop road through Natural Bridges is about 7 miles I think. The first bridge was Sipapu and just a few steps to the viewpoint, very pretty.
Bridge 2, Kachina is a short walk to the viewpoint but my DD decided it was too far so she found a shady bench to sit on. The bridge was obscured by greenery growing in and around it.

Bridge 3 was Owachono and DH & I hiked down to the base. It was worth the hassle as we got to photograph the bridge with sky visible beneath the arch which was impossible from above and we passed lots of flowers blooming along the trail.

Onwards we went and the next challenge was the Moki Dugway. Not a road for the faint of heart.. I'd just caught up reading my guide book and apparently it is best to take this dirt track road from the opposite direction for traction, oops.. too late we were driving down a steep gravelly incline and it was not possible to turn around even if we'd wanted to.
The drop was pretty scary too!

We made it..

Ah man, you didn't go stand hike down a bit and stand under Sipapu? It is almost as good as standing under Delicate Arch,IMOP.

spiro, we were wimps and DD claimed she had altitude sickness so we couldn't leave her in the car to melt plus the clock was ticking...

Great view of the San Juan river from Goosenecks and I starting to wish I was on one of the rafts we could see floating gently along the river but we got back in the car and drove onwards to Mexican Hat.
Cool rock formation but the town was a tiny blip.
DD was claiming starvation and the only place to eat was the Old Bridge Grille at the San Juan Trading Post.
All I can say is don't stop here! The burrito was sloppy and not in a good way. Dog food would have looked more appealing and maybe even tasted better.

We drove on regretting we'd stopped to eat.

My wife claimed altitude sickness too right there. My daughter and I let her melt and saw it. lol.

Tops Bryce? Wow! We're going in May and I can't wait to see for myself. Nice report!

Oh and I agree, red rocks do rock!

spiro, lucky you! if It had been a 2:1 vote for the hike I would have been happy but DH has knee issues he didn't want to exacerbate with the steep hike. It was also a trade off as I persuaded them to stop off at Rifle Falls on the way to the airport at the end of the trip.

claire, Bryce is so other worldly and I loved the hoodoos especially at sunset. Isn't hoodoo a great word?!

Next Monument Valley..

Did you get lost in Monument Valley?

oops I should finish this..

We were booked into the View Hotel in Monument Valley. This was a great place to spend a night overlooking the Mittens.
We checked into a room on the 2nd floor, beautiful view and a comfortable room (prepaid online $166).. plus $5 per person to enter the Navajo property.
We wanted do the drive through the monuments before sunset so we immediately headed back to the car and set off down the dirt track loop road.

It's dusty so keep your windows closed!
Photographers were already lining up with tripods at various look out points and we missed the opportunity to sit on a horse and/or shop along the way as everyone was packing up for the day.

Elephant Butte was my favourite and we had fun picking out names for several unnamed rocks along the route. Four horses galloped by a one point and it did feel like the wild west.
It was getting late and the benefits of being on the road late meant it was uncrowded but we had to head back for that all important sunset shot.

Half way back we were stopped by 2 Irish guys on motorbikes and they were having difficulty due to the gravel and dust plus they'd lost their map. After a brief chat we pointed them in the right direction.

We took the requisite photos of the glowing Mittens and returned to our room for showers, checked out the hotel store (pricy) and restaurant but nothing appealed. I think the burrito abomination was sitting heavy in our stomachs.

So we sat on our balcony, played cards until it was totally dark out and then read until bedtime.

I was the only one to get up at dawn to photograph the Mittens from our balcony. It was a beautiful view and very peaceful.

We set off early, before breakfast as we wanted to fit in at least one more hike at Arches.
Bluff was our first stop and a great breakfast at Comb Ridge Coffee. Lattes were very good!

Next stop was Newspaper rock and then the Needles District of Canyonlands NP. I was underwhelmed after Arches but I did enjoy the dessert flowers in bloom (I guess it has to be RED rocks for me).

Arrived in Moab and our last night was at the Best Western Canyonlands in Moab. Great location, right on Main St. so ask for a room towards the back for peace and quiet.

I will finish this up soon..

sassy cat,
My husband and I are taking our 3 kids the first two weeks in July over to Santa Fe, Durango, and Moab. My question is do you think the hikes in the Arches would be ok for a 4.5 year old? Did you notice any little ones hiking while you were visiting? Thanks!

sillybilly,
one of the last hikes we did was to Sand Dune Arch. It's perfect for your 4.5 yr old! Take a bucket and spade and spend an hour or two in the cool shade!

http://www.hikinginutah.com/sand-dune-arch.htm

OOps missed out the bit before we rolled into town we stopped at Wilson Arch. So cool to pull over and see this beautiful arch. I decided to climb to the top while the others wait in the car. No one else around and I sat under the arch for a few minutes admiring the view.

Ok, so we arrived in Moab in time for a late lunch.. we were starving but undecided on where to eat but Pasta Jays is right next to the hotel so DH & DD decide this is it for them.
I want something lighter so arrange to meet them in an hour and I walk a block to Moonflower Market where I pick up some mango kombucha and a quinoa/feta salad which is perfect.

We return to Arches soon after our late lunch around 4pm and head for Sand Dune Arch. Wonderful short hike through a sandy 'slot canyon'.
Near by is another short hike to Broken Arch so we walked along the trail and up through the arch... more photos and then we drove back through the park one last time stopping at all the look out points we'd skipped or revisiting ones we wanted to see one more time.
It's close to sunset and the snow capped La Sal Mountains are picture perfect yet again.

DH and DD decide to climb the sand bank just outside the park entrance but DD reconsiders half way up and slides down again exhausted and we wait while DH plows on to the top.

The sun is setting as he descend and we decide on the Moab Diner for dinner which is a great end to a perfect day. Food is wonderful but we're ravenous so maybe a little biased. The margaritas are the best yet

We sleep well in our huge room with 2 double beds and a sleep sofa. Breakfast is included and is nice we like the look of the sunny outdoor seating area but we don't have time to linger with a 7 hour drive to the airport ahead of us.

By lunchtime we're in Grand Junction where we stretch our legs, buy some piano music ?, yeah right.. DD suddenly needed some for school the next day and lo and behold there's a fantastic shop right where we need it!
We eat lunch at Nepal. It's a buffet and we all enjoy it, salad, chicken curry, bread and veggies.

Back on the road .. one more stop before Denver airport at Rifle Falls. A crazy detour that adds almost an hour to our journey but the falls are very very pretty and I'm a sucker for waterfalls!

We arrive at DEN almost 2 hours before our overnight flight but the dinner options are lousy. Most places have just closed so we share a poor apology for a pizza.

Uneventful flight and we arrive in Boston @5.30am, home by 6.15 and DD is in school by 7am.
She took a nap in computer class but otherwise coped well with yet another red eye to school day.. she's a trouper! I napped at home until 11am
DH didn't even fly home but straight to MIA for work.

It was worth it to squeeze an extra day OUT WEST.

Thanks sassy cat! I will absolutely check it out!

Sassycat,

So glad you had a great trip! Thanks much for the very helpful trip report. Great info for first timers to digest.

Happy travels,
Dayle

Thanks Sassycat. Great trip report! We had a wonderful time on our trip too. It's pretty amazing how we have been to many red rock parks now, yet they are all very different. All beautiful though.

sassycat, thanks for the TR, it was like taking the trip again myself. I admire your DD for getting to school the day after the red eye, but I'm sure she was still on a red rock high and had wonderful stories for her friends.

Are you going to post pictures so we can pretend we're there ourselves?

Thanks for reading.
We all enjoyed the trip and DD has grown to love hiking. She took about 200 of her own photos, mostly of animals but plenty of scenery too. A 14 yr old noticing the scenery is a surprise to me; I'm very proud!.

Yes I'll post photos soon. I'm editing out all the silly grins! After a 1400 miles trip I had 1500 photos.

I'll post 100 or so on my Fliker account soon.

Here's the link to my Flickr photos. They're in the order I took them over the trip
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzCsQZP

I did notice that we ate at the Moab Brewery on our last night not the Moab Diner... It was a great place to eat and I wish we'd saved room for gelato!

Thanks for sharing your photos sassy_cat. Very nice!

Oh man!!!! I think I have to plan another trip to the SW.

Great photos!! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks claire, and Myer.. I think I have to plan another SW trip too!