USA 2022 Road Trip (page 6 of 8)

UTAH - DEAD HORSE POINT STATE PARK - EAST RIM TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 38.48765, -109.73555 Visitor Center

Dead Horse Point State Park, located in southern Utah, is crossed by the Colorado River and features stunning landscapes.

This park has several viewpoints and a network of trails for mountain biking. Most of the viewpoints are only accessible by hiking the East Rim and West Rim trails.

However, Dead Horse Point Overlook and the viewpoint from the Visitor Center are accessible by car.

* East Rim Trail

GPS Coordinates: 38.48748, -109.73560 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 38.47920, -109.73260 Basin Overlook GPS Coordinates: 38.47308, -109.73916 Another viewpoint GPS Coordinates: 38.46934, -109.73947 Dead Horse Point Overlook

We decided to do a loop by hiking the West Rim Trail and the East Rim Trail. We parked our vehicle at the Dead Horse Point Overlook parking lot and first hiked the West Rim Trail to the Visitor Center (see video https://youtu.be/w0q4TFC3Q-E).

We took a lunch break and then hiked the East Rim Trail, which allowed us to return to Dead Horse Point while enjoying magnificent viewpoints along the way.

This hike covers a distance of 4.5 km, including the side trails that lead to additional viewpoints.

The East Rim Trail runs along the east side of the mesa summit and offers superb views of the canyon and the La Sal Mountains in the background.

** Basin Overlook

Apart from a small hill near the visitor center, the main trail is flat. However, the side trail leading to Basin Overlook is short but quite steep.

It offers excellent views of the canyon and the milky-blue ponds of a potash mine.

** Dead Horse Point Overlook

Dead Horse Point Overlook is reportedly one of the most photographed panoramic views in the world.

Over 600 meters above the winding Colorado River, this viewpoint offers vast, breathtaking views of a landscape filled with buttes and mesas, as well as the Colorado River snaking through the canyon.

https://youtu.be/sNHYiXKSuTo

UTAH - MOAB - UTAH STATE ROUTE 279 (POTASH ROAD)

GPS coordinates: 38.6059, -109.6024 Start of the road

Utah State Route 279, also nicknamed Potash Road because it ends near the potash plant, is a scenic road located 6.6 kilometers north of the town of Moab in Utah.

The road follows the north bank of the Colorado River for 26 kilometers. From there, the road turns into a 4-wheel-drive track, the Shafer Trail, which passes by the milky-blue ponds of a potash mine.

This road allows us to discover several natural arches, rock paintings, and dinosaur tracks.

The high cliffs lining this road are also great for climbing.

In this video, you’ll travel the road with us and get the chance to see Jug Handle Arch as well as several petroglyphs.

Hiking trails also let us explore other natural arches, including Corona Arch, Bowtie Arch, and Pinto Arch, as well as dinosaur tracks.

* Jug Handle Arch

GPS coordinates: 38.54658, -109.64820 Parking along the roadside GPS coordinates: 38.54853, -109.64801 Jug Handle Arch

Located at the foot of the old railway line, Jug Handle Arch is visible from the road.

There’s even an unmarked trail leading to two petroglyph panels near the arch. It’s still easy to follow since there are tracks from other hikers, though we didn’t take it.

* Petroglyphs

GPS coordinates: 38.54439, -109.60064

A large petroglyph panel is visible on a cliff along the road. Just park your vehicle by the roadside and look at the cliff on the opposite side.

This rock art is located about 7 meters up on the sandstone wall and stretches for around 38 meters. You can see figures, animals, and hunting scenes, among other things.

https://youtu.be/ZmJXIaqEVkU

UTAH - MOAB - SHAFER TRAIL - POTASH EVAPORATION PONDS

GPS Coordinates: 38.52350, -109.65400 Start of Shafer Trail GPS Coordinates: 38.49049, -109.69284 Viewpoint

We first spotted these milky-blue ponds from viewpoints at Dead Horse Point State Park.

So we decided to get a closer look by taking Shafer Trail, which passes right by these ponds. Shafer Trail is a gravel road connecting Moab to Canyonlands National Park.

The road is well-maintained, but I’d say it’s best to drive a high-clearance vehicle since there are sometimes rocks or potholes in certain spots.

These blue ponds, called potash ponds or potash evaporation ponds, come into view after driving about +/- 8 km along Shafer Trail.

Texas Gulf built the plant back in the 1960s, but the system changed after an explosion trapped 25 miners, killing most of them. That’s when they switched to solution mining and solar evaporation, creating these famous ponds.

The potash mine is over 900 meters underground. Water from the Colorado River is first pumped in to create brine. Then, once the brine becomes highly concentrated, it’s pumped into the evaporation ponds.

After the water evaporates, the potash from each pond is harvested. Once collected, it’s used in fertilizers across the United States.

The potash ponds are blue because of a blue dye added to the brine. This dye helps speed up evaporation by increasing sunlight absorption. Darker water absorbs more sunlight and heat, allowing them to harvest the potash faster and restart the process.

The ponds aren’t always bright blue. The process takes about 300 days, and the ponds go through a variety of colors during that time. Shortly after adding the dye, you see the vivid blue. As evaporation progresses, the ponds turn light blue.

Eventually, the ponds become more brownish after most of the water has evaporated, leaving the potash at the bottom for collection.

https://youtu.be/4eDPxpE7E6M

UTAH - MOAB - POTASH ROAD DINOSAUR TRACKS AND PETROGLYPHS

GPS coordinates: 38.53287, -109.60874 Parking and trailhead

A marked but steep trail zigzags along the cliffs and leads to a flat rock featuring dinosaur tracks. It’s about 200 meters to cover.

These are fossilized footprints dating back roughly 190 million years.

Continuing the hike northward and climbing to the base of the cliff, you’ll also find numerous petroglyphs depicting riders, animals, and other scenes from that distant era.

The trail is super short but can be challenging for those afraid of heights.

https://youtu.be/PSvVBrz57Fc

UTAH - MOAB - POTASH ROAD - CORONA, BOWTIE & PINTO ARCHES TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.57444, -109.63241 Parking and trailhead GPS coordinates: 38.58076, -109.62168 Bowtie Arch GPS coordinates: 38.58076, -109.62168 Corona Arch GPS coordinates: 38.58165, -109.62750 Pinto Arch

This amazing 3.9 km (2.4 mi) round-trip hike leads to two arches, including Corona Arch, which is one of the largest arches in the Moab area.

Corona Arch, also called Little Rainbow Bridge, is the final destination, but the trail also passes by Pinto Arch and Bowtie Arch along the way.

The trail starts on the right side of the parking lot. It quickly climbs a rocky slope and reaches a railroad track that you’ll need to cross. You’ll also find various wildflowers along the trail.

The sandy trail then follows an old road along a cliff. You can even spot Pinto Arch in the distance on the other side of the canyon, accessible via a side trail that branches off from the main path—adding extra distance if you choose to go there.

Pinto Arch is a great example of a pothole arch, formed over time by water and erosion.

Continuing toward Corona Arch, the trail crosses wide expanses of rock walls. These sections, however, are well-marked with cairns.

Some rock walls also have metal cables to use as handrails, and you’ll need to climb a short ladder to reach a higher level.

Already, you get an excellent view of Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch overlooking Bootlegger Canyon.

We walk along the rock walls and quickly reach Bowtie Arch, which formed when a pothole above—usually filled with water—eroded into a cave below. This arch is stunning.

We finished our hike at Corona Arch, located near Bowtie Arch. This arch, standing 33.5 meters (110 ft) tall and 42 meters (138 ft) wide, is truly spectacular and set in a magical landscape.

This trail is out-and-back, so you’ll retrace your steps to return to the parking lot.

https://youtu.be/h1gPpCj4tmQ

UTAH - MOAB - POTASH ROAD - WALL STREET CLIMBING AREA

GPS coordinates: 38.54994, -109.59724

Potash Road is one of Moab, Utah’s top climbing destinations. Over a hundred routes exist in the Wall Street area alone, with dozens more on other roadside rocks and in side canyons. Plus, it’s free.

Easy to access since the climbing is done on cliffs right along the road. You can even watch climbers from the roadside shoulder.

https://youtu.be/SPjB4Ak18tE

UTAH - MOAB - KANE SPRINGS ROAD

GPS coordinates: 38.5637, -109.5502 Start of this road

Kane Creek Boulevard starts in the town of Moab and becomes Kane Springs Road after traveling about 7.5 kilometers on this road. It follows the east side of the Colorado River.

The first half of this narrow road is paved, while the second half is a well-maintained dirt road that’s incredibly scenic.

The canyon this road winds through is truly majestic. The rock formations are breathtaking.

We also discovered a site along this road called the "Birthing Scene Petroglyph Panel," which is actually a historic rock art site left by the Indigenous people who once lived in this region.

https://youtu.be/uJ9VdYYSH_U

UTAH - MOAB - KANE SPRINGS ROAD - SIDE BY SIDE ADVENTURE

When we were driving along this dirt road, we came across some side-by-side vehicles that were probably returning from a trip to Hurrah Pass.

I had fun filming them as they had to cross deep puddles that had formed on the road.

As they passed close by me, some even tried to splash me, but no luck!

https://youtu.be/_FHMSLblk1w

UTAH - MOAB - KANE SPRINGS ROAD TOWARD MOAB

We're heading back on Kane Springs Road toward Moab, and it lets us admire the scenery from a different angle—one that’s actually really picturesque. The towering cliffs in front of us are absolutely breathtaking.

https://youtu.be/4vvdVDEulzc

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - MESA ARCH TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.38920, -109.86811 Parking GPS coordinates: 38.38804, -109.86349 Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch Trail is an easy 0.7-mile loop hike that leads to a beautiful arch overlooking Buck Canyon.

In the background, you can also see the La Sal Mountains, whose peaks are still snow-capped.

The trail is well-marked and partly runs over smooth slickrock formations.

The arch is located halfway along the trail, and there are no barriers around it. Be cautious, as a fall here would be fatal.

https://youtu.be/H0WbNoav3xA

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - AZTEC BUTTE TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.39347, -109.88205 Parking lot and trailhead GPS coordinates: 38.39563, -109.87779 Junction for the granary GPS coordinates: 38.39529, -109.87987 Granary GPS coordinates: 38.39730, -109.87471 Aztec Butte

This moderate 1.7-mile (2.7 km) round-trip trail first follows a sandy wash before splitting into two sections.

The left trail climbs to the top of a butte. Just follow the cairns placed on the slickrock to reach an ancient Anasazi granary, where you’ll enjoy a stunning view of Taylor Canyon.

We then return to the previously mentioned junction and continue on the main trail leading to the base of Aztec Butte.

The trail to the top of Aztec Butte runs across slickrock, with cairns marking the way.

Just before reaching the summit, this section of the trail is very steep and climbs along the edges. Keep this in mind if you're afraid of heights.

The trail loops around the top of the butte, offering fantastic views of the canyon, the many rock formations, and the La Sal Mountains.

We then retrace our steps back to the parking lot.

https://youtu.be/mVcU4VLAfBY

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - WHALE ROCK TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.42677, -109.91400 Trailhead and parking GPS coordinates: 38.42831, -109.91695 End of the trail

This 0.8-mile round-trip trail climbs along a sandstone dome and ends with a 360° view of Island in the Sky.

The dome looks like a massive beached whale. At the top, the views of the park are absolutely breathtaking.

This trail is rated as moderate by the National Park Service, while other sites list it as easy.

Actually, the trail is rugged and requires climbing up and down a rocky hill and stone steps. Good hiking shoes are essential for the ascent and descent on the slickrock.

https://youtu.be/idfKXmZgrVM

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - UPHEAVAL DOME TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.42631, -109.92609 Parking and trailhead GPS coordinates: 38.42900, -109.92920 Viewpoint 1 GPS coordinates: 38.42972, -109.93376 Viewpoint 2 and end of trail

The Upheaval Dome Trail is a moderate 2 km (1.2 mi) round-trip hike that offers great viewpoints of a crater-like geological formation with an inner diameter of about 5 km and over 300 meters deep.

The trail is short but steep. The beginning is well-marked with several stone steps, quickly leading to the first viewpoint less than 500 meters from the parking lot.

Already at this spot, you get an amazing view of this strange formation.

You’ll need to hike an additional 500 meters to reach the second viewpoint, which offers a different angle of the crater.

This section of the trail is more challenging than the first, partly traversing slickrock. Cairns are set up to guide the way.

The final stretch also includes some steep climbs and descents.

Two theories exist about this truly unique geological formation.

The first suggests Upheaval Dome was formed by a salt dome created from the evaporation of ancient inland seas.

The second theory proposes that the crater was formed by a meteorite impact around 60 million years ago, as the rocks show signs of extreme pressure only possible from a high-impact event.

Recent research supports the meteorite hypothesis, but questions remain. Over time, scientists may unravel the mystery of this crater.

https://youtu.be/las6uxMoUnA

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - GRAND VIEW POINT OVERLOOK TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 38.31077, -109.85657 Trailhead GPS Coordinates: 38.31019, -109.85672 Overlook 1 GPS Coordinates: 38.30333, -109.86781 Overlook 2

The Grand View Point Overlook Trail is a 3-kilometer (round-trip) trail that offers stunning views of a complex network of canyons carved by the convergence of the Colorado River and the Green River.

A short paved sidewalk leads to a spectacular viewpoint. Informational panels illustrate the geological layers that make up Canyonlands National Park.

The Colorado River has carved a trench over 300 meters deep into the earth. The next layer is the White Rim. This feature runs along the tops of the canyons, its coloration coming from salt deposits in the soil. And then, 300 meters above the rim, is the top of the mesa, where we are now.

From there, you can walk an additional kilometer to reach a second overlook. Just follow the cairns that mark the way.

This part of the trail is easy to walk. However, it includes several steps to climb up and down.

The second overlook offers beautiful views of Monument Basin, Junction Butte, and two other regions of Canyonlands National Park: Needles and Maze.

https://youtu.be/8cwcOpRJhE0

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - WHITE RIM OVERLOOK TRAIL

GPS Coordinates: 38.32277, -109.84951 Parking and trailhead GPS Coordinates: 38.31995, -109.83524 End of trail

The Island in the Sky district of Canyonlands National Park is famous for its high-elevation views of massive canyons. One of the best east-facing views is definitely White Rim Overlook.

White Rim Overlook is located near Grand View Point, but it offers a different perspective on the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and the La Sal Mountains.

This easy 1.8-mile round-trip trail leads to a narrow, high mesa with one of the most stunning panoramic views in the entire park.

It allows us to see, among other things, a vast expanse of canyons shaped by the Colorado River. The tops of these canyons are covered with a thick layer of white rock.

Monument Basin is a great example of this type of canyon. Many hoodoos still rise today in this beautiful canyon.

https://youtu.be/2YwE8vkZR5Y

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - ISLAND IN THE SKY - OVERLOOKS

Island in the Sky, located in Canyonlands National Park in Utah, is a wide, flat mesa perched atop steep sandstone cliffs that rise over 300 meters above the surrounding terrain.

Each viewpoint offers a different perspective on the stunning landscape of this magnificent park.

Shafer Canyon Overlooks 38.45982, -109.81996 Overlook 1 38.45270, -109.81811 Overlook 2

These two overlooks are built on the edge of the mesa and allow us to admire Shafer Canyon. The Shafer Trail, a winding road, descends into this canyon 426 meters below.

The Neck 38.45109, -109.82076

You can see the road crossing a narrow strip of land known as "The Neck." This small stone bridge is all that connects Island in the Sky to the rest of the land.

Shafer Trail Viewpoint 38.44825, -109.82151

This overlook offers a superb view of the Shafer Trail winding down the sheer cliff walls into the canyon below.

Mesa Arch Overlook 38.38920, -109.86811 Parking 38.38804, -109.86349 Mesa Arch

Mesa Arch Trail features a very pretty arch overlooking Buck Canyon. However, you’ll need to take an easy 1.1 km loop hike to see it.

Green River Overlook 38.37931, -109.88805 Parking 38.37833, -109.88833 Overlook

The Green River Overlook is a viewpoint where you can see the Green River meandering through the vast Soda Springs Basin.

Aztec Butte Trail 38.39347, -109.88205 Trailhead 38.39529, -109.87987 Granary 38.39730, -109.87471 Aztec Butte

This moderate 2.7 km round-trip trail lets you discover an ancient Anasazi granary, offering a breathtaking view of Taylor Canyon and Aztec Butte. At the top, a loop trail provides stunning viewpoints of the canyon, numerous rock formations, and the La Sal Mountains.

Holeman Spring Canyon Overlook 38.41211, -109.90469

A roughly 800-meter round-trip trail leads to a fantastic viewpoint over the canyon. You’ll need to park your vehicle along the road to start this hike.

Alcove Spring 38.42309, -109.90878 Trailhead 38.42372, -109.90742 Viewpoint

We only hiked about a hundred meters on this challenging 18 km trail to get a nice viewpoint over the canyon.

Whale Rock Overlook 38.42677, -109.91400 Trailhead 38.42831, -109.91695 End of trail

This overlook is only accessible via a 1.3 km round-trip hiking trail that climbs a sandstone dome, offering a 360° view of Island in the Sky.

Upheaval Dome Overlooks 38.42631, -109.92609 Trailhead 38.42900, -109.92920 Viewpoint 1 38.42972, -109.93376 Viewpoint 2 and end of trail

Upheaval Dome Trail is a moderate 2 km round-trip trail that offers lovely viewpoints of a crater-like geological formation with an inner diameter of about 5 km and over 300 meters deep.

Candlestick Tower Overlook 38.37444, -109.86848

This overlook provides a magnificent view of the park, particularly of a rock formation called Candlestick Tower, a 140-meter-high sandstone butte.

Buck Canyon Overlook 38.34580, -109.86097 Parking 38.34596, -109.86021 Overlook

It’s just a 140-meter round-trip walk to enjoy a breathtaking view of the canyon with the La Sal Mountains in the distance.

White Rim Overlook 38.32277, -109.84951 Trailhead 38.31995, -109.83524 Overlook

One of the best east-facing views is definitely White Rim Overlook. This viewpoint is accessible via an easy 2.9 km round-trip trail that offers a sensational panoramic view of the Colorado River, Monument Basin, and the La Sal Mountains.

Orange Cliffs Overlook 38.31365, -109.85700

This overlook offers a panoramic view of the Green River Canyon. You can see the sandstone cliffs called Orange Cliffs, located in Glen Canyon, as well as the Maze district of Canyonlands stretching to the south.

Grand View Point Overlook Trail 38.31077, -109.85657 Trailhead 38.31019, -109.85672 Overlook 1 38.30333, -109.86781 Overlook 2

Grand View Point Overlook Trail is a 3 km round-trip trail that offers viewpoints of a complex network of canyons carved by the convergence of the Colorado River and the Green River.

https://youtu.be/kr34xq2dvS4

UTAH - MOAB - WILSON ARCH

GPS coordinates: 38.27348, -109.37254 Parking GPS coordinates: 38.27269, -109.37125 Arch

Wilson Arch is a natural sandstone arch located along US 191, about forty kilometers south of Moab. It's visible from the road and has a parking area where you can stop.

It’s named after Joe Wilson, a pioneer from Dry Valley.

The trail to get there is short (less than a kilometer round trip). However, the slope to get under the arch is quite steep, and the ground can be slippery in some spots.

Sitting under the arch, we enjoyed the panoramic view of the surrounding landscape, which is really picturesque.

If you don’t have the time or ability to go under the arch, the view from the parking area is still absolutely spectacular.

https://youtu.be/o9qD5m4Bm4c

UTAH - MONTICELLO - NEWSPAPER ROCK STATE HISTORICAL MONUMENT

GPS coordinates: 37.98822, -109.51812

Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph site located in Monticello, Utah. Over 650 rock art drawings are displayed on a 19-square-meter rock panel.

These drawings depict human figures, animals, and various symbols, some of which are considered to be of a religious nature.

The first petroglyphs at this site were created about 2,000 years ago by Native Americans.

In Navajo, this rock is called "Tse' Hone'", which means it's a rock that tells a story.

https://youtu.be/_2JN-GAXckk

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - THE NEEDLES - ROAD SIDE RUIN TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.16314, -109.76265 Parking GPS coordinates: 38.16374, -109.76038 Ancient granary

This very short hike (loop of about 450 m) leads to the vicinity of an ancient Anasazi granary.

Located between two ledges of a cliff, it appears to be one of the best-preserved in the park.

https://youtu.be/60SC5jopXNU

UTAH - CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - THE NEEDLES - CAVE SPRING TRAIL

GPS coordinates: 38.15722, -109.75154 Parking GPS coordinates: 38.15693, -109.75226 Cowboy camp ruins GPS coordinates: 38.15673, -109.75342 Cave - Rock art GPS coordinates: 38.15668, -109.75371 Spring

Cave Spring Trail is a 0.6-mile loop trail that lets you discover the ruins of a cowboy camp, a year-round spring, and prehistoric rock art.

The main attractions are located at the beginning of this easy-to-walk trail, so you can turn back afterward if you'd like.

If you want to complete the full loop, note that you’ll need to climb two ladders anchored in the rocks to reach higher levels.

https://youtu.be/oiH_vb-EES0