Moab – Touristy Version, Part V: Kayaking the Moab Daily

What better way to end a trip then a relaxing day down the river?

Labor Day Monday, we rented a couple of duckies, inflatable kayaks, and went with Red River Adventures down the Moab Daily.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part IV-2: Arches National Park, Delicate Arch

After a quick dip in the river and setting up our camp site before it got too dark, we went back to Arches National Park to hike Delicate Arch during the golden hour.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part IV-1: Arches National Park Quicky

Booking a kayaking venture on the day of during Labor Day weekend? Utter fail. Backup plan? Arches National Park!

Post-Canyonlands Needles hike, we were much too tired and hurt to complete the any sort of long hike at Arches. But, we fared pretty well through the short hikes to sight-see most of the highlights through the park.

Moab – Touristy Version, Part III: Canyonlands Needles Hike (Chesler Park / Joint Trail Loop)

Woken up by the bright burning sun – we chowed down on some quick breakfast and headed into Canyonlands – Needles section before it was even 8.30am. Yes, that’s earlier than when I leave for work…

Elephant Hill Trailhead – Gateway to Chesler Park, Joint Trail, Druid Arch, Elephant Canyon. That’s us!

Moab – Touristy Version, Part II: Newspaper Rock

Petroglyphs! So awesome.

Another first for me – Native American petroglyphs! Never before (can I recall) had I seen any petroglyphs in person. Newspaper Rock is a great place to get punched with a large display of historic rock art (writing?).

Visit Newspaper Rock on your way to the Needles section of Canyonlands or on your way out and back to Moab. It’s approximately 25 miles north of Monticello, Utah and 50 miles south of Moab, Utah. It’s a quick stop complete with a restroom facility for that productive and educational kind of rest stop. Oh, did I mention it’s free?

Two thousand years old! And it still looks clear as day. Someone translate for me!

Moab – Touristy Version, Part I: Pasta Jays Restaurant

You can always count on Lisa (and Zac) for some good outdoor adventuring.

Well, with a friend of hers from Michigan in town – we played tourist this time around for Labor Day weekend and dined at a restaurant on Main Street. That right folks, no camp dinner tonight but food baked indoors in a machine! Pasta Jays in Moab, Utah.

First Moab Trip, Part III: Rock of Ages (aka: Pool Arch Canyon)

Two nights of camping and no showers later, we had one more adventure before heading home. Following a day through U-turn and Negro Bill Canyon, we decided to tackle on a longer canyoneering outing – Rock of Ages (also known as Pool Arch)!

Rock of Ages is down Kane Creek Drive. You’ll find a lot off the street for Kane Creek campground about 4.5 miles down the road from Main Street in Moab, Utah. Park at the lot outside of the fence (remember to pay the small fee, around $3 I want to say) and walk through the grounds along the 4X4 path (Pritchett Canyon Jeep Trail).

First Moab Trip, Part II: Negro Bill Canyon to Morning Glory Bridge

After our quick U-turn, we drove along the Colorado River (just east of Moab) to the Negro Bill Canyon trail head. We parked our beast van at the lot across from the trail and had a quick lunch before heading out.

Trailhead
On Utah Scenic Byway 128, three miles east of junction with U.S. 191.

First Moab Trip, Part I: U-turn (Arches National Park)

Lisa and Zac hauled me away in their giant Sportsmobile a few weeks ago to take me on my first ever Moab camping trip.