Need suggestions for hikes near Moab, Utah

[hatrack]

We've never visited before, and we'll have a couple of days there next week before setting off down the river.

With Arches N.P. about five miles from town, it's an obvious first stop, but which parts would those of you who've been there recommend? Also, aside from Arches, are then any lesser-known canyons or trails around the area we shouldn't miss?

Thanks!

[arcane1]

1. oh my god you will LOVE IT!!!!!

I spent a day there on my trip to California, and it is to this day the most awesome scenery EVER!

Can't say enough about Arches. I didn't go all the way to Delicate Arch(?) but stayed around the more closely-packed ones. From there we drove to one of the Canyonlands sites (whichever was closest to Arches), and it was amazing.

put it this way- when I got to the Grand Canyon a few days later, I was like "that's all there is???"

then there is Bryce Canyon, Devil's Garden(?), and a dozen more mind-blowing places in the area. However much time you have will not be enough :-(

[StopTheMorans]

2. it's been 4 years, so I don't remember the names,

but this may help. I was out there when I was 20, and we hiked nearly all of the trails when I was there. Definitely do the trail to the Delicate Arch?(the one you see on all the Utah license plates). It is roughly 3 miles, the hike takes you across some bare rock (it's not too strenous), and the view when you get up to the vista where the arch resides is absolutely breathtaking. The other one that I would definitely suggest (it is not as touristy as the first one, or the one that travels roughly 5 miles through the heart of the park where you see many of the main arches) is the one that passes Great Arch? (318 foot arch) and a series of smaller ones. It is through the middle of the desert, at one point, you actually walk over a rock precipice that is probably 5 feet wide with a fairly large drop either way if you fall:) It is really beautiful though, there are hardly any people on it, and you get to see parts of the park that noone else does. That was one of my favorite trails of all the national parks (I've been to most of them, and all of the main ones). It's a really beautiful area, if you get the time, stop by Canyonlands NP too, it's really beautiful in that large rock desolate desert type-way, and there are some great trails there too (plus it's doesn't get as many tourists as Arches). Hope this helps!

on edit: misnamed arch:)

[TioDiego]

3. Keet Seel

Very cool trip.

http://www.nps.gov/nava/pphtml/newseventsdetail6996.html

[Kolesar]

4. Yes, that is Delicate Arch

I think the other arch you mention is called "Landscape Arch". That was a good hike.

The hike out to the "dark angel" is the longest hike, we did about half of it. It is fun because it is routed along the spines of all of these "fins".

Canyonlands--the hike from the Needles Squaw Flat campground to Peek-a-boo is fun. The hike from Elephant Canyon over to Big Spring to Squaw Canyon absolutely blew my mind. Slickrock nirvana!

see the Needles district: http://www.nps.gov/cany/pdfs/needles.pdf

The views from Deadhorse Point and Island in the Sky are wonderous.

[hatrack]

5. Cool - thanks for the tips, everybody!

Now, if I can just convince my wife that the rapids in Cataract Canyon aren't that big this time of year! ;-)

[skyzics]

6. Canyonlands NP..

Island in the Sky and Needles area both are spectacular.. though best area of Needles accessable by 4 WD or foot only. Can be VERY warm (dry heat, usually) in the summer months - often too warm for significant hiking in the afternoon. Bring lots of water and sun protection.

If hot, try the La Sal Mountain loop road from Castle Valley to Moab.. spectacular views at much cooler, higher elevations.