Utah's Mighty 5 National Parks (May 6-15, 2018)

What you'll see here are lots of pictures taken at Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Arches National Parks (in that order) and not much commentary, because basically our daily routine included taking hikes/walks and drives through the parks, enjoying the scenery, colors, and geologic formations. If you want to see some of our favorite pictures, stop reading here and scroll down to where they begin.

Our trip started and ended in Las Vegas. Upon arriving, we rented a car and drove to Hatch where we stayed two nights on a cattle ranch located 55 minutes north of Zion and 25 minutes south of Bryce Canyon. The biggest highlight for us was star gazing in Bryce Canyon. At 7800 feet with no light pollution the stars stretch from horizon to horizon and seem to be within reach overhead. Stunning!

The drive from Hatch to Torrey is easily summed up as beautifully stark. We stopped at the Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monument visitors center and we're glad we did, because we found out about Long Slot Canyon, a remarkable little jewel. The Escalante visitors center was the only place a person driving through the Grand Staircase—Escalante National Monument would find out about the treasures it contains. Unlike the national parks where every major site is clearly marked, at Grand Staircase—Escalante, you have to know what you're looking for, because there aren't any signs telling visitors where they might find hidden canyons, streams, or wild vistas.

Even so, we found Long Slot Canyon after asking a local. We were told to drive down the Burr Trail Road and at about mile 11 look for a large tree by the side of the road. Yep, that's as good as the directions get in Escalante. The rest of the drive included a climb over the 9600 foot Boulder Mountain summit before dropping into Torrey where we visited Capitol Reef, taking a fantastic 2 mile hike through Capitol Reef Gorge. We stayed at the Skybridge Inn, a B&B that was really lovely. Our room had a deck that faced the mountains and included a four person hot tub.

On day five of our trip we drove to Moab with a side trip stop at Goblin Valley State Park where we shortened our hike along Little Wildhorse Canyon, because it was already too hot. Locals told us they've been having unseasonably warm weather this spring.

We stopped at Dead Horse Canyon State Park 10 miles north of Moab and looked out over the valley and Colorado River 2000 feet below. Found our apartment in town afterward and mapped out our hikes and side trips for the next few days. Basically, we spent a day in Canyonlands doing the 2.2 mile Grand View Point hike and a few shorter walks to Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome. We made another visit to Dead Horse Canyon State Park on our way back to Moab.

That night we drove 75 miles south to Needles Overlook for sunset and we're glad we did. The pictures speak for themselves.

We spent most of May 12th in Arches, taking a 3.5 mile hike to Landscape Arch and other walks to Pine Tree Arch, Tunnel Arch, Double Arch, Balanced Rock, and to a viewpoint of Delicate Arch. It was really windy throughout the day. A few folks needed to steady themselves, stopping and turning away from the 25-30 mph gusts. Made sure we kept our mouths closed to avoid eating sand and dust. We were pretty gritty by the time we got back to our apartment late that afternoon.

On day 8, we left Moab and made the 340 mile drive to St. George, stopping along the way to gawk at expansive vistas. Took our time so the 4.5 hour drive wasn't a burden. Of course, being Mother's Day not much was open along the way. Even so, the vistas were spectacular. Spent one full day in St. George walking its historic district and the Virgin River Trail. Did 20 minutes out and back, because it was 86 and no shade. Basically, this was a resting day.

Our last morning we drove from St. George to Las Vegas, dropped off our car, and caught the shuttle to the airport. Las Vegas certainly makes it easy for visitors to fly in and get around whether you're staying in town or renting a car and headed out to explore the wilds of southern Utah. No hassles getting in or out of town.

Zion National Park (click on pictures to enlarge)

Taken from Zion Lodge's front porch. Yep, we're hiking along
the bottom of those mountains.

Note people at bottom right. They and we are on
our way to the Lower and Upper Emerald Pools.

It's difficult to keep a hardy plant down.

On Emerald Pool hike.

The trail crosses under the Emerald Pool waterfall.

Connected with Grotto Trail, extending our hike.

Looking back to Emerald Pools from Grotto Trail.

This small brown snake is the only one we saw in 10 days.

Two rock climbers.

Zion shuttle busses arrive about every 5 minutes, moving folks 

efficiently around the park's 9 sites/trailheads.

Narrows Canyon trailhead. We passed on it.

Checkerboard Mesa.

Checkerboard Mesa close up.

Sevier River Ranch in Hatch. Stayed on this cattle ranch while
visiting Zion and Bryce.

Bryce Canyon National Park (Our personal favorite of the Mighty Five.) (click on pictures to enlarge)

Natural Bridge

We enjoyed a fabulous dinner at the

Lodge and then spent the evening

stargazing, listening in on a Harvard

Astronomer's lecture at the Bryce

Canyon Rim.

Grand Staircase National Monument—Escalante (vista)

Grand Staircase National Monument—Escalante: Long Slot Canyon (click on pictures to enlarge)

At about 11 miles, we spied a large tree and

stopped at what we hoped would be Long

Slot Canyon.

Capitol Reef National Park (click on pictures to enlarge)

The drive to Capitol Gorge Trailhead was stunning.

Capitol Gorge Trailhead. For the next mile 

or so we wound our way through this starkly

beautiful gorge.

Prehistoric petroglyph.

The Capitol Gorge trail is actually a wash. It's
possible to get caught in a flash flood in this
gorge.

Fruita and Gifford House picnic area.

Petroglyph about 1800 years old.

View from our deck at Skybridge Inn B&B.

Looking west from our deck. That's our rental car.

Goblin Valley State Park and Little Wildhorse Canyon (click on pictures to enlarge)

The drive from Goblin Valley State Park to Moab is uneventful.

Canyonlands National Park: Mesa Arch, Grand View Point, and Upheaval Dome (click on pictures to enlarge)

Mesa Arch

Beginning of Grand View Point hike.

Upheaval dome looks a bit like a smaller version of Mt. St. Helens.

Deadhorse Canyon State Park (click on pictures to enlarge)

Colorado River 2000 feet below.

Needles Overlook—We drove 75 miles to this lookout for sunset. 

Arches National Park (click on pictures to enlarge)

Turret Arch

Double Arch

Trailhead to Landscape, Pine Tree, and Tunnel Arches.

Tunnel Arch

Pine Tree Arch

Landscape Arch

The rubble below collapsed from Landscape Arch.
Luckily, hikers below heard cracking and escaped
before tons of rock from the arch gave way.

 

The Courthouse

The Gossips

It's not all massive towers and arches.

St. George—our last full day (click on pictures to enlarge)

In St. George's historic town center, art abounds and a park
(and the original town Mormon Temple) is at the center.

Old jail

Don't have a clue why there's an
old British phone booth here.

Brigham Young's winter home.

Park Art

The park in the center of St. George.

Park water feature

Park Art

Park Art