Arches National Park

The image of Venus Crossing Between the Earth & The Sun

Tuesday, June 5 - Moab, UT, Day 5 - Canyonlands - 85.1 Miles Today, 5326.8 For the Trip

I spent my last day at Riverside Oasis catching some of the parts of Arches that I so far missed, at least on this trip. First I walked the Park Avenue Trail. Photos don't do it justice - the scale of the rocks on both sides is amazing. After that watched Venus track across the sun, a once in lifetime event, at least for me (and most of us since it doesn't happen again until 2117). They set up viewing stations at Panorama Point & Sand Dune Arch.

After that it was back to the trailer for an early steak dinner since the plan was to hike to Delicate Arch around sunset. As usual, I got started early and stopped to take a couple of photos of Wolf Ranch & the Ute Petroglyphs at the bottom of the trail, and reached the arch around 7:30. While I could have waited until sunset, the wind was bad enough that I only stayed for about 20 minutes. It felt like shooting during a hurricane. In fact, it probably was close since 60mph winds were predicted. You had to move carefully to keep from being blown off the cliff during the peaks.

After that I shot a couple of images of Skyline Arch and Balanced Rock at sunset. As usual, the rest of the photos are at today's 2011 Trip Page at LakeshoreImages.

Tomorrow I'm heading out early for Dead Horse State Park. If I don't get a space I'll head for Goblin Valley & try there.

Till Then!

Canyonlands National Park, UT

Canyonlands National Park, UT

Monday, June 4 - Moab, UT, Day 4 - Canyonlands - 122.1 Miles Today, 5241.7 For the Trip

Unfortunately, I'm still in Site 16, Riverside Oasis (although there are far worse places to be). I called Dead Horse at 8:00 & they informed me that there were still two sites, but since the people in them were still asleep they didn't know if they were going to stay. I took a chance & drove out (you have to do the paperwork in person, not over the phone.) When I got there they told me one of the sites decided to stay & there was already someone waiting for the other site. They told me the best bet was to shoot for Wednesday - as on now all 4 non-reservable sites are expected to be open.

I did drive into Canyonlands & took a few photos, (A couple more at LakeshoreImages) then back to Moab for a haircut. I spent the rest of the day doing nothing except baking in my chair. I'm hoping I'll adjust to the 98°F weather, but so far it still feels like an oven!

Until Next Time -

Arches National Park, Day 2

Another Sunset at Arches National Park

Another hot day in Moab. I didn't do much of anything - filled the gas tank, picked up a few supplies, and sat around and read until late in the afternoon. I did watch a lizard attempt to eat a caterpillar half its size, but that was about it until I went back to Arches. I was hoping to shoot some full moon photos (Yes, I know it won't be full until tomorrow, but close enough!) Anyway, it was not to be. Too many clouds. There was another interesting sunset, but only very cloudy photos of the moon. I did go early enough to take a short hike (although it felt about 1/2 as long as the climb to the actual arch) to the high viewpoint for Delicate Arch.

I'm not at all sure where I'll be tomorrow - I talked to another ranger at Dead Horse State Park, and was told that all the drive in spaces were filled, and unless someone leaves tomorrow morning, no luck. They suggested calling around 8:00AM. If I can't get a space, I'll try to extend my stay here - I want to hit some locations in Canyonlands, and while not as close as Dead Horse, it isn't too bad.

Until Tomorrow!

Moab, UT, Day 2 - Arches National Park

Sunset at Arches National Park, UT

Saturday, June 2 - Moab, UT Day 2 - Arches National Park - 83.9 Miles Today, 5065.9 For the Trip

I'm sure glad that my web page is back up because I have lots of photos today. While Glacier has always been my favorite national park, both because of the Going to the Sun Road & the variety of things to do, Arches is my most photographed. There are so many different arches & views of them that I take far too many. You can see the rest of today's photos at my LakeshoreImages daily page.

I spent most of the day at the Devil's Garden area and much of the rest in the Windows area. As you can tell, I went back around sunset for the last couple of photos. I was hoping to get a good shot of the almost full moon, but it was covered with clouds at the time the light was balanced between the arch & the moon. By the time the clouds thinned, the moon was overexposed, but I included a couple anyway..

I also added a campsite photo since I didn't take one last night. By the way, I really like the last two campgrounds I've stayed at. The Blue Mountain Campground in Blanding had the cleanest restrooms & showers of the trip, and the site was great. Here in Moab I much prefer the Riverside Oasis to Arch View, where I stayed last year. Much cleaner, more friendly staff, and closer to town.

It's now 10:22, and again, I'm beat. Lots of hiking today; around 8 miles all together, and my feet feel it. Diner was easy - a stop at the Chinese Buffet.

Until Tomorrow!

Moab on Dwellable

Needles Overlook & Dead Horse State Park

Tree & Moon at Dead Horse State Park, UT

Friday, June 1- Moab, UT 247 Miles Today, 4982.0 For the Trip

It is great to have the web page back in action. The blogger site works OK, but it is easier to post more & larger images here.

I started the day driving from Blanding to Moab. I made reservations at the Riverside Oasis Campground in Moab because Moab is usually crowded, particularly on weekends. I'm in site 16, a full hookup back in just large enough for the trailer & RAV4. Since it was only about 75 miles to Moab from Blanding, I decided to drive out to the Needles Overlook at Canyonlands. While I did visit the Needles section of Canyonlands last year, I bypassed the overlook. It is well worth a stop. Great vistas 2000' above the Colorado River.

On the way back towards Moab on US 191, I stopped at Wilson Arch, one of the few that you can park in front of. Of course I had to take a photo of the trailer! More photos are at today's LakeshoreImages Page.

After stopping at the overlook I continued on to Moab, arriving around 1:00. Moab was as busy as usual so after setting up I drove out to Dead Horse State Park. I shot a bunch of photos, but with the high sun none were very useful. I'll call it a scouting trip for going back after dinner, which is exactly what I did. Much better light, although more dramatic skies would help. 

I also shot a couple of panoramas. I checked on the campground at Dead Horse, and they have 4 first come, first served sites. All the rest are reserved well into the future. I'll try for one of the first come sites on Monday morning. As long as someone doesn't take them over the weekend & extend their stay past Monday, the chances are good that I'll get a site.

I stayed at Dead Horse until well after sunset, but decided not to wait until the stars came out. It will be an easier nighttime drive 1 mile back to the campground that the 30 or so miles to Moab!

Until Tomorrow