{"id":7054,"date":"2016-03-22T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2016-03-22T18:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/?p=7054"},"modified":"2023-06-29T21:49:06","modified_gmt":"2023-06-30T01:49:06","slug":"canyonlands-national-park-moab-ut","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/7054","title":{"rendered":"Canyonlands National Park, Moab UT"},"content":{"rendered":"

It just seems like we can\u2019t ever manage a trip to the Grand Canyon. We either don\u2019t have enough time, forgot to fill the Jeep up, or are camped just out of day-trip range. Here in Utah they have Canyonlands National Park, and though it isn\u2019t as deep, or the rim is lower, whichever way you want to consider, it is as spectacular.<\/p>\n

So lets start with how this canyon was formed. Rainwater seeps into sandstone and collects in thin cracks. In winter when the water freezes it splinters the rock and the rock drops into the canyon. Water from thunderstorms that release torrents of water further erode soft clay and mudstone, leaving the much harder rock behind.<\/p>\n

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Technical stuff not withstanding\u2026.is this not AMAZING!!!? See that road down there? You not only can see the canyon from the rim, but anyone can drive through the canyon and even camp for a small usage fee.<\/p>\n

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Our first arch, Mesa Arch,  was not found in Arches National Park, but here in Canyonlands. Aren\u2019t we adorable?<\/p>\n

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As I have mentioned before, there is a lot of rock here in Moab, UT making it a challenge to mark trails. Here you see a cairn (a stack of rocks) trail marker. These are along walking an biking trails mostly.<\/p>\n

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John was curious how these little holes were made. My budding geologist. He\u2019s adorable.<\/p>\n

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John has said many many times, how much he has wanted to live out west.<\/p>\n

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With views like these, I can understand why. As we stand on the rim of Canyonlands, in the Island of the Sky section, he keeps repeating \u201cI can\u2019t believe I\u2019m standing here.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The further we move into the canyon, the more impressed John is becoming. He told me that the Grand Canyon may be deeper, and more famous, but as far as a quality experience, Canyonlands has it beat. He said we are getting to see a lot more of the canyon, with a fraction of the people. At the Grand Canyon you are charged an arm and a leg for everything, and see much less.<\/p>\n

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Here you can see evidence of an ancient sea \/ ocean in the petrified sand. Can you imagine the water lapping on the shore?<\/p>\n

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Again it is the \u201cbigness\u201d that overwhelms me the most.<\/p>\n

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Back in the 1950s the search for Uranium changed Moab and this canyon as well. The desert is fragile and tough all at the same time. Damage done from mining trucks is still visible on the canyon floor. Desert vegetation can live in harsh sometimes brutal conditions, but it is slow growing, slow to recover.<\/p>\n

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Lucky for us however, politicians in the past whom were convinced by locals of the importance of natural wonders, designated land as National Parks. Thus protecting them with laws prohibiting land development and ensuring that you, me, and our generations to come can enjoy.<\/p>\n

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Nature\u2019s constant force will change the landscape for sure, so we need to enjoy it now. John and I are doing our best, by the way.<\/p>\n

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Our last feature for the day is Upheaval Dome. It is interesting because it is an odd shaped feature, that has rock different from the rest of the area and scientists \/ geologist still can\u2019t explain it.<\/p>\n

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Like I have said before, the scale of what we are seeing, just can\u2019t be expressed in pictures. It is something you have to come see for yourself to really get a sense. Here I am climbing to the second view point of the Dome. No I\u2019m not even close to the top yet.<\/p>\n

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Here you can see the different colored rock right in the middle of the red rock.<\/p>\n

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In John\u2019s opinion, if you can only see one, Grand Canyon, or Canyonlands\u2026his vote is for Canyonlands.<\/p>\n

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When you combine Canyonlands and Arches, which is right near by, you are getting a lot for your money.<\/p>\n

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There is so much more to see in southern Utah. We will be back often to enjoy. For now, this is a great end to a fabulous day. See those clouds out there? Rain and snow. Time to head back to camp.<\/p>\n

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Tomorrow, Arches National Park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It just seems like we can\u2019t ever manage a trip to the Grand Canyon. We either don\u2019t have enough time, forgot to fill the Jeep up, or are camped just out of day-trip range. Here in Utah they have Canyonlands National Park, and though it isn\u2019t as deep, or the rim is lower, whichever way […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7013,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-container-style":"default","site-container-layout":"default","site-sidebar-layout":"default","disable-article-header":"default","disable-site-header":"default","disable-site-footer":"default","disable-content-area-spacing":"default","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4,951],"tags":[661,1013,638,45,270],"class_list":["post-7054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-jeeping","tag-canyonlands","tag-horse-thief","tag-moab","tag-snow","tag-utah"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/wDSCN1239_thumb.jpg?fit=597%2C347&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3hvz5-1PM","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":7254,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/7254","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":0},"title":"Easter Sunday, Moab Utah","author":"Wendy","date":"March 30, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Today is our last day in Moab, vacation over. Sad face. We did a little sightseeing and then headed out to do some light off-roading. I just can\u2019t seem to get enough. Our first stop, Dead Horse State Park, is one of the most photographed areas of the West. Dead\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1723_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1723_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1723_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10963,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/10963","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":1},"title":"The Needles","author":"Wendy","date":"March 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"As it turns out Looking Glass Road is part of an off-road trail that leads to the Needles, so by accident, we get to check off another trail in our book. The last time we were here in Moab, we did not come down to the Needles. So this is\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_3638.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_3638.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_3638.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/DSC_3638.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":6992,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/6992","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":2},"title":"Our First Day in Moab Utah","author":"Wendy","date":"March 21, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Moab, an off-road paradise. To top it off this is also the Easter Jeep Safari event, lucky us! On any day of the week there are Jeeps, Razers, 4-wheelers and any kind of off road vehicle you can imagine, but during Jeep week, Jeepers rule the streets and trails. We\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1081_thumb.jpg?fit=480%2C361&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":11152,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/11152","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":3},"title":"Long Canyon Trail","author":"Wendy","date":"March 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"We\u2019ve finished the Fallen Peace Officer Trail and it\u2019s time to head back to town. We have some time and everyone is okay with doing one more trail. The Long Canyon Trail is fairly easy but I think it is just fun. Well, the first three miles are not so\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200310_160237.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200310_160237.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200310_160237.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/20200310_160237.jpg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7094,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/7094","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":4},"title":"Arches National Park, Moab Utah","author":"Wendy","date":"March 23, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"Ever since we watched a Travel Channel documentary about Arches NP, it has been on our bucket list to visit. Unfortunately the day we set aside to visit the park was not very sunny, meaning the color of the features were muted, but still we were in awe. Our first\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1338_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1338_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/03\/DSCN1338_thumb.jpg?fit=644%2C484&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10927,"url":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/10927","url_meta":{"origin":7054,"position":5},"title":"Looking Glass Trail","author":"Wendy","date":"March 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"After Antelope Canyon, Candy wondered what we could come up with to top that experience. Well, I don\u2019t know if we topped it but we sure gave it a good try. Not to be one to take the most direct root to ANYTHING, John suggests that we take the Looking\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/archives\/category\/general"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2262.jpg?fit=896%2C672&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2262.jpg?fit=896%2C672&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2262.jpg?fit=896%2C672&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/IMG_2262.jpg?fit=896%2C672&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7054"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14304,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7054\/revisions\/14304"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7013"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.2dogsbarkin.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}