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Ceralt t1_ja36e9b wrote

This is my favorite National Park.

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wrongsideofthewire t1_ja594t4 wrote

With Arches NP right next door!

Visited both last fall and did the White Rim Trail, was amazing.

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esel_fliegen t1_ja5zv5v wrote

I visited Arches last Christmas. Less crowded than usual but still lots of people.

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pmsnow t1_ja6id1v wrote

White Rim Trail is on my bucket list. Think a 20 year old, bone stock Xterra could make it?

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I_tinerant t1_ja6jljy wrote

Trying to 1-day it, multiday unsupported, or supported multiday?

The riding isn't all that spicy, for the most part. It's an old road, and still drivable (with decent suspension), but I'd be reluctant to do it unsupported on something that old. If you've got the option to just throw it on the jeep / a full repair kit, though, then sure!

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pmsnow t1_ja6ki7s wrote

Multiday for sure . I wanna savor it. Would like to hit the Maze too. It would be in a small posse of friends. Three vehicles, one a lifted Xterra about as old as mine, with two pretty solid mechanics. Some youtube videos make it look like stock 4x4s other than Jeeps can manage it.

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I_tinerant t1_ja6lkpo wrote

My suspicion is you'd be fine - we did it with a 2007 Nissan Frontier. There were a couple spicy sections, but nothing that ever made me think 'fuck we're not going to make this', just like 'bah this might take a minute'.

YMMV, but it wasn't terrible

Also did it in late 2019, so plausibly things have changed since.

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pmsnow t1_ja6mexc wrote

Our third vehicle would be a 2010 Frontier. I'm taking that as a sign. Thanks for your input!

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_xPAULx_ t1_ja7go7b wrote

Just did it in Sept of '22 in a stock Jeep Compass Trailhawk.. A bit spicy here and there, but the Trailhawk did just fine.. 1 Day trip clockwise, about 14hrs..

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juanmueller t1_ja7hm68 wrote

I did it in my 2015 stock frontier and had zero issues. Pushed it and caught air a couple times even.

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alienscape t1_ja5s4ol wrote

Is fall the best time to visit?

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wrongsideofthewire t1_ja64ynb wrote

I think it depends a lot on what your plans are. I overnighted in Canyonlands NP in early fall. The high during the day was 100F and it does NOT cool off at night; all of that red rock just absorbs heat and then keeps it hot until probably 3-4am; it wasn’t great for camping. I plan on returning at some point and when I do it’ll be late fall.

If I wasn’t camping then it wouldn’t have been a big deal. There’s are also a few state and local parks that have similar geology, so don’t sleep on those!

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fakemoose t1_ja6jawk wrote

I went around Christmas and it was awesome and not very crowded. Just gotta watch for blizzards.

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[deleted] t1_ja5yw45 wrote

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Dilapidated_Monk t1_ja62ddo wrote

Summer if you’re from southern states and can handle the heat and love crowds then summer is best. If you’re everyone else go in fall/spring. I went in October of 2020 and it was ideal. Great weather, less crowd d

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throwaway901617 t1_ja65b9n wrote

Yeah we went first two weeks of November through the whole grand circle. Grand canyon got bitter cold with the wind but it was tolerable. Arches was amazing.

Everyone talks about the Arches but Panorama Point is the best spot in the park.

Plus there's an absolutely beautiful arch at Bryce right on the road. Especially with the red Rock dusted in snow.

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Chocolatedippedbacon t1_ja7cch3 wrote

Did both in one day last year. Love Canyonlands, but Arches was pretty dissapointing. Didn't really get the appeal. Maybe it's because it was dark and damp.

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wrongsideofthewire t1_ja8g2gu wrote

I could see Arches on a damp day not looking exceptional from the surrounding area, but on a sunny day it is beautiful.

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daveescaped t1_ja7f1if wrote

The trail drive is amazing. Mesa Arch is another stunning spot right near by, especially at sunrise.

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juneseyeball t1_ja4wohi wrote

to me it is superior to the grand canyon

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jrodsf t1_ja52uiq wrote

Yes! GC may be deeper but it doesn't hold up against the scale of the vistas in Canyonlands.

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Embryonico t1_ja5ra1c wrote

Plus canyonlands has 3 different sections.

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Tarrolis t1_ja5rh84 wrote

Most people overlook Needles but it’s outright the best section, like I couldn’t say enough about it.

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jrodsf t1_ja5tylr wrote

Admittedly, we did skip Needles on that road trip but we were hitting up 4 of the Big 5 plus GC. (I went to Zion so many times growing up when you'd rarely run into anyone else on the trails that it's a bit disappointing going there now with the stupidly huge crowds)

Next road trip is gonna be just Canyonlands (and a bit of Arches since it's right there).

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throwaway901617 t1_ja652gq wrote

Few months ago we drove the whole loop: GC, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef, Scenic Hwy 12 Torrey to Bryce along Grand Staircase Escalante, through Bryce and Zion.

Even without hiking (limited time and bucket list epic road trip) the sights were absolutely breathtaking.

The Bryce with snow had some absolutely stunning beauty.

For anyone thinking about going to these places just do it. Photos don't even begin to describe the sense of awe from being surrounded by these views on all sides.

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jrodsf t1_ja6dpz8 wrote

Our trip was pretty much that but in the opposite direction. Even stopped in Torrey for some epic stargazing. Highway 12 is crazy beautiful in the fall.

Southeast Utah is an alien landscape. Definitely one of nature's masterpieces.

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Embryonico t1_ja5t54g wrote

One of the coolest places I've ever been.

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Tarrolis t1_ja62iin wrote

Surreal, and I’ve been all over the desert.

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needaquickienow t1_ja4ca5h wrote

Ive been all over continental usa and canyonlands is easily one of the best views/parks in the us. Like top 3

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_YeezusTakeTheWheel_ t1_ja5x8f3 wrote

What would be your top 5? I’m sure that’s hard to pick I just would like to experience more of my country.

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PortraitOfAHiker t1_ja60bt8 wrote

My top five and my suggestions for five aren't the same, for what it's worth. I've never been to Alaska and Hawaii and assume most people are referring to the contiguous states. For the sake of diversity:

Yellowstone, Zion, Everglades, Olympic, Gateway Arch Mammoth Cave

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Nwcray t1_ja6299b wrote

Going to Zion, Bryce, and Arches next month. I can’t tell you how hyped I am.

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Memingtime t1_ja6bkyo wrote

You are gonna love it out there, I went on a road trip through there + grand canyon recently. Easily one of the greatest things I've ever experienced

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PortraitOfAHiker t1_ja63klf wrote

Hopefully it's exactly as hyped as I was for my first trip to Utah. I don't see how anyone could possibly be more hyped than I was. I can't wait to go back!

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whee3107 t1_ja6kxyr wrote

Try to hit Zion at sunset, it’s wicked good

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Ciff_ t1_ja6tept wrote

Went there last summer and got the two day before lottery for angels landing. Recomend giving it a shot, the hike was not that bad.

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thechairinfront t1_ja6vp7m wrote

You'll pass right through capital reef on your way from Bryce to arches. Canyon lands is like,right there as well. Have some nice hiking shoes and a good change of shoes if you decide to hike the narrows in Zion. I made the mistake of not having a good change of shoes and had to hang my shoes to air dry and it took wayyyy too long to air dry in the car and my feet got stinky and shoes didn't dry all the way.

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Chocolatedippedbacon t1_ja7cipn wrote

Zion is fantastic, both in the sun and the snow. Going to Bryce next month myself. Been wanting to for years.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja33nn8 wrote

Very different from the same rock layer along the Green River which is much thicker. On this side there are like a zillion hoodoos because the White Rim layer is so hard and and broken into small sections forming a perfect cap. I highly recommend taking the White Rim Road and seeing these beautiful places from up close (you can see a bit of it in this photo, winding around), e.g.: https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/eqo4be/the_surreal_desolation_below_the_white_rim/

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satanshand t1_ja4hxqk wrote

Don’t you have to apply for a permit to drive on white rim like 6 months in advance?

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BeautifulAndStoned t1_ja4jjtd wrote

The permit is for backcountry camping. The weather is also pretty intense so everybody tries to go at the same time of year.

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Kloodist t1_ja4nzuy wrote

Sometime in the past couple of years they changed the permit requirements. You now need one to be on the road at all, not just for camping.

You can drive the potash road and Shafer switchbacks without a permit but anything else requires one.

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One_Dull_Tool t1_ja4rlfd wrote

I tried driving the shafer road and it was closed due to snow. But the drive to the gate was 20miles in and absolutely beautiful!!

You are correct in that a permit is currently required to drive the white rim road.

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I_tinerant t1_ja6k4by wrote

When I did WRT, it snowed the night before we ended and some dumbass tried to drive their corolla down the western end, couldn't do it, and just abandoned the car blocking the road.

We and 2 other groups pushed it into the ditch so we could get past.

Don't drive down a steep, one-lane, janky-ass road in a corolla.

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BeautifulAndStoned t1_ja4y0mw wrote

but you don't have to wait 6 months to get the day use permits, you can just walk up most of the time. you can get permits all the time even for the backcountry sites it just goes quickly because there are some strong preferences for campsites and people want to have their itineraries locked down. if you're planning to bike it you can have some rough days if your sites don't line up in a reasonable way. even in the busy season you can grab 1 day campsite permits if you want to come middle of the week or something like that.mostly it's only hard to get permits because everybody wants to come when the weather is nice and for a long weekend trip.

it's not that fun to do as a day trip, there are better ways to spend your time even if you just want to have some good views. but if you're just driving in to a trailhead or something like that you don't have to plan the same way.

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lostcosmonaut307 t1_ja5jc04 wrote

I wouldn’t go without camping, it would be a long slog all day to make it in one go and you’d barely see anything.

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BeautifulAndStoned t1_ja5kv9r wrote

You don't have to do the whole thing. If you come in the Colorado side its mostly a good dirt road so it's an easy out and back.

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lostcosmonaut307 t1_ja5l049 wrote

When we went it was only one-way I think? Maybe it was two-way on the one side. Granted it was also more than 10 years ago.

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angwilwileth t1_ja4fb5c wrote

The shattered planes.

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BatBoss t1_ja57mvm wrote

Considering Brando Sando lives in Utah… quite possibly correct!

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seacamp t1_ja4b9xy wrote

This gives me such a deep sense of dread. Eerie and beautiful, OP, thanks for the pic!

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redgamut t1_ja69asm wrote

Like the first signs of Mars on Earth.

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Theswede92 t1_ja403bi wrote

My dad and I rented a Jeep once and drove the White Rim Trail, which is shown in the picture. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, I highly recommend it. The night skies are amazing as well.

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M116110 t1_ja4wfk6 wrote

Pro tip. The 40 mile trail that goes down there is labeled as easy. It is super sketch. Found out last year... but it is beautiful.

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juneseyeball t1_ja4x1na wrote

i went on a trail there...neck spring? with my sister. we didn't bring enough water and truly thought we were going to die. end of the hike was scaling a canyon wall essentially

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Kacksjidney t1_ja5acib wrote

Desert trails are deceptive and can change drastically depending on the season and weather. A flat arroyo trail can turn into a deadly flood and a road can become undrivable with a little dust storm. Add to that baking heat, no water and drastic day/night temperature fluctuations and you have an environment that can go from safe to deadly rapidly. Canyonlands is an amazing park but not for the unprepared. Hell, a busted tire on the highways out there can lead to heat stroke. Most environments don't kill you in a few hours but the desert can. Glad you guys made it out safe, I've found myself in similar situations. Still love Canyonlands but I recommend most people do the short hikes and driving tour and let the capable seek out the more difficult trails for themselves.

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mycroft16 t1_ja5hqy1 wrote

One of the reasons I love Canyonlands so much is the ever present feeling you have of the raw, untameable power of this environment. Even just standing beside a road and looking from a view point you feel the place. The incredible beauty is always paired with a sense of how unforgiving this place is. It is crazy how extreme and rapid high desert fluctuations can be. It can be 120+ in the day and within a 2 hour period drop to 40 at night.

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fakemoose t1_ja6jonp wrote

I’m sorry but if you’re not bringing a half liter of water per hour of hike you shouldn’t be going anywhere near something resembling backcountry. I will never understand people setting out with barely any water. You’re putting yourself and s&r at risk. Same goes for people who don’t understand how quick the weather can change.

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juneseyeball t1_ja6jt25 wrote

We live on the east coast. Hope this explains everything 🤣 appalachia is far more forgiving when hiking or backpacking

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fakemoose t1_ja6kn5e wrote

That’s not really an excuse. You’re still putting you’re self and other at risk by not knowing more about where you’re hiking. Don’t set out if you have no idea about where you are. We see this all the time with tourists in Yellowstone and Tetons and it’s super frustrating. If you can’t be bothered to learn about where you’re hiking, or even follow basics water guidelines, don’t do it.

Edit: lol they responded and then blocked me

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juneseyeball t1_ja6kt4c wrote

Get over yourself. The distance of the hike is not even accurately marked. All of the alltrails reviews say it is 6 mi - longer than described and that moderate is not an accurate classification

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dhebert1980 t1_ja3ecyv wrote

looking east?

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja3mchm wrote

Yes, from up on top of Island in the Sky towards the La Sal Mtns.

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ft5777 t1_ja3ztd7 wrote

Is that from the Buck Canyon overlook ? I’m going there in May, I can’t wait !

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bPChaos t1_ja45rdb wrote

Looks like Buck Canyon! We just did a trip in mid-January, and did Arches and Canyonlands. Absolutely worth it, especially if you like off-roading as well.

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ft5777 t1_ja46dsf wrote

Well, I won't have too much time for off roading I think. I'm doing a three weeks trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco that will include Las Vegas, Grand Canyon North rim, Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, Yellowstone, Glacier, Seattle, Olympic and then Redwood. So yeah, we will limit ourselves to the roads and do some easy to mid-level trails in each park.

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crappuccino t1_ja4p3o4 wrote

If you take only one day for Canyonlands I recommend Dead Horse Point then a out-and-back hike down from Island to Murphy Hogback.

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The0neKid t1_ja4c0dv wrote

Moab is an off-roading paradise. I drive across the country to go every year

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mycroft16 t1_ja51wee wrote

And if you're into Mountain Biking there is the Slick Rock Trail which is absolutely amazing as well.

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bPChaos t1_ja5ukac wrote

Yeah, my friends and I plan on driving/biking the White Rim at some point. I like offroading more than biking but it means they don't have to carry all their stuff with them and have a support vehicle.

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mycroft16 t1_ja51rkh wrote

Mountain biked part of the rim to Muscleman Arch and then back to the switchbacks and on to Pitash Road years ago. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Easily a top 3 National Park for me. The sheer immensity of it amd the landscape is humbling. And the extreme climate. It's difficult to describe to people who haven't been. Absolutely with a trip to UT to see this gem. And if you're here drive to the other side of the freeway and do Arches as well. Literally across the street from each other.

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lostcosmonaut307 t1_ja5jw6x wrote

We camped on the White Rim Road several years ago and it was a great experience. It does take a semi-capable 4x4/dirt bike/mtb.

But camping on the edge of the badlands is an experience not to be missed. I’m from the PNW. When we talk about “quiet” when we camp, there’s still the rustle of breeze in the trees, running water from creeks and rivers, and animals. It’s by no means truly quiet.

Out there, camping on the White Rim is truly very quiet. Ridiculously so. Almost oppressively quiet when you’re so used to camping in the PNW.

Truly an incredible experience.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja5vgg0 wrote

It's one of my most memorable trips, and yes, incredibly peaceful

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boatloadoffunk t1_ja4ak9b wrote

I traveled that area in July last year. So hot, but so beautiful. We camped three nights under the stars in different spots. The Dollhouse was surreal.

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Acetyl-CoA t1_ja4meps wrote

I hiked down to that rim a few years ago. It was awesome

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dressupandstayhome t1_ja4psmc wrote

I’ve never been there so I have to ask the dumb question lol. I’m guessing there are fences near the road to prevent anyone from driving/walking near the edges of the canyon? Beautiful pic btw.

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off_by_two t1_ja4vs7w wrote

Nope! Large parts of canyonslands NP are so remote you are pretty much entirely on your own. This is actually one of the more accessible areas, but the white rim trail is about 10-12 hours of offroading, so you can imagine you get in trouble around the middle you are at a minimum of 5-6 hours + whatever distance from the park entrance the emergency services are. And thats if you planned ahead and have a satellite communication device to call for help in the first place

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mycroft16 t1_ja52od4 wrote

Pretty much the moment you leave a paved road in this park you are on your own in one of the more vast a deserted places in the United States. And this is one of the least hospitable environments in the country any time of year. It is rugged and old. There are places in this park where on the road you are 6 hours from the entrance and you can hike further in than that. This is extremely raw wilderness and it has the beauty to match the danger. Whatever amount if water you think you will need, double or triple it. There are no fences off the paved road. And in many places no warning signs. Just name of place. When I mountainbiked here we literally laid down at the edge of the white rim amd peered over the edge a thousand feet straight down. The switchbacks had no rails at all. No warnings about dry washes or anything. It feels like you're one of the first people ever to see these things.

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Kacksjidney t1_ja5bocw wrote

There's something about being in a place like that that puts you (or at least me) in a state of heightened awareness. Almost like a low level of adrenaline. The stakes are just much higher than other back countries I've been in. In the Tetons you might listen for bears at night, or in the cascades I watch my step carefully and pay attention not to get lost. When I whitewater kayak you focus on the river closely but when out in the open desert like that it's a prolonged sense of stakes and foreboding. Constantly tracking your water intake and whether you're overheating, watching for shady spots in case you bust a tire or roll an ankle. The realization that if something goes wrong it's going to be hours and there's no nice wood to make a fire or stream to bunker down next to adds an isolating but freeing sense of consequences to the experience.

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One_Dull_Tool t1_ja4sztm wrote

Not on the dirt road visible in the picture. Not everything in this world needs safety bumpers to prevent natural selection.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja4v0p1 wrote

The paved roads all meet federal safety standards (guardrails, etc.), but as u/One_Dull_Toll pointed out, there are dirt roads where care should be taken.

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AyeiTzSteezy t1_ja6qpor wrote

Nope!

Drove the trail last year with some college roommates. No rails or guards to protect. Was scary as hell at one part

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snr-encabulator-eng t1_ja551i9 wrote

Any Stephen King fans out here? In Wizard and Glass, there's a place there where the Gunslingers lured the enemies in what I could imagine as something like this. What was that? It's been awhile since I read it.

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hyperbole-horse t1_ja5a94g wrote

This is a hell of a bike ride. Done it twice!

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mikedonathan t1_ja5i9mx wrote

Did the White Rim Road on my motorcycle a few years ago. The scenery is amazing.

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oldnumber6 t1_ja5ozgr wrote

Canyonlands was my favorite of Utah's Mighty 5. The trip there was amazing.

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nzcanuck61 t1_ja5tpzc wrote

What the water starts, the wind finishes.

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theyellowfromtheegg t1_ja5zynk wrote

When did you take the picture? This weekend?

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja6nctv wrote

No, I took it in October of 2020. I've learned more about using Lightroom and have been going back through my photos, trying to improve the post-processing of the ones that I think worthy

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DevilDog-Titan007 t1_ja60rsi wrote

Opening for one of the many portals on Earth...🌍👽

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WeBornToHula t1_ja69qjt wrote

Felt genuinely, terrifyingly small standing on the edge looking into that a couple years ago. Absolutely incredible.

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NeckPourConnoisseur t1_ja6fbrz wrote

Hit Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point two weeks ago. It snowed the first two days and then was perfect the last three. Nearly had the parks to ourselves at times. Absolutely unbelievable. Never thought we could match Zion, but standing under Delicate Arch was incredible.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja6o29w wrote

This was in the month of October, and a day after a snow storm. The snow nicely highlighted much of the scenery, but the wind was biting cold. I love Zion, but enjoy the eastern Utah parks even more.

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Disarray215 t1_ja6fhbg wrote

Looks like an alligator swimming on the surface.

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DRAIN3O t1_ja6g82f wrote

Is this happening right now 😧

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja6o88i wrote

Yes and no. It's been slowly happening for a long time (thousands of years?), and the process is still underway, but it's slow...

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MountainMagic6198 t1_ja6j8o3 wrote

There's the white rim trail too. I've biked that atleast a dozen times. Tons of fun.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja6oc1p wrote

Wow! I've only had the chance to do it once, but it's one of my all-time favorite trips

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Lawdoc1 t1_ja7lrrs wrote

Will be there on WRT in just over a month. Cannot wait.

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja7yo7h wrote

You’re in for a wonderful trip!

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Lawdoc1 t1_ja8tgyh wrote

Oh, I am aware. I've been to Canyonlands/Moab twice before. On those trips I was able to drive Shafer Trail, but did not have the necessary preparations/vehicle/time for White Rim Trail.

I promised myself I would go back and it is finally around the corner.

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frankeestadium t1_ja7nym0 wrote

Being here made me realize how SMALL we really are. What a beautiful place, I need to go back.

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JesusPotto t1_ja66mrw wrote

Adding this to the “places I need to drive to”

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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja6ng7k wrote

I'd add "..and spend some time exploring"

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Elderbrand t1_ja6dbhr wrote

This is one of my favorite views. Just the contrast and elevation difference between the deep canyons and the mountains behind it. If I remember correctly the elevation of this view is 2-3,000 feet to 14,000

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hoffman44 t1_ja6ebts wrote

"I'm in awre of you."

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shivaynamo t1_ja734bp wrote

Notice that small SUV in the center

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Uatarreu t1_ja79d1s wrote

/r/farpeoplehate

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stillventures17 t1_ja7ib6h wrote

I remember looking out over this in June and thinking, this is hell on earth.

And it was beautiful.

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