Utah National Parks

There are some fabulous National Parks in Utah.

We left the San Juan mountains in a blizzard; a winter wonderland,

heading out of Colorado and into Utah (named after the Ute Indians – original occupants)

Arches National Park is a very popular place. Close to Moab and the state highway it is easily accessible. We were warned about queues but it was worth the wait. By stopping and walking to scenic viewpoints we were able to avoid most of the other tourists. It has started to get busy the closer we get to school holidays (Memorial weekend/May Bank holiday)
We were able to:
Stroll down Park Avenue

Check out the sheep and the lion

View sandstone boulders perched precariously;

many look like Sarah’s clay/pottery sculptures

Get a photo of the famous arches without too many people

Find the petrographs- evidence of Indian culture here.

Personally I can’t see what the fuss is all about. One person’s graffiti is another’s art/archeology. These are dated from 1800- evidence that the Hopi Indians lived here.
Admire the flowering cactii:

Canyonlands National Park, Islands in the Sky was less busy and even more impressive.

Rugged scorched red rocks, layers of sandstone, the Grand Viewpoint trail with immense sweeping views was our starting point.

Upheaval dome was next- possibly the site of a huge meteor crater (scientists are not sure)

Lunch was at the top of the Aztec Butte complete with ancient granary.

Finally, Mesa Arch before the rain set in.

Great 4WD trails to the valley floor- once Wagon routes

Love the colours

We stayed in Moab, a town favoured by Hollywood as hundreds of westerns have been shot in the surrounding countryside. At times we have felt the need to put on a Stetson, cowboy boots and get on a horse, such is the overwhelming feel of the place.

The Museum of film and western heritage at Red cliffs lodge (itself a location for the John Wayne movie Rio Grande.) was fascinating.

The Lone Ranger and Thelma and Louise was also shot close by.

It has been unusually cool in the deserts of Utah this year.

Instead of relentless heat, dry dust, there has been rain, green grass, Spring flowers and patches of mud, dotting the landscape.

To see more natural sandstone sculptures, we visited Goblin Valley State Park in the middle of the San Raphael desert.

We had load of fun here as we could wander wherever we liked instead of sticking to paths.

Wherever we went we saw funny shapes in the rocks

Moving further East, the landscape and colours changed to darker red and volcanic black.

More flowers, (Yucca)

and cactii

steep red rocky cliff walls

arches

and finally dinner in the local Café Diablo. Sarah risked the Rattle snake entrée.

Needless to say, the next night we decided to dine on fresh goats cheese salad on an improvised table.

The weather threatened snow from the moment we arrived in Capitol Reef National Park. Twice we were caught in snow and hail storms but fortunately all hikes were dry.

More Petroglyphs – 300CE