DigitalRoadtrip: Utah, Day 17...Loyds Lake

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Like the old song says, "I woke up to the sound of pouring rain." Fortunately, the rain was supposed to end by 8A. Still looked a bit questionable to my eyes.

There were a few easy stops today, a few I had visited before. In a search for "hiking trails near me," I found a municipal park with a paved, two and a half mile lake loop. Seemed like a good way to start the day.

Loved how the color of the sky and water changed as I walked. In hindsight, I should have walked around twice. It's an easy two and a half mile loop.

The original plan for the day was the Hidden Valley Trail. It's between Monticello and runs six miles round-trip. The views after the initial climb are supposed to be gorgeous. But, dirt roads after a night of rain? Maybe next time.

Instead, I drove out to the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park.

It's been a national park since 1964. Now it's a section of the greater Bears Ears National Monument.

It's a bit of a drive once you turn off the highway.

The first place you come to is called Newspaper Rock. Native Americans carved pictograph into the wall, as did Mormon express and modern tourists.

Another twenty miles in and you'll eventually come to the visitor center.

At the end of the park road...

This didn't look real, but it is.

One last stop for the day, Wilson Arch. It's right off Hwy 191, just south of Moab. From the highway pullout.

It's a bit of a steep climb up, but if you take it slow, you'll be fine.

The view from above...

My home for the night was the Adventure Inn and Motel, in Moab. Not a bad place at all. But, definitely the smallest room on the tour. Two people with bags would have been tough.