Moab, Utah

The gang is starting to arrive

Ready for Hells Revenge

The crowd waiting for Jeeps to come up Hells Gate

Robyn doing The Escalator

As one of the largest collections of petroglyphs in the country, Utah's Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument is like a living museum. Peoples from the Fremont, Ute, and Anasazi Native American tribes etched their markings here. It’s surmised that the perennial natural spring attracted ancients to this distinct area. There are over 650 rock art designs and include animals, human figures, and various symbols, some thought to be religious in nature. These petroglyphs were produced by pecking through the black desert varnish found on the rock to the lighter rock beneath.

Elephant Hill

One of the most scenic four-wheel-drive roads in Utah, Elephant Hill presents drivers with steep grades, loose rock, stair-step drops, tight turns, and tricky backing.  Day use permits are required and are limited to 24 per day.

This obstacle you actually back down it

The tall cliffs lining the rivers. Most of the surface rock formations are of the Cedar Mesa Sandstone, which produces the spectacular colors of the canyons, spires, and balanced rocks that give the Needles area its name.

The Confluence marks the spot where the Green River and the Colorado River come together, in the heart of Canyonlands National Park. 

It is best to plan for enough fuel, although gasoline is available at the Needles Outpost 

at $10.00 a gallon

Dinner at the Blu Pig

Going down The Pickle

While visiting with Fred and Dene in Idaho, we learned that they would be in Moab for a couple of days while we were there too.

Cliffhanger

Great lunch spot.  Lots of shade with a great view.

Doing Golden Spike,  the connection between Poison Spider Mesa and Gold Bar Rim

Crossing the Golden Crack

Dinner at Miguel's Baja Grill

Monitor and Merrimac Buttes

Uranium Arch 

Jeeps all lined up in the Silver Crack

While in the crack Josh noticed something under his jeep that needed welding

Lunch at the Buttes

Checking out the scene of the incident

Going down Wipe Out Hill

Metal Masher

Widow Maker

Nice park job!

Week 2

We wore out the first group of Jeepers, now we are on to the second group.

Trail Leader appreciation dinner.

Trail sign ups in the park

Porcupine Trail

Lunch over looking Onion Valley

Line up for the Ladies run

Dave spotting on Metal Masher

Little Arch

Most people bring their dogs with them, but not Larry he brings his cat.

Historic Dewey Bridge

Constructed in 1916, Dewey Bridge is significant as an outstanding engineering accomplishment and for its historical role as a vital transportation and commercial link connecting southeastern Utah with Colorado and other points east. In the early decades of the twentieth century, Moab and other

southeastern Utah towns were dependent on communities in western Colorado both for everyday supplies and for markets for their agricultural products. This bridge, which spans the formidable natural barrier of the Colorado River, was the first to provide a direct connection. Dewey Bridge is Utah's longest suspension bridge and, at the time of its construction, was the second longest suspension bridge west of the Mississippi. It is also the state's second longest clear span bridge.

The old Dewey Bridge burned on April 2008 by a 7-year-old playing with matches.

Old Dewey Schoolhouse foundation

Top of the World

 Not far from Dewey are the remains of a partially completed rock house, with a beautiful, well-constructed grand staircase that led to a great view of the Colorado River and the river bottoms.  It's speculated that the builder, thinking it was on his land and not BLM. He was told otherwise and forced to leave it unfinished.

Dinner at the Blu Pig