Climbing Moses in Canyonlands

Be advised, the NPS signs and maps that warn of a very difficult hike ahead are not hyperbole, as I thought at first. This hike is a loop around the famous Upheaval Dome on an unmaintained trail that leads you down over 1500 feet into the canyon, close to the Green River, then climbs back up 1500 feet and out. We did it in Summer, not knowing anything about it, and I would recommend going in a ...

Upheaval Dome is a geologic structure whose origins have remained hotly debated for years. Some scientists say it is the site of a meteorite impact while others theorize it is nothing more than a naturally occurring salt dome. No matter what the true answer is, there is no question that this short scenic hike leads to one of the most iconic and beautiful places in all of Canyonlands.The trail s...

Wow where to start… White Rim is one of those places where after the first day you will forget you are even on Earth anymore.  The unreal views just don’t stop either.  Every turn opens up to another amazing scene, massive canyon or beautiful vista.  Make sure to take a dip in the Green River if you are here in the hotter months too as Summers are quite warm out here. Make sure to do your ho...

With minor changes in elevation, a couple easy scrambles and the opportunity to find your route by cairns, the Neck Spring Trail is the perfect way to get acquainted with Island in the Sky area of Canyonlands National Park.Starting at the Shafer Canyon Overlook parking lot, the Neck Spring trail crosses Grand View Point Road then leads to the top of a mesa. From there, a dirt path will lead dow...

The best way to ride the Shafer Trail is to bring a support vehicle (one with 4WD and decently high clearance). If you're into a sufferfest, by all means climb your way out of there. You can also include it on a much, much longer ride like the White Rim Trail. But if you just want to experience the epic ride down, you can start at the Shafer Trail and wind down to Shafer Campground on Potash Ro...

This trip can be done with an outfit or independently. The outfit Escape Adventures is highly recommended. They send two guides - one drives a pickup behind with all the camping gear. If you don't have the money or interest, however, it is possible to simply use panniers or a backpack to carry everything and go without the truck.This description follows the White Rim Trail, but you are definite...