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Summer Trip to Arches National Park

Discussion in 'Travel' started by rblalliance, Feb 13, 2019.

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  1. Feb 13, 2019 at 5:20 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    In June I'll be heading out to Arches National Park with my two sons to do some camping at Arches (wife has been having a change of heart lately and might join us). Have already planned my way out to Utah and will be stopping along the way in Louisiana, Texas (2 stops), New Mexico and then heading to Arches. Planning to some hiking, biking and wheeling (nothing to crazy) while we're there.

    Heading back we'll be spending a couple of days in Colorado Springs. Still haven't decided where we'll go from there to get back home but should know in a few days.

    If any of the TW members from Utah read this, I'd like to meet up with you when I'm there to do some trails or if you can recommend some (not to crazy) that'd be great too.

    Will be using this thread to document or trip.
     
    rblalliance, Feb 13, 2019
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  2. Mar 14, 2019 at 4:37 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    if you're planning on camping IN Arches at Devils Garden I hope you've already got your reservations. Things fill up fast and you can reserve 6 months in advance which means June is booked solid.
    As a back up the Utah State Parks are pretty great and were the highlight of my Utah road trip a couple years ago. Green River isn't too far from Arches, lots of shady trees, showers, a little out of hte way but a nice alternative. Dead Horse Point would be another choice, no showers or shade though. Lots of private KOA type RV camps in Moab and lots of BLM camping along Highway 128. The traffic along the highway never stops so if youre in a tent be ready for the noise.

    Get to the park early. I've heard that they've started limiting the number of cars in or rather that they will turn people away at the entrance gate once all parking in the park is full on busy days. It gets hot and there is no shade anywhere. Hats, sunglasses, sunscreen are a must. One gallon of water per person per day is recommended. Seems like a lot but trust me, if you're doing anything out in the heat you're going to drink that and more. There is a water tap at the visitor center and at Devils Garden camp/trailhead for you to refill. no other water available in the park. good shoes, not sandals are a must as well. Something with a lot of traction. You'll be hiking on rocks and around deep cracks and crevices, don't want to slip. You'll see signs saying "don't bust the crust" along many trails - thats in reference to the cryptobiotic soils that are an important part of the desert ecosystem. Its a bactieria/sand mix that protects the ground from wind and water erosion. You step on it, you kill it.
    I tried to hit as many trails as I could while I was there. Delicate Arch was beautiful but way too busy. There was a long line of people waiting to take a selfie under the arch, ruined all of my photos. Devils Garden and Landscape Arch were cool, the trail gets a little tricky after landscape and you'll be scrambling on your hands and knees up big rock steps. Windows was the best, I actually got about 20 minutes to myself there. Park Avenue was closed when I was there but it looked pretty cool from a distance.
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
    MTgirl, Mar 14, 2019
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  3. Mar 15, 2019 at 4:27 AM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Thank you for all the information. Yes, we'll be staying at Devils Garden Campground and I booked it a few months when the winfow opened for the tine of year I wanted to go.

    I had heard about the heat. I got us hydration back packs so that we always have water while we're hiking. I'll also have a coupld of extra water bottles with me just in case we need them. I just ordered us some Merrell hiking shoes because I wasn't to sure about the terrain and didn't want to take a chance with just sneakers. In additon to the sunscreen I'm also getting us some long sleeve dry fit shirts to help with the sun.

    Thank you for sharing the info on the hiking trails too. I've been lookong online to see what trails I want to do. I also want to try and do some wheeling with the truck (nothing crazy, lol) and @Unner recommended Charles Wells Guide to Moab. I'd like to also take a day and explore the areas outside of the park.

    Again, thank you for the information i really appreciate it. We're definitely looking forward to the trip.
     
    rblalliance, Mar 15, 2019
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  4. Mar 16, 2019 at 4:45 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    @MTgirl and @Unner was thinking of setting up my campsite when I first get to the park and then getting our food in Moab. Is that something I can plan on doing?
     
    rblalliance, Mar 16, 2019
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  5. Mar 16, 2019 at 4:53 PM
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    Unner

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    Unner Well-Known Member

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    Not sure how it works if you're camping in Are NP, but BLM land is typically first come first served. Lots of people mark their area with a tent or something, you'd probably be ok to leave it there and go back into town and come back.
     
    Unner, Mar 16, 2019
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  6. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:02 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Thanks! I have a specific spot at Arches, so I should be good once I set up. Trying not to bring any food with me, since I'll be on the road for five days before I get to the park. BTW - thanks for the book recommend have been reading up on the trails.
     
    rblalliance, Mar 16, 2019
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  7. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:12 PM
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    Snow Doctor

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    Snow Doctor What is this car wash of which you speak?

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    Think its Willow Springs Road that goes to Whale Eye Arch and such. Fun easy trail in Arches National Park. Couple of small ledges easily done with stock truck and careful driving at the north end of it. Couple kids in a S10 blazer were dragging and we drove by them with no problems.
    Have Fun! Free water at gas stations in town too.
     
    Snow Doctor, Mar 16, 2019
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  8. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:27 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    definitely. the park isn't that big and Moab is close - no traffic less than an hour between camp and City Market Grocery. but you're probably going to have to fight traffic both ways so i'd almost be inclined to get supplied and gassed up in town then head into the park to limit the aggravation of fighting through the throng of traffic. id also suggest leaving the truck at camp as much as possible and walk to the nearby trails - dirve to the further away trails early early in the morning before it gets too busy then back to camp, park and check out the closer stuff on foot.
     
    MTgirl, Mar 16, 2019
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  9. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:34 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Thanks! Heard the traffic in and out of the park was bad, but thought it wouldn't be to bad around 1:00 or 2:00 when I should get to the park. Definitely don't want to deal with traffic, lol.
     
    rblalliance, Mar 16, 2019
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  10. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:37 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    canyonlands and dead horse point are right across the road - worth checking that out too as long as you're in the area. less traffic over there too.
    also, lots of places in Moab to grab a shower (I'm assuming you're tent camping?). most of the privately run campgrounds offer use of the showers to non-guests as well as guests. i think the place I stayed offered something like $4/person or $10/family for use of the showers. Just gotta ask around.
     
    MTgirl, Mar 16, 2019
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  11. Mar 16, 2019 at 5:43 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    We're tent camping :D (meant to mention that when I replied to your first post). Will plan on checking out canyonlands and dead horse point. When we go camping now I just have the boys take a field shower and was planning to do the same. That said, may look into where we can take a shower in case we need too.
     
    rblalliance, Mar 16, 2019
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  12. Mar 16, 2019 at 6:15 PM
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    MTgirl

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    MTgirl too many frogs, not enough princes... Moderator

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    yeah...no trees...not a lot of privacy down there :laugh: i brought my camp shower but never used it, just took advantage of campground showers where ever i could

    this site was pretty helpful when i was planning my trip, lots of info and laid out for a first timer. https://www.discovermoab.com/
     
    MTgirl, Mar 16, 2019
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  13. Mar 16, 2019 at 6:23 PM
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    Unner

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    Unner Well-Known Member

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    The Moab aquatic center has showers for a few dollars also, that's where I showered when I went into town.
     
    Unner, Mar 16, 2019
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  14. Mar 16, 2019 at 8:50 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    I've been thinking about not having any trees at the campsite. I'm planning on also bringing a 10x10 canopy so that we have some shade during the day. It's amazing how much you can stuff into the 5 foot bed when you play Tetris with the camping stuff :rofl:. I was on that site the other looking around for ideas. There's a lot to do...
     
    rblalliance, Mar 16, 2019
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  15. Jun 5, 2019 at 5:46 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Haven't posted here in a while, but the time has arrived to head out on our journey. We head out tomorrow afternoon up to Gainesville Florida to break up the drive getting out of Florida. Here's a pick of all our stuff ready to load up the truck tomorrow.

    20190605_204043.jpg
     
    rblalliance, Jun 5, 2019
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  16. Jun 5, 2019 at 6:16 PM
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    HighCountryTacoma

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    HighCountryTacoma Well-Known Member

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    Yeah definitely Bring a canopy or even 2. Buy some nine inch nails or good stakes plus some paracord to secure it, depending on the weather the winds can get gnarly.
     
    HighCountryTacoma, Jun 5, 2019
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  17. Jun 5, 2019 at 6:20 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Yeah, have some of those nine inch nails this time. Lost my last canopy because I secured it with some small stakes and the wind did a number on it, lol.
     
    rblalliance, Jun 5, 2019
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  18. Jun 5, 2019 at 6:36 PM
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    Yetimetchkangmi

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    Yetimetchkangmi Well-Known Member

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    I went there in Oct '17 for a week:

    Most everything you want to bring is already there, as I am G/F and Dairy Free.
    Check Gearheads for any camping gear missing.
    Check Walker Drug Company for general store provisions and beverages.

    Moab is a great off road playground!
    TOTW
    Fins and Things
    Hells Revenge
    Seven Mile Rim (very rocky at first, then plateaus and river washes on the 2nd half)
     
    Yetimetchkangmi, Jun 5, 2019
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  19. Jun 5, 2019 at 7:03 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Thanks for the info. Looking forward to doing some off roading while we're there.
     
    rblalliance, Jun 5, 2019
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  20. Jun 6, 2019 at 5:29 PM
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    rblalliance

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    rblalliance [OP] let the wookie win

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    Made it to our first destination and now looking forward to finally getting out of Florida tomorrow :D. No pics of Florida :rolleyes: but here's a not so good one of the truck.

    20190606_142740.jpg
     
    rblalliance, Jun 6, 2019
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