My first big solo vacation was a couple months in a making; a 2 week road trip full of hiking and camping through the National Parks of Southern Utah.
The trip started by going to Flagstaff on the first night and then a drive to Moab, Utah on the 2nd day.
2021- Apr -2
Picked up the rental car (Dodge Grand Caravan from Avis) at LAX and took it home to pack it up and prep it for the trip
2021-Apr-3
Drive to Flagstaff
Eat dinner at the Annex restuarant which included a delicous hamburger and beer after a day of driving
Camped in the Flagstaff KOA Campground
Walked around town and campground for about 2 miles
2021-Apr-4
Packed up the campground
Hike the Old Caves Crater
Drive to Four Corners (was closed due to COVID)
Drove to Moab, Utah and setup tent at “Camp at Up The Creek”
Grabbed dinner at TBD
Walked a total of 7.6 miles
2021-Apr-5
First full day of national parks time is focused on Arches NAtional Park and the goal was to do everything in one day starting at sunrise
- Park Avenue
- La Sal Mountains Overlook
- Petrified Sand Dunes
- Balanced Rock
- The Windows
- Double Arch
- Parade of Elephants
- South Arch
- North Arch
- Fiery Furnace Viewpoint
- Skyline Arch
- Devil’s Garden
- Tunnel Arch
- Pine Arch
- Landscape Arch
- Private Arch
- Dark Angel
- Double O Arch
- Navajo Arch
- Partition Arch
- Delicate Arch
- Upper and Lower Delicate Arch Viewpoints
I hadn’t made reservations for the night and was unable to get back into my campground, so I ended up spending the night a hotel in Moab at the last minute
Distance Walked: 21.48 miles
2021-Apr-6
- Dead Horse State Park
- Dead Horse Point Rim Loop
This loop was right along the edge and pretty quiet, few other hikers. The far eastern edge of the trail also lets you see the blue pools that contrast the red soil
- Canyonlands – Island in the Sky
- Shafer Canyon Overlook
- Mesa Arch
- Buck Canyon
- White Rim Overlook
- Grand Viewpoint Overlook
- Orange Cliffs Overlook
- Camp at “Up The Creek”
Distance Walked: 16.11 miles
2021-Apr-7
- Canyonlands – Needles District
- Peakaboo Springs
- Wooden Shoe Arch Overlook
Camped at BLM area just outside of Canyonlands Needles district. This was the first time to camp on BLM and this location was really nice. I enjoyed it and had great views of sunset and stairs. There happened to be an outhouse nearby that was really useful
There was some rocks further down the road that some individuals were really having a good time at. Overall an easy entry into BLM landing camping and a confidence builder
2021-Apr-8
- Canyonlands – Island in the Sky District
- Aztec Butte
- Whale Rock
- Upheaval Dome
- Drive to Capital Reef
The drive to Capital Reef was really interesting. The landscape got quite desolate and at times almost grey. I almost stopped at Goblin State Park but didn’t; but I have heard really good things about it and I should see it in the future. Driving up to Capital Reef is quite a stark contrast: the landscape was so desolute and then there is this green oasis with a running river. It was shocking and cool.
Stay at Austin Chuckwagon hotel as I was unable to find a campground. I had thoughts of staying in another BLM location 10 miles past Capital Reef but it was still closed due to snow. After driving around a couple of places, I ended up staying at a hotel in town. This ended up being a really good idea as it was cold and windy and I was able to due laundry
Distance Walked: 6.95 miles
2021-Apr-9
- Capital Reef
- Cohab Canyon
- Hickman Bridge
- Scenic Drive
- Capitol Gorge
- Golden Throne
- Goosenecks Overlook
- Sunset Point
- Camped on BLM land just west of Capital Reef
- Distance Walked: 17.17 miles
2021-Apr-10
Drive to Bryce
- Mossy Cave
- Fairyland Loop
- Scenic Drive (around Rim)
- Rainbow Point
- Bristlecone Loop
Camp at the Bryce Campground, met the couple that help run the park and they are very friendly and talked about their time out at the Big Bend campground as well
Distance Walked: 15.63 miles
2021-Apr-11
Woke up early to do Astrophotography
Walked into the park to photograph the sunrise
- Queen’s Garden
- Navajo Loop
- Peek-a-boo Loop
- Bryce Point
- Inspiration Point
- Sunset Point
- Sunrise Point
Stayed and Bryce Campground again
Distance Walked: 15.36 miles
2021-Apr-12
Drive to Zion
- Checkerboard Mountains
- Angel’s Landing
- Grotto Trail to Zion Lodge
- Walk around the town of Springdale
Distance Walked: 12.03 miles
2021-Apr-13
- Canyon Overlook just after sunrise
- Watchman Trail
- Pa’rus Trail
- Kateyna and Emerald Pool Trails
Hang out at campsite and visit with neighbors a little bit
Distance Walked: 16.33 miles
2021-Apr-14
Astrophotography in the early morning
Walk into Springdale for morning coffee at sunrise
Hike the Narrows (rented gear from outfitters
Walk around Springdale
Distance Walked: 12.75 miles
2021-Apr-15
Astrophotography in the early morning
Visit Zion coffeeshop
- Pack up campsite and head to Kolob Canyon
- Hike Timber Creek (surprisingly good)
- Drive to Las Vegas
- Visit Hoover dam
- Camp at Red Rock Canyon
Distance Walked: 11.4 miles
2021-Apr-16
Drive around Red Rock Canyon area and get out at viewpoints
Drive back to El Segundo
Distance Walked: 4.19 miles
2021-Apr-17
Take the minivan out to the beach to enjoy a coffee and watch the waves for a bit
Return the rental van and bike home (brought bike with me to Avis :P)
Distance Walked: 1.87 miles
Distance Biked: ~ 5 miles