Heading to Moab tomorrow, suggestions?

[Jack]

Hey guys, we're on our Colorado trip and here in the Ouray/Montrose area another day. From here we can stay another day or two or take a trip out to the Moab area. I'd love to show the family that area. I went through there once on a bike trip.

I'm going to do some research, I have some maps and books along. But thought I might as well post here to see if you guys have some suggestions on where to stay and maybe some easy trails or touristy sites to see. I'm not looking for trails that are hard or rock climbing, but don't mind getting off the beaten path to see some great scenery.

Just from google maps it looks like I might go through Paradox, La Sal, and come into Moab via the south on 191. Then on Saturday we need to start heading back to Wisconsin and I figured we would go through Castle Valley then 70 back towards Denver and to Wisconsin.

Let me know if you have any suggestions on motels but more importantly some scenic views I should show my wife and son in the area.

Thanks in advance!!!

[kokopelli]

The trip up 90 through Paradox and La Sal over to 191 is nice; be sure and stop at the little post offices and welcome centers. Sign the guest books and tell them "Ron and Sandy say hey!".. Check out the Cali Cochita B&B in Moab. Canyonlands NP and Arches NP are great and I wouldn't miss them, even when going back. Be sure and drive down kane creek and see the rock-art. In town there's a good Mexican joint and pizza joint with great wings and beer. Lots of others here to advise on the trails. On the way home, just before Arches take 128 along the river back to 70.. Nice little "wine country-ish" route. Cheers.. Ron

Jack previously said:

Hey guys, we're on our Colorado trip and here in the Ouray/Montrose area another day. From here we can stay another day or two or take a trip out to the Moab area. I'd love to show the family that area. I went through there once on a bike trip.

I'm going to do some research, I have some maps and books along. But thought I might as well post here to see if you guys have some suggestions on where to stay and maybe some easy trails or touristy sites to see. I'm not looking for trails that are hard or rock climbing, but don't mind getting off the beaten path to see some great scenery.

Just from google maps it looks like I might go through Paradox, La Sal, and come into Moab via the south on 191. Then on Saturday we need to start heading back to Wisconsin and I figured we would go through Castle Valley then 70 back towards Denver and to Wisconsin.

Let me know if you have any suggestions on motels but more importantly some scenic views I should show my wife and son in the area.

Thanks in advance!!!

[breauxtus]

Go out to Needles Overlook, pay the $35 at the ranger station for the Devil's Kitchen campground, and head out onto Elephant Hill trail. Great stuff.

[kbjames]

My advice would be to keep the rubber side down...

What you run though, depends on how frisky your feeling. Golden Spike isn't far from town, but I wouldn't run it alone.

[Fatbob]

A really great run is Shafer trail. It takes you off edge of the plateau down to the White Rim and is something I would do by myself no problem. Its just a dirt road but it drives along a really high cliff and if you screw up its bad but its not technical at all. You can do this as an out and back or hook up with the Potash road at the bottom.

[kokopelli]

That is a very good run.. You'll be able to see the rock-art down on Potash and Kane. Here's Shafer trail...

3-D Geology of Canyonlands National Park

If you go to Canyonlands look off to the little trail down below.. That's White rim..

3-D Geology of Canyonlands National Park

3-D Geology of Canyonlands National Park

Fatbob previously said:

A really great run is Shafer trail. It takes you off edge of the plateau down to the White Rim and is something I would do by myself no problem. Its just a dirt road but it drives along a really high cliff and if you screw up its bad but its not technical at all. You can do this as an out and back or hook up with the Potash road at the bottom.

[missmy60]

I would not try the Mexican restaurant next to a rock shop on the left heading into town. I missed hells revenge trail because of "complications" after eating there.
The Moab Brewery on the other hand was great!

[kokopelli]

I can't remember the name of the Mexican place we liked, but it was down near 200 I believe. I think it was a chain, but it was better than the others. The Pizza place was called Zac's wood fired pizza on the corner of 100 and main. The place with the outside tables.. Ron

missmy60 previously said:

I would not try the Mexican restaurant next to a rock shop on the left heading into town. I missed hells revenge trail because of "complications" after eating there.
The Moab Brewery on the other hand was great!

[breauxtus]

My favorite town hangout is Moab Brewery, across the street from McDs.

Great beer (scorpion tail is my favorite!!!), great food, cool bartenders.

Moab is where I plan to die. I'm in the process of trying to find some reasonable land out that way. This economy thing may help!

Oh yeah, I second the Zak reference by Kokopelli.

[Token]

Great Motel.. Big Horn Lodge..

Great sight seeing trail.. Lockhart Canyon/Basin.. Prolly 45 miles off road.. However, you may need a locker or winch for parts of it.. As far as finding it, only source I know of is the 2nd Edition Charles Wells Moab book..
Hell's Revenge would be a pretty good trail for pretty much anything 4WD.. Good bit of pucker factor, but nothing you shouldn't be able to do if you look things over well and go slow.. Somewhere I've got some pics of a bunch of Volkswagen Tourags running it..

We had no problems with the Mexican place by the rock shop other than suck ass service.. There's a pretty good pizza joint (no not Pizza Hut) in the middle of town too..