Suggested stops between Bryce Canyon and Moab?

[Cali_PH]

I'm hoping to get suggestions for photo locations between Bryce Canyon and Moab. We will be staying in Torrey one night in between. Ideally I would have had more time in that section, but with all the other 'Grand Circle' stops, we just don't.

Here's a tentative list, I'm open to suggestions, and have only been to Bryce Canyon, but not NE of it Hwy 12:

Day 1 - Leave Bryce, maybe get a sunrise shot on the way out. Potential stops are Kodachrome (skip?) Devil's Garden, Zebra Slot, arrive at Capitol Reef; explore some of that, and if we have time, see Cathedral Valley around sunset. I know there are other locations along the way, but at the moment Devil's Garden, Zebra Slot and Cathedral Valley are highlights, and I'm not sure even these 3 are doable with the hiking, shooting and slow driving to Cathedral Valley, plus probable periodic stops along 12 for photo ops. Thoughts?

Day 2 - Leave Torrey. Any sunrise rec's in Capitol Reef? I was thinking of morning in Goblin Valley, then Little Wildhorse Canyon; possibly Little Egypt; then on to Moab for 3 days full of Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse State Park. Of course, we'll be tourists and try to get to Delicate Arch by sunset.

We do have a 4 wheel drive and obviously this is all if weather permits; we'll try to check with BLM/visitor's center for the latest road conditions, especially for Cathedral Valley. I also have Laurent Martres' 'Photographing the Southwest' series, and have used that as a reference, but haven't read it all in depth; it mentions a lot of locations on this path, but I've targeted what looks the most interesting, at least by his pics.

Thanks for reading! Any input is greatly appreciated.

[katgrl82]

I'll be interested to see the replies because we also will be visiting the same area in May. We are spending a few days in Moab(our second visit there) and then continuing on to spend a few days in the Capitol Reef area.

We are also going to drive the Burr Trail which is supposed to be very scenic. There is also a small slot canyon around 11 miles down the paved section of the Burr Trail.

Calf Creek Falls is another spot that is recommended to visit.

I'm sure you know the standard Moab spots. Sunrise or Sunset at Dead Horse Point, sunrise Mesa Arch, afternoon at False Kiva, sunrise of Turret Arch through the Windows. We plan on hitting Corona Arch at sunrise and maybe the Fisher Towers at sunset.

[Geonerd]

Originally Posted by katgrl82

I'll be interested to see the replies because we also will be visiting the same area in May. We are spending a few days in Moab(our second visit there) and then continuing on to spend a few days in the Capitol Reef area.

We are also going to drive the Burr Trail which is supposed to be very scenic. There is also a small slot canyon around 11 miles down the paved section of the Burr Trail.

"Fuzzy Caterpillar Gorge" - http://www.flickr.com/photos/1980623...7622954552430/

There are tons of slot canyons along 95, between Hanksville and Nat. Bridges. http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/map.html

This bunch is generally scenic and easy to reach: http://www.americansouthwest.net/slo...h/canyons.html
#3, Leprechaun, makes a fun 2~3 hour hike from the road and back. I haven't tried the others, but you could easily spend the whole day in the immediate area. (Ignore what the site says about entering from the top end - that's for properly equipped canyon junkies only.)

Notom Road provides access to another batch, and the area just NW of Goblin Valley has more....

[cdiver2]

Cali when I do a road trip I mark the route on Google earth then see what photos have been posted within striking distance. I have found a lot of good photography spots this way.

[Cali_PH]

Katgrl82 - Thanks for the suggestions, hopefully the responses help you out too. And yes, you mentioned pretty much all the key spots we're targeting for the Moab area. My directions to False Kiva are a bit vague, though so hopefully I can get better info at the visitor center or somewhere else.

Geonerd - Thanks for the suggestions and links! I liked your shots...sorry to read about your butt scrape though!

cfiver2 - Good suggestion; I actually tagged locations for this trip in google maps imported into google earth, but always forget to look at nearby photos. I'll do that later, thank you.

[sparker1]

I have spent weeks in that area and still have more to see. You will only have time for a drive by, so there's not much point listing a lot of additional places. In Capitol Reef, best sunrise shots may be Temple of Sun or Temple of Moon in Cathedral Valley. Another is Factory Butte. Burr Point, near Hanksville, should be great at sunrise.

[Cali_PH]

Originally Posted by sparker1

I have spent weeks in that area and still have more to see. You will only have time for a drive by, so there's not much point listing a lot of additional places. In Capitol Reef, best sunrise shots may be Temple of Sun or Temple of Moon in Cathedral Valley. Another is Factory Butte. Burr Point, near Hanksville, should be great at sunrise.

I kind of figured, but was hoping I had missed one or more highlights or hidden gems that wouldn't take too long. I feel I could spend a lifetime exploring the west/southwest and still not see it all; I'm hoping for another trip in the fall or next year and explore some more.

I appreciate the locations you mentioned. If we can get to them, I think we'll target Temp of the Sun/Moon for sunrise. I'll check into Burr Point, though, I don't think I've heard of it before.

[katgrl82]

Originally Posted by Cali_PH

Katgrl82 - Thanks for the suggestions, hopefully the responses help you out too. And yes, you mentioned pretty much all the key spots we're targeting for the Moab area. My directions to False Kiva are a bit vague, though so hopefully I can get better info at the visitor center or somewhere else.

Geonerd - Thanks for the suggestions and links! I liked your shots...sorry to read about your butt scrape though!

cfiver2 - Good suggestion; I actually tagged locations for this trip in google maps imported into google earth, but always forget to look at nearby photos. I'll do that later, thank you.

I don't have good False Kiva directions either, although it seems like there are supposed to be more markers to make it easier to follow the trail then it used to be. If we make it there, I'll let you know any tips or directions I have.

Are there any other good sunrise spots in the Capitol Reef area that are quicker/easier to get to besides Cathedral Valley?

[bps]

Originally Posted by Cali_PH

My directions to False Kiva are a bit vague, though so hopefully I can get better info at the visitor center or somewhere else.

Unfortunately, you won't find any directions or maps from folks working at the Visitor's Center because it's a site they don't want to advertise. However, you're in luck. Directions are already in Laurent's book and they are pretty accurate. The only thing I would add is that as you're walking from from your car back towards SR313 on the main road, avoid the temptation to take the first wash on the right thinking it's the trail. (There are usually footprints there leading you to believe it's the trail Laurent references in his his book. It's not.) The real trail is a little further on down the road.

Finding the False Kiva is generally well-marked, with a minor dose of route-finding/adventure.

Bryan

[Cali_PH]

Originally Posted by katgrl82

I don't have good False Kiva directions either, although it seems like there are supposed to be more markers to make it easier to follow the trail then it used to be. If we make it there, I'll let you know any tips or directions I have.

Are there any other good sunrise spots in the Capitol Reef area that are quicker/easier to get to besides Cathedral Valley?

Well, I'll be there in about a week, so I'll let you know if we find it 😁

I don't have any good sunrise suggestions there, but I think you were asking everyone in general.

[Cali_PH]

Originally Posted by bps

Unfortunately, you won't find any directions or maps from folks working at the Visitor's Center because it's a site they don't want to advertise. However, you're in luck. Directions are already in Laurent's book and they are pretty accurate. The only thing I would add is that as you're walking from from your car back towards SR313 on the main road, avoid the temptation to take the first wash on the right thinking it's the trail. (There are usually footprints there leading you to believe it's the trail Laurent references in his his book. It's not.) The real trail is a little further on down the road.

Finding the False Kiva is generally well-marked, with a minor dose of route-finding/adventure.

Bryan

Ah, great news, thanks! I need to spend some more time reading his books in depth. And thanks for the tip about the false trail, we'll keep an eye out

[sparker1]

Originally Posted by Cali_PH

I kind of figured, but was hoping I had missed one or more highlights or hidden gems that wouldn't take too long. I feel I could spend a lifetime exploring the west/southwest and still not see it all; I'm hoping for another trip in the fall or next year and explore some more.

I appreciate the locations you mentioned. If we can get to them, I think we'll target Temp of the Sun/Moon for sunrise. I'll check into Burr Point, though, I don't think I've heard of it before.

Burr Point
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/richf..._overlook.html

[cdiver2]

I looked up Sparer1 Burr point on Google earth and found this nearby http://www.google.com/search?q=lepre...EYfO2wWSl9WSBQ

it looks very appealing ...to me

[MCAsan]

When you are over near Hanksville, consider driving into the western remote section of Canyonlands NP called Horseshoe Canyon. You park and then hike down into the valley floor. The Great Gallery has a fantastic collection of petroglyphs.

The Canyon is not contiguous with the rest of Canyonlands National Park. It is located between the towns of Green River and Hanksville. Most visitors access Horseshoe from the Hanksville side, from Utah Highway 24 via 30 miles of graded dirt road. The turnoff is signed. You can also come in from Green River on 47 miles of dirt road. Driving time is roughly 2.5 hours from Moab or 1.5 hours from Green River. A four-wheel-drive road leads to the east rim of Horseshoe Canyon from the Hans Flat Ranger Station.
The Hwy. 24 turnoff is signed and is located just south of the Goblin Valley turnoff. The Goblin Valley road goes west; the Horseshoe road goes east. The Horseshoe road also provides access to the Maze District of Canyonlands and to the Hans Flat Ranger Station. Signs clearly mark the entire route to the trailhead.

The trail into the canyon is well marked with rock cairns. When you reach the bottom simply walk up-canyon. The first rock art panel will be on your left about 1/3 mile up the canyon. It is easy to see from the trail and is marked by a sign. Other panels will be on the right and are also easy to see; some are not signed.

Hike Details

Round-trip distance: 6.5 miles
Elevation change: 830 feet
Difficulty: Moderately strenuous
Time needed: 4+ hours
Water: Carry all you need. (There may be running water in the canyon, but don't count on it. Never drink stream water unless it is treated or filtered.)
Seasons: Spring and fall are best. Hiking can be pleasant during mild periods in winter. Summers are hot, but hiking can be enjoyable during morning hours.

Groups of 20 or more must arrange to hike with a ranger. Contact the ranger station at the number below.

Other rules: No pets; no bicycles; no motorized vehicles. A free permit is needed to bring horses into the area.

Tours: Ranger-led hikes are offered every Saturday and Sunday from April-November. Meet at 9 a.m. at the trailhead bulletin board.

Hans Flat Ranger Station: 435-259-2652.

[sparker1]

Originally Posted by cdiver2

I looked up Sparer1 Burr point on Google earth and found this nearby http://www.google.com/search?q=lepre...EYfO2wWSl9WSBQ

it looks very appealing ...to me

As you travel south from Hanksville on Rte 95 (if you should go that way), there are numerous slot canyons, such as Leprechaun. However, most of them require technical ("canyoneering") skills, so I have never visited them. Little Wild Horse, near Goblin Valley, and others nearby can be done by those of us without technical skills.