One of my favorite short canyons in Moab, Bow and Arrow Canyon has a bit of everything scenery wise Between Longbow Arch, Polka Dot Petroglyph, and stunning views of the Colorado River and Behind the Rocks, it is a diverse outing Bow and Arrow Canyons is not a very technical or narrow canyon If you are looking for tight slots or technical challenges, look elsewhere The canyon is more of a short outing that makes an enjoyable evening canyon Note: Why the name Mike Stimola, who showed me the canyon and is the owner o...

Snow Canyon State Park is a beautiful park filled with many interesting hikes, but it can also be very crowded However, I found that the Cinder Cone Trail was not particularly busy even though I was there on a holiday weekend The cinder cone is generally referred to as the Diamond Valley Cinder Cone You can see black basalt rock throughout Snow Canyon, some of which originated from volcanic eruptions that started 3 million years ago The formation of the two cinder cones on the northern end of the park are from more...

The Oak Creek Pictograph Panel is a small but very striking rock art site located just east of Oak City It is an easily accessible site that can be viewed directly from the road, making it a convenient stop for those visiting the nearby Oak Creek Campground The panel features four distinct anthropomorphic figures rendered in a deep red ochre pigment These human-like forms are characterized by a peculiar "spaded" or wide-footed stance, a visual detail that has sparked various interpretations over the years Some sugg...

Happy Canyon has thwarted more of my canyoneering buddies' efforts to visit it than probably any other canyon There are two common options to visit The first, via Burr Point, is long and always underestimated Many groups try that route, but have to turn back before Happy or return in the dark Reaching the trailhead for Burr Point is easy and is generally accessible to all vehicles This route, via Poison Spring, is the preferred route and makes a very casual day hike What is the catch The road requires a high cleara...

Ash Springs Hot Springs is an oasis in the broad open expanse of the Pahragant Valley The springs crystal clear waters have a temperature in the mid-90s, about perfect for a soak! The springs have a long history of being enjoyed by visitors Not far south of the springs is the Ash Springs Rock Art site, showing Native American peoples used the area and, undoubtedly, the hot springs Though the springs are on BLM land, in 2013, the BLM closed the springs, citing public safety and environmental damage Currently, the sp...

NOTE: Both Danger and Jukebox Caves are gated and locked You can visit the outside of them, and look in through the gate, but can't go inside without being on a tour The site is owned and managed by Utah State Parks as a monument, and tours are by arrangement with a third-party I can't speak highly enough for the guided tour! It was incredibly informative and by far the best way to visit and learn about the caves As of 2024, you can find information on future caves tours here: https://metcalfarchaeologycom/danger-c...

Crystal Geyser is a cold water geyser near Green River Due to its unpredictability, it can be an exercise of patience It can go off anywhere between every hour to 24+ hours! A 2005 study found 66% of the time the geyser erupts about every 8 hours However, a few years later, the eruptions become very sporadic and widely spaced In 2023, likely due to the heavy winter, eruptions have become more common again Feeling lucky Even if you don't get lucky enough to see it erupting, it is an interesting place to visit The ge...

Separating the Wasatch Range from to the west from Woodruff, Randolf, and Wyoming to the east, the Monte Cristo Range runs north-south for about 30 miles State Highway 39 crosses the range and offers exquisite views and a winding road often frequented by motorcyclists Monte Cristo Peak, the tallest point in the range at 9,148, sits a very short distance off the highway and makes a great family friendly leg stretch when passing through the area A note on timing UT-39 is closed in the winter, roughly from November to...

Yuba Lake State Park is popular with anglers, boaters, and many ATV enthusiasts visiting to ride the trails that surround the lake There are few opportunities for hiking at Yuba Lake, aside from wandering along the seashore There is a social trail above Painted Rocks that has great views of the lake At low waters, it is possible to walk out to the base of Painted Rocks and visit a pictograph panel The panel, on the south face of Painted Rocks, is quite stunning The difficult to access location of the panel has help...

Cathedral Valley, in the northern part of Capitol Reef National Park, is a mesmerizing geological wonder The area gets its name from the towering rock formations that resemble Gothic cathedrals, with massive monoliths and intricate sedimentary layers creating a surreal landscape Capitol Reef itself is known for its diverse and stunning red-rock scenery, but Cathedral Valley stands out as an extraordinary highlight within the park It is an area I have visited many times over the years, and always enjoy We did an ove...