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Chipotle42 OP t1_ja33nn8 wrote

Very different from the same rock layer along the Green River which is much thicker. On this side there are like a zillion hoodoos because the White Rim layer is so hard and and broken into small sections forming a perfect cap. I highly recommend taking the White Rim Road and seeing these beautiful places from up close (you can see a bit of it in this photo, winding around), e.g.: https://www.reddit.com/r/EarthPorn/comments/eqo4be/the_surreal_desolation_below_the_white_rim/

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Ceralt t1_ja36e9b wrote

This is my favorite National Park.

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Theswede92 t1_ja403bi wrote

My dad and I rented a Jeep once and drove the White Rim Trail, which is shown in the picture. It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had, I highly recommend it. The night skies are amazing as well.

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bPChaos t1_ja45rdb wrote

Replying to ft5777 (#2,029,696)

Looks like Buck Canyon! We just did a trip in mid-January, and did Arches and Canyonlands. Absolutely worth it, especially if you like off-roading as well.

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ft5777 t1_ja46dsf wrote

Replying to bPChaos (#2,030,770)

Well, I won't have too much time for off roading I think. I'm doing a three weeks trip from Los Angeles to San Francisco that will include Las Vegas, Grand Canyon North rim, Petrified Forest, Mesa Verde, Arches, Canyonlands, Yellowstone, Glacier, Seattle, Olympic and then Redwood. So yeah, we will limit ourselves to the roads and do some easy to mid-level trails in each park.

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boatloadoffunk t1_ja4ak9b wrote

I traveled that area in July last year. So hot, but so beautiful. We camped three nights under the stars in different spots. The Dollhouse was surreal.

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seacamp t1_ja4b9xy wrote

This gives me such a deep sense of dread. Eerie and beautiful, OP, thanks for the pic!

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needaquickienow t1_ja4ca5h wrote

Ive been all over continental usa and canyonlands is easily one of the best views/parks in the us. Like top 3

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Acetyl-CoA t1_ja4meps wrote

I hiked down to that rim a few years ago. It was awesome

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Kloodist t1_ja4nzuy wrote

Replying to BeautifulAndStoned (#2,033,191)

Sometime in the past couple of years they changed the permit requirements. You now need one to be on the road at all, not just for camping.

You can drive the potash road and Shafer switchbacks without a permit but anything else requires one.

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dressupandstayhome t1_ja4psmc wrote

I’ve never been there so I have to ask the dumb question lol. I’m guessing there are fences near the road to prevent anyone from driving/walking near the edges of the canyon? Beautiful pic btw.

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One_Dull_Tool t1_ja4rlfd wrote

Replying to Kloodist (#2,033,963)

I tried driving the shafer road and it was closed due to snow. But the drive to the gate was 20miles in and absolutely beautiful!!

You are correct in that a permit is currently required to drive the white rim road.

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blu02 t1_ja4tjcq wrote

Canyonlands is so underrated

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off_by_two t1_ja4vs7w wrote

Replying to dressupandstayhome (#2,034,303)

Nope! Large parts of canyonslands NP are so remote you are pretty much entirely on your own. This is actually one of the more accessible areas, but the white rim trail is about 10-12 hours of offroading, so you can imagine you get in trouble around the middle you are at a minimum of 5-6 hours + whatever distance from the park entrance the emergency services are. And thats if you planned ahead and have a satellite communication device to call for help in the first place

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M116110 t1_ja4wfk6 wrote

Pro tip. The 40 mile trail that goes down there is labeled as easy. It is super sketch. Found out last year... but it is beautiful.

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juneseyeball t1_ja4x1na wrote

Replying to M116110 (#2,035,525)

i went on a trail there...neck spring? with my sister. we didn't bring enough water and truly thought we were going to die. end of the hike was scaling a canyon wall essentially

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BeautifulAndStoned t1_ja4y0mw wrote

Replying to Kloodist (#2,033,963)

but you don't have to wait 6 months to get the day use permits, you can just walk up most of the time. you can get permits all the time even for the backcountry sites it just goes quickly because there are some strong preferences for campsites and people want to have their itineraries locked down. if you're planning to bike it you can have some rough days if your sites don't line up in a reasonable way. even in the busy season you can grab 1 day campsite permits if you want to come middle of the week or something like that.mostly it's only hard to get permits because everybody wants to come when the weather is nice and for a long weekend trip.

it's not that fun to do as a day trip, there are better ways to spend your time even if you just want to have some good views. but if you're just driving in to a trailhead or something like that you don't have to plan the same way.

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mycroft16 t1_ja51rkh wrote

Mountain biked part of the rim to Muscleman Arch and then back to the switchbacks and on to Pitash Road years ago. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been. Easily a top 3 National Park for me. The sheer immensity of it amd the landscape is humbling. And the extreme climate. It's difficult to describe to people who haven't been. Absolutely with a trip to UT to see this gem. And if you're here drive to the other side of the freeway and do Arches as well. Literally across the street from each other.

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mycroft16 t1_ja52od4 wrote

Replying to dressupandstayhome (#2,034,303)

Pretty much the moment you leave a paved road in this park you are on your own in one of the more vast a deserted places in the United States. And this is one of the least hospitable environments in the country any time of year. It is rugged and old. There are places in this park where on the road you are 6 hours from the entrance and you can hike further in than that. This is extremely raw wilderness and it has the beauty to match the danger. Whatever amount if water you think you will need, double or triple it. There are no fences off the paved road. And in many places no warning signs. Just name of place. When I mountainbiked here we literally laid down at the edge of the white rim amd peered over the edge a thousand feet straight down. The switchbacks had no rails at all. No warnings about dry washes or anything. It feels like you're one of the first people ever to see these things.

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chicomathmom t1_ja53hhk wrote

What are the white peaks in the background of this photo?

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snr-encabulator-eng t1_ja551i9 wrote

Any Stephen King fans out here? In Wizard and Glass, there's a place there where the Gunslingers lured the enemies in what I could imagine as something like this. What was that? It's been awhile since I read it.

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Kacksjidney t1_ja5acib wrote

Replying to juneseyeball (#2,035,655)

Desert trails are deceptive and can change drastically depending on the season and weather. A flat arroyo trail can turn into a deadly flood and a road can become undrivable with a little dust storm. Add to that baking heat, no water and drastic day/night temperature fluctuations and you have an environment that can go from safe to deadly rapidly. Canyonlands is an amazing park but not for the unprepared. Hell, a busted tire on the highways out there can lead to heat stroke. Most environments don't kill you in a few hours but the desert can. Glad you guys made it out safe, I've found myself in similar situations. Still love Canyonlands but I recommend most people do the short hikes and driving tour and let the capable seek out the more difficult trails for themselves.

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Kacksjidney t1_ja5bocw wrote

Replying to mycroft16 (#2,036,754)

There's something about being in a place like that that puts you (or at least me) in a state of heightened awareness. Almost like a low level of adrenaline. The stakes are just much higher than other back countries I've been in. In the Tetons you might listen for bears at night, or in the cascades I watch my step carefully and pay attention not to get lost. When I whitewater kayak you focus on the river closely but when out in the open desert like that it's a prolonged sense of stakes and foreboding. Constantly tracking your water intake and whether you're overheating, watching for shady spots in case you bust a tire or roll an ankle. The realization that if something goes wrong it's going to be hours and there's no nice wood to make a fire or stream to bunker down next to adds an isolating but freeing sense of consequences to the experience.

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mycroft16 t1_ja5hqy1 wrote

Replying to Kacksjidney (#2,038,247)

One of the reasons I love Canyonlands so much is the ever present feeling you have of the raw, untameable power of this environment. Even just standing beside a road and looking from a view point you feel the place. The incredible beauty is always paired with a sense of how unforgiving this place is. It is crazy how extreme and rapid high desert fluctuations can be. It can be 120+ in the day and within a 2 hour period drop to 40 at night.

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mikedonathan t1_ja5i9mx wrote

Did the White Rim Road on my motorcycle a few years ago. The scenery is amazing.

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lostcosmonaut307 t1_ja5jw6x wrote

We camped on the White Rim Road several years ago and it was a great experience. It does take a semi-capable 4x4/dirt bike/mtb.

But camping on the edge of the badlands is an experience not to be missed. I’m from the PNW. When we talk about “quiet” when we camp, there’s still the rustle of breeze in the trees, running water from creeks and rivers, and animals. It’s by no means truly quiet.

Out there, camping on the White Rim is truly very quiet. Ridiculously so. Almost oppressively quiet when you’re so used to camping in the PNW.

Truly an incredible experience.

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oldnumber6 t1_ja5ozgr wrote

Canyonlands was my favorite of Utah's Mighty 5. The trip there was amazing.

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kwojcik0 t1_ja5qnvq wrote

Got engaged there! Favorite place

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nzcanuck61 t1_ja5tpzc wrote

What the water starts, the wind finishes.

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jrodsf t1_ja5tylr wrote

Replying to Tarrolis (#2,041,420)

Admittedly, we did skip Needles on that road trip but we were hitting up 4 of the Big 5 plus GC. (I went to Zion so many times growing up when you'd rarely run into anyone else on the trails that it's a bit disappointing going there now with the stupidly huge crowds)

Next road trip is gonna be just Canyonlands (and a bit of Arches since it's right there).

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bPChaos t1_ja5ukac wrote

Replying to mycroft16 (#2,036,604)

Yeah, my friends and I plan on driving/biking the White Rim at some point. I like offroading more than biking but it means they don't have to carry all their stuff with them and have a support vehicle.

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PortraitOfAHiker t1_ja60bt8 wrote

Replying to _YeezusTakeTheWheel_ (#2,042,661)

My top five and my suggestions for five aren't the same, for what it's worth. I've never been to Alaska and Hawaii and assume most people are referring to the contiguous states. For the sake of diversity:

Yellowstone, Zion, Everglades, Olympic, Gateway Arch Mammoth Cave

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Dilapidated_Monk t1_ja62ddo wrote

Replying to [deleted] (#2,042,991)

Summer if you’re from southern states and can handle the heat and love crowds then summer is best. If you’re everyone else go in fall/spring. I went in October of 2020 and it was ideal. Great weather, less crowd d

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wrongsideofthewire t1_ja64ynb wrote

Replying to alienscape (#2,041,551)

I think it depends a lot on what your plans are. I overnighted in Canyonlands NP in early fall. The high during the day was 100F and it does NOT cool off at night; all of that red rock just absorbs heat and then keeps it hot until probably 3-4am; it wasn’t great for camping. I plan on returning at some point and when I do it’ll be late fall.

If I wasn’t camping then it wouldn’t have been a big deal. There’s are also a few state and local parks that have similar geology, so don’t sleep on those!

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throwaway901617 t1_ja652gq wrote

Replying to jrodsf (#2,041,950)

Few months ago we drove the whole loop: GC, Monument Valley, Arches, Canyonlands, Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef, Scenic Hwy 12 Torrey to Bryce along Grand Staircase Escalante, through Bryce and Zion.

Even without hiking (limited time and bucket list epic road trip) the sights were absolutely breathtaking.

The Bryce with snow had some absolutely stunning beauty.

For anyone thinking about going to these places just do it. Photos don't even begin to describe the sense of awe from being surrounded by these views on all sides.

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throwaway901617 t1_ja65b9n wrote

Replying to Dilapidated_Monk (#2,043,782)

Yeah we went first two weeks of November through the whole grand circle. Grand canyon got bitter cold with the wind but it was tolerable. Arches was amazing.

Everyone talks about the Arches but Panorama Point is the best spot in the park.

Plus there's an absolutely beautiful arch at Bryce right on the road. Especially with the red Rock dusted in snow.

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JesusPotto t1_ja66mrw wrote

Adding this to the “places I need to drive to”

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WeBornToHula t1_ja69qjt wrote

Felt genuinely, terrifyingly small standing on the edge looking into that a couple years ago. Absolutely incredible.

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Elderbrand t1_ja6dbhr wrote

This is one of my favorite views. Just the contrast and elevation difference between the deep canyons and the mountains behind it. If I remember correctly the elevation of this view is 2-3,000 feet to 14,000

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jrodsf t1_ja6dpz8 wrote

Replying to throwaway901617 (#2,044,295)

Our trip was pretty much that but in the opposite direction. Even stopped in Torrey for some epic stargazing. Highway 12 is crazy beautiful in the fall.

Southeast Utah is an alien landscape. Definitely one of nature's masterpieces.

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NeckPourConnoisseur t1_ja6fbrz wrote

Hit Arches, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point two weeks ago. It snowed the first two days and then was perfect the last three. Nearly had the parks to ourselves at times. Absolutely unbelievable. Never thought we could match Zion, but standing under Delicate Arch was incredible.

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Disarray215 t1_ja6fhbg wrote

Looks like an alligator swimming on the surface.

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DRAIN3O t1_ja6g82f wrote

Is this happening right now 😧

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MountainMagic6198 t1_ja6j8o3 wrote

There's the white rim trail too. I've biked that atleast a dozen times. Tons of fun.

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I_tinerant t1_ja6jljy wrote

Replying to pmsnow (#2,046,877)

Trying to 1-day it, multiday unsupported, or supported multiday?

The riding isn't all that spicy, for the most part. It's an old road, and still drivable (with decent suspension), but I'd be reluctant to do it unsupported on something that old. If you've got the option to just throw it on the jeep / a full repair kit, though, then sure!

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fakemoose t1_ja6jonp wrote

Replying to juneseyeball (#2,035,655)

I’m sorry but if you’re not bringing a half liter of water per hour of hike you shouldn’t be going anywhere near something resembling backcountry. I will never understand people setting out with barely any water. You’re putting yourself and s&r at risk. Same goes for people who don’t understand how quick the weather can change.

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I_tinerant t1_ja6k4by wrote

Replying to One_Dull_Tool (#2,034,623)

When I did WRT, it snowed the night before we ended and some dumbass tried to drive their corolla down the western end, couldn't do it, and just abandoned the car blocking the road.

We and 2 other groups pushed it into the ditch so we could get past.

Don't drive down a steep, one-lane, janky-ass road in a corolla.

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pmsnow t1_ja6ki7s wrote

Replying to I_tinerant (#2,047,115)

Multiday for sure . I wanna savor it. Would like to hit the Maze too. It would be in a small posse of friends. Three vehicles, one a lifted Xterra about as old as mine, with two pretty solid mechanics. Some youtube videos make it look like stock 4x4s other than Jeeps can manage it.

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fakemoose t1_ja6kn5e wrote

Replying to juneseyeball (#2,047,168)

That’s not really an excuse. You’re still putting you’re self and other at risk by not knowing more about where you’re hiking. Don’t set out if you have no idea about where you are. We see this all the time with tourists in Yellowstone and Tetons and it’s super frustrating. If you can’t be bothered to learn about where you’re hiking, or even follow basics water guidelines, don’t do it.

Edit: lol they responded and then blocked me

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juneseyeball t1_ja6kt4c wrote

Replying to fakemoose (#2,047,316)

Get over yourself. The distance of the hike is not even accurately marked. All of the alltrails reviews say it is 6 mi - longer than described and that moderate is not an accurate classification

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I_tinerant t1_ja6lkpo wrote

Replying to pmsnow (#2,047,291)

My suspicion is you'd be fine - we did it with a 2007 Nissan Frontier. There were a couple spicy sections, but nothing that ever made me think 'fuck we're not going to make this', just like 'bah this might take a minute'.

YMMV, but it wasn't terrible

Also did it in late 2019, so plausibly things have changed since.

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thechairinfront t1_ja6vp7m wrote

Replying to Nwcray (#2,043,750)

You'll pass right through capital reef on your way from Bryce to arches. Canyon lands is like,right there as well. Have some nice hiking shoes and a good change of shoes if you decide to hike the narrows in Zion. I made the mistake of not having a good change of shoes and had to hang my shoes to air dry and it took wayyyy too long to air dry in the car and my feet got stinky and shoes didn't dry all the way.

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shivaynamo t1_ja734bp wrote

Notice that small SUV in the center

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_xPAULx_ t1_ja7go7b wrote

Replying to pmsnow (#2,046,877)

Just did it in Sept of '22 in a stock Jeep Compass Trailhawk.. A bit spicy here and there, but the Trailhawk did just fine.. 1 Day trip clockwise, about 14hrs..

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stillventures17 t1_ja7ib6h wrote

I remember looking out over this in June and thinking, this is hell on earth.

And it was beautiful.

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Lawdoc1 t1_ja7lrrs wrote

Will be there on WRT in just over a month. Cannot wait.

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frankeestadium t1_ja7nym0 wrote

Being here made me realize how SMALL we really are. What a beautiful place, I need to go back.

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Lawdoc1 t1_ja8tgyh wrote

Replying to Chipotle42 (#2,057,434)

Oh, I am aware. I've been to Canyonlands/Moab twice before. On those trips I was able to drive Shafer Trail, but did not have the necessary preparations/vehicle/time for White Rim Trail.

I promised myself I would go back and it is finally around the corner.

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