Category Archives: Trails
Color Returns to the Trails at Dead Horse Point State Park
The month of May marks a fantastic change in the plant life at Dead Horse Point State Park. Despite the dry winter, the plants are returning with brilliant color. This is an excellent month for photographers, artists or anyone interested in desert flowers to visit the park. The variety of colors found right at the trails’ edge is enough to entice anyone to hike a bit further. The deciduous trees and shrubs of the park have awakened from their winter slumber and are bringing lush green tones and lively zest to the red rock landscape. Hikers are sure to be pleased by the sweet fragrance drifting from flowering shrubs.
The blossoming of cacti is an event not to be missed. For a brief time of the year these spiny desert icons turn into splashes of color on the landscape. Be it a prickly pear, claret cup or fishhook, each cactus brings their own significant flower to the mix. The prickly pear, the most common cactus in the park, is known for large flowers of yellow, pink and orange. 
The claret cup grows in a clustered mound spotted with fiery red flowers that have a golden base. The… Read the rest
Posted in State Parks, Trails
Tagged claret cup, dead horse point, prickly pear cactus, utah state parks
Leave a comment
Spring Riding at Dead Horse Point State Park
May is nearly here and with it comes the onset of the tourist season at Dead Horse Point State Park. Park staff is looking forward to a great season of interpretive programs, school field trips, guided hikes, and the daily assortment of visitors from around the world. The abnormally warm and relatively snowless winter has paved the way for abundant outdoor activities this spring. Despite the fact that March retains a bit of chill in the air, it is an excellent time for both fat and skinny tire cyclists to get rolling.
The Intrepid Trail System at Dead Horse Point State Park offers enjoyable riding for novice mountain bikers and their seasoned counterparts. These trails offer a fun riding experience and astonishing views. Since its’ inception, the Intrepid Trail System has yielded a steady increase in use each season. The varied terrain of all three trails in the Intrepid Trail System are ideal for preparing any rider for the challenge of Moab’s more advanced trails. Many riders have already begun to take advantage of the trails and get a jump start on the riding season. March weather provides good riding conditions, enough daylight and lacks the extreme heat of summer.… Read the rest
Posted in Events and Activities, Parks and Museums, State Parks, Trails
Tagged dead horse point, Moab mountain biking, road cycling, trails
Leave a comment
Hiking with Your Best Friend at Dead Horse Point State Park
Do you love hiking with your best friend? Bring your furry friend to Dead Horse Point State Park and explore nine miles of scenic vistas along the dog-friendly trails.
Sweeping views of the Colorado River and the canyons below await you both. Along the way, you may see many types of desert animals (e.g. chipmunks, squirrels, lizards, snakes, rabbits, hares, fox, deer). In the spring, the trails are bordered with delicate desert wildflowers adding color to the rugged landscape.
A few things to know before your visit to the park:
- Sandstone tends to be very rough on city dog pads, so you may want to bring some pad salve or booties along to prevent cracks, abrasions or gashes.
- Check your dog’s pads often since they may not let you know they’re hurt with all of the new smells around.
- Be sure to bring plenty of water for you both, there is little shade along the trails.
- For safety reasons, dogs are not allowed on the Intrepid Bike Trail.
Protect the park’s wildlife and keep your pet safe by keeping your dog leashed (no longer than six feet) and under your control at all times. Dog supplies are available in the… Read the rest
Posted in State Parks, Trails, Uncategorized
Tagged dog friendly, pets, trails, utah state parks
Leave a comment
Riding the Intrepid Trail
Though I live in Moab, I’m not a particularly skilled mountain biker, but I’m trying! I have a bike and I’ve done a few easy and moderate trails. One of the few trails in the Moab area that is not too intense or difficult is the Intrepid Trail System at Dead Horse Point State Park. It’s a fun ride over mesa-top terrain with amazing views along the way. It’s great for experienced bikers wanting a less challenging ride with great views and short hikes, or people like me who want to improve their mountain biking skills.
The four-mile Great Pyramid Loop is good for a short ride that lasts about an hour. It is mostly slickrock and hard surfaces, with a few moderately technical areas. The nine-mile Big Chief Loop has a few more challenging areas for riders to test their skills before tackling Moab’s more difficult mountain bike trails.
Posted in Events and Activities, Parks and Museums, State Parks, Trails
Tagged dead horse point, mountain bike, state park, trail
Leave a comment
Winter Rocks!
I often hear the lament – “I hate winter!”
On my front door I have a hanging decoration that says, “I love winter!”
Am I daft? Perhaps, but not about loving winter. Especially when there is so much to do and so many places to explore in the winter.
“What is there to do in winter?” those winter haters might say. “Skiing?”
Well, yes. There is that. But if you’re not a skier then that’s not really an option for you is it?
So let’s talk about something we can do in winter that is affordable, fun, and provides so many opportunities to play and explore!
How about incorporating snowshoeing with building snow caves, playing in the snow, and hot Dutch oven soup? Here’s how it works. Get your Dutch oven or slow cooker or just a nice big pot. Throw some tasty ingredients together and let them simmer for a few hours while you get out and get going in the snow!
Grab some snowshoes; borrow some from a friend or rent a pair if you don’t have your own. Then find a familiar trail, or join in with a guided snowshoe hike at your favorite state park. While… Read the rest
On the Trail of a Weasel!
Little white body, black tipped tail. There’s nothing much cuter than a weasel in winter. Also known as Ermine, these little critters are a bundle of energy. Follow the trail of one and it tells the story of a hyperactive, inquisitive, little predator.
