Moving to Moab!

absolutindian

absolutindian

Joined
Feb 25, 2008
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I am moving to Moab, Utah for (at least) the summer season. I have accepted a position with Outward Bound at their Southwest location. I have been to the area once, but for only a day. A friend of mine and I did about 11 miles of hiking on primitive trails through Arches Nat'l Park a couple of years back.

Do any of you have experience in the area? I am interested in learning of more "off the beaten path" areas to hike and camp in. I realize that much of the area is National Parks land with restrictive camping policies. Anyone know of other areas with less intense restrictions?

Any tips or suggestions for operating in the desert/slickrock environment I'm heading into? It will be quite a change from the tropical area of Florida I'm in now... Bringing my own water will certainly be one difference I'm sure I'll need to adjust to.

Let me know what you think of the area, and feel free to share your own experiences/adventures in arid environments...
 
absolutindian said:
I am moving to Moab, Utah for (at least) the summer season. I have accepted a position with Outward Bound at their Southwest location. I have been to the area once, but for only a day. A friend of mine and I did about 11 miles of hiking on primitive trails through Arches Nat'l Park a couple of years back.

Do any of you have experience in the area? I am interested in learning of more "off the beaten path" areas to hike and camp in. I realize that much of the area is National Parks land with restrictive camping policies. Anyone know of other areas with less intense restrictions?

Any tips or suggestions for operating in the desert/slickrock environment I'm heading into? It will be quite a change from the tropical area of Florida I'm in now... Bringing my own water will certainly be one difference I'm sure I'll need to adjust to.

Let me know what you think of the area, and feel free to share your own experiences/adventures in arid environments...
Click to expand...

I camped in Arches this summer. In certain parts of the park you do not have to stay on the trail, but you're not allowed to step on some type of plant that prevents soil erosion, so this can limit where you can go. But there are unlimited rocks to climb on and unlimited places to get lost. Have fun and be safe!
 
:) If ANY employer would know about off the beaten path sites, OB should.

Be safe, have fun.
 
I live in Utah, up in SLC. I visit Moab once or twice a year. Utah like most western states is made up almost entirely of US government land, with the majority being BLM. There are very few restrictions on BLM property. Check out the Utah BLM website here:http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en.html

By far the best book series on the state and areas around are written by a fellow name Kelsey. I am not sure about your canyoneering skills, but this book is a good start. http://www.amazon.com/Canyon-Hiking-Guide-Colorado-Plateau/dp/0944510221

As for your other questions, buy some sturdy boots, with what is called a toe rind or scree guard. There are a lot of sharp rocks in Utah.

For water, especially for someone who is coming from a humid place, you are going to need more than you used to. Utah air is very very dry. Which is really nice when it is 110, sweat works here.
 
Like ursusrubrum said, the majority of the area is BLM and pretty open camping. Quite honestly, the folks at OB will probably be the best for the 'off the beaten tracks' locations, but don't neglect the common trails, too! Stop at the bookstore on Main (Back of Beyond) and pick up the book '40 Great Hikes around Moab', it's a pocket sized book that should keep you busy all summer. Don't forget too that you can spend some time in the surrounding areas, too. North for 30-45 min. gets you into the Bookcliffs and Sego canyon (Indian ruins and an old ghost town), SE you've got the La Sals (fishing, hiking, etc), 1.5 hours south there's Natural Bridges, a little farther there's Lake Powell, and a ton of other stuff in the area.

Congrats on the job, too! That should really get you out to see a lot of the area.
 
Cover up and wear a wide brimed hat. As you know in humid weather you consume alot of water because your body has a hard time cooling it's self. This is because of a lack of evaporation. In hot dry weather perspiration is readily evaporated, so your body is able to cool itself. Evaporative cooling. Rehydration is key. Drink plenty water and drink before you feel thirst. Respect the sun and heat. If you can travel in the early morning and late afternoon in late spring and summer. Moab has extreme swings in temp. Both seasonal and early morning and during the day. Dress in layers. That area of the southwest is truly beautiful and unique. I'm sure you will enjoy your experience. Stephen
 
The tips are much appreciated, please keep them coming. Thanks for the links as well... They will provide some nice info I think.


ursusrubrum said:
For water, especially for someone who is coming from a humid place, you are going to need more than you used to. Utah air is very very dry. Which is really nice when it is 110, sweat works here.
Click to expand...

This is something I am looking forward to! I cant wait to be in an area where sweat actually works! I'm so tired of sweating here and then just ending up overheated AND soaking wet!
 
My buddy did some training in moab and if I remember right, he bought a pair of shoes that he thought was perfect for the rocks there. Let's see if I can coax him into posting. He's not too active here. Major lurker. Yo Docnasty!
 
Make sure you go to Dead Horse State Park. Most spectacular views I've ever seen for rock canyons, and it's never mentioned. Utah's best kept secret!!!!
 
I'll make you a map of the area, it might be a few days, but I'll send ya one and see if you like it
 
ok i know its wss and not free for all BUT moab brewery has some good beers and an excellent veggie burrito...also the gear shop there is great...its before the movie theater/mcdonalds. congrats on the new position!

of all 5 NPs i liked canyonlands the best.....it was like walking into a tolkien book :)

btw im jealous!
 
As for anywhere, be skeptical of local advice, like "you can walk that in two hours";
at the same time, I do respect some amazing survival skills of some Utah people.

I read good advice and warnings in the above posts. Read between the lines.

Read some guide books that are appropriate and especially kits and lists.

In my mind there are 3 environments: canyon-desert, desert, and mountain.
Activities: hiking, bicycling, horseback-riding, and more.
Make your kit appropriate to your Environment and Activity.

Outfit your car: a few tools, tape, clamps, tire repair, jack with scrap boards,
water. Monitor your heat gage, esp desert uphills. Read 4WD and 2WD advice.
You could probably keep 2 gallons of water at all times: 4 2-liter pop bottles.

Cell phones will not work in a lot of places; certainly not from the bottom of a
narrow, twisty canyon. Still, I would get the best I could from the best provider;
I am guessing it would be Verizon.

Unless, bicycling, I would recommend wearing long sleeve shirt and pants,
for protection from the sun. Extra bandanna. Large silk scarf would be a luxury:
filter for eyes/nose/mouth when on dusty roads or sandstorms.
+1 on big hat. Comfortable, secure Chin-Strap that keeps the hat secure.
You may need a helmet, depending; do not neglect your noggin.

Sun glasses. gps with protective case. At the outset of entering a canyon, make
darn sure that you are entering the canyon that you think you are entering; your
gps may not work once you enter it.
Get and make various kinds of water filters and purifiers, all light weight, of course.

Gardening hand tool, light weight, Aluminum. You may need to dig for water:
1)in a sandy bottom canyon, or 2) a few meters from a nasty looking water hole,
(=Indian-well).

+1 working hard in morning or late afternoon, in really hot weather, rest at mid-day.
This was the only way I could deal with the tremendous desert heat.
 
+1 on fnc's advice...canyon desert hiking is nothing like alpine hiking...for instance i did half dome in one day (16mi) and in canyonlands it took me a day for 10mi...ymmv
 
absolutindian said:
I am moving to Moab, Utah for Bringing my own water will certainly be one difference I'm sure I'll need to adjust to.
.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what Outward Bound has as a water policy, methods etc, nor what kind
of areas they send groups to. Maybe they have some dandy tricks for water or maybe
they just make you lug lots of heavy loads through very dry areas. Or, neither.

For your own hikes, you might consider caching :

1) You might be able to haul 50 pounds of water that is affixed to a bicycle. You "walk" the
bicycle and distribute the 6 gallons of water along the first part of the route. Then return to
base-camp (trail-head). Now, you do not have to carry as much in your backpack.

2)Staging strategy, as used on Everest: Haul some in, cache it, go back for more.

3)On a circle route (or other) the trail may come very close to a road, so that you can
use that road get close to a portion of the trail and cache some water there.
 
Check out the mountain biking in Moab. There are world class trails there that really allow you to get into the back country and see country that most hikers will never see. Look up Utahmountainbiking.com . The whole enchilada is a 27 mile trail that starts in the La Salle's at 9k feet elevation and drops to the Green River near Moab. The La Salle's would be a good place to explore and to escape some of the heat of summer as well.
 
Was in Moab april 2006. Awsome place. Did some hiking and 4 wheeling. My only advice is be prepared for a very hostile climate. Dress for heat, drink, drink, drink, stay hydrated. Nothing like Fl. Sand storms can also be a problem. Good luck and enjoy. If you get any time off take a trip to Monument Valley in the Navajo nation, nothern Utah fabulous. You like to fly fish go to the Green Rvr. in Dutch John Utah. Enjoy
 
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