Saturday, June 17th ~ Moab, Utah
Mesa Arch ~ Canyonlands National Park
It is sweltering hot and TV stations are issuing High Heat warnings. Signs are posted everywhere reminding people to stay well hydrated. Initially we thought about just taking a “day off” and doing nothing, or perhaps a bit of laundry. But, after a few minutes of vegging, we threw that idea out the window, grabbed our water bottles, backpack, sunglasses, hats, sunscreen, and sense of humor and headed out.
Lunch in Moab was uneventful, and Tim guided our trusty car, Jethro, toward Canyonlands National Park.
Entrance to Canyonlands NP
You enter the park, driving along a mesa aptly named Island in the Sky. Along either side is a canyon – one created by the Green River and the other by the Colorado River. Each canyon is about half as wide and half as deep as the Grand Canyon and is still very impressive.
With temperatures in the high 90’s, we wanted to conserve our energy and carefully chose where we wanted to stop and where we were willing to do a bit of hiking.
First stop was a at the Green River Overlook. You could see for miles and miles and yes, the river is green.
Green River
Then on to Grand View Lookout:
From Grand View Lookout
Also from Grand View. Nice trail off to the right.
But the highlight for us, and where we were willing to hike a bit to see, was Mesa Arch. Only a short, easy 1/2 mile, but in the extreme heat, we still took our time.
Tim and Joanne at Mesa Arch
Gus got to enjoy the view as well
View from Mesa Arch
Tim can scramble over the rocks with ease
Last stop here was called The Neck.
Shooting down into The Neck
Tim got his long lens out to get more detail down below
We are discussing returning to spend more time on these backcountry dirt roads
Next stop was only a short four mile detour off of the road back toward Moab and well worth the time. In fact, in some ways we enjoyed the views from Dead Horse Point even more than those at Canyonlands.
Dead Horse Point State Park
There is a sad story about how the park got its name. Evidently cowboys of the late 1800’s, chased wild mustangs onto Dead Horse Point and using the narrow neck to block off the their exit, creating a natural corral. After selecting the best horses that they wanted to keep, they left the remaining horses in the corral. Eventually the remaining horses died from lack of water, while overlooking the Colorado River 2000 feet below.
I would like to think that this story is wrong, and that no one would intentionally be that heartless and cruel toward an animal, or perhaps it has been embellished over the years.
In spite of the name and story the vistas are amazing.
Dead Horse Point Overlook
Lone yellow flower high on the cliff
Scrappy tree amongst the rocks
Joanne and Tim overlooking the Colorado River
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Today I am grateful for the many rescue societies, groups and individuals who spend countless hours and funds, rescuing animals, getting them medical care, providing love, food and treatments needed, socializing them, and providing foster homes until their forever home can be found.
“We can judge the heart of a man, by his treatment of animals.” ~ Emmanual Kant
A Note From Abroad 
Gorgeous! I am lucky to have visited most of the places you are showing, but I have never been to Dead Horse Point. Despite its horrible history (I too hope that’s wrong), it is breathtakingly beautiful. I will definitely put it on our list for our next visit.
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The beauty of the area helped overshadow the sad history behind it. Do add it to a future trip. Well worth the stop.
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I didn’t tell you the story of Dead Horse Point, but I knew you’d find it and the views amazing. We camped out with my boys up there once and the stars were unbelievable, but then any time you get away from city lights, the skies can be amazing, but on this particular night it was almost white with the number of stars that could be seen. I don’t know how one state got so much gorgeous landscape. Just outside Moab, you can take River Road and see Fisher Towers and other notable landmarks but that back road is also locations for a good many films. I am so jealous, can’t you tell? LOL
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We had wanted to do a dark night for star gazing, but we just never got to it. I understand that Southern Utah is amongst the best in the world for that.
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Utah is just plain good for lots of that.
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Reblogged this on Joy Lennick and commented:
Wow.Clocking up the miles and sights. And what sights…Some outstanding models for photography. I bet you’re right out of adjectives! Safe travelling.
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Joy, you always make us smile with your lovely comments. Thank you!
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Incredible scenery. I am excited for our upcoming journey this winter! Thanks for sharing!
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So glad we could give you a preview!
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We did the same trip in 2015 in a heat wave! Crazy hot like you guys. Did not make it to Crazy Horse, next time. You guys are sure on an amazing visual adventure. It is awesome that you BOTH love to take lots of pictures. Love em. It is crazy hot here in Sacramento Valley, this week, 110. Can I come with you on your next road trip!???? Hugs to you both.
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Would love for you and Charlie to join us. What fun and mischief we could get into! Most of the time, I am the crazed photographer, but once in a while Tim gets inspired and comes up with a few winners.
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Looks amazing, but do take the heat warnings seriously!! We’re sweltering here too!!
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It seems like the heat wave is pretty far reaching.
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Very beautiful photos of a lovely landscape. I have to ask, did Tim burn his arms on the metal barrier while taking that photo? It had to have been very warm in the sun and heat.
Happy Adventures.
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He did not burn himself, but somehow managed lean up against something and got his shorts dirty. I’d sure rather that then him get hurt.
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Great photos and commentary as usual! My husband and I visited Canyonlands several years ago…saw that dirt road, but did not feel our vehicle could handle it. We have a new diesel truck..so the next time we visit, the dirt roads are ours to explore! Stay safe with those heat warnings.
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The road was pretty tame this time of the year, but can be a bugger if wet. Yes, we do take the heat warnings seriously. Got to stay healthy and well hydrated to keep enjoying ourselves 🙂
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Such amazing photos Tim and Joanne!! Gus agrees – they are better than the guide books.
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What a lovely comment – and thank you!
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Another wonderful day! I’m glad you decided to get out and not just veg for the day. The views were breathtaking. You would think that the horses would have been able to break out of the coral before they died of thirst. So, I am hoping the story isn’t true, but has been embellished throughout the years.
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That is my hope as well. And yes, we too are glad we got out and explored…
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Wow amazing pictures! I can’t wait to visit this area.
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I keep getting amazed by spectacular views! I’m sure you will find it amazing too!
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Wow, gorgeous country, and wonderful photographs.
Alison
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It is beautiful here!
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Love, love, love these photos! We didn’t get a good picture of Mesa Arch because we arrived at the same time as a large party of tourists who spent so long posing for group photos (some on top of the arch) that no-one else got a look in. ☹️
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That is a shame that the large group was not more considerate of others. Climbing on the arch is a big No No.
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Yes, poor etiquette and disrespect all round.
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Amazing scenery. Love the photos and your gratitude moment!
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Thank you Jill
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All your photos are spectacular. Loving the one
with the “lone yellow flower high on the cliff.”
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That was so strange, just one single flower, but it caught my eye.
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We went to Moab in July a few years ago. Wrong time of year as we were unable to hike much due to extreme heat. We would love to get back out at a cooler time of year. Loved DHP & Canyonlands. Wish we could have hiked at Arches but it was too hot. We managed to find a local waterfall and stream to cool off during the day.
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Sounds like we had similar “Too Hot” experiences that kept us from hiking to some pretty cool places.
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Again your beautiful photos are a sweet reminder of our visits to Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point! I was shocked by the story of the name too and still hope that it isn’t true. 😦
Your reports of the heat make me ever so glad we went earlier in the year. What a difference a month makes!
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It has been exceptionally hot, even for this time of the year. But, yes, a month earlier would have made all the difference.
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