Moab Day 4: Moab

Mill Creek Waterfall

On our final day in Moab we slept in. Well, if 7:30 is sleeping in, we slept in. We still had a few hikes to do. The first was to a waterfall. So, we packed up the car, grabbed breakfast in the hotel and drove out to the trailhead. Millcreek Waterfall is a short hike, but it was pretty. 

Right in the town of Moab, there is a hike up a narrow canyon. You have to cross the river several times, and we were promised we’d get wet, but we managed to stay completely dry, despite several crossings. Best of all, the trail was almost entirely abandoned.

Ironically, we started near a small waterfall, which was manmade and then hiked up stream to a large one that was natural. The natural one looked a lot like Grotto Falls, with a cute little pond at the bottom. Dad and Seth took off their shoes to wade a bit, but breaking the surface of the water was like breaking through the ice! They quickly took the towel Mom offered and dried their feet. Then everyone worked to stay dry!

Dad went through some cold water to get over there.

Almost froze his feet right off!

Seth convinced everyone else it wasn't worth it!

Dad found a heart rock, so we took this cute picture.

Mom gets nervous hopping on the rocks.

Mark was good to help her!

After the waterfall hike, we were heading to another hike, but Mom spotted a cool park. So she made everyone get out of the car and play at the musical Rotary Park. It was pretty fun after the grumbling was done.

There were a ton of musical instruments to check out.

We had fun making noise!

Seth has the best poses.

Then we drove back out Potash Road toward Corona Arch. This time, we stopped at the Longbow Arch Trailhead. This is also the trailhead for some cool petroglyphs and amazing dinosaur tracks, which we’d seen before, but the arch was considerably further. We checked out those two favorites, and then left the crowds and went deeper into the red rocks. 

It had grown much hotter, and we’d done so much hiking (3 days of 10 miles or more really wears you out) that it was a push to get to the arch. But the views were beautiful, and we got the kids telling stories from school, and we were at the foot of the arch before we knew it. Unfortunately, it was another hundred yard scramble up into Longbow Arch, and the climb was steep. That didn’t deter us, though. We climbed up for pictures and headed back down the trail.

We really liked the views on this hike.

Mom took a lot of pictures of the views.

There were some steep slick rock areas.

Mom was grateful for these handholds.

Can you see Mark and Seth in there?

Hiding in the shade of the arch.

Longbow Arch

Mom and Seth right underneath the arch.

It was a good sized arch, but we were tired.

One more picture of the views before we leave.

After grabbing a quick lunch in Moab, we finally started for home. We had just one more stop along the way at the John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River. We’d never been to this one before, and we wanted to check it out for the website. The museum turned out to be a little old-fashioned, but after all that trampling around over the last few days, we enjoyed a leisurely stroll through the plaques and the short movie at the end. It was a good way to break up the drive. Speaking of the drive, Dad read most of the way until the kids all fell asleep. Then he and Mom could sing to the oldies station together for the rest of the drive!

We love using our Get Out Pass.

Moab Day 3: Needles

On our second day in Moab, we put more than 10 miles of trail behind us. That didn't stop us from getting an early start on another 10 mile day, though. This one was in the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park. This area is south of Moab, so after breakfast we made the drive into a totally different section of the park.

Mom had a 6 mile hike she really wanted to do. This was one of the longest hikes we'd ever attempted, but we really enjoyed it. The trail went to a place called Chesler Park Viewpoint. To be honest, we didn't much care for the viewpoint, which looked out over a large valley surrounded by red rock cliffs, but the hike was really beautiful. It alternated between traversing narrow mountains and climbing steep cliffs. There was a really narrow slot canyon as well as seemingly infinite rises to crest. We had an amazing time walking and talking on a beautiful sunny day. It took us a long time to complete this hike, but we did make it back to the parking lot in time for a late lunch.

Still smiling...must be early in the hike!

It was beautiful hiking into The Needles.

We liked climbing on the slick rock.

Everyone's favorite part was the slot.

Dad looking tough!!

We were grateful for shade anywhere we could find it.

Mom liked these striped rocks.

Mom found one flower on the hike!

This was the best overlook area.

The rock spires were amazing.

This was right before the last climb to finish the overlook.

Mom wasn't sure she is going to make it!

So she took a picture with Dad in case she didn't reach the summit! 

Overlooking into the other side of the valley.

We took a little rest before we headed back to the car.

Everyone survived!

After that hike, we decided to redo a few short hikes in Needles as well. We redid a small hike called the Potholes, which was fun. Then we checked out a few overlooks. Mostly, we rested our aching feet on a  few short walks.

Mark, Dad, and Dax hiked Pothole Point.

This is a quick little trail.

I just realized the boys were matching. 

The viewpoint at the end of the road.

Heading to Cave Spring, which is our favorite trail.

It's so cool and shady.

We love this little hike.

Seth is always climbing into holes.

There are ladders on this trail.

We made it through another hike.

Mom and Mark walked to the Stone Storehouse. 

We left Needles around 4 o'clock and headed south toward Monticello. We needed to have dinner, and we weren't sure what restaurant would be good. We settled on a Mexican place that turned out to be amazing. We left feeling full and satisfied. Our last stop of the day was at the Monticello Temple for baptisms. We got checked in at the temple and headed for the locker rooms. We were shocked to find two locker stalls. We had to do some waiting to get changed and into the font, but it was worth it. At the small temples there is always someone there to take care of you, and the Temple President spoke to us before we entered the font. It was really a perfect night. 

We loved the food!

We change in the car and parking lot.

The Monticello temple is tiny!