By Hannah Lehr.
In the event you solely have time for one exercise whereas visiting Canyonlands Nationwide Park, take a look at the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Path. This 1.8-mile path boasts one of the best view of the canyon beneath. Positioned on the fringe of the Island within the Sky mesa, the path follows the rim of the canyon, and you’ll be granted beautiful, panoramic views for many of your hike. It’s straightforward and accessible for all ages, but steep sufficient to get your coronary heart charge up.
Getting There
The Grand Viewpoint Overlook Path is within the Island of the Sky portion of Canyonlands Nationwide Park. This part is about 45 minutes from Moab and is probably the most visited part of the park attributable to its accessibility. The trailhead can also be fairly straightforward to seek out. From the customer heart, proceed straight for 12 miles till your attain the Grand Viewpoint. This can be a dead-end, and the highway turns right into a parking zone. The trailhead is situated proper subsequent to the viewing platform.
Finest Instances to Go to
One of the best instances to go to the park are in the course of the fall and the spring, as temperatures sit at a gentle 70 levels throughout constantly sunny days. This path tends to be crowded in the course of the spring and fall, although this path is spacious, and there’s a lot of parking on the trailhead. Because the path follows the sting of the mesa, there may be loads of area for everyone to benefit from the views.
Within the winter, you can see much more seclusion. Temperatures can get all the way down to 40 levels in the course of the day, so gown accordingly. Canyonlands does get snow, however hardly ever sufficient for the roads to be closed. It’s magical to look at the snowfall on the crimson rocks and spires alongside the canyon.
The summer time can also be a well-liked time to go to Canyonlands, however it’s a dreadfully scorching time. Temperatures can get between 90-100 levels, and there may be little shade from the solar. You should definitely pack extra water than you assume you want, and gown accordingly to shade your self from the solar.
Most important Sights
This isn’t the kind of hike you need to rush by means of. From the get-go within the parking zone there are unbelievable, panoramic views of the canyon beneath. The views solely intensify as you stroll alongside the sting of the mesa. In the event you aren’t fearful of heights, sitting alongside the sting of the mesa, and letting your toes grasp will aid you notice simply how far down the canyon is.
Additionally, make sure to search for wildlife as you hike. It looks like there are lizards below each single rock within the park within the summertime. Look out for bald eagles as they soar above the canyon.
On the finish of the hike, there’s a giant pile of rocks that individuals climb on prime of. That is one of the best spot for a snack or a picnic lunch. Right here, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree, countless views of the encompassing canyons.
Why That is the “Finest Hike in Canyonlands”
I do know, daring assertion. Not solely is that this hike accessible for households, kids, and older folks, however this hike offers a number of the most beautiful views within the park. It additionally presents so many various angles to view the canyon beneath, and so many locations to sit down and let your toes grasp! Though it could get busy, there may be loads of room to seek out some solitude. Additionally, most individuals grasp across the starting of the path and look off the sting. Fewer folks hike to the overlook, and even fewer climb to the highest of the rock pile. From huge, desert landscapes, to cute little critters, to unbelievable views, this path has all of it.
Issues to be Conscious Of
Climbing on this dry setting may cause you to dehydrate sooner than you usually would. You should definitely pack extra water than you assume you’d want and hydrate typically. Water will be discovered on the Island of the Sky customer heart in the course of the summer time.
Climbing on the rocks will be slippery. You should definitely put on first rate high quality climbing footwear, and never sandals or crocs. All these footwear will trigger you to slide and slide on rocks, which will be harmful.
Lastly, this path will be troublesome to observe at instances. Trails are marked by cairns, or little rock sculptures. The cairns are generally knocked over and might simply be missed. Take note of piles of little rocks on the bottom, as that was most likely a cairn!
Close by Actions
There’s loads of different actions to take a look at within the space! First off, the remainder of Canyonlands Nationwide Park’s Island within the Sky is true in entrance of you. Another nice hikes on this a part of the park are Mesa Arch and Upheaval Dome. There are additionally many roadside viewpoints to take a look at as you observe the highway again to Moab.
You possibly can additionally take a look at the close by Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument. This park presents many tenting alternatives, so you possibly can spend days climbing across the otherworldly sandstone bridges. Visiting this park is a unbelievable strategy to be taught extra in regards to the fascinating geology in Southwestern Utah.
Lastly, Arches Nationwide Park is situated solely half-hour away from Canyonlands. This park options many quick hikes by means of oddly formed red-rock arches. Among the hottest hikes on this park are Delicate Arch Path and the Panorama Arch Path. Remember the fact that this park does have a timed-entry service in the course of the spring, summer time, and fall, and a time-stamped reservation is required to enter the park.
Don’t Overlook to Carry…
- A ton of water!
- Sun shades and a hat to guard your head
- , grippy pair of climbing footwear
- A trekking pole will be helpful on a number of the jagged rocks
- Sunscreen
My Score /10
I charge this hike a 9/10, and it’s my favourite hike within the park! This path is brief but candy, and it surrounds you in unbelievable views. The one two complaints I’ve in regards to the path are simply how heavy the site visitors will be, and the way the path can get complicated when cairns are knocked over. Total, this path is one of the best ways to see the huge canyons and desert of Utah.
Your ideas on the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Path?
Have you ever visited Canyonlands Nationwide Park and skilled the Gran Viewpoint Overlook Path? What had been your impressions? Maybe you haven’t visited as but however actually need to? Do share your views within the feedback beneath.
