By Hannah Lehr.
In the event you solely have time for one exercise whereas visiting Canyonlands Nationwide Park, try the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Path. This 1.8-mile path boasts the very best view of the canyon beneath. Situated on the fringe of the Island within the Sky mesa, the path follows the rim of the canyon, and you can be granted attractive, panoramic views for many of your hike. It’s simple 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 as a result of its accessibility. The trailhead can also be fairly simple to search out. From the customer heart, proceed straight for 12 miles till your attain the Grand Viewpoint. It is a dead-end, and the street turns right into a parking zone. The trailhead is positioned proper subsequent to the viewing platform.
Greatest Occasions to Go to
The very best instances to go to the park are in the course of the fall and the spring, as temperatures sit at a light 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 house for everyone to benefit from the views.
Within the winter, you can see much more seclusion. Temperatures can get right down to 40 levels in the course of the day, so costume accordingly. Canyonlands does get snow, however not often sufficient for the roads to be closed. It’s magical to look at the snowstorm on the purple rocks and spires alongside the canyon.
The summer season can also be a preferred 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. Make sure to pack extra water than you suppose you want, and costume accordingly to shade your self from the solar.
Principal Points of interest
This isn’t the kind of hike you wish to rush by means of. From the get-go within the parking zone there are implausible, 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 petrified of heights, sitting alongside the sting of the mesa, and letting your ft dangle will provide help to understand simply how far down the canyon is.
Additionally, remember to search for wildlife as you hike. It looks as if 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 massive pile of rocks that folks climb on high of. That is the very best spot for a snack or a picnic lunch. Right here, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree, limitless views of the encircling canyons.
Why That is the “Greatest Hike in Canyonlands”
I do know, daring assertion. Not solely is that this hike accessible for households, kids, and older folks, however this hike gives among the most gorgeous views within the park. It additionally provides so many alternative angles to view the canyon beneath, and so many locations to sit down and let your ft dangle! Though it could get busy, there may be loads of room to search out some solitude. Additionally, most individuals dangle 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 unimaginable views, this path has all of it.
Issues to be Conscious Of
Mountain climbing on this dry setting may cause you to dehydrate quicker than you usually would. Make sure to pack extra water than you suppose you’d want and hydrate typically. Water will be discovered on the Island of the Sky customer heart in the course of the summer season.
Mountain climbing on the rocks will be slippery. Make sure to put on respectable high quality mountaineering footwear, and never sandals or crocs. A majority of these footwear will trigger you to slide and slide on rocks, which will be harmful.
Lastly, this path will be tough to comply with at instances. Trails are marked by cairns, or little rock sculptures. The cairns are typically knocked over and may simply be missed. Take note of piles of little rocks on the bottom, as that was in all probability 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 correct 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 comply with the street again to Moab.
You might additionally try the close by Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument. This park provides many tenting alternatives, so you may spend days mountaineering across the otherworldly sandstone bridges. Visiting this park is a implausible solution to be taught extra in regards to the attention-grabbing geology in Southwestern Utah.
Lastly, Arches Nationwide Park is positioned solely half-hour away from Canyonlands. This park options many brief hikes by means of oddly formed red-rock arches. A few of the hottest hikes on this park are Delicate Arch Path and the Panorama Arch Path. Understand that this park does have a timed-entry service in the course of the spring, summer season, and fall, and a time-stamped reservation is required to enter the park.
Don’t Neglect to Convey…
- A ton of water!
- Sun shades and a hat to guard your head
- , grippy pair of mountaineering footwear
- A trekking pole will be helpful on among the jagged rocks
- Sunscreen
My Ranking /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 unimaginable views. The one two complaints I’ve in regards to the path are simply how heavy the visitors will be, and the way the path can get complicated when cairns are knocked over. General, 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 have been your impressions? Maybe you haven’t visited as but however actually wish to? Do share your views within the feedback beneath.
