Home>>Moab, Arches, Canyonland and Dead Horse State Park Trip Report
So here we are in 2020 and we have been training and racing in Moab since 2004 and friends are asking what hikes should I do?They have kids and a dog...here are my rank ordered favorite hikes with young kids and dogs:
#1 Moab Hike--Corona Arch Trail: Directions The trail begins ~10 miles from Hwy 191 on Hwy 279. Distance: 3 miles out and back. Close to town and kid/ dog friendly Trail Head: 38.5748, -109.632
1.Elevation gain: Moderate; 250-foot elevation gain 2.Trail surface: Single-track dirt path and sandstone slabs 3.Canine compatibility: Dogs allowed
#2 Moab Hike--Jeep Arch Trail: Directions The trail begins 10.3 miles from Hwy 191 on Hwy 279. West of Gold bar camp ground. Distance: 4 miles round trip 1.Elevation gain: Moderate; 800 foot elevation gain, route finding a little more difficult and follow cairns 2.Trail surface: Single-track dirt path and sandstone slabs 3.Canine compatibility: Dogs allowed
#3 Moab Hike--Fisher Tower: Directions: The trailhead is located off Hwy 128, east of Moab. From the junction of highways 128 and 191, travel east for 21 miles to an improved dirt road. Turn right onto that dirt road and follow it for 2.2 miles to the parking lot. Distance: 4.4 miles 1.Elevation gain: Moderate; 650 foot elevation gain, ladder, but dogs can find a way around 2.Trail surface: Single-track dirt path and sandstone slabs 3.Canine compatibility: Dogs allowed
Fall School break Moab, Arches, and Canyonland: 11-14 October 2004
Heide, my beautiful, blond, best new friend in Colorado, asks me (in front of Mike and the kids), “So, Laurel, do you really like doing all this camping stuff?” Heide’s idea of camping is staying at a Holiday Inn instead of a 5-star hotel. All eyes upon me, tension in the air, I respond, “Well, it’s not something I’d choose to do on my own, but I do it knowing that it’s good for me, and that I will be glad I’ve done it when it’s over.” Kind of like going to West Point, I think. I explain to her that I often make myself do things that I know will push me outside of my comfort zone; and I always feel better for having done so. She tells me that she’d like to discuss my philosophy more in depth later.
So we finish packing the truck for our 3-night camping extravaganza in Utah, and hit the road for a 7’ish hour long journey. Having traveled from coast to coast and a little bit of everywhere in between, we are armed with several books on CD, lots of snacks, and empty plastic bottles with lids (the boys have become quite adept at the pee-as-you-go technique, preferring the bottle to the dirty gas station every time. And there’s a reason we switched from glass to plastic, but that’s in another story!)
Laurel and Nick at Arches National Park just before sunset
