Outdoor Fun in Moab Utah

Experience the most beautiful and accessible outdoor adventures in the USA near Moab Utah.

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Saturday, August 20, 2011

Sunset from the cabin deck looking South southwest onto the Moab rim and canyon lands. The views from the cabin allow you to see sunrise cast shadows in the canyons as the western canyon faces glow in the new day's light while sunset offers the opposite. Seen here are the Eastern canyon sides draped in shadow as the evening sun causes the red rock to glow. I have yet to do a time lapse of these two events but will get to it someday. We keep the pic nic table on the deck in order to enjoy these scenes over dinner.
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One foot away from a thousand feet down. Castle valley overlook on the western ledge looking down into the valley.
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Looking East along the rim of Porcupine trail at the castle valley overlook. Aspens in the distance have not yet dressed for summer and the LaSal mountains still have some heavy snow. Warm days and cool nights in Moab is as close to paradise I have ever been.
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Looking North from the rim of Castle Valley Overlook near the cabin. This is one of my favorite spots on earth. I have visited it more times that I can count but never tire of the view. We try to arrive an hour before sunset in order to watch the different hues come forth in their brief moments in the setting sun. Breathtaking each and every time I go. The biggest thrill of my experience in Moab is showing friends the views available near the cabin. This one is at the top of my list. My good friend Scott Hatch years ago was tired and trying to pack up in order to go home the next morning. I had tried getting him to this view point each of the preceding days but could never get him to do so. Finally at my insistence, and his Resistance that he had seen enough, hiked enough, etc. and did not need another view we went over at sunset. Complaining the whole way that he should have been left alone to pack I thought that perhaps he would be the curmudgeon just grumpy enough to downplay the beauty of the overlook. As he approached the cliff's edge and Castle valley came into view, he took in a deep breath, looked at me and said, "...Wow! we should have come here every evening. This was worth the whole trip." My satisfaction was complete as on the ride back to the cabin, Scott repeatedly thanked me for insisting he make the effort to see it. Two miles from the cabin, my wife and kids hike to the overlook while I come along in the truck. Sometimes we take dinner over with a fold-a-way table and enjoy the scene over viddles.
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Looking northwest at castel valley overlook.
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Looking up through ponderosa pine from the bottom of Cougar Canyon, part of the cabin property.
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gooney bird rock near Moab on state highway 191 to Gemini briges.
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A world famous photo opportunity of the Colorado river meandering through a horseshoe bend taken from Deadhorse state park. This view is one of the most oft photographed spots in our nation's federal and state parks. Every visitor should avail themselves the opportunity to see this view in person. The depth and elevation are never quite captured in film.
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This view is from one of the Gemini Bridges. Looking South over the canyon walls. Moab's view points are not only unique amongst National parks but can be very dangerous. With rare exceptions, visitors are not held back by saftey fence or railing. This of course makes for a more personal and upclose experience with nature but great care should be taken when visiting the cliffs, ledges and trails winding through them. Too often we read of someone that dares jump from one ledge to another or to bike a trail that is not safe and fall to their deaths. Gemini bridges is one such place. Machismo and bravado are a foolish if not ignorant combination when visiting these locales.
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A world famous photo opportunity of the Colorado river meandering through a horseshoe bend taken from Deadhorse state park. This view is one of the most oft photographed spots in our nation's federal and state parks. Every visitor should avail themselves the opportunity to see this view in person. The depth and elevation are never quite captured in film.
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Far from the gray drizzly world of the Northwest where green rules the day, Moab offers the perfect opportunity to dry out and see 50 miles away. Red rock country is sparse on water and this tree is testament to that fact. Taken from a vista point at Dead horse state park looking East to the LaSal Mountains.
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