By Hannah Lehr.
If you solely have time for one exercise whereas visiting Canyonlands National Park, try the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Trail. This 1.8-mile path boasts the perfect view of the canyon beneath. Located on the fringe of the Island within the Sky mesa, the path follows the rim of the canyon, and you may be granted attractive, panoramic views for many of your hike. It is straightforward and accessible for all ages, but steep sufficient to get your coronary heart price up.
Getting There
The Grand Viewpoint Overlook Trail is within the Island of the Sky portion of Canyonlands National Park. This part is about 45 minutes from Moab and is probably the most visited part of the park as a consequence of its accessibility. The trailhead can also be fairly simple to seek out. From the customer middle, proceed straight for 12 miles till your attain the Grand Viewpoint. This is a dead-end, and the street turns right into a car parking zone. The trailhead is situated proper subsequent to the viewing platform.
Best Times to Visit
The greatest occasions to go to the park are throughout the fall and the spring, as temperatures sit at a light 70 levels throughout persistently sunny days. This path tends to be crowded throughout the spring and fall, although this path is spacious, and there’s a lot of parking on the trailhead. As the path follows the sting of the mesa, there may be loads of area for everyone to benefit from the views.
In the winter, you will see much more seclusion. Temperatures can get all the way down to 40 levels throughout the day, so costume accordingly. Canyonlands does get snow, however not often sufficient for the roads to be closed. It is magical to look at the snowstorm on the pink rocks and spires alongside the canyon.
The summer time can also be a preferred time to go to Canyonlands, however it’s a dreadfully sizzling time. Temperatures can get between 90-100 levels, and there may be little shade from the solar. Be certain to pack extra water than you suppose you want, and costume accordingly to shade your self from the solar.
Main Attractions
This isn’t the kind of hike you wish to rush by means of. From the get-go within the car parking zone there are incredible, panoramic views of the canyon beneath. The views solely intensify as you stroll alongside the sting of the mesa. If you aren’t fearful of heights, sitting alongside the sting of the mesa, and letting your toes hold will enable you to understand simply how far down the canyon is.
Also, make sure you search for wildlife as you hike. It looks as if there are lizards underneath each single rock within the park within the summertime. Look out for bald eagles as they soar above the canyon.
At the tip of the hike, there’s a giant pile of rocks that folks climb on high of. This is the perfect spot for a snack or a picnic lunch. Here, you’ll be rewarded with 360-degree, countless views of the encompassing canyons.
Why This is the “Best Hike in Canyonlands”
I do know, daring assertion. Not solely is that this hike accessible for households, youngsters, and older folks, however this hike gives among the most beautiful views within the park. It additionally presents so many alternative angles to view the canyon beneath, and so many locations to sit down and let your toes hold! Although it will possibly get busy, there may be loads of room to seek out some solitude. Also, most individuals hold 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.
Things to be Aware Of
Hiking on this dry surroundings could cause you to dehydrate quicker than you usually would. Be certain to pack extra water than you suppose you’d want and hydrate usually. Water could be discovered on the Island of the Sky customer middle throughout the summer time.
Hiking on the rocks could be slippery. Be certain to put on respectable high quality mountain climbing sneakers, and never sandals or crocs. These varieties of sneakers will trigger you to slide and slide on rocks, which could be harmful.
Lastly, this path could be troublesome to observe at occasions. Trails are marked by cairns, or little rock sculptures. The cairns are generally knocked over and might simply be missed. Pay consideration to piles of little rocks on the bottom, as that was in all probability a cairn!
Nearby Activities
There’s loads of different actions to take a look at within the space! First off, the remainder of Canyonlands National Park’s Island within the Sky is true in entrance of you. Some different 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 street again to Moab.
You might additionally try the close by Natural Bridges National Monument. This park presents many tenting alternatives, so you’ll be able to spend days mountain climbing across the otherworldly sandstone bridges. Visiting this park is a incredible technique to study extra in regards to the attention-grabbing geology in Southwestern Utah.
Lastly, Arches National Park is situated solely half-hour away from Canyonlands. This park options many quick hikes by means of oddly formed red-rock arches. Some of the most well-liked hikes on this park are Delicate Arch Trail and the Landscape Arch Trail. Keep in thoughts that this park does have a timed-entry service throughout the spring, summer time, and fall, and a time-stamped reservation is required to enter the park.
Don’t Forget to Bring…
- A ton of water!
- Sunglasses and a hat to guard your head
- , grippy pair of mountain climbing sneakers
- A trekking pole could be helpful on among the jagged rocks
- Sunscreen
My Rating /10
I price 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 solely two complaints I’ve in regards to the path are simply how heavy the site visitors could be, and the way the path can get complicated when cairns are knocked over. Overall, this path is the easiest way to see the huge canyons and desert of Utah.
Your ideas on the Grand Viewpoint Overlook Trail?
Have you visited Canyonlands National Park and skilled the Gran Viewpoint Overlook Trail? What have been your impressions? Perhaps you haven’t visited as but however actually wish to? Do share your views within the feedback beneath.