By Hannah Lehr.
When 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 attractive, 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 resulting from its accessibility. The trailhead can also be fairly straightforward to search out. From the customer middle, proceed straight for 12 miles till your attain the Grand Viewpoint. This can be a dead-end, and the street turns right into a parking zone. The trailhead is situated proper subsequent to the viewing platform.
Greatest Instances to Go to
The perfect 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 area for everyone to benefit from the views.
Within the winter, you will see that much more seclusion. Temperatures can get all the way 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 observe the snowfall on the pink rocks and spires alongside the canyon.
The summer season can also be a well-liked 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 sure you pack extra water than you suppose you want, and costume 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 implausible, panoramic views of the canyon beneath. The views solely intensify as you stroll alongside the sting of the mesa. When you aren’t fearful of heights, sitting alongside the sting of the mesa, and letting your ft hold will make it easier to notice simply how far down the canyon is.
Additionally, remember to search for wildlife as you hike. It looks like there are lizards underneath 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 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 encircling canyons.
Why That is the “Greatest Hike in Canyonlands”
I do know, daring assertion. Not solely is that this hike accessible for households, youngsters, and older individuals, however this hike gives a number of the most beautiful views within the park. It additionally affords so many alternative angles to view the canyon beneath, and so many locations to sit down and let your ft hold! Though it could possibly get busy, there may be loads of room to search out some solitude. Additionally, most individuals hold across the starting of the path and look off the sting. Fewer individuals 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 surroundings could cause you to dehydrate sooner than you usually would. Be sure you pack extra water than you suppose you’d want and hydrate usually. Water may be discovered on the Island of the Sky customer middle in the course of the summer season.
Climbing on the rocks may be slippery. Be sure you put on first rate high quality climbing sneakers, and never sandals or crocs. A lot of these sneakers will trigger you to slide and slide on rocks, which may be harmful.
Lastly, this path may be tough to observe 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 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 street again to Moab.
You might additionally take a look at the close by Pure Bridges Nationwide Monument. This park affords many tenting alternatives, so you’ll be able to spend days climbing across the otherworldly sandstone bridges. Visiting this park is a implausible method to study extra concerning the fascinating geology in Southwestern Utah.
Lastly, Arches Nationwide Park is situated solely half-hour away from Canyonlands. This park options many brief 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. Take into account 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 Overlook to Convey…
- A ton of water!
- Sun shades and a hat to guard your head
- A great, grippy pair of climbing sneakers
- A trekking pole may 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 concerning the path are simply how heavy the site visitors may be, and the way the path can get complicated when cairns are knocked over. Total, this path is one of the simplest 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.