On Route 24 through the park there is a huge Chimney Rock. There is very nice loop hike by the same name. It was steep and long going to the top, but a fun hike. We came back through a canyon, so didn't have to go back up the incline to get to the car. Bonus!
Chimney Rock
The green plants in front commonly called "Morman Tea."
Up close...
And off in the distance...
We drove farther thru the park to hike Hickman's Bridge. It was also steep going up but a nice walk to a pretty bridge.
Heading up...
Scrambling over rocks at times...
On the way back down...
We walked about 500 feet along this wall of rock - with signs warning us of falling rock and telling us not to linger...
From there we continued on 24 to leave the canyon - the road was a Scenic Byway and very pretty. The rock formations changed quite a bit as we left the park...the color changed to a gray to black. Interesting.
In Hanksville we turned south and got on 95 - another Scenic Byway - for about 120 miles. Dramatic and very beautiful. Not too far down the road the rock formations turned to a dark brown. The rivers in the canyons all seemed to lead to Lake Powell. There were several small roads off the main road to entrance access to Lake Powell. Andy had gone on a couple of houseboat adventures with the staff from Southern Gables back in the day, so it looked familiar to him.
The road went up and down hills, and back and forth around the rock formations. We were in open range several times just like the other day. Only saw 2 black steer tho - off the road. Last night the cowboy told us they all had to be rounded up and off the range by October 15, so the Cowboys have been busy.
About half way through our trip to Moab we came upon the Natural Bridges National Monument and
decoded to check it out. Our park pass worked there, too. Nice! There were 3 beautiful rock bridges and one bridge ruins. You could see them from an overlook or walk into the canyons to see them up close. We choose to just observe from the overlooks.
Later as we went back north up the two lane road to Moab we came upon a beautiful natural stone bridge and got some pictures of that as well. I'm guessing we will see more at the park here.
Got into Moab at about 5:45 and the place was hopping with activity. It is a small tourist town - busy and pricey. We found several places with NO Vacancy signs. Stopped at on with no sign and they had just given their last room to the couple ahead of us. He called to a place across the parking lot and they had a very nice room, newly remodeled at a better rate...so we are in for the night after a ntasty salad, burger, and sweet potato fries at a fairly new classy log cabin type building in town called the Broken Oar... All for now.
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