When I was in Moab, Utah…

I must sound like Michelle from American Pie because every time I utter this phrase someone rolls their eyes seeing as they’ve already heard about that time in Moab at least twice.  I’m still relishing in the memories so I’d figured I would blog about my hiking, biking, backpacking, and camping trip to Moab with my best friend Maricel instead of vocally repeating my memories.

First things first, a special thank you to Maricel Monto for her excellent planning, packing and companionship!! 

I used Google Flights for the first time ever and booked a really great deal to Denver, CO on Frontier airlines. We decided to fly to Denver because flights to Moab’s tiny municipal airport were heinous. Once we got to Moab, Maricel and I rented our economy vehicle which we were urged to upgrade to a 4 cylinder and after the trip was all said and done we were glad we listened. 

Ford Fusion, You Served Us Well

Denver, Colorado

It was actually a beautiful city. I think it’s too far from the ocean for my liking, but I loved the mountains and natural landscape. Through Denver and Colorado in general was about a 5 hour drive to Moab, which was a quiet little mining town with no hustle and bustle and a downtown that is only 3 blocks long. We arrived at the KOA (which I highly recommend for future visitors). The campground was reasonably priced, the nice staff even moved us to a shaded site (a mandatory spot for reprieve against the sun) instead of the one we booked. The bathrooms were clean and the grounds well maintained. Oh and there’s a pool which was much needed in the desert. I was also very impressed with Maricel’s packing skills and looking back at the trip I think my only contribution was a flashlight and granola bars, wait actually she brought the granola bars too. Anyway the two of use “adventurous” girls quickly put up our 6 person tent without a hitch, set up camp, bought water and food to grill and were ready to check out the scenery first day. 

Day One-

Mountain Biking the Intrepid Trail, this was actually really scary. We rented bikes from Moab Tourism Center, total for the rack, the bikes and helmets $90.00, they have the best prices in town and believe me Mar did her research. He made us test drive around the parking lot to get ourselves in “gear” pun intended, but that little ride did not prepare us for the terrain ahead. We drove into Dead Horse Point State Park and like true know it all type of tourists wanted to challenge ourselves and take the next to hardest mountain biking trail possible, without any training. 

Haven't hit the trail yet

The Intrepid Trail loop was a 4 mile loop around the first base of the canyon. After 10 minutes and less than a mile traveled I believe Maricel and I were feeling good. I think we even uttered “this is easy, no sweat”.  The next 10 minutes was a different story, rocks, jagged edges of the mountain, soft patches of red sand that acted like quick sand, it quickly became a different story. I fell off my bike. Mar fell off her bike. I scraped my knee. We hid under a rock . We cried. We came close to giving up and then finally made it to the half way mark realizing we had 2 more miles to go. LOL.

Realizing "YOU ARE HERE" is very far away

Back at the site with barely any water left we started preparing the grill. All the signs tell you to drink at least a gallon of water a day. We went through 4 gallons in one full day.

Day Two-

Hiking to the Delicate Arch at the Arches National Park. We quickly wised up to certain time frames, 8-11AM is the best time for a hike, 12-4PM is when you hide in the shade because the sun is directly above you beating down at 110 degrees and 5-8PM is a great time for a sunset hike or walking around. We tried to sleep in on day two because of the strenuous activities the previous day, but unfortunately the rays of the sun and the screeching of some kind of alarm clock bird had us awake and frazzled at 6AM. We returned our bikes, filled the car with gas, took a ride around the city and headed up to the Arch for a sunset hike. This park is huge, most of the parks give you a 7 day pass so you can return to see other areas, but we had an agenda and sped through the park to get to the delicate arch, but we passed so many vista points and landmarks we did decide to go back on Day Three to check them out again.

Day Three-

I think we were almost over it. The ground didn’t provide for comfortable sleeping arrangements. I had also eaten mussels before a 4 mile hike (a bad choice) and got sick and it was so damn hot! But Maricel had planned a “surprise” excursion for us, so I had to be up and ready by 7AM. We arrived at the venue and I find out we’re going White Water Rafting. I was excited and scared, but I’m always scared.

Oh and our guide was cute! BONUS

There weren’t a lot of rapids because of the water level, but I learned a great deal. Here are some regurgitated facts.

• Water levels are measured by cubic feet per second, 2 years ago water levels were at 98,000CFS we went rafting at 12,000CFS (which means the rocks were starting the jut out of the water)

• The Tamarisk tree was introduced to stabilize the Colorado River banks, but the tree grows up to 25 feet tall and drinks up to 300 gallons of water per day. Now scientists have introduced a beetle to kill the Tamarisk. The circle of life.

• The canyons were formed when salt from ocean water was left behind by evaporation, hardened and layers of earth and rock piled on top of it. Plate tectonics shifted and the salt collapsed causing the canyons to form.

• Not everyone in Utah is Mormon

Day Four-

We packed up and left Moab and returned to Denver for our flight back home. By day four we had gotten acclimated to the heat and the hard ground and really didn’t mind a longer stay, but it was nice knowing we were going to sleep in a hotel and have a bed in Denver. The drive up was scenic, but the traffic was insane. Everyone was either leaving the mountains or driving into Denver. What would’ve been a 5 hour trip took 6 and a half. 

Denver Again-

My quick take on Denver: 

•  I bet it’s awesome in the winter
• There are really crummy looking parts (especially where we stayed lol) 
•  Downtown is really cultural and edgy, there seems to be young people and an artistic aspect to the city

Overall the trip was exhausting, exhilarating, adventurous, beautifully scenic and fun. Hopefully my next journey tops the sights and sounds of Moab, but for now this will satisfy my outdoorsy appetite.I recommend reading, Between a Rock and a Hard Place by Aron Ralston, which inspired the trip!