Expedition to the West - Day2

=== Arches National Park (Continued) ===

We got so excited with Arches yesterday.  At dawn, we continued our visit to see the sun rise at the park's iconic arch - Delicate Arch.

The hike to the Delicate Arch is a bit difficult if you don't know where you are going.  We hiked up this gigantic rock for more than half an hour.  Many people got lost in the rock and ended up to the wrong side of the arch.  Don't be the next victim if you decide to hike it in the dark!  :)

The beautiful scenery matches the uniqueness of the arch!  It is definitely worth the hike!  It is simply stunning!  For busy season, the arch can be overcrowd with all the tourists, especially in the evening.  That is why we opted for the morning hike to avoid the crowd.

The hike back down was much easier!  We visited several more arches.  They are all unique in their own beauty.

North Window Arch

Turret Arch

North Window and South Window in a view

Double Arch

=== Dead Horse Point State Park ===

We left Arches around 11 am, had a quick lunch in Moab and then headed to our second stop Dead Horse Point State park.  The drive on Route 313 was first in the spectacular red rock canyon then transformed to the plateau overlooking La Sal mountains in the distance.  It was such a perfect day!

Many State parks in Utah are hidden gems.  They are much less crowded comparing to national parks but still provide you breathtaking views.

"The legend of Dead Horse Point states that around the turn of the century the point was used as a corral for wild mustangs roaming the mesa top.  Cowboys herded them across the narrow neck of land and onto the point.  The neck was then fenced off with branches and brush.  One time, for some unknown reason, horses were left corralled on the waterless point where they died of thirst within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below. "

The view is stunning ...

The masterpiece of Dead Horse Point - the immense vertical cliffs meet with canyons carved by ice, water and wind... this is  one of the most photographed scenic vistas in the world.

=== Canyonland National Park ===

Our third stop is Canyonland National Park.  Canyonland is on the west side of Shafer Canyon and Dead Horse Point state park is on the east side of Shafer Canyon.  Between the two parks, it lies the famous Shafer Trail.  The switchbacks on the cliff attracts many adventurous motorists.

I personally think the Mesa Arch is more beautiful than the ones in Arches National Park. Looking down behind the arch makes your heart sinks!  :)  Again, we can see the beautiful La Sal Mountains through the arch.

Here is the spectacular view of the Island in the Sky.  The Island in the Sky mesa rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain. Every overlook offers a different perspective on Canyonlands' spectacular landscape. There are two other sections of the park we didn't visit: The Maze and The Needles.

Expedition to the West - Day1

I am always overconfident with my ability.  When I planned out our trip to visit National Parks in Utah, I wanted to get the best out of it.  Once I plotted out where I wanted to go, I realized there are only so many hours in a day.  I had to plan everyday by the hour to make sure it would work and the boys won't be stressed out.

=== Day 1, Denver, Colorado National Monument, and Arches NP ===

We got up early in the morning, threw the children and the complimentary breakfast into the car and started driving at 7:30 am.  Beyond the Great Plains of Denver, the golden sun shined on the Rocky Mountains in the distance.  

=== The Colorado Rockies ===

We drove through the Rocky Mountain range along I-70.  The snow still covers the mountain tops.  Looking at the mountain ridge and beyond, I dreamed of the Swiss Alps.  

=== Colorado National Monument ===

As we were traveling from Colorado into Utah, we passed the Continental Divide at one point.  I-70 is alongside with the beautiful Colorado River and magnificent gorge.  Along the scenic drive we first witnessed mountains timbered with Conifers and Aspen and later the scenery transformed into bare rugged mountains. 

Our first stop is Colorado National Monument, which locates just off I-70 near Grand Junction area.  The park's main road is Rim Rock drive, which is an exhilarating winding road drive with a series of tunnels, exceptional views of formations and canyons, and beautiful scenery. There are two entrances to the park.  The east entrance put you on the cliff side of the road and the north entrance provides you an easier drive on the mountain side.  I am so afraid of height so we opted for the north entrance. The red rock canyon is amazing and it is worth for all that trill drive! 

=== Arches National Park ===

Arches National Park is two hours drive from Colorado National Monument.  By the time we got to the park, it was already 4 o'clock in the afternoon.  Since we still had three and half hours to sunset, we wasted no time.  The drive into the park was very spectacular.  We drove uphill through the canyon wall into the open view of desert and red rock formations.  The majesty La Sal mountains is always in the backdrop.  Within 3.5 hours, we hiked to 8 different arches: Sand Dune Arch, Broken Arch, Tapestry Arch, Skyline Arch, Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree Arch, Landscape Arch, Partition Arch and Navajo Arch.  Can you believe there are over 2000 arches in the park???!!!

At dusk, we stayed at Moab town, just outside of the national park.  This popular tourist spot makes everything so expensive in town, including foods and lodging.