15 May Loving Moab Canyon Hiking
Wednesday May 8 2024 – Day Canyon
I tackled this 6-mile canyon hike that was also along the beautiful Potash Road on Wednesday. It was a good increase in difficulty, since it also came with a 2,300ft elevation gain across the 3 miles up the wide canyon.
I was the only one parked at the trailhead when I arrived at 10am, and had to look around a bit for the start of the unmarked trail, designated only by a dilapidated barbed wire gate on the far side of the railroad tracks into what appeared to be a thicket of brush.
The trail description (like most in Moab) warned of no shade so I was surprised to find the first mile was through a dense river-fed lush wonderland of vegetation, and completely shaded, almost cool in the 65º weather.
By the second mile the canyon opened up to towering walls and full sun. The trail climbed steeply and I took a side track to see another segment of the canyon that ended in a giant amphitheater of rock formations.
After a couple of hours of energetic hiking, I reached the final overlooks of the trail, at the widest part of the canyon valley 3 miles from the start. The views were vast and I took a nice 20 min break in the sun to snack and recharge before the route down. I only saw one other person on the entire hike and was loving the solitude and the quiet!
Thursday May 9 2024 – Moonflower Canyon
Between longer, harder hikes I opted for the quick stop at Moonflower Canyon. This short 2 mile hike featured a picturesque location for a group campsite and dramatic garden-terraced bowl at the finish. Simply gorgeous!
I lingered around the canyon and enjoyed the views, took loads of photos and generally had the place to myself despite it being a very popular and easy spot for tourists. Another giant cottonwood twisted around the entrance to the canyon… simply stunning!
Friday May 10 2024 – Professor Creek & Mary Jane Canyon
My final Moab hike was another friend-Lindsey recommendation — and what a stunningly amazing hike it was! The 8 miles wound up Professor Creek into an ever-tightening Mary Jane Canyon, and ended at a pounding short waterfall in a tight, deep slot of the canyon. The drive out to the hike was perfect as any other, and lead me to the dramatic vistas of Castle Valley.
After 4 miles and a hundred crossings of the river, I reached the final stretch of the canyon, getting half as wide and twice as tall… Sections of the river grew deeper as well.
The water was ice cold but I stripped down to my swimsuit and plunged into the final pool anyway. The waterfall pounded the icy snowmelt water down and I floated my way back out to where I could stand on the soft sandy bottom. I took my break after the steady 2 hours of hiking the 4 miles to the falls. The sun began heating up, and the crowds were all heading upstream as well on my way out!
Deborah Anderson
Posted at 06:09h, 22 MayAbsolutely stunning adventures … thank you for sharing!!!