Petroglyphs, Dinosaur Tracks and Canyonlands.................

One beautiful afternoon, we drove down Potash Road, across the street from Arches in Moab. The entire area is very scenic, by the way, so no matter where you drive, you are in for a treat. According to our research, Indian petroglyphs and dinosaur tracks were visible from certain areas down Potash Road....before it turns to a dirt road. Off we went. The "Indian Writing" was well marked and easy to find. We gawked at the wall, as did several other tourists that were also there.

Colorado River along Potash Rd

so many petroglyphs

these are so different than the rock art we've seen in other areas here in the southwest

cool!

glyphs-looks like "archaic" rock art

glyphs-Archaic and Fremont?

one section of the petroglyphs

these dudes were all gawking at the petroglyphs with us a few minutes before they took off to the water across the street-very nice guys!

Not too much farther down the road, we came across the Dinosaur track area. Once we drove up to the crowded parking lot, we were hoping to get a space. Something told me this was going to be awesome, since so many people were there. Well, there were a few of us (old) checking out the dino tracks, but everyone else was there with their 4WD vehicle and were making a day of picnics, riding, etc. There are so many 4WD areas, and they sure looked like they were having fun!

So of course, you have to climb up to see the tracks up close. We both started up, but I quickly became satisfied with the view from below. Tom almost made it, but the last big rock was too much. I think you have to come from above ..... but anyway, the tracks were visible even from the road. There were a few 'glyphs as well.

the rock trail up to see the dino tracks

cool petroglyphs on the way

so sweet...the desert is in bloom

Tom going ahead to check out the tracks

almost there....but that big rock is in the way

back in the parking lot...its packed with 4WD enthusiasts

that square rock has 2 dino prints-looks like bird feet, only bigger

We decided to keep driving down this scenic road, that goes along the Colorado River through gorgeous rocks. I know...but really, this is another beautiful ride. We came upon the Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch trailhead, which was right across the street from a busy tent camping area. This area of the country-especially Moab-is fantastic for the adventurous! Those tent-ers were either going down the river, biking, climbing, or doing something equally adventurous.

We could see an arch from the road (not sure if Corona or Bowtie), and we were sort of taking it easy, so we decided not to attempt the hike.The description mentions ladders and a metal railing to help you get up the slick rock. Again, we were taking it easy:)

beautiful rock formations along the Colorado River

great camping site across from Corona Arch trailhead and right next to the Colorado River

See the arch? Up in the middle of the pic

calm Colorado River-at this point

The paved road continues for just a bit more before coming upon the Potash Plant. Its so weird to see something like that amidst the beautiful scenery. Right after the plant, the road turns to dirt. I'm sure there is more adventure awaiting if you keep going, but since we don't have a 4WD or high clearance vehicle, we turned around to go back to the campground, enjoying the views along the river.

the end of the paved road is here

so pretty

the colors are fabulous

Tom loves these rocks!

This is a very popular area for rock climbers. All of the cars parked along the side were climbers, or their friends hanging out in beach chairs with coolers watching. Again, an adventurer's paradise!

weekending in Moab

lots and lots of climbers

such a popular rock climbing area

The next morning, we headed back to Canyonlands to do a few more "easy" hikes. The place is just magnificent! The cows were there to greet us as we traveled down the long road into the park. The night before, it snowed a bit...and since the elevation is a little higher at the park, looks like they actually had to plow the parking area at the Visitor Center!

good morning!

remnants from the snowplow last night

Once again, the views were staggering. We drove out to the end of the park, to the Grand View Point. It certainly was grand! Quite a view from the overlook.

great view of the White Rim

its like the earth went nuts here

great overlooks at the point

great view everywhere you look

the hike starts down the stairs from here

love the green and pink

is it windy?

view of the river

just totally amazing

a close up

check that out

There is an "easy" walk along the canyon edge-but we decided to do a different "easy" hike. Not too far from there is the White Rim Overlook Trail-also about 2 mile roundtrip, and NOT on the edge of the canyon. What a lovely trail that was.

start of the White Rim Overlook Trail (not to be confused with the White Rim Trail)!

love the potholes-and they are all filled with water

views here are awesome too

more potholes

nice trail...up, down, and no ledges!

heading out to the end of the peninsula

great view

no matter where you look

snow-capped mountains with the clouds

love the colors

sweet

The trail basically goes out to the end of a peninsula, and once out there, the views are again spectacular. Hard to go wrong here in this park if you are looking for magnificent views.

nicely marked trail....stay off the cryptobiotic soil!

more potholes 

just about at the end of the trail

look at that!

got to be careful...no guardrails here

awesome view

I didn't go down the last bit of rock that leads to the end of the trail, but Tom did and said the views were great. I think he said his knees were shakin' a bit? Anyway, the view from my perch on the rocks was really great.

heading down to the very end of the trail

not coming along with me Susie?

no climbing that big rock at the end there!

view from my perch

and another view

isn't that beautiful (That's Tom at the big rock down there)!

more views from my perch waiting for Tom

more views from my perch

Walking back, we were saying how once again, it looks like the area is professionally landscaped. Or is it that landscapers imitate nature?  We had a fun walk back for lunch. Our lunch spot was in a terrific location - again. The views priceless.

berries just falling off the trees....doesn't anything eat them?

pretty view....and yes there are little birds here....we love to listen to them sing as we hike

sweet blooms in unexpected places

wow

view from the trail back

amazing

a distinct separate column

table for 2

We had one more hike we wanted to do while still in the park, and that was Murphy Point. The only problem was, the very small parking lot still had mud and water from the rain/snow and we did not want to get our car stuck. The parking lot was full, so the only spots left were in dicey areas. We decided to move on and attempt the Aztec Butte Hike, which didn't look too bad from the road.

let's see how this one goes...hahaha

so far so good....

lovely

pretty sandy trail here....

The trail was very sandy...like walking down the beach (without water), and went to a small butte that contained ancient Puebloan granaries. Didn't look too bad (steep) until we started climbing. So, we turned back to the sandy trail and headed for the other butte...the big one. Knowing I would not be doing that hike up, we went anyway so Tom could check it out. It doesn't look too bad, but it was pretty steep as well. I humbly watched a couple of 80-year-olds slowly make their way up the butte to the top. Actually, we were holding our breath that they didn't fall.

the shorter butte (with the granaries)-doesn't look too steep does it? It is!

I'm stopping right here

no way

hhmmm...it is a bit steep...and we have to get down too

After our sandy walk, we decided to check out Murphy's Point one more time and we were in luck! There was enough room for us to park our little car safely. This was such a nice hike, pretty much a 2-mile walk out to the end to a beautiful view.

Murphy Point Trail parking lot...not very big

cool trail

easy directions

spring foliage

Actually, as we walked, the peninsula got narrower and we had wonderful views at each side.

this trail is fun, but where are the ledges?

view from the trail

more

the park service really wants you to stay on the trail...to protect the fragile soil

the trail does go up and down ...its not totally flat

great view

love this trail

almost there?

another little hill

beautiful

nice pothole area

still heading to the end of the trail

We hit some potholes as we got near the end of the trail. They are just so cool. We examined some of them for "life", but did not see anything moving. Once past the potholes, we were at the end of the trail, on a nicely curved slick rock surface. Not scary, but still awesome views. Perfect!

close to the end

check out the views

great view of the river

so green down there

amazing scenery

that's the end of the trail...right behind me

perfect spot for a "hot tub"

like walking through a postcard

the expanse of this is hard to take in

just magnificent

more

see...no ledge!

just fabulous views

more

okay..one more

the river is right there

lots of green too...can you tell in the picture?

Heading back, we noticed another spot of color but this time it was lichens, not plants. The colors were really striking. Almost looked like an artist dropped some paint!

cool lichen colors

more

Walking back down the trail to the parking lot, we enjoyed some mountain/snow/cloud views-as if we hadn't had enough beautiful views. Everywhere you look is fantastic! Another beautiful day in the National Park!

the view walking back

the trail goes up and down like this for a bit before it ends at the parking lot