Monday, April 4, 2011
Hell Roaring Canyon - Moab, Utah
The kids had last Friday off, so we packed up the RV and headed off to our favorite spot at Hell Roaring Canyon outside Moab. The BLM has closed off quite a number of established camping areas around Moab, so the number of campsites has been reduced, but there are still plenty of prime spots.
We have a 27 foot travel trailer that we pull with our Ford Expedition. Gas mileage isn't great at about 9 mpg, but I'm sure we could do better if we'd get an oil change! You have to make sure the spot you're going to will accomodate a trailer of that size. The dirt road back to the campsite is a good one, but very rocky and bumpy.
We pulled in Thursday evening and got down to the tough business of backcountry camping. This meant a nice California cabernet with Brie and crackers. Then on to dinner which was curry meatloaf and a nice green salad.
Overnight it was cool but only down to 40 or so. After a breakfast of pepper bacon and cheese omelets, we spent the morning catching up on our reading while the kids played games and watched a video. I took off on a mountain bike ride late that morning. Not a great one as I spent most of the time trying to find a trail that didn't exist while slogging through deep beach sand. The ride was just less than two hours, but felt like four.
Jackie left after I got back to go explore some of the huge slickrock areas near the camp. The kids and I took a hike down to the "pour-off" that dead ends at the edge of a 300 foot cliff down to the bottom of Hell Roaring Canyon. The kids love launching themselves off some huge rocks into the soft beach sand. The hike down to the pouroff is a short one and is perfect after dinner.
Saturday overnight was very windy and rainy, so we cut our Sunday a little short and got back to town. Other than Sunday morning, the weather was perfect all weekend. Ah, another weekend in paradise!
We have a 27 foot travel trailer that we pull with our Ford Expedition. Gas mileage isn't great at about 9 mpg, but I'm sure we could do better if we'd get an oil change! You have to make sure the spot you're going to will accomodate a trailer of that size. The dirt road back to the campsite is a good one, but very rocky and bumpy.
We pulled in Thursday evening and got down to the tough business of backcountry camping. This meant a nice California cabernet with Brie and crackers. Then on to dinner which was curry meatloaf and a nice green salad.
Overnight it was cool but only down to 40 or so. After a breakfast of pepper bacon and cheese omelets, we spent the morning catching up on our reading while the kids played games and watched a video. I took off on a mountain bike ride late that morning. Not a great one as I spent most of the time trying to find a trail that didn't exist while slogging through deep beach sand. The ride was just less than two hours, but felt like four.
Jackie left after I got back to go explore some of the huge slickrock areas near the camp. The kids and I took a hike down to the "pour-off" that dead ends at the edge of a 300 foot cliff down to the bottom of Hell Roaring Canyon. The kids love launching themselves off some huge rocks into the soft beach sand. The hike down to the pouroff is a short one and is perfect after dinner.
Saturday overnight was very windy and rainy, so we cut our Sunday a little short and got back to town. Other than Sunday morning, the weather was perfect all weekend. Ah, another weekend in paradise!
Horsethief Campground - Moab, Utah
Horsethief Campground is located on Highway 313, 12 miles south of the junction at Highway 191. The campground has 60 sites with some that can accommodate large RVs. Horsethief is near Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park. Campsites are only available on a first-come, first served basis and cost $12 per night. There are toilets, but no water or power is available.
Horsethief is an ideal family camping location, as there are tons of recreational opportunities within a short distance. Make sure you’re well provisioned, as Moab is a 30-40 minute drive from the campground, and the nearest gas station is 25-30 minutes away.
The famous Gemini Bridges mountain bike trail starts within a mile of the campground. Round trip ride time to the Bridges and back to the campground is 2-4 hours. Also remember that the end of the ride is a grunt climb back up the dirt road you came down at the start. You can also have someone pick you up at the bottom of the hill, which is easily traveled by passenger cars.
Dead Horse Point State Park is only a 15 minute drive from Horsethief campground, and is an ideal destination for a family hike or bike ride. Utah State Parks recently opened the Paradox Trail, a multiple loop mountain bike trail that is perfect for beginners and families. Ride what you can and walk the sections that you’re not comfortable with.
Hiking trails at Dead Horse are just awesome. There is a long loop starting from the visitor center that goes out to the famous point where there are picnic tables. You can hike the entire loop in about two hours, or have someone pick you up at the point.
Horsethief is an ideal family camping location, as there are tons of recreational opportunities within a short distance. Make sure you’re well provisioned, as Moab is a 30-40 minute drive from the campground, and the nearest gas station is 25-30 minutes away.
The famous Gemini Bridges mountain bike trail starts within a mile of the campground. Round trip ride time to the Bridges and back to the campground is 2-4 hours. Also remember that the end of the ride is a grunt climb back up the dirt road you came down at the start. You can also have someone pick you up at the bottom of the hill, which is easily traveled by passenger cars.
Dead Horse Point State Park is only a 15 minute drive from Horsethief campground, and is an ideal destination for a family hike or bike ride. Utah State Parks recently opened the Paradox Trail, a multiple loop mountain bike trail that is perfect for beginners and families. Ride what you can and walk the sections that you’re not comfortable with.
Hiking trails at Dead Horse are just awesome. There is a long loop starting from the visitor center that goes out to the famous point where there are picnic tables. You can hike the entire loop in about two hours, or have someone pick you up at the point.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)