Vernal Beta

Vernal GPS: 40.27 17 N, 109.32 8; Elevation: 5328 ft.

Vernals a great town to enter as it is decorated with life size dinosaurs throughout the town. There are at least eight of these behemoths. It's the largest town on the west side of the park and a good place to stock up on necessities.

website

·         www. visitdinosaurland.com

blog/facebook/social media site

Getting Oriented

·         Hwy. 191 runs north south through downtown Vernal, called Vernal Ave in town. Main St is Hwy. 40 which runs east west (joining with 191 on it's south/west leg).

Practicalities

·         Parks

·         Remember the Maine Park (Dry Fork Canyon), 4250 North 3500 West, 435-781-0982, restrooms, picnic sites, playground

·         Independence Park, 100 South, 600 West, restrooms, picnic tables, playground

·         Ashley Valley Community Park, 500 North 900 West, restrooms, pool, playground, skatepark

Largest park in Vernal with lots of indoor and outdoor options.

·         Restrooms

·         Uintah County Library, 155 East Main, 10-8, 10-6 Fri-Sat, closed Sun.

·         Grocery

·         Davis Food and Drug, 575 W. Main St, 435-789-2001

·         Smith's Grocery, 1080 Hwy. 40, 435-789-7135

·         Laundry

·         C & L Laundromat, 32 S 100 W, 435-789-8164

·         West End Laundromat and Cleaners, 933 Hwy. 40, 435-789-1990

Activities

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area Beta

The Curious Traveler's Guide to the Four Corners

Northeastern Utah

Northeastern Utah map link: http://aMAP.to/fbsfxzd

Introduction to the Region

This is one of the most desolate corners of the lower 48 once you move beyond the Flaming Gorge area.  The Gorge itself is a big draw for outdoors enthusiasts, but even with all its benefits, it is seldom crowded given how far it is from any major metropolitan area. Salt Lake city is several hours to the west. 

What you need to know when you are here

Expect long driving stretches with few services, dirt and gravel roads if you venture far from the main drag and beautiful, if stark, scenery. Travel is fairly quick in this area because there is no traffic, and roads travel through largely wide open spaces. The biggest towns in the area are Vernal and Price, and they are good choices for a base camp.

Canyonlands Beta

Canyonlands GPS: Elevation: 3700-7200 feet

Canyonlands is one of the most rustic of the National park's natural spaces, and it can be difficult to navigate, but with a little planning those who venture to this special place will be amply rewarded .

If you can, schedule three days for Canyonlands. You can easily spend two days in the Island in the Sky district with a visit to the visitor center, attendance at a couple of interpretive programs, a hike or two, and a leisurely drive along the park road with lots of stops at overviews. Spend your last day at needles.

Make sure to get a copy of the Canyonlands Newspaper for information on history, services and events. It also has a good map.

Learn more about it: You can't help but take pictures in this gorgeous land.  Here are some tips to making better shots.

Best time to shoot is sunrise or sunset because the lower light angle gives the subject depth and more realism. But, if you can't resist photos the rest of the day, try to avoid 10-3pm on cloudless days when the sun will wash out your shots.

Divide your shot into a 3 x 3 grid and place your subject at the intersection of a horizontal and vertical line. Make sure to fill your frame, either by moving closer or zooming in .

Cloud formations make for great photo contrast and you'll find lots of variety in this area

website

www.nps.gove/cany/index.htm

blog/facebook/social media site

facebook site, frequently updated

Media Connection: Before going, you might want to take a look at a PBS special called "The Living Edens Canyonlands".  The site offers lots of information about the flora, fauna, history and creatures in addition to access to a video on the area.

http://www.pbs.org/edens/canyonlands/.

And individual videos on specific aspects of Canyonlands from bighorn sheep to cryptobiotic soil can be found at

http://www.nps.gov/cany/photosmultimedia/insidecanyonlands.htm. 

And, if you are interested in hearing the stories of the voices that helped put canyonlands on the map, take a look at the following videos

http://www.nps.gov/cany/historyculture/stories.htm

Castle Valley Utah Beta

Castle Valley GPS: 38.38N, 109.24;  Elevation: 4685 ft

website

blog/facebook/social media site

Getting Oriented

·         Castle Valley is a small tiny community just south of Hwy. 128. Turn off at Mountain Loop Rd.

Practicalities

·         Restrooms

Castle Valley Library, 2 Castle Valley Drive, 435-259-9998,  limited hours

Activities

·         Rock Climbing is a popular pastime in this area. For routes and information go to http://www.mountainproject.com/v/castle-valley/105716784

Eating

·         The River Grill, in the Sorrel River Ranch Resort and Spa, Hwy. 128, 435-259-4642, www.sorrelriver.com, deck dining, full bar, 7am-9pm, reservations recommended for the Grill Restaurant.

Using produce from the onsite garden, this farm-to-plate restaurant featuring local flavors is worth the drive. Views from the restaurant provide panoramas of the red rock formations. Picnic lunches to go.

Lodging

Crescent Junction Beta

From I 70 to Moab

Introduction to the Region

What you need to know when you are here

When to go: The Moab area is beautiful in March and April with mild to cool temperatures and bright sunny days.  October and November are also ideal times to visit. Summer is quite hot and is frequently above 100 degrees. It is dry though with scattered afternoon thundershowers. In the winter, you'll likely see snow but also lots of sun.

Must Sees

Crescent Junction  GPS: 38.93 N, 109.91 W;  Elevation: 4882 feet

website

blog/facebook/social media site

·         facebook page

Getting Oriented

·         At the intersection of Hwy. 191/6 and I70, this small town isn't even really a town, but simply a junction of two roads. To the north of the Interstate, you can see the uplifted cliffs that make I70 a beautiful (if barren) road to travel.

Practicalities