Moab Rim Hike

Moab, UT

We are continuing to enjoy our stay here in eastern Utah.  Three other couples we have come to know through our travels are now also in Portal RV Resort, making for some great social occasions.  The three couples are Dave and Sue (Beluga’s Excellent Adventure), Joe and Gay (good-times-rollin), and Steve and MonaLiza (Lowes Adventures).  On one of the first days we were all together we shared pizza and conversation at our site.

Mona Liza, Steve, Joe, Gay, Sue, Dave, and John

Yesterday we headed out Kane Springs Road just a couple of miles from Moab along the Colorado River to hike up to the Moab Rim, a high cliff overlooking the town of Moab.  The first part of the hike is up a very steep trail for a mile.  The trail going up is called the Stairmaster, which gives you an indication of the elevation gain.

The trail parallels what is called a Jeep road, but we think the road too difficult for most Jeeps.  It is more suited to all terrain vehicles.  We saw two ATVs going up as we returned from the hike and even they had quite a bit of difficulty.

No Chevy Impalas on this road!

As we climbed the steep trail we stopped often to check out the view of the Colorado River below.

Natural piece of sculpture

John recently ordered a new pair of Keen hiking shoes from REI.  They seemed to fit nicely but on the hike a few days ago to Tower Arch he developed a blister above the heel of his right foot.  He decided to put tape over it and try the shoes again, but halfway up the steep part of the trail it began to hurt again.

Ouch! The tape will not stay in place

He tried hiking Au Naturel (no shoe) but we decided going up another quarter mile just to reach the top with just one shoe would be a bit much.

One shoe off, one shoe on, diddle diddle dumpling my son John . . .

So we decided to head back down and return the next day with John wearing his old, dependable Vasque boots.  With the old, comfortable boots, this morning we hiked back up to the top, where we were rewarded with great views of the town of Moab below us.

Looking down at Moab

Looking to our left we could see Portal RV Resort in the distance.

Can you see our motorhome?

A zoom photo helps

Looking to the north we could see Skyline Arch, located in Arches NP, in the distance.

After enjoying the views along the Moab Rim we continued south on the “Jeep” road into an area known as Behind the Rocks.

A short distance down the trail we spotted a small, un-named arch to our left.

As we neared our turn-around point we came to a high rock dome and were amazed that the road went straight up and over it.

The nimble hiker in the distance going up the dome

Pam hikes up the steepest part of the dome

Lunch with a view

We finished lunch and began hiking back down the trail when we were passed by an ATV going up toward the dome.  We were anxious to see someone drive up the dome so we hiked back up the trail and found a spot where we could watch him tackle what we thought to be a very challenging “up.”

The driver was obviously very experienced, as he didn’t even slow down as he went up and over the dome.

We continued the return leg of the hike and were constantly amazed by all the beautiful vistas all around us.

We came to another section of the trail that looked to be very difficult.  As luck would have it, two ATVs came down that section in front of us, again with no difficulty.

Heading back down toward the river

This was a great hike, providing magnificent views over and over again, while giving the legs and lungs a great workout.  The hike (the way we did it) is very challenging for the first mile, levels off some at the top with shorter up and downs, then has another challenge going back down the last mile.