Grand Canyon to Arches

We headed out of the Grand Canyon on Thursday heading for Arches National Park in Utah. Leaving the canyon took a while as we kept stopping to take one last look. Moran Point was a highlight for me today as it was one of the stopping points I took 11 years ago on a similar road trip with my friend Ryan Hamlet. We also stopped by the Watchtower which is a four story structure that overlooks the rim of the canyon. Heading from the canyon, we took Hwy. 64 followed by 89 and 160 through the Navajo Indian Reservation. We stopped along the way at a dinosaur fossil exhibit on the reservation and met our guide Orlando. From there we headed down Route 163 through Monument Valley and saw Owl Rock as well as El Capitan. As we came out of Monument Valley we headed further north towards Canyonlands National Park and finally found our way to Moab and Arches National Park. We took a short ride through the park and planned our hikes for tomorrow. Afterwards we stopped by Moab Brewery for dinner and a few microbrews. Tomorrow we head back into Arches. One thing I found most interesting today is that in the period of a few hours we not only drove through two sandstorms, we also had snow as well as hail. Got to love the Big Sky Out West.

A view of the Grand Canyon from Moran Point on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Grand Canyon from Moran Point on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Grand Canyon from Moran Point on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

The Watchtower overlooks the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

The Watchtower at the Grand Canyon has four stories of views and traditional artwork.

 

Binoculars sit on the top level of the Watchtower overlooking the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

The Colorado River cuts through the Grand Canyon from the Watchtower on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Grand Canyon from the Watchtower on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A visitor to the Watchtower at the Grand Canyon climbs the third story steps on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

The Watchtower stands four stories above the rim of the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Icicles hang from the Watchtower at the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Drops of water drip from icicles hanging from the Watchtower overlooking the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A stone structure protects wood for the Watchtower overlooking the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Grand Canyon from an open stone window from a structure next to the Watchtower on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Dried flowers blow in the breeze near the edge of the Grand Canyon on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Painted hills roll through part of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Painted hills roll through part of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Painted hills roll through part of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Fossilized dinosaur tracks lay in the bedrock on a part of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Fossilized dinosaur tracks lay in the bedrock on a part of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A possible dinosaur fossil lays partially uncovered in bedrock on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Part of a fossilized dinosaur claw lays in the bedrock on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Navajo Reservation in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A sandstorm kicks up across Route 160 in Arizona on the way to Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A windmill spins as a sandstorm kicks up off of Route 160 in Arizona on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Owl Rock towers over the surrounding hillside in Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Power lines and fencing line Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

El Capitan, also known as Agathla Peak, towers above Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A sandstorm obscures a car as it travels down Route 163 in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Sand blows across Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A sign for Cranks points into the desert surrounding Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Monument Valley in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

The San Juan River flows through Mexican Hat, Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A snow covered road leads towards the mountains surrounding Canyonlands National Park in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Snow covers the countryside outside of Blanding, Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A snow covered road leads towards the mountains surrounding Canyonlands National Park in Utah on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Twilight falls over Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

A view of the Lasal Mountains from Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Twilight falls over Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Dried flowers blow in the breeze as twilight falls over the Lasal Mountains outside of Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.

 

Twilight falls over Arches National Park on Thursday, March 1, 2012.