Fisher Towers Trail

 Moab, UT

June 5th and 6th, 2013

First off, I have to explain that we did this trail on Wednesday morning, but we only made it 1.5 miles into the trail. We got a rather late start - took a side road to check out Onion Creek and then spent time on the trail visiting with hikers from Salt Lake City and watching rock climbers atop one of the towers. Before we knew it, our 6 hour window of time for leaving the pups was about up...so we decided to turn around, with plans to return the next morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These first few pictures were taken on Wed. This was pretty amazing to watch!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is the corkscrew summit of Ancient Arts tower.

 

 

 

 

So Thursday morning we were at the trailhead at 8:45, rested and ready for a 4.6 mile hike.

 

 

Moab is home to some well known geological formations and Fisher Towers is no exception.

 

 

Hiking along the base of the towers offers excellent views.

The trail is well maintained by the Bureau of Land Management.

 It offers a variety of walking surfaces.






We enjoyed slickrock and rock scrambling.




At times the trail was narrow, but so much fun as it wound around and up and down.





 And the views around every turn were nothing short of spectacular!




In some places, we had help. A ladder is provided at a gully...the most difficult obstruction on the trail. We sure appreciated it!  Along with steps we used later.





 

Fisher Towers are named for a miner who lived in the area in the 1880s.

Yucca...

 The scenery, for us, also includes all the living components of the environment. We saw...

Prickly Pear...

Pinyon pine...

 

and grasses.

 
 

We stopped for a snack at The Titan look-out. The Titan is the largest of the Fisher Towers. It has been attributed to be the largest free standing tower in the US...standing at 900 feet.

 

                                                       

After walking around the base of The Titan, the trail ascends and ends on a ridge...mushroom top...with a 360* panoramic view...definitely WOW!









Onion Creek

None of the following pictures do a very good job of showing how spectacular the view we saw really is...


                                             
          

Priest and Nuns and Castlerock

Fisher Towers



Colorado Plateau

 

Colorado River and Hwy 128

 

 

On the hike back to the trailhead, the sun cast a different shadow and light on the towers...

rock pedestal

 We didn't see that many wildflowers.

Utah Daisy

Dwarf Evening Primrose

Stemless Woolybase

This was a great hike...

 ...and a wonderful way to spend the morning!

 

 

This was a view of the La Sal Mountains as we were heading home on Hwy 128...

 and a busy Colorado River!

 

 Hope you all have a great week-end.

 Y'all come back!

La Sal Mountain Loop Road

Moab, UT
June 2,2013

Sunday morning Joe and I were up early. Morning is our favorite time of day...nothing quite like watching the sunrise, the feel of the cool morning air, that first sip of coffee and a few doggie kisses to get the day started!

We weren't sure what the plans for the day would be, then we heard it...the La Sal Mountains were calling us!

Scenic Byway 128

We headed north on Hwy 191 and turned right onto Scenic Byway 128. We followed the Colorado River...passed by Negro Bill Canyon, and Big Bend Recreation Site...before making a right turn on Castle Valley Road.

After about 4 miles we passed the Priest and Nuns and Castle Rock on our left. These famous landmarks have been in many western movies.

Priest and Nuns

                                   


 Castle Valley is a very small community of farms...population 319.









Castle Valley Road

We continued on for 7 or so miles and made a right turn on La Sal Mountain Loop Road.

La Sal Mountain Loop Road

There were several pull-outs to stop and enjoy spectacular views of Castle Valley.

As we entered the Manti-La Sal National Forest, the plants and trees began to change as we gained elevation. 

 The Pinyon pines and Junipers trees...





                      ...gave way to oaks...

...and then, those beautiful aspens among tall pines.

 The flowers were so pretty...a lot of stop and go...to take photographs.

Primrose

Paintbrush




                                                              

The most common wild iris is the blue flag. This wild iris is native to deciduous woodlands and has  thick, blade like foliage. Also, it reseeds itself if left undisturbed. 



Iris

 We made a left turn onto a dirt road that leads to Oowah Lake. High clearance, 4-wheel vehicles are advised. The road winds up for about 3 miles to the lake and campground.

It was 3 miles filled with absolute beauty! As Pam would say...the "green stuff" was thick and very green with wildflowers scattered throughout.





We drove right through a colony of aspens.

                                                                        


So many wonderful shades of green!

A stream led the way...as we wound our way up and around the switchbacks.

At the end of the road is Oowah Lake. This is one of two popular lakes with primitive camping sites off  the Loop Road. Oowah Lake elevation is 8,800 feet. Its a small lake...only 4 acres. If you look closely, you will see people fishing on the right shoreline.

 

 

 

The loop drive is a approximately 60 miles. Our guide said to plan on 3 hours. It took us a wee bit longer( 4 hours)...we really took our time and enjoyed every minute!

The La Sal Mountain range rises above and southeast of Moab. The range is part of the Manti-La Sal National Forest and the southern Rocky Mountains.

The maximum elevation is at Mt. Peale which reaches 12,721 feet. It is Utah's second highest mountain range.

 We think this is a must-do ride for anyone visiting the Moab area.




It is such a contrast to the beautiful red rocks and desert around Arches NP and the Moab area.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing our Sunday drive!

 

I can't believe it is already Wednesday...my how time flies! Hope you are having a great week.

 

Y'all come back!