It’s Valentine’s Day today! So we thought we’d take a moment to talk about how much we love our home – Southern Utah. It is, in our opinion, the best place on earth, full of remarkable beauty and endless adventures. And we love that we get to share it all with you, the guests who come to the Lodge at Red River Ranch from all over the world. So while we’re feeling sentimental about Southern Utah, allow us to elaborate on what makes it such a special place to visit.

Photo by Marc Phillips via unsplash.com

We Love the Beauty of the Desert

Southern Utah is located in one of the most geologically diverse deserts on earth. The sandstone formations of the region have been molded and eroded in different ways across millenniums of time to create every imaginable shape. The result is a stunning collection of arches, bridges, hoodoos, canyons, sheer cliffs, and checkerboard mounds. There is a very good reason that Southern Utah has five national parks, when many states don’t have any.

It’s hard to describe in just a few paragraphs just how affecting the desert of Southern Utah can be. We can talk about the rugged beauty, the soaring sandstone, the expansive overlooks, but in order to fully understand why so many people – including us – come to love Southern Utah, you need to stand here and experience it for yourself. Drive the Burr Trail, hike to Angels Landing, or raft the rivers of Canyonlands, then you’ll understand what we mean. Once this place takes hold of you, it never lets go.

Photo by Brady Stoeltzing via unsplash.com

We Love the Peace of Capitol Reef

Thinking more specifically about our favorite of Utah’s national parks, we love how quiet and peaceful Capitol Reef National Park can be. Sure, during the summer months the main section of the park, Fruita as it’s called, gets pretty busy. But head north to Cathedral Valley and you’ll practically have that whole section of the park to yourself. Or drive south, into the Waterpocket Fold and hike in the slot canyons there, and you’ll be lucky to find anyone else.

And that’s something that we have come to love and appreciate about Capitol Reef. You can still find places in the park to be alone with the people you love most, your thoughts, and the sublime feeling that Capitol Reef instills in its visitors.

Photo by RedRiverRanch via midjourney.com

We Love the Road Trips You Can Create

But lets say you’re not in a contemplative mood, and you’re itching to cram as much natural beauty as you can into your vacation. Then Southern Utah has you covered. We love a good road trip, and good road trips abound in Southern Utah. The Grand Circle, obviously. You can see all five parks, plus some very cool bonuses. Or else you can do the Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon route through the Grand Staircase. We’ve written some guides here to help you start planning. But the main point is that we love the sense of adventure when it’s the open road, good company, and a whole itinerary of locations in Southern Utah to discover.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Maybe you’ve read other posts in our blog, maybe you’ve talked with us at the front desk at the Lodge, or maybe this is your first time on our site. But one thing we think you’ve noticed, one thing that we feel comes through in all our communications and interactions, online and off, is that we love Southern Utah. So Happy Valentine’s Day. And when you get the chance, come visit. You’ll end up loving this extraordinary place too.

Photo by Omer Salom via unsplash.com

Today is a special day! Today, Bryce Canyon National Park celebrates it’s 100th anniversary! On June 8, 1923, President Warren G. Harding designated about 10,000 acres of land as Bryce Canyon National Monument. And the following year the monument was upgraded to a national park (although, fun fact: it was originally called “Utah National Park.” Lawmakers would change its name back to “Bryce Canyon National Park” in 1928.) Today, Bryce Canyon welcomes millions of visitors every year, and preserves a truly remarkable landscape for generations to come. We love Bryce, and we’re very happy to celebrate 100 years of this classic American park!

Photo by Stephen Leonardi via unsplash.com

A Little More History

There is a great page on the official Bryce Canyon website that goes into the history of Bryce, but we thought we’d just share some of the most important highlights from the early days, just so you can get a sense of the formation of the park. These bullet points are pulled directly from the official centennial history, so again, go check out that page:

1872 – A survey team headed by Lieutenant George C. Wheeler maps the geologic resources of the Colorado plateau. The Wheeler Report includes the first written description of the area: “…a perfect wilderness of red pinnacles,” wrote Grove Karl Gilbert.

1915 – Sevier National Forest Supervisor, J.W. Humphrey, views the canyon for the first time and begins publicity efforts to tell the world. This includes articles, photographs by A.W. Stevens, and a film by George Goshen that were sent to Washington D.C.

August 1916 – The National Park Service is created by Congress to manage parks and monuments in such a manner as to leave them unimpaired for future generations.

June 8, 1923 – Bryce Canyon National Monument proclaimed by President Warren G. Harding. Boundaries of the 9,760 acre monument extend roughly from modern-day Sunrise Point south to Paria View.

June 7, 1924 – After persistent campaigning by Utah Senator Reed Smoot, Congress establishes “Utah National Park.”

1924 – Construction begins on the Bryce Canyon Lodge.

September 15, 1928 – After the requirement is met that all land within the boundaries be United States owned, Bryce Canyon National Park is established. Management transfers from the U.S. Forest Service to the National Park Service.

1931 – The park boundaries extend south to Podunk Point (now Rainbow Point), doubling the size of the park.

Photo by Digitalarbyter via unsplash.com

How You Can Celebrate

There is a Centennial Celebration happening in the park today (with the Piano Guys preforming!) but if you’re just reading about this now, on June 8th, then you aren’t likely to make it on time. But don’t worry, for this special year Bryce Canyon has tons of cool things planned. The best way to stay informed about their upcoming events is through social media. Here is the list of all the official socials for Bryce Canyon.

You can also be part of the continuing story of Bryce Canyon. Tag your photos with #BRYCE100 to share your experiences in the park during the year. And if you have a love story that involves Bryce Canyon, then visit this cute page called “Hoodoo You Love” and share your park-based romance!

Photo by Jordi Vich Navarro via unsplash.com

Hooray for National Parks

National parks are some of our most treasured places. Since the founding of the National Park Service in 1916, millions of acres of land have been designated as public spaces for all of us to enjoy. The NPS preserves the most incredible, awe-inspiring, and fantastically beautiful areas in our country – places like Bryce Canyon National Park. Hooray for the national parks! And hooray for Bryce Canyon! Happy 100th birthday!

We talk a lot about Capitol Reef – the top things to see when you visit, the best trails, how to plan the best vacation, and more – but sometimes we like to highlight a nearby attraction that we think you should check out, in addition to the park. After all, there is so much to see in Southern Utah that you will never run out of places to explore. So here’s one more for your list! It’s a quick detour on your way to Capitol Reef, but we think it’s worth it. It’s Sunglow Canyon!

Part of the canyon seen from the highway. Photo by Red River Ranch.

Sunglow Canyon

Sunglow is a box canyon located just a couple of miles outside of Bicknell (which is one of the little towns that you pass through on the way to Capitol Reef.) You can see it marked here on Google Maps. Sunglow Canyon is really the start of the red rock scenery that dominates the landscape as you approach the national park. And it’s a great little place to stop by and walk around!

So What’s There?

The Sunglow Trail for starters! It’s a fun, moderately easy hike of about five miles with red rock cliffs similar to what you can find in Capitol Reef. But unlike the park, you can take dogs on this trail, so it’s perfect for four-legged friends. The is also some fantastic canyoneering and rock climbing available in the canyon. Here is a good introductory guide if you are interested in these more adventurous sports in Sunglow.

Sunglow also has a campground. It’s small, and can’t accomodate larger RVs. But it’s a nice location for tents. It has flush toilets and running water. You can find the details, and reserve some of the spots, here at recreation.gov. There are some juniper and cottonwood trees that provide some shade.

Stop By

That’s it, that’s our pitch! Sunglow Canyon a fun place to see in addition to Capitol Reef. Plus, hardly anyone knows about it, so you might just have to whole place to yourself!

Capitol Reef is full of amazing hikes that lead through amazing scenery. From plateaus, to rising monoliths, to narrow canyons, there’s so much to see. And we’ve covered a lot of it before. But, to us here at the Lodge, it’s the overlooks that are often the most exciting, the most stunning, and the most scenic locations in the park. So we thought we’d share a few of our favorite Capitol Reef overlooks with you. Check them all out on your next trip to the park.

There are lots of amazing overlooks in the park. Photo by Madalyne Staab via unsplash.com

Goosenecks Overlook

This is a great little gem, and it’s really easy to get to. Just a short distance from the Visitor Center, and across the road from Chimney Rock, is the turn off to the Goosenecks Overlook. Drive past Panorama Point (but, ya know, check that out too) about a quarter-mile until you reach the parking area for the overlook. Then, it’s just a quick 10-minute hike to the edge of the jagged Goosenecks canyon. Look down and admire the views!

Looking across the Goosenecks Overlook.

Rim Overlook

This one is a little bit of a hike, but it will give you to some of the best views of the Fruita area, and, notably, the famous Castle rock formation. Start at the Hickman Bridge trailhead, but don’t take the turn off to the bridge. (Well, do if you want to, but then come back to where the trail splits.) Then keep hiking up the hill until you reach the overlook location. Look out over the Waterpocket Fold and towards Chimney Rock. Just don’t get too close to the edge, it’s a long way down! It’s about four-miles roundtrip to the Rim Overlook, and the hike is moderately strenuous.

The view from the Upper South Desert Overlook. Photo by Red River Ranch.

Upper South Desert Overlook

This one is our favorite overlooks in all of Cathedral Valley. It allows you to look down into a desert valley, which depending on the time of year, is sometimes covered in green grass and field flowers. And it’s all flanked by high red, sandstone cliffs. The good news is that it’s a short, easy hike. But you’ll have to drive quite a way into Cathedral Valley to reach it. (Which, actually, is more good news!) We’ve written a complete guide to help you out when doing the Cathedral Valley loop, so check that out here.

The Waterpocket Fold as seen from the Burr Trail.

Strike Valley Overlook

This is another amazing overlook in Capitol Reef that requires some effort to get to. But, we think it’s worth the work. Drive down south into the Waterpocket Fold along the famous Burr Trail and connect with the Strike Valley Road. The road is a bit rough, so a high-clearance, 4-wheel drive vehicle is required. (Or alternately, you can just hike up the road to the trailhead.) Once you reach the trail sign, it’s about a two-mile roundtrip hike to the overlook. You’ll get to see all the geological upheaval of the Waterpocket Fold stretched out in front of you. Check out this awesome guide for more info.

Hooray for Overlooks!

There’s something truly awe-inspiring about looking out over a vast expanse of wilderness. It stirs something deep inside us, and hopefully, it will you too. Some of the ones we’ve shared with you are a little tough to get to, but we guarantee that you’ll love them all. One last thought: these overlooks are great at any time of the day, but they are especially magnificent in the mornings and evenings. So if you can make it work with your schedule, try to go during those times. And, most of all, enjoy those views!

Every so often we at the Lodge like to suggest that you check out a location that might seem a little, well, out of the way. But we know that a lot of our guests are road trippin’ it, and they might like the idea of expanding their Southern Utah vacation with a little jaunt across the state line. So when we have a section of our blog for just such posts – Nearly Nearby Attractions. And this time, we’re highlighting Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. Photo the John Fowler via unsplash.com

That Sounds Familiar…

You’ve probably heard of Vermilion Cliffs before, and probably in the context of the very famous geographical feature that it contains – the Wave. We’ll talk about that in a second, but first a little general information: The national monument is located just south of the Utah border, in Arizona. It protects some really cool, and really remote desert scenery, places like Coyote Gulch and Paria Canyon. The area is serviced by the town of Kanab, so you’ll need to gas up and stock up there. (In fact, even though there is primitive camping available in the monument, we recommend that you stay in Kanab.) There is no fee to enter Vermilion Cliffs, but there also isn’t a visitor center. And services are limited. But there are plenty of stunning views!

The Wave. Photo the Gert Boers via unsplash.com

The Wave

You’ve seen pictures of this before. It’s a favorite spot for outdoor enthusiasts and social media influencers alike. It’s extremely cool, and everybody wants to see it in person. But unfortunately, that kind of traffic would destroy the site, so the Bureau of Land Management, which manages the monument, has set up a daily-visitor lottery system to limit tourist damage. (We’ve talked about this issue before.) There is an online lottery, and an in-person lottery. We highly recommend that you do the in-person lottery, because you will have much less competition. (Around 200 people, versus everybody in the world.) You’ll need to show up to the BLM office in Kanab. (Which is why you should stay in town, then you can try for the permit everyday that you’re there.) Here’ s the address of the BLM office. Be there by 8:30am.

745 East Highway 89 Kanab Utah
(across from the Wendy’s and gas station)

Also here’s the link to the online lottery. You could always try your luck, somebody’s got to win, right? If you get the permit, go see the Wave! It’s awesome. However, it’s only one of the cool things that you can find at Vermilion Cliffs National Monument. So let’s talk about what else you’ll want to see.

White Pocket. Photo the John Fowler via unsplash.com

White Pocket

Our favorite spot in the monument is actually White Pocket. It’s a lot like the Wave, but a little rougher and has some white sandstone mixed it. (Hence the name.) But you can visit without a permit. And hardly anybody goes there. However, it can be tricky to find, and you will need a high-clearance vehicle to get to the parking area. So get a good map and bring the Jeep.

Vermilion Cliffs

There are a lot of arches and natural bridges in the monument. Wrather Arch is one of the longest (and hardest to get to) arches in the United States, but the overlook is pretty cool. Vermilion Arch is set high up in the cliffs, and the path is strenuous and tricky, but it can be worth the hike. And Double Barrel Arch is spectacular, and is also a much easier hike, only two miles, in and out. So when you’re in the monument, maybe think about doing a tour of some of the arches set in those Vermilion Cliffs.

Near Buckskin Gulch. Photo the Joshua Gresham via unsplash.com

And More…

Of course there’s more to see in this amazing monument. Luckily we’ve covered a bit of it before, so check out our write up on Paria Canyon and Buckskin Gulch. And next time you’re vacationing in Southern Utah, consider hopping across the border to see Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

We just mentioned that September is one of the best months in which to hike in Southern Utah. It’s not so busy, it’s cooler, there’s no monsoon season – that’s are the condensed version of our reasoning. And since it’s September and since we’ve been thinking about hiking, we thought of another trial to talk about: Death Hollow Arch.

Death Hollow Arch. Photo by Glen Rushton via unsplash.com

Death Hollow Arch

Death Hollow is a region in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument near the town of Boulder, Utah. It’s more wild, and less developed than other sections of the national monument and certainly more so than any of the national parks in Southern Utah. The hike to Death Hollow Arch is a backcountry trek, which makes September the ideal month to do it (see the cooler weather point above.) The trail leads over several miles of slick-rock mesa, to fantastic, scenic overviews, down into a desert canyon, up a narrow creek, and finally, to a really unique arch in a sandstone wall. It’s like all the best features of the Grand Staircase rolled into one great hike!

Views of the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Photo by Jim Witowski via unsplash.com

How to Get There

Okay, first things first, you gotta get to the trailhead. It can be a bit hard to find, since the pull-off isn’t super well marked. Luckily we live in the age of GPS! So head to coordinates 37°53’3.16“N 111°27’52.14”W . Or if you prefer, check out this link to Google Maps with the trailhead marked. You will have to access this trailhead by crossing a rural airstrip, so watch out for planes! (Don’t worry, it’s very unlikely that you’ll see any incoming air traffic.)

What to Expect

The trail starts at the old Boulder Mail trailhead. You’ll share the same route with the Boulder Mail Trail for about 3.5 miles. Follow the cairns over the slick-rock, and enjoy those amazing view! Eventually you’ll find the route down into to Death Hollow. Descend into the canyon and follow the river upstream for about 3 miles. You can’t get lost here, there’s only one way to go. Have fun splashing and wading as you make your way up the the river. And, after about 3 miles, the canyon will open up, and you’ll get to see Death Hollow arch. Rest up and head back the way you came. The whole roundtrip is 14 miles. And the trail is pretty strenuous, so make sure you’re up for it. Also, this particular trail is known for having plenty of poison ivy, so be prepared for that, know how to avoid it and how to treat it.

Be prepared to get wet. Photo by Daniela Andrade via unsplash.com

Camping

There’s a cool little camping spot called Ponderosa Camp near the entrance to the canyon. If you want to make this into a multi-day hike (a good idea if you want to spend more time exploring the area, or just don’t feel like you can do 14 miles in one go) bring along the tent and camping gear.

Safety, Safety, Safety

The hike to Death Hollow arch is in a very remote part of the state. And as such, you probably won’t meet too many other people on the trail. So it’s important to bring everything that you need for the trip with you. Like water. Lots of water. (Since there is a creek on this particular hike, a water-filtration system is also recommended.) We know it’s getting cooler, but you don’t want to be stuck in the desert without water. Also, be sure to tell someone where you are going, so that they can alert anyone if you run into trouble. Lastly, a good map is invaluable, so grab one of those too.

Canyonlands is the most remote, least developed, and least visited national park in Utah. Which is great! This makes it the perfect place to get a taste of real wilderness – to really explore the backcountry. And nowhere in Canyonlands is more rugged and wild than the famed White Rim Road.

Photo via nps.gov

The What Now?

The White Rim Road is a 100-mile long dirt, gravel, and slickrock road that leads through the heart of Canyonlands National Park. It’s located in the Island in the Sky district of the park, which, frankly is the best and most scenic section of the park. (More about the Canyonlands districts here.) On the White Rim Road you’ll get to see lots, and lots, and LOTS of amazing stuff. Wanna see herons on the Green River? Check. Drive down (probably) the most iconic switch-backs in the state? Sure. Walk right up to a natural bridge? Yes! Drive right next to a 200-foot cliff? Of course! Wait… what?

Photo via nps.gov

Things To Know, Before You Go

Okay. So before you fall in love with the idea of driving the White Rim Road, there are a couple of caveat you should know about. First of all, there is an element of danger here. A portion of the road comes pretty close to some intense drop-offs. And other sections are difficult to navigate. (See the picture below.) So you will need a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle. Because, according to the official National Park Service site, towing a stuck or disabled vehicle out of the White Rim Road will cost well over $1000. So get a truck or a Jeep, or something that can handle the terrain.

Second, as we mentioned, the White Rim Road is over 100-miles long. So you will likely need to spend the night somewhere along the route, since you definitely won’t be going at freeway speeds. The park requires EVERYBODY who drives the trail to register with them first. You can get a single-day permit up to 24 hours in advance. But if you want to get an overnight permit (which, you really, really do) then you need to go here to reserve one. (It currently costs $30 for a permit, by the way.) Fair warning, there are only about a dozen spots per day, and they do fill up during the summer. Thankfully you can book these ones pretty far in advance, so go get yours now.

And lastly, be smart. If you aren’t comfortable driving in these conditions, then don’t. And bring lots of supplies with you, and at LEAST a gallon of water per day per person. This is the most remote road, in the most remote national park, located in a literal desert.

Photo via nps.gov

Drive On The Wild Side

If you’ve gotten all your food, water, shelter and everything else ready, you’ve booked your overnight campground, and your 4WD vehicle is in good repair, then it’s time to enjoy the greatest drive of your life. First thing to do is enter the park (and pay the $25 entrance fee) and stop by the visitor center. Show them your PRINTED overnight permit for the White Rim Road, since they will not accept anything from your smartphone. They’ll give you some last minute advice, and you can be off. While on this incredible drive, you’ll want to get out and hike a bunch too! There are a lot of incredible spots, so take a look at this map here.

And that’s it! Have a great, safe, and wild trip on the White Rim Road. You gonna love the views!

Photo via nps.gov

One Last Thought

If you don’t like the idea of driving on the White Rim Road, maybe you wanna bike it? Or use a ATV? There are options, and you can get more details here.

Do you know what we love about Capitol Reef National Park? It really does have it all. If you’re looking for grand sweeping overlooks, it’s got you covered. Perhaps you’re looking for canyon views? Capitol Reef has those too. Want towering monoliths? Check. Narrow slot canyons? You know it. In fact, slot canyons are what we want to talk about today.

Photo by John Thomas via unsplash.com.

Got to Head South

Unfortunately, not many people get to experience Capitol Reef’s slot canyons. This is partly because their more famous cousins in Zion National Park usually get all the attention. But it’s mostly due to the fact that they’re a little hard to get to. If you want to see the best narrow canyons in Capitol Reef, you have to head south to the Waterpocket Fold. But if you’re willing to visit this more remote section of the park, then here are the three places you should go to for a slot canyon adventure.

Burro Wash

All of these narrow canyon hikes are located in the Waterpocket Fold. To access them, you’ll need to take the turnoff from Highway 24 to the Notom-Bullfrog Road.

Burro Wash is located about 8-miles south of the turnoff. There is a clearly marked trailhead, where you should park. Hike up the stream bed for about a mile and a half, until you get to the canyon. (There are several junctions in the wash, to get to the narrows take the left-hand junction every time.) Once in the canyon, you will have to scramble over several obstacles, and possibly wade through a few pools. At about three and a half miles, there is a particularly difficult chockstone that must be negotiated to get to the last section of narrows. And at about four-miles up the canyon you will find yourself underneath an impassable 30-foot dryfall. Most people head back at this point. But if you have the gear and skills, you can continue past this blockage by backtracking and climbing to the top of the Waterpocket Fold above the canyon. Roundtrip to the dryfall is about 8-miles.

Cottonwood Wash

This is probably the trickiest hike of the three, and maybe the hardest in the whole park. There is a large deep pool that is present for most of the year, and it’s located right in the middle of the canyon. So you might need to go for a long swim to see all of the narrows. But if that doesn’t bother you, then here’s what to expect at Cottonwood Wash:

Drive about nine miles from the Notom-Bullfrog Road turnoff. Park at the trailhead sign, under the Cottonwood trees. You’ll need to hike up the (usually) dry riverbed for a little more than a mile to reach the narrow section. As you continue up stream, you’ll get to a section of the riverbed that is exceptionally rocky. There is a little trail made by hikers that will take you out of the wash to bypass the rocks, so be on the look out for that. You will find the narrows soon after the rocks. There are several obstacles to climb around in the canyon, which makes this section pretty strenuous. And the daunting pool of water is just ahead. Many hikers turn around here, but if you want to swim through it, there is about another mile of canyon to be explored. Roundtrip to the pool is about four and a half miles. Roundtrip to the end of the canyon is about six miles.

Sheets Gulch

This might be our favorite slot canyon hike in the park. It’s a little less strenuous, and you get to the slots sooner. Plus it has an arch. The trailhead is located about 12-miles from the Notom-Bullfrog Road turn-off. Hike up the hill and into the wash. You’ll have to hike a little more than a mile before you get to the canyon. When the gulch seems to split, follow the cairns and take the path to the right. The first section of slot will be found shortly there after. Sheets Gulch has three distinct narrow sections, interspersed with more open sections. The entire route is 9-miles roundtrip. Not everybody makes it to the end of the third slot canyon, but we recommend that you try to get through the second narrow section, so that you can see the impressive Sheets Gulch arch.

Safety First

Don’t forget, when you’re exploring the wilder place in Capitol Reef (such as these slot canyons) it’s important to think about safety. The trails are only sparsely marked with cairns, the temperatures in the summer can be blistering, and flash floods can happen during our rainy season. So do some research, let people know where you are going, and take lots and lots of water. Also, it’s a good idea to stop by the Visitor Center to get a detailed map and chat with the Park Rangers about your plans.

Get to the Slot Canyons

We told you that Capitol Reef had it all – slot canyons included. Go out there and explore this often overlooked part of our favorite national park.

So you’ve probably heard about Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado. We’ve written about it here before. It’s the park with all the Native American cliff dwellings, remember? You can walk among the city ruins of the these ancient peoples, soak in the history, and admire the view from the cliff sides. Mesa Verde is very cool and you should definitely check it out. What you might not know, however, is that there are cliff dwelling all across Southern Utah. And one of the very best sites is the Anasazi ruins in Grand Gulch.

Photo by Paul Ewing via unsplash.com

Grand Gulch

Grand Gulch is located in the Cedar Mesa Special Recreation Management Area, which is managed by the BLM. It is a stunningly beautiful canyon with many passages in and out. The whole length of the canyon (52-miles) is dotted with amazing Native American archeological wonders – pottery, petroglyphs, pictographs, and of course, cliff dwellings. As you wander up the canyon, you will see this dwellings high above you. Some of them you will be able to access. And some will leave you scratching your head, wondering how the inhabitants ever managed to get up there.

Worth the Hike

Grand Gulch is super remote. And to us, this is part of the charm of the place. In Mesa Verde, you have to compete with crowds. And all the tours through the dwellings are guided, so you can’t set your own pace. Here in Grand Gulch, you can explore at your leisure, with no one bumping into you.

If you are planning on hiking into Grand Gulch, you need a permit. Register with the BLM in Monticello, the Kane Gulch Ranger Station, or at the Trailhead Visitor Box. That way if you get lost, somebody will come looking for you. (Also, don’t get lost!) Be sure to take all the necessary safety precautions before going on any long desert hike.

The trailhead location can be found here on Google Maps.

The official BLM website for Grand Gulch is here.

Be Respectful

It should go without saying that you should be super respectful of the art and artifacts that you find in Grand Gulch. Descendants of the Anasazi people still occasionally visit for ritualistic reasons. So don’t break, collect, or mark anything!

If you’ve ever driven from Salt Lake City to Capitol Reef National Park, then you’ve seen Pando – earth’s largest organism! Pando is a tree. Or more accurately, Pando is a clonal tree colony. What appears to be a forest of thousands of single quaking aspen trees is actually one living organism – Pando, the Trembling Giant. Located about a mile outside of Fish Lake, Pando is clearly visible from Utah State Road 24, near the Koosharem reservoir.

By SoloTravelGoals via Unsplash.com

Lots of Awards

Judging by the genetic markers taken from trunks all over the colony, Pando is estimated to span over a hundred acres. And it weighs about 6,600 tons – making it both the largest and the heaviest known single organism in the world! Determining Pando’s age is a little tricker, but most studies estimate it to be about 80,000 years old (although some suggest that it may be as old as one million years.) Its age easily ranks Pando among earth’s oldest organisms.

By Andrea Reiman via Unsplash.com

See Pando Yourself

As we pointed out, Pando can clearly be seen on Utah State Road 24. But if you want to walk among the 40,000 trunks of Pando, then you should check out Fish Lake and Fishlake National Forest. The Fishlake Scenic Byway – also known as Utah State Road 25 – will reveal large swaths of Pando. Feel free to get out and stretch your legs on top of the Trembling Giant. (And while you’re up there, but sure to check out Fish Lake. It’s the largest fresh water lake in the state, and is pretty awesome too.)

Not Feeling So Well

Unfortunately, Pando has been exhibiting signs of stress. Some scientists believe it could be dying. The exact reasons for this are not known, but competition with encroaching conifers, wide-spread grazing, and drought are thought to be contributing factors. The Forest Service is currently trying various tests to see if we can’t help improve the health of this amazing organism.