 Moab Area Travel Council
P.O. Box 550
Moab, Utah 84532
Phone 435-259-1370/FAX 435-259-1376
Email:
mdelay@discovermoab.com
Website: www.discovermoab.com
Moab, Utah has a little secret. Known for its beautiful
scenery, proximity to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks,
and outdoor recreational opportunities, Moab has been the
destination of choice for spring, summer and fall adventure. Few
however, have experienced Moab’s beauty as a scenic
winter wonderland and playland for winter sports enthusiasts.
Located within the Manti La Sal National Forest, 24 miles
from Moab, the La Sal Mountains offer miles of trails and
unlimited backcountry skiing terrain, as well as sledding,
snowshoe and snowmobiling. The groomed trails pass by several
meadows, some steep enough for telemarking, and lead to high
terrain where experienced backcountry explorers and mountaineers
can find long descents equal to any in Utah!
The La Sal Mountain Loop Road is plowed regularly
to the Geyser Pass road turnoff and less frequently to Castle
Valley. Geyser Pass road is kept open to the parking
area (with restrooms) at 9,600 ft. and provides access to
backcountry skiing and snow-boarding in the Mt. Tomasaki
and Gold Basin areas. Laurel Meadow offers telemarking
for all levels of ability and offers spectacular views of
the peaks and Julie’s glade is the place for backcountry
telemarking. The main Gold Basin Trail provides backcountry
touring and mountaineering. It is a wonderful place
to practice, gaze at Canyon Country and watch the sunset.
You can look across to the Moab Rim at Behind the Rocks,
Canyonlands National Park, and the Henry Mountains, 96 miles
away, which seem close enough to touch.
The Geyser Pass Trail is 1000 feet higher and offers terrific
touring and viewing opportunities along the way. The
left hand trail skirts around the Northern group of peaks
onto Taylor flat for many miles of open touring and snowmobiling. The
Chair 11 trail gives you a look at mountaineering. Venturing
up to the highest side of Chair 11 you will be rewarded with
breathtaking views of Horse Canyon, Gold Basin, Mount Tukuhnikivatz,
Mount Peale, and a hundred miles of Canyon Country.
Moonlight Meadow is the place to watch the scenery change
as the sun goes down. The view of Canyon Country is
spectacularly framed between Haystack Peak and Brumley Ridge. Brew
some tea, stay for the sunset and ski in the moonlight!
The Dark Canyon trail, which skirts east from Geyser Pass
around Mount Mellenthin offers isolated back country and
mountaineering in a place of sheer cliffs. The terrain
is remarkably similar to the High Uintas until you look at
the red canyons, Paradox Basin and the San Juan Mountains
to the south and east.
Guided day and overnight ski tours, and ski rentals are available
in Moab, as is the La Sal Mountain Hut System for those who
desire a more adventurous experience.
For those who prefer a little warmer atmosphere, Arches and
Canyonlands National Parks are open year-round, with the
Visitor Centers closed only on Christmas Day. With
the crowds of the main season gone, the serenity of the parks
unfold as you explore nature and take in the sparkling beauty. Generally
mild winters lend to sunny winter-warm days that make hiking
especially pleasurable.
Under a blanket of white or even a skiff of snow the views
in the parks are magnificent, with the glistening white snow
creating a stark contrast against the red rock. Rock
formations that go unnoticed during the other seasons, suddenly
come to life in the winter snow. Photograph opportunities
are spectacular due to the added dimensions brought out by
the white of winter, where even a clump of sage brush is
transformed into a picture of beauty.
Moonlight hikes in Arches National Park are spectacular in
the winter, as the earlier sunsets make even long trails,
an early out - early in adventure. A moonlit
hike to Delicate Arch after a light snow is especially unique,
with moonshine glistening on a blanket of white. Winter
hikes require extra caution, as an occasional icy patch can
be found on the trails
Occasionally, inversions in the valley convert the vistas
from the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands into images
of floating water lapping against the red rock buttes. With
views of nearly 100 miles in any given direction, the deep
sculptured canyons 1500 feet below are transformed into a
vast ocean.
Winter is a wonderful adventure in Moab, from the outdoor
winter recreation to the spectacular beauty of Mother Nature’s
wonders. For more information on discovering this
secret side of Moab, contact the Moab Area Travel Council
at 800-635-6622 or visit their website at www.discovermoab.com
and click on ”winter” under the “what to
do” heading.
Written by: Tina L. Lopez |
