Guided Overland Adventure Club goes to Moab

Guided Overland Adventure Club leaders Les and Betsy Morrison had a desire to head out west to Moab and see what could be explored. Several of their friends and fellow club members decided to join the Morrisons on this epic adventure.

All interested parties met in Moab the first week of April to see what could be explored. Several of the group arrived ahead of the main group and decided to get started by doing Fins and Things and managed to make it through with no issues. Once the whole group had arrived, it was decided to take the afternoon and do Gemini Bridges and while this was a fairly easy trail, the views were amazing and the short walk to Gemini Bridges was easy and enjoyable.

The first full day entailed traversing the beautiful Onion Creek and enjoying the 27 water crossings from the one river that flows through the area. Onion Creek then went into Thompson Canyon where our group continued onward and upward to the top of a mountain. Snow was prevalent and the views amazing as Castle Valley could be seen along with other areas outside of Moab.

The second full day saw the group headed along Willow Springs Trail where dinosaur prints could be found and dry waterbeds traversed. Willow Springs dumped into Tower Arch trail and consisted of sandy roads, hills, washed out riverbeds and windy paths and saw Eye of the Whale Arch along the way.

Midweek found the group headed to Top of the World. Everyone enjoyed the trail up to the top and again the views were amazing. There was a break down on the way, but it was easily fixed and the group was able to continue to the top. On the way down, there was another breakdown and while it was fixed took a little longer and entailed a couple of the group to camp overnight until repairs could be made. By Thursday some of the group needed a break, chose to go do their own trails or were on their way home.

Les and Betsy decided to stay until Friday and explore Dome Plateau which had many trails, abandoned mining buildings and an abandoned mine shaft. It was also home to many caves in the rock walls, and La Boca Arch. There was also an overlook to see Castle Valley. Many free range cattle were also in the area and there were many beautiful camping spots. While on the way to Dome Plateau, Les and Betsy were able to find the house in the rock that someone had carved out in the side of a hill, however it did not appear to be completed, although it did have stairs carved out on the inside. We did not enter for safety reasons.

Overall the group enjoyed what Moab has to offer and the various skills levels needed.

Everyone was able to enjoy downtown Moab and tried out several of the restaurants and did some shopping. The weather was amazing the entire week.