Canyonlands and Mesa Verde: I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we...

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we are there.

Thanks in advance.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Zaydewise wrote:

I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we are there.

Thanks in advance.

You can begin crying now. You will not be glad to leave after two days.

Canyonlands has more to see, and its spread out over multiple "units". My own favorite spot was sunrise at Mesa Arch, a must-not-miss event. Get there while it's still dark or you'll miss the show and you won't have a spot to shoot from either. The walk to the viewpoint is only about 10-15 minutes but it's easy to lose your way in the dark, so take a good headlamp and flashlight. The north unit is also close to Dead Horse Point which is nice if you have time. In the Needles unit in the southern part, there's nice short hikes and scenic overlooks to photograph the odd rock formations.

Mesa Verde is self explanatory, you want to get to the top to see the ruins. The area around Spruce Tree house and Cliff Palace I thought was most photogenic, there's two loop roads in that section and can easily be done in a day. The most time consuming part is getting up the mountain. Go in one or two of the more extensive ruins to get detail shots, and use the pulls for distant shots.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

A word of warning....you will be wanting to go back!

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

You'll drive right by Arches National Park in Moab.
Can't miss that, even if it's just a "drive through".

Personally, I would skip Canyonlands and do Arches if you haven't been there yet. Canyonlands is nice, but Arches is the best.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

BullMoose wrote:

You'll drive right by Arches National Park in Moab.
Can't miss that, even if it's just a "drive through".

Personally, I would skip Canyonlands and do Arches if you haven't been there yet. Canyonlands is nice, but Arches is the best.

I would agree. When on such a tight schedule you will see more at Arches in a day--it is a magical place.

dmeyer Loc: Marion, NC

Zaydewise wrote:

I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we are there.

Thanks in advance.

Just a thought--if you want to do both Canyonlands and Arches, you could save time at Mesa Arch by going just after the crowds are gone. Yes, you'd be missing the iconic sunburst, but you would still get good under-lighting on the arch and not be dealing with an unknown trail in the dark or jostling for space--which is extremely limited for getting aligned with the sunburst. Arches would have more space for finding the perfect sunrise on a unique rock formation.

I would agree with others that Mesa Verde could be done in one day-just so you're there in the early morning or later afternoon when the lighting is slanting into the dwellings. Or were you perhaps thinking of going into Mesa Verde one afternoon and returning the next morning instead of trying to capture both early and late in the same day?

banjonut Loc: Southern Michigan

BullMoose wrote:

You'll drive right by Arches National Park in Moab.
Can't miss that, even if it's just a "drive through".

Personally, I would skip Canyonlands and do Arches if you haven't been there yet. Canyonlands is nice, but Arches is the best.

I agree. If you only have two days, Arches would be a good bet. Much more compact than Canyonlands. Canyonlands is HUGE and two days will not even scratch the surface. I will be visiting in September for a week and even that is way too short.

Bultaco Loc: Aiken, SC

Zaydewise wrote:

I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we are there.

Thanks in advance.

My wife and I spent 2 weeks in Moab and didn't see all of Canyon Lands. Arches and Mesa Verde can be seen in one day if you don't do any hiking.

billnourse Loc: Bloomfield, NM

While in the area try to do the Goosenecks of the San Juan River just out of Mexican Hat. From there you can take 261 to 95 and you will be right at Natural Bridges NP which is worth seeing. This route will take you up Moki Dugway, a 3 mile stretch of dirt road that has an elevation gain of 1,100 ft. Really a nice road.

After Natural bridges it's just a little way to Canyonlands and Arches.

Moki Dugway
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/billnoursebillnourse/DSC00554_edited-3_zpsjjeuue8i.jpg

From the top of Moki Dugway

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/billnoursebillnourse/DSC00552_edited-1_zpsxsgxbvz2.jpg

Goosenecks

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/billnoursebillnourse/DSC00547_edited-1_zpsjttxvzoy.jpg]

Near turn off to 4 Corners

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e44/billnoursebillnourse/IMG_4492_edited-1_zpsadgisgsx.jpg

Bill

Ed Chu Loc: Las Vegas NV

CANYONLANDS - go to Dead Horse Point: go out onto the rocks safely and look and photograph down the view of the Goose Neck and 1800 ft drop; go into town and try to get a jeep ride in the back areas;

Go across the street to ARCHES National Park - enough said

balticvid Loc: Queens now NJ

2 days??
Stay as long as you can.
You'll never forget it.

BullMoose Loc: Southwest Michigan

And if you make it Goose Neck, it's only a very short drive to Monument Valley. Nice drive from Moab that way to Monument Valley to Four Corners to Hovenweep to Mesa Verde to Durango to ....

You get the message. Way to much to do in just two days. I've been there many times and going back in August for two weeks to Moab. That still won't be enough time to even scratch the surface of what can be done within a short drive.

Zaydewise Loc: Nashville TN

Thanks everyone for the ideas. Yes it is a short time for the trip but that's all I can spare now. I'm sure with all the ideas I will have a great experience.

AuntieM Loc: Eastern NC

Zaydewise wrote:

I will be taking a short vacation to Canyonlands Utah and Mesa Verde CO. spending about 2 days in both locations. Any recommendations on must see while we are there.

Thanks in advance.

I would suggest that you sign up at the Visitor Center at Mesa Verde for the guided hike through Cliff Palace. It's an easy hike with a Ranger, and well worth the time it takes, with great photo opportunities of the ruins.

Gerald Watson

Do not miss Arches across from Canyon Land