Prime Colors In Foliage And Desert

Kanarra Creek - Photo Courtesy Grand Circle Association

Utah's fall colors are peaking right now in northern Utah, and are coming on strong in southern Utah. The canyons in northern Utah are spectacular right now. Our scenicbyways are impressive, and are good options for people locked out of our national parks.

I hiked in Kanarra Creek Canyon last weekend and the colors were just starting there. Kanarra Creek is great non-technical slot just south of Cedar City, near Kolob Canyons section of Zion Park. To hike it you have to wade in a small stream and the water was cold, but we had a great hike.

We are approaching the end of the season for water hikes. Soon you will need wet suites and cold weather great to hike comfortable in the water. Some people brave the cold and hike the wet canyons year-round but I prefer to wait for next season. Maybe the parks will be open by then.

The World's Most Awe-Inspiring Desert Destinations

We take the heading above from this interesting Huffingtonpost.com article, which attempts to identify and list the most impressive desert travel destinations. Here is a blurb about their methodology:

To find the world's most incredible deserts, we've gone through the experiences and recommendations of thousands of travelers on minube to find the most otherworldly and captivating stretches of sand our planet has to offer. From the bubbling basins of Ethiopia to the monumental landscapes of the American southwest, here are the world's most awe-inspiring desert destinations.

And the winners are...

• Dallol, Ethiopia
• Salvador Dali Desert, Bolivia
• Monument Valley, USA
• Erg Chebbi, Morocco
• Namib Desert, Namibia
• Atacama Desert, Chile
• Wadi Rum, Jordan
• White Sands National Monument, USA
• White Desert, Egypt
• The Pinnacles, Australia

Many people think Monument Valley is a U.S. National Park, but they are wrong. It is a Navajo Nation park and it is open for business. The article makes the point that visitors can drive the scenic route through Monument Valley, but:

Most travelers agree, though, that hiring a local Navajo guide is the best option as they often show travelers sections of the park not usually open to the public.