Ep. 130: Canyonlands - The Maze | Utah off-road 4x4 travel camping hiking

[@jonminer9891]

Thanks for creating this presentation. It was very well done. Both visually and musically. Good job!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Jon!

[@georgevincent6303]

Thoroughly enjoyed your trip into the maze I went into it down flint trail with my 1987 Nissan PU in 1991 I camped at the overlook an amazing experience then doubled back to the flint trail with the old Nissan in low gear creeping up huge boulders at the base of the ascent I was amazed as people half way down watched not sure if over the years this trail has been improved but back then It was pretty dangerous especially going back up thanks for refreshing my memory.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you George! It's an amazing place, isn't it? The driving can certainly be tricky in places, especially around Tea Pot Rock. I doubt it's been improved much, and it was our pleasure to bring you back.

[@gonagain]

So THAT'S Canyonlands! So beautiful.

[@GrandAdventure]

It is indeed, thanks so much!

[@peggynulsen1365]

I spent an entire day alone in Horseshoe Canyon years ago....one of my all time favorite solo hikes ever, and I've had a few. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Nice, Peggy! Horseshoe is still on my hit list.

[@tomaustin4526]

Wow beautiful Marc 😊❤️🎥🎶🌎🚌🛶🌲⛰ thanks for sharing and safe travels

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always, Tom!

[@pamelamargroff5836]

Amazing land near you.....I found myself getting real close to the computer screen trying to take it all in. I will watch again soon, love feeling like I'm in the adventure with you. God has created us a beautiful world.

[@GrandAdventure]

Indeed He has. We feel very fortunate to be based in this part of the world.

[@joyluck9078]

Amazing trip, thanks for taking us along.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you for coming along Joy!

[@AngelTorres-se9zf]

Wow, the pics of those views are amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for watching and for sharing your thoughts, Angel!

[@marianfrances4959]

Outstanding video! Whiskey and Twinkies...lol!!! Truly enjoyable. Thank you, Mark.

[@GrandAdventure]

Don't knock it 'til you try it! Thanks so much as always, Marian.

[@chrisfinnegan8370]

Good job ,Lands End what a hangout.

[@GrandAdventure]

It sure is, Chris. Thanks for watching!

[@travelingmertonandsue]

That, my friend, was an outstanding video. Thank you very much for showing me around such a beautiful place that I guarantee I will never see in person. WOW! >Merton 😎👌✌

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! That's the beauty of Canyonlands -- sure, you can park among the tour buses at Grandview Point, but there are plenty of places where you can get off the beaten path and not see another soul.

[@a.r.e.4591]

This.....this is why I watch your channel. Great job!

[@GrandAdventure]

And comments like this are why we're so lucky to have you here. Thanks so much, Dale!

[@doncanaday6406]

Absolutely spectacular Marc. Thank you for sharing. A Twinkie and a shot of rye to you too!

[@GrandAdventure]

I'll take it!

[@mikemurphy2764]

What a fabulous trip.

[@GrandAdventure]

It was truly special, Mike. Thaks for watching!

[@blakecouch]

What a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, Blake!

[@curthiggins8792]

Marc, that was truly spectacular. I would have loved to have seen that firsthand. Certainly not for the faint of heart!

[@NickandRachel]

Such a beautiful cinematic! Thanks for sharing

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! Appreciate you watching and commenting.

[@beataluznicky4233]

Another great video. You share great information about camping in the Maze. Those roads can be scary but the views are great. When you are there and you don't see anyone else around it is so very quiet. Look forward to your videos.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks again Beata! We look forward to having you along.

[@johnkerechek6583]

Excellent presentation of your adventure. Thank you for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much for your kind words, John!

[@DirtyShoesAdventures]

I'll probably never get to see that so thank you for sharing!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks for watching, DSA!

[@gringo3009]

Outstanding. Beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always, Gringo!

[@pismodoug1321]

Amazing footage equally amazing how far out there you can get so close to home. Thank You for the detail as always you've probably prepped many a traveler for destinations that could be testy without a bit of foresight. Gotta Love Utah!

[@GrandAdventure]

We do indeed love our home state, Doug! Thank you so much, as always.

[@calisdad3]

Stunning- thx

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you too!

[@jamesstein5952]

Wow Thanks this goes on the list hope for this spring...

[@GrandAdventure]

If so reserve now, James. Campsite reservations are on a 4-month rolling window and they are being snatched up as quickly as they become available.

[@steveannis6328]

Nice job!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you, Steve!

[@kimsargeant8126]

Such beauty. Thanks for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you both for watching, and for your kind comment, Kim!

[@bertkelly7650]

Wow, never saw these parts before. Thanks for the ride!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much for coming along, Bert.

[@dandubay7662]

Great Video Marc!! Thanks! Safe Travels... CamperManDan...

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always, Dan!

[@westernadventureland]

This is my very favorite episode yet! Would love to explore the maze one day.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Dave! Glad that you enjoyed this, the Maze is a special place. Definitely have it on your bucket list.

[@billbeverly2864]

Loved this one, it is now on the bucket list.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much Bill! It definitely deserves a spot on that bucket list.

[@davidbrickey5925]

Beautiful place to visit.

[@WILDEBILL308]

Thank you for the amazing tour of that part of Canyonlands. I have been to the outher sections but don't have anything to make that drive with. I don't think I want to try it in my CR-V. Who doesn't like Rye and Twinkies???

[@GrandAdventure]

I don't know, but I've definitely gotten some weird looks. Rye and Twinkies makes the best camping dessert EVER! And no disrespect intended, William, but that CR-V is definitely a no-go.

[@WILDEBILL308]

@@GrandAdventure I agree on the CR-V .

[@felinegood-livingtheferall4340]

Marc -- hope you and your wife have a wonderful Christmas ... appreciate you! Larry, AKA: FelineGood

[@Djarvis2]

The trail descending down into the Maze is clearly market. I was down there for four days and never encountered any human life. Note that you must take a porta potty with you or you can buy one at the Hans Flat Ranger Station. Another fun campsite to visit is The Dollhouse. It is also highly recommended that you take extra gas with you. I almost ran out the first time I went down there 😳

[@GrandAdventure]

Yup, we had 12 extra gallons of gas with us and we used it. Agree that the Maze Overlook trail is fairly well marked with cairns, and Dean, you raise a great point about the required toilet system (or wag bags). We've been to the Doll House, but not on this trip -- we actually hiked to it from the river at Spanish Bottom after an 8-day kayak trip down the Green and through the Confluence: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJu5iWhnrpipp5Y

[@douglassmith4586]

Loved your music selections for this video, Marc.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks Doug! Those tracks just seemed to fit this time.

[@Djarvis2]

Looks like they’ve graded the Flint Trail. Last time I went down it it required a vehicle with lockers and high ground clearance. Also note that you are required a backcountry pass and you must have a porta potty. They will sell you one at the Ranger Station

[@GrandAdventure]

Yup, true on all. The Flint had some scrape marks that indicated that some type of grader made a pass on it. That said, it wasn't exactly "graded" if you understand what I'm saying. Not locker rough, but definitely high clearance.

[@robertkrupp8917]

Marc, another quality video. I was lucky enough to spend some time in Utah last summer and it was amazing. We will be going back in 2020.

[@GrandAdventure]

So happy to hear it, Robert! Our episode 90 may give you some off-the-beaten-path ideas for your return trip: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hHqtYaCIj7B0ack

[@RVkidzTV]

Oh wow. Sooo remote, and the views! Just came here from Papa Drew's fb page and want to thank you for sharing.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so much! Thrilled to have you here.

[@1RodeoMom]

Fantastic video of such beauty and you have such a gifted way to narrate your journey! Thank you for sharing and making me so want to bring my Jeep there! 😊😊 ~Debi~

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you so very much Debi!

[@christineryan7522]

Wow! The images were amazing. We are anxious to make our way to the Canyonlands this spring/summer but likely not the Maze. That is a little remote for us. It sure is beautiful! Thanks for sharing that National Geographic quality video!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much Christine!

[@jesib7526]

What an awesome adventure you had! Thanks so much for taking us along! I'm sure I'll never make that trip, but through I ... I got to go and see! :))

[@GrandAdventure]

So glad that we could bring you along, Jesi!

[@gina50gina]

Absolutely amazing!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Suzane!

[@sajohnson33]

Beautiful photo around 5:42! Stunning!

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much. The scenery is so stunning it's hard to get a bad shot.

[@sajohnson33]

@@GrandAdventure I know exactly what you mean. I'm no photographer but almost in spite of myself I've gotten many beautiful photos.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@sajohnson33 yup! We often feel like a blind squirrel that found a nut. Then again, when you take thousands of images you're bound to get a keeper or two. 😁

[@skpjoecoursegold366]

spectacular.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks as always Joe!

[@williamkeil8414]

great video as usual.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you as always, William!

[@eddievelarde9508]

Excellent video, just subscribed. We were out on the white rim trail recently and a trip to the Maze is on our to do list, this cemented that for us.

[@GrandAdventure]

Excellent, Eddie, and thanks for the sub! We'll be doing an episode on the White Rim, too, later on this winter season.

[@OntarioHikingTrails]

Pretty crazy scenery

[@angelbouclin]

Beautiful

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much, Angel!

[@richardjenks6286]

Next time you go out there may I suggest a beautiful campsite at Standing Rock another beautiful campsite at the dolls house

[@GrandAdventure]

We agree on both, Richard. We have hiked The Doll House on a previous trip by accessing it from the river. people should realize, however, that the road from Teapot Rock to the Doll House is the worst one in the Maze.

[@joeltemplin3570]

Amazing scenery...great videos as usual. Doubt I'd be up for some of those ascent/decent hikes though. Well...maybe with some help from your Twinkies and rye whiskey...lol.

[@GrandAdventure]

My favorite camping dessert ever! The hike down into the Maze is definitely a challenge but the scenery is indeed truly amazing.

[@elroyfudge3683]

thanks for the vid! we went to Utah for the first time last year. Arches. how do you scare off possible rattlesnakes when crawling out of the tent at night....yell? or do I just have to take my chances? lol

[@GrandAdventure]

We do our best to just stay away from rattlesnake habitat in the first place. Around here, you will usually find them in piles of loose rock. So we try to avoid piles of loose rock.

[@elroyfudge3683]

@@GrandAdventure thanks, I just read that snake repellent does not work ,,lol

[@sk-wx1cf]

Thanks for another beautiful video. One note: I would make sure to store the fuel cans in the shade as much as possible. They can rupture if pressure builds up. Venting helps but also means you’re losing fuel, so the cooler they stay, the better.

[@GrandAdventure]

Very true. In this case, however we had no other place to store them.

[@jwrappuhn71]

Great vid Marc.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks so much as always!

[@randywaller7685]

Marc... Great premiere. Had to laugh at the Prius comment. I took my Chevy chevette in there on my first trip there in 1987. It had around two hundred thousand miles on it at that time. Never say never. Happy holidays to you and your family. Safe travels my friend. Randy in Des Moines. 👍🎄☃️✌

[@GrandAdventure]

😲 Holy crap, Randy, you're brave!! LOL! Merry Christmas to you and yours as well, Randy -- thanks for coming along.

[@randywaller7685]

Grand Adventure Marc... I don't think it was bravery. I was just a dumb kid then. I did take that little car to many places I probably shouldn't have. The looks of disbelief on people's faces was always priceless. I took that to every state except Maine, Alaska and Hawaii. It finally gave out around three hundred thousand miles. That was my Grand Adventure. Thanks for shaking those memories loose.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@randywaller7685 such an excellent story! Yup, had I seen you in the Maze with that Chevette, I would've been one of the ones staring in disbelief. Don't know if you ever saw the video of the Crown Vic on Hell's Revenge in Moab, but it's a viral classic: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gXfagYt7mq9ml6s That guy's a Moab legend: www.fourwheeler.com/news/1601-crown-vic-handles-red-rocks-of-moab-video/

[@MrFg1980]

Your lucky out there, those Toyota's suffer from a lot of "perforated frames" in the east from the road salt that's used. Two Tundras and a Four Runner so far. Now it's an actual brine they put on the roads...

[@GrandAdventure]

Oh I remember! The beds rusted out too. As a former Vermonter, there were lots of Toyotas there still running, but with wooden beds. Those frames from the early 2000s were under recall.

[@bpa1235]

Great video. Just reserved two nights at the wall and the neck this May. How much water did you take on your trip?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you! Have a great time, it's a wonderful trip. I've got to be honest, it's been years and I really don't recall how much water I brought for myself. I know I had my 12-gallon rolling water container but don't recall how many of those 5-gallon cubes I brought. It may have been one or two, it may have been none. I do know I had to bring extra fuel, too, for I couldn't do the whole loop and get back to Hanksville on one tank of gas.

[@claraallen12]

twinkies and rye.... made me laugh! Why does everything taste better when you are camping!!

[@GrandAdventure]

So true, Clara, but trust me...this is a match made in heaven!

[@INTERVENTIONALRADIOL]

Great images, Mark. Were the trails in the canyon well defined?

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Miguel! Yes, very well-defined. No issue of losing the trail at all.

[@gorrdd]

Looking forward to this, Marc. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Looking forward to you looking forward to it, Gord!

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Haa!:)

[@JoeDaniels1]

Hello Marc, You were able to keep up with the jeeps with your truck on this trip? The reason I ask is I had a 3/4 ton chevy truck that I would never have tried to follow my CJ5 with in some places. Beautiful cinematography of the area.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Joe! That 2007 Tacoma I was driving was a true off-road animal. I genuinely miss it -- I traded it in for our Tundra after we bought the travel trailer. However, I've been fortunate to have a bunch of experience off-road, and the truck saw far worse than The Maze has to offer -- for example, Top of the World outside of Moab: www.offroaddance.com/top-of-the-world-moab-ut-english/ The Tacoma was far more agile and nimble, and its smaller size fit in tighter spots. Aside from some larger Mickey Thompson tires and a few TRD enhancements bolted to an SR5 (like the air cooler), the Tacoma was entirely stock.

[@MrChip9821]

So did the Toyota get through just as well as the Jeep? Did it have enough ground clearance? An y time during this trip where you almost got stuck?

[@GrandAdventure]

Yep, our Taco did just fine. Plenty of clearance. No close calls on getting stuck this trip, the only question was whether the clay had gotten too wet on our first night, but it dried out sufficiently that all went well.

[@MrGottaGo]

1. Would a full size extra cab truck make it, or no? 2. How many total miles? 3. How was your gas consumption?

[@GrandAdventure]

Not saying it couldn't be done, but it would be tough. Some spots are very narrow, while the switchbacks on the Flint are also very tight. I don't recall the total mileage without digging out a map, but I can tell you that we had to carry extra gas.

[@pclouse07]

So beautiful! The music, the photos...gorgeous! You should work for the National Parks and do video tours for wannabe travelers (like us!) Camping in the wild has never been on my to do list, but wow! The beauty of these remote places makes me want to rent a 4x4 and GET OUT THERE! A perfect place for a Vision Quest. What time of year were you there? It looked like great weather except for a couple of rainy days? Thanks for sharing! Sooo good...🥰👍🏽❤️✌🏽

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you, you are much too kind! We sincerely appreciate it. This was filmed in the month of November.

[@mylibertyvan5650]

Great video but I am bummed ☹️ out I won't be able to visit this area. My van won't be able to make it. So, do you have any videos about where to escape the heat in the summer. It might be worth making one ...no one has yet. 😎

[@GrandAdventure]

SuzieDee, in the US West that would be a very short video: "Stay at elevation to avoid the heat. Thanks for watching!" Seriously, though, that's what we do. Deserts in spring and fall, high elevation mountains in summer.

[@mylibertyvan5650]

@@GrandAdventure You're just so cute thinking that I don't know to go up in the mountains. I do, I am a social studies teacher. However, I thought maybe, just maybe, you could give specific camping sites (boondocking) that might not be too crowded. Of course, maybe you don't want to give your secret camping sites away. : )~

[@GrandAdventure]

@@mylibertyvan5650 I never made any such assumption, just sharing what we do. And we share our secrets in each travel episode; www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?hl=en&hl=en&mid=1U9NsvLddU3vGscdiaK8rnZyYqglIxSA_&ll=41.733651542854055%2C-113.7540729625&z=6

[@mylibertyvan5650]

@@GrandAdventure OMGoodness .. thanks so much for this map. I watch every video and even have a spread sheet of places to stay. This map is awesome ... I just had dinner with Trent and Allie and was telling them about your videos and how great it is to see the spots you visit in the US and how great your drone footage is too. 😎 Thanks so much for the interactive map.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@mylibertyvan5650 our pleasure!

[@MichaelGalletly]

Do you need locking differentials for the Maze? I have a Ford Ranger 4x4. It looks like I could do those switchbacks.

[@GrandAdventure]

No, my Taco didn't have lockers. I'd imagine that Ranger was of similar dimensions, the biggest thing is a sharp enough approach and departure angle for a few of the obstacles.

[@MichaelGalletly]

@@GrandAdventure Thanks! The Ranger has pretty good geometry so I'm good there. My dad and I are doing the White Rim Road and a couple other locations next spring. A trip we wanted to take 30 years ago before I joined the Army, but we couldn't then. A Father-Son trip that's been delayed 3 decades is going off. So now I get to start planning a Maze expedition, too!

[@GrandAdventure]

@@MichaelGalletly that's fantastic, Michael! Before you go to the White Rim, we will have a video from our trip there that will Premiere sometime this winter.

[@travelerdirk7923]

Fantastic video Marc, I totally enjoy your series traveling around the western states & the boondocking sites you cover. We plan to use many of them on our next spring/summer trip we have planned. Could you please tell me what program you use for the video's & how you get the still shot movements from the pictures? Thanks

[@GrandAdventure]

Thank you Dirk! So happy that our videos have been helpful in your trip planning. For that purpose, you may not be aware that we keep a master map of our episodes for our viewers to use at www.GrandAdventure.tv. Everything we use to produce Grand Adventure is assembled in the "Photography & Videography" section of our Amazon shop www.amazon.com/shop/grandadventure including Cyberlink PowerDirector, our video editing software. We use its "Pan & Zoom" feature in conjunction with keyframes to create those moving stills.

[@travelerdirk7923]

Great Marc, that's the software we use. Just ordered a new 365 yearly subscription, since my PD 16 was having some glitch issues. I'm an old mt. biker & have done the WRT in Canyonlands 2 times with a private group of friends. Really wanted to do the Maze district, but from the reports I read, we'd need a full time mechanic to do the trip. Anyway thanks a bunch, maybe we'll see you guys out there next spring/summer on our trip.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@travelerdirk7923 certainly hope to see you out there! And know that we have a White Rim video coming up later this winter.

[@gregdavidson3375]

Incredible that there is no water at the original Hite Marina!

[@GrandAdventure]

No kidding! What a colossal boondoggle Hite Marina is. It's been dry for something like 30 years.

[@jonbuchheit9702]

Actually you could still launch a boat about 10 years ago.

[@GrandAdventure]

@@jonbuchheit9702 but as I recall it's been decades since the marina actually operated, no?

[@jonbuchheit9702]

@@GrandAdventure, the convenience store and gas pumps were still open when I was there. Damn long boat ramp even back then though. Forest Service campground was open too.

[@timebanditrvtravels3449]

great video leave that foot print so i can follow

[@fernmon8208]

Is a lift needed on a Tacoma for this trail?

[@GrandAdventure]

Our suspension was stock.

[@fernmon8208]

@@GrandAdventure How much additional gas did you end up taking or using?

[@GrandAdventure]

@@fernmon8208 10 gal IIRC. There's no way we could've exited via Hite and gotten back to the next gas station at Hanksville without additional fuel.

[@dwain1310]

so,,you've got on shorts,,,,must be somewhat warm,,,,and in the rocks,,,what about 'snakes' and other 'critters',,,,,looks somewhat risky,,,,( like everything of course )

[@GrandAdventure]

Like you said, "like everything." Sure there are snakes and other critters. Personally, my best defense is avoidance -- don't go doing silly stuff like walking in jumbles of loose rocks. Don't go sticking your hand in places you can't see. If you have to move a rock, don't just pick it up -- kick it over first, and if nothing emerges *then* pick it up. The days were warm (in one scene you can see us huddled between the vehicle and the shade of a tree for lunch), whereas nights were chilly. Especially during spring and fall, the daily temperature delta in the desert can be immense.

[@JauntJunkies]

I so need to do this

[@GrandAdventure]

Yes you do!

[@gorrdd]

Fabulous images, Marc. This was a real treat adventure for sure. Do you know what they used to paint the petroglyphs? Or was it some kind of acid wash etched into the rock? I have always wondered about that. Also, I wasn't sure about some of your panoramic shots. Were they panos stitched together or video pans? Did you guys bring extra gasoline just in case? Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks, Gord! Taking your questions in order: Pictographs were typically made by the Fremont and Anasazi using dyes made from animal blood, plants, etc. It's a testament to the dry climate in the deserts that they've survived relatively intact for over 1,000 years. By contrast, images etched into the rock are petroglyphs and were typically done by chiseling them with rudimentary hand tools, usually other rocks. Those panos were stills stitched within the camera. Believe it or not, almost all of the shots in this video were taken with a 2014-era Samsung cell phone. We brought extra gasoline -- not as a just-in-case emergency backup, but rather out of necessity. We never would've made it from the gas station through The Maze and back to the nearest station on one tank.

[@GrandAdventure]

Also Gord, the Harvest Scene Pictograph Panel seen in this episode is one of the best known examples of Barrier Canyon Style rock art, explained in detail here: www.bcsproject.org/barrierstyle.html

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Thanks for all the explanations, Marc. I didn't know about the differences in the two kinds of ancient images. Amazing that the pictographs haven't bleached out completely by the sun after a thousand years. Amazing that a 2014 phone camera was able to get those images... incredible. I know the newer ones can do that but I had an old Samsung Galaxy 3 from 2012 that could never do that. Gord

[@GrandAdventure]

@@gorrdd I just checked the EXIF data on my images as I couldn't recall which phone I had at the time. It was a Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

[@gorrdd]

@@GrandAdventure Yeah... the Note 3 had a much better camera. Thanks, Gord

[@backcountryboondockers]

Hows it compare to hells revenge or pritchett canyon

[@backcountryboondockers]

Bucket list. Still need to drive black bear pass too

[@GrandAdventure]

It's a piece of cake by comparison.

[@backcountryboondockers]

@Marc C good to know thanks. Got 6" lift on 35s shouldn't be a problem.

[@backcountryboondockers]

@Marc C me either no winch or lockers. And would prefer axle up grade.

[@backcountryboondockers]

Took a stock Cherokee over hells revenge caring 5 people to. Couldn't believe it made it.

[@barneygoogle2720]

Those twinkies and rye whiskey only seemed like "a match made in heaven" because you were imbibing them in hell.

[@GrandAdventure]

😆 I don't know, Canyonlands is pretty heavenly to us. And that's been my go-to camping dessert for many moons now.

[@barneygoogle2720]

@@GrandAdventure Well, it's challenging for sure. Kudos for your sense of adventure and self reliance.

[@sajohnson33]

Just saw the "No Pets" sign. That's a shame. One more place we can't go. I wonder why they have that restriction in such a remote area?

[@GrandAdventure]

I agree. I think it's just a blanket protocol across all of Canyonlands NP. That is a major inhibitor for us to visit National Parks, although this was a bucket list trip that we planned many months in advance. Mrs. GA stayed home with the dogs while I accompanied Marc & Karen.

[@sajohnson33]

@Marc C Thanks for the tip, Marc. I didn't realize that. Does the NPS offer any explanation for their policy? I know that at Black Canyon of the Gunnison they do not allow dogs on certain trails during fawning season, but the rest of the year dog are allowed on trails (on a leash).

[@meteorhero526]

@@sajohnson33 Hi. Former Canyonlands Park Ranger here. The pet policy comes from a number of reasons revolving around resource protection and wilderness experience. All districts of Canyonlands, as well as many other parks on the Colorado Plateau have Biological Soil Crusts (complex colonies of microorganisms) that serve as the foundation for the park's entire ecosystem (both by holding down dust, sand, and soil, as well as retaining nutrients and water for plant germination). It is incredibly fragile and slow growing; taking anywhere from an estimated 10-250 years to fully develop, and just a single footstep to destroy the colony. Even with a 6ft leash policy, a pet could easily trample hundreds of square feet of soil crusts by walking alongside an owner on a 1 track trail. Another factor is our wildlife, particularly Bighorn Sheep. Canyonlands protects some of the last and largest remaining bighorn herds in the american southwest. The presence of pets in wilderness and backcountry areas can easily stress the bighorns and scare them away from feeding or breeding grounds. This weakens the herd and can cause lower birth rates in subsequent seasons. Desert Bighorns are an endangered species in need of quiet, pet free refuges like our National Parks if they are to survive. Lastly (at least for this comment's sake), preserving the wilderness experience is a major issue that Canyonlands is wrangling with. Natural soundscapes are a protected aspect of Canyonlands. This is one of the reasons why we limit certain vehicles and activities (atv/ohvs, drones, ect). Pets are no exception to this effort to retain the park's astoundingly quiet soundscape, seeing as the Park Service has no way of determining whether a pet is 'too rowdy' or not.

[@meteorhero526]

@@sajohnson33 I forgot to mention too that a place like Canyonlands is incredibly dangerous for a pet, even if an owner is taking as many precautions as they can. Consider the heat first and foremost. A pet can die from heatstroke within 30 minutes of being in a locked car. Even outside a vehicle, some breeds will not survive a typical southwestern summer. We've had incidents of huskies and other winter breeds becoming very sickly just by being out in the elements, forcing visitors to book it to higher elevations and cooler temperatures. Our exposed sandstones and slickrocks can reach surface temperatures over 160*F on a typical sunny summer day, burning paws within minutes. Cacti and other prickly desert residents too can poke, stab, and barb pets and their fur. Another consideration is the terrain. Many backcountry trails are traversable by bipedal creatures only, in which climbing and scrambling is involved. Pets cannot always do this.

[@meteorhero526]

If anybody is looking for pet friendly public lands, I would highly recommend researching the massive swaths of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands, which offer many more multiple use opportunities, including looser pet policies.

[@Djsoluiuc]

Wow a crazy like to dislike ratio

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks. It's actually below our channel average, though, 98.3% for this video vs 99.1% channel average. We love our audience!

[@rlowle1228]

What. You skipped the doll house. Big mistake.

[@GrandAdventure]

We've actually been to the Doll House on a different trip, from the river hiking up from Spanish Bottom.

[@rlowle1228]

@@GrandAdventure Ah thats good

[@dvgayle1]

Cool vid...ditch the music.

[@GrandAdventure]

Thanks, and feedback noted.

[@sheldongreene194]

Started not to watch. So glad I changed my mind!!!

[@GrandAdventure]

We're thrilled that you stuck with it, Sheldon! Thanks so much.