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Show it it it it it it it it it it it tf- Vr it it it it it it it it rt it k vt rt i 3mhmem (Utah's Colorful Qtmym Country Mers Jllwch j For ft Cue WssiHw; Atay Poiinivs off Merest CIse y i 1 2L fl JJJiJJJJJ Moal), Utah i.s situated in the very heart of some of the most fantastic and varied country in the world. Snuggled between two major National Parks, the community i.s only a stone's throw away from a number of other National Parks and Monuments, State Parks and Recreation Areas, and is on the banks of the mighty Colorado River famed for its white water thrills and also for its placid stretches which provide quiet float trips through deeply-notched sandstone canyons. First established in the middle 1800's as a mission of the then-young LDS Church, the community put down its permanent roots in the decade prior to the turn of the century when hardy livestock pioneers brought herds of cattle to the Canyon Country. Shortly thereafter, mining became an industry of importance, as precious metals were discovered, not only in the high-desert canyons, but in the towering LaSal Mountains just east of Moab a colorful range which rises to 13,000 feet in elevation, and contains numerous fishing streams and lakes hidden within the evergreen and aspen forests. In the period following World War II, the need for precious uranium made Moab a boom town. In the space of a year or two, its population had jumped from less than 1,000 to nearly ten times that number. Currently, around 6,000 persons reside in the valley. Uranium mining and milling; potash mining and milling; livestock raising, and a multitude of other basic industries provide stable employment for those who call this colorful valley home. In recent years, attention drawn to the area's National Parks and other scenic and recreation areas has added another facet to Moab community life, as facilities have been provided to serve the ever-increasing number of visitors who find the varied attractions and ideal, long-season climate, perfectly suited to their vacation plans. Following is a brief run-down on things to see and do while in Moab: NATIONAL PARKS AND MONUMENTS: Arches National Park was established in the 1920's as a National Monument. It is the area's most fully-developed park, with a high-quality paved road system, and well-developed interpretive sites. Over eighty natural arches have been pinpointed in the Park. Many of these can be seen from the paved road; and numerous hiking trails which are well marked and easy to follow, provide access to scores more. The Visitor Center located just a few miles north of Moab is a must for the first-time visitor to the Park. Canyonlands National Park was established just over ten years ago. It encompasses some half-million acres of rugged canyon country surrounding the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Park is divided into three sections. The Island in the Sky section is that area lying between the rivers. Access to the section is from the Dead Horse Point road 13 miles north of Moab (U-313). The last stretches of road into that section's major features, Grand View Point and Upheaval Dome, are not paved, but they are easily traveled by passenger car. The Needles Section of the Park is that section lying south of the confluence. Access is from Church Rock on U. S. 163, some thirty-five miles south of Moab (U-211). The paved entrance road ends at Squaw Flat Campground and ranger station, where jeep trails lead on to that section's major features: Chesler Park, Confluence Overlook, The Grabens, Horse Creek and Salt Creek. This section is highly saturated with prehistoric Indian ruins. Tours can be arranged into this section, either from Moab, or from Canyonlands Resort, located near Squaw Flat. The Maze Section of the Park is located west of the confluence, and is classed as a wilderness-type parkland. Access is from U-24, between Green River and Hanksville, where the unpaved entrance road leads to the Hans Flat Ranger Station. From that point on, experience in back-country travel, or travel with an experienced guide is an almost absolute necessity. Moab is also situated within easy driving distance from other National Parks and Monuments, including Capitol Reef National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, Hovenweep National Monument; and the community is only a couple of hours' drive from colorful T.nko Pnumll OTHER POINTS OF INTEREST: Dead Horse Point State Park is located 35 miles w est of Moab. Access is from Utah Highway 313, which leaves U.S. 163 13 miles north of Moab. Located at this fantastic Colorado River canyon overlook is a well-developed Visitor Center and campground facility. The road to the park is paved. U-128 -- The River Road. This scenic road leaves Moab at the Colorado River Bridge, and follows the river upstream, eventually crossing the river on the picturesque Dewey suspension bridge, and traveling on to Interstate 70. Although paved for most of its distance, the road is narrow and slow travel is a must. Along the way are a number of extremely interesting points. Castle Valley is a colorful valley which begins at the Colorado and runs eastward to the LaSal Mountains. It contains, in addition to picturesque homes and ranches, spectacular standing rock features. Castle Rock, the Priest and the Nuns, Round Mountain and other features have been publicized nationally, and the valley has been the setting for numerous Hollywood movie productions. It is only a thirty-minute drive to the heart of Castle Valley. The visitor can travel there and return in a short time; or if more time is available, the valley provides northern access to the LaSal Mountain Loop Road a scenic drive which, in summer, can be very rewarding, as it reaches into the forestlands of the LaSal Mountains. This stretch of road is paved for only a portion of its distance, although in dry Fisher Towers is a colorful collection of gigantic sedimentary towers overlooking the Colorado River j Canyon, some 26 miles up the Colorado on U-128. A I Bureau of Land Management picnic area and trail system 1 await the visitors here. ' Dewey Bridge is a picturesque, narrow one-lane ' bridge crossing the Colorado on U-128. The bridge was built in pioneer days, and is a photographers' favorite. i The LaSal Mountains rise in a series of jagged peaks to heights of 13,000 feet, just a few miles east of Moab. ' The LaSals contain numerous small streams and lakes which are stocked annually with trout, and a network of dirt roads traverses the range. Detailed information, I including maps, etc., can be obtained from the US Forest Service. Developed campgrounds are located at Pack Creek, Lake Oowah and Warner Recreation Area. I Rockhound Areas are numerous north of Moab in the flat canyon country. A favorite is the Yellow Cat area, located southwest of the community of Thompson. Access to Yellow Cat is from the first major freeway interchange east of Thompson on 1-70. ! Community Facilities for the visitor in Moab are i varied. A beautiful nine hole golf course is located in east Moab Valley ; tourguides are located here to provide land, ! water and air experiences in Canyonlands, and the community has a complete retail system rivaling that which can be found in cities of much larger size. Evening entertainment and fine eating establishments are plentiful j in Moab. ' Enjoy Your Stay in the Moab area. You will, we are sure, have many questions about the community and its surrounding Canyon Country which can be easily answered here. The Bureau of Land Management,, National Park Service and U. S. Forest Service all have administrative offices in the community. In addition, the Moab Visitor Center on the north entrance to the community is 'well staffed and stocked with printed materials that will make your stay more enjoyable. But don't hesitate to ask any business person you might meet about the community and the features that surround it. We are proud of our town, and the beautiful j section of geography in which it is situated. We're all dedicated to the task of making your stay here as i enjoyable and rewarding as possible. Heed a Question Answered? Ask a Moab Jaycee, |
