Goblin Valley State Park

Grade A-

Equipment: water and good shoes

Time: 2 or 3 hours each day, one can take as much time as one wants

Date: 7-9-2010 to 7-10-2010

Conditions: Very hot and very dry except for the evening, which was very pleasant, and for a very brief rain shower (also very pleasant). Bring water!

Experience Level: Beginner

Goblin Valley: What a weird and fun place to visit! We did a family camping trip and a bunch of hiking around and playing with the kids. The terrain looks like an alien planet, maybe Mars. Huge red rock formations that are smooth and balled up on top of each other like mud pies. (In fact it was used in the hilarious movie "Galaxy Quest" to film a scene in an alien planet.)

The fee to enter the park is only $7 and you can run around and go everywhere, climbing on, around and through the incredible rocks. April commented that it was like a huge playground for kids and grown-ups! We saw a scout troop playing Kick the Can, and another playing Capture the Flag.

We did not do any formal hikes, but instead roamed organically through the landscape, climbing on and over whatever we felt like. We spent a few hours the evening before and then a few more hours the next day. We highly recommend it, especially for a family trip. Both the kids and the parents had a blast!

-Dave

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Keyhole Canyon

Grade B
Equipment: one 60 meter rope, harnesses for everyone, wetsuits, and drinking water
Time: 2 hours for 5 people
Date: 9-19-09
Conditions: Wet, cold standing water at the base of most rappels
Experience Level: great for beginners, fun for all
Tom's Description

This was a great little canyon to explore. It took us about 2 hours to complete, including the hike to the first rappel. The canyon was narrow and tall (a slot canyon). The red rock walls beautifully reflected the light of the sun. There was a lot of standing water that was very cold, so we were very glad to be wearing our wetsuits, but the rappels were short and easy. It was a great little canyon to take along a first timer.

Some of the drop-downs did not require a rappel, but instead some kindly souls had previously left lengths of webbing or rope to grab a hold of in order to let yourself down. (See my picture above.)

It is short enough to complete it and still have time for some others in the same day. We hiked Angel's landing in the morning and did this canyon later in the day. Another nice feature is that it is a loop, beginning and ending at the same place, so you finish right at your parked vehicle. I'd definitely do it again.

-Dave

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Angel's Landing

Grade: A

Equipment: Water and Lunch for the top

Time: 3-5 hours

Date: 9-19-09

Conditions: Beautiful Fall day - mid 70's

Experience: Beginner

Distance: 5 miles round trip

This was the first of three diverse hikes on Saturday. Combining this hike with a slot canyon allows for two unique perspectives on Zion, my favorite place on earth. . .

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