utah favorites

[trekkin_gecko]

working on a trip to Utah in april
a few years ago, my NE friend and I visited the north rim, zion and Bryce
this time we want to see arches and Canyonlands
some of you have spent quite a bit of time in Utah, so i'd like to hear what your favorites hikes have been
I realize there is quite a lot to see besides the national parks, and we're open to those places, too
nonot has a nice overview of the arches NP trails: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=11664
the confluence hike in the needles district was recommended by a few folks: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=12778
is natural bridges NM worth a visit? http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1313
any suggestions for island in the sky?
what about dead horse point state park?
coffeshops, gear shops, restaurants and lodging advice all welcome
thanks in advance for any beta

[azbackpackr]

@SAMBA
Will do, John!

[KwaiChang]

I have seen alot of suggestions - my personal fav in Utah was Little Wild Horse Canyon. Very cool - easily accessible slot canyon.....go early and no one will be there - go to the end and then turn around and come right back again....other than the GC - best hike I ever did. My triplog - profile.php?u=52754&ID=46#T__103455_______1

[AndrewAZ]

I have seen alot of suggestions - my personal fav in Utah was Little Wild Horse Canyon.

+1. Bell Canyon and Little Wild Horse Canyon as a loop is a great hike. It's also right next to Goblin Valley, which is worth a stop.

I'll join the crowd in recommending the Confluence in the Needles part of Canyonlands. It's a great hike; other good hikes are the hike to Druid Arch and the loop hike that goes through Chesler Park and The Joint.

I didn't find much good hiking in Island in the Sky. Murphy Hogback and Lathrop trails are okay, but they both just drop from the mesa down to the White Rim. The drive down the Shafer Trail to Potash Road to Moab is fun and scenic, but might be a little hard on a rental car. Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point are really more about driving and looking from overlooks.

For a non-park hike, Corona Arch is just outside Moab on Potash Road. It's a few miles, but because it's not in a park, there are usually rock climbers and other things going on. When I was there, they were filming a commercial of some kind. Still a very large and impressive arch, though.

The LaSal loop drive from highway 128 through Castle Valley is scenic and a nice escape from the heat.

Natural Bridges can be worth a stop. There's a hike that links together all 3 bridges that's about 8 miles.

For food, the Peace Tree Juice Cafe in Monticello has good food and coffee. I've waited out two different storms there.

[azbackpackr]

I just tried to find Blue Pools Arch near Page (in Utah.) Will have to go back up yet another slot to try to find it. It's not in Blue Pools Canyon. Sigh. Nobody around, not a soul in sight.

[trekkin_gecko]

Island in the Sky and Dead Horse Point are really more about driving and looking from overlooks.

found half a dozen short overlook hikes in island in the sky that will add up to a decent day

will check out little wild horse canyon