The ‘short’ route to Moab is to travel I-70 to UT-191 and then head south passing by Arches and into town. The ‘better’ way is to leave I-70 early and travel down UT-128. This highway leads down to the Colorado River and then travels along side of the river until it reaches Moab. This router is *much* more scenic and passes through Castle Valley which contains some ‘monument valley’ like buttes. However, what I particularly like about this route is the very beautiful view looking south along the river with Castle Valley just emerging in the distance and the La Sal mountains capping the scene. I’ve taken this route and this ‘photo op’ many times.

Fisher Towers -- In the distance.. Looking South on Utah 128 -- the muddy Colorado is on the right. You can see the Fisher Tower formations in the distance. The La Sal mountains are just peaking over the distant mesa wall.Castle Valley -- on Approach. As we drove along Utah 128, the Colorado and the highway travel together in a modest narrow canyon. Here you can see the jumble of large rocks fallen out of the canyon walls and very close to the road.High View -- Fisher Towers and the Moon. We stopped for another shot of the view along Utah 128 when we noted the moon hanging in a clear blue sky.Castle Valley -- The Castles. Here is a picture of the aptly name Castle Valley. We're looking south east from Utah 128 on approach to Moab.

 

Colorado National Monument 2017
Canyonlands - Needles 2017