President Joe Biden protected this. Bears Ears/Grand Staircase-Esclante. To me, best POTUS ever

[Botany]

BTW TFG wanted to develop these lands for mining, oil, and gas drilling.

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/10/07/climate/bears-ears-grand-staircase-escalante-biden.html (pay wall)


President Biden will reinstate and slightly expand the original 1.3 million acre boundaries of Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah. The size of the monument had been cut by about 85 percent by former President Donald J. Trump.

[GB_RN]

1. Glad He Did...

But this needs to be enshrined in legislation. Otherwise, the next fascist, RepubliQon president will just undo it (again) by another Executive Order.

[Midnight Writer]

2. Congress should pass legislation to protect these lands.

That would hinder any future capricious Chief Executive who decides to turn it over to profiteers.

[ancianita]

12. +1,000,000

[ybbor]

3. Beautiful country

I actually drove through the “ears” heading to the trailhead for Dark Canyon for a week long backpacking trip. I used to play all around that area when I lived out West and was a canyoneer. The region is chock full of amazingness. Anasazi ruins, rock art, and just beautiful landscape. I am so glad he preserved it once again!

[Botany]

4. After protecting Bear's Ears (time*) Biden/Interior Sec. Deb Haaland protected Chaco Canyon, N.M.

* The length of time for the protection of the areas (Alaska, Utah, New Mexico, N. Atlantic Monument)
President Biden protected is still an unknown depending on elections.

[ybbor]

8. Never got to Chaco Canyon

I did have a friend who had friends that lived there so he was able to spend the night there. I did go to Mesa Verde and was blown away.

I mainly hit lesser known areas, less traffic. The Grand Gulch, another large community that traded with both Chaco Canyon and Mesa Verde, and lots of lesser travelled areas from my guide books of the region. I primarily was in SE Utah as they were less than 4 hours from where I lived. This was in the 90s and early 2000s and back then most of the areas were just BLM land and didn’t require permits or reservations.

Spent a ton of time in the Needles District of the Canyonlands NP, 30-40 nights over a dozen years. Trips ranged from 2 night weekend trips to 7-10 night “expeditions”. Some of the most amazing landscapes! Close to 100 nights overall out there, and 100s of miles.

[Botany]

11. In 2022 I want to visit those areas ... thinking of bringing my yellow lab

Any suggestions on where to go? I can camp if need be.

[ancianita]

13. If you get a chance, go to nearby Monument Valley, esp an hour before sundown and the hour after.

It's got a grand entrance, too. The drive through the valley feels like being on another planet.

[Kid Berwyn]

14. The King in His Throne

Remarkable places.

[Botany]

15. Do you know where the area of the Colorado R. (?) is that I have in my O.P.?

n/t

[ancianita]

17. No. Both times

I traveled the north waters around Lake Powell to Rainbow Bridge and the Glen Canyon area, then the southern end near Angel Trail, which is a beginners trail (lol, it would be impossible for anyone over 40, imo). Anyway, after doing all that for a second time with my kids and grandchild, we took a two-hour helicopter ride across the GC, but I'm sorry to say that I didn't see that shot; if I had I would remember. As one of the wonders of the world it's a huge place, Bot, the river is incredibly twisty, and you could spend half a year just getting acquainted with the canyon areas.

A good thing to check out are Grand Canyon tour businesses that can tell you where your photos come from, and maybe plan an efficient way for you to visit them. As you know, it's easier to get down to the river than back up, so be careful what you plan.

[PaulRevere08]

18. I believe they are the Goosenecks of the San Juan River. There's an overlook

about halfway between Monument Vally and Bluff Utah.

[DeeNice]

23. I can confirm the top photo is Goosenecks which is a UT state park

I was lucky to get to see it in September. On the map it's close to where you see "Mexican Hat." Amazing.

[ancianita]

24. Funny I never heard the name Goosenecks either time I visited.

While exploring north of Monument Valley, had a meal in a cozy outdoor place by an offstream of the San Juan, drove by Mexican Hat and later almost drove over a slope into the San Juan River!

It's also a wonderful drive to get to the Four Corners Overlook northwest of Mexican Hat.

[PaulRevere08]

26. On the other side of the highway and back a ways you can hike out to an

abandoned meander of the San Juan. There is soooo much to see in that area of Utah - all along the river and up Comb and Butler Wash are tons of rock art and numerous Anasazi ruins.

[ybbor]

28. That's exactly what I thought as well

I have been to “the Loop” on the Colorado in the Canyonlands , which looks similar, both from the rim and floating on a raft trip from Moab to Lake Powell. Great trip!!!

[link:https://onebigphoto.com/colorado-river-loop-canyonlands-utah/|

Camped on the beach on the right side.

I would highly recommend Chesler Park in the Needles. One of my most favorite places on the planet. Been there 6-7 times at least. Can be done on a decent day hike from Elephant Hill trailhead. 10-15 miles depending what else you do. Definitely Joint Trail, but could do Druid Arch as well, but that’s a long day. Backpacking for a few days in there is well worth it.

[link:https://www.google.com/search?q=chesler+park&prmd=imnxv&sxsrf=AOaemvIWUmQNAJzs5oNY8oTKs6_bHVzXXA:1637710470827&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwu720q_0AhXilWoFHVn9DfoQ_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=414&bih=710&dpr=2#imgrc=AVSsRdz7hTz11M|

[link:https://www.google.com/search?q=chesler+park&prmd=imnxv&sxsrf=AOaemvIWUmQNAJzs5oNY8oTKs6_bHVzXXA:1637710470827&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwirwu720q_0AhXilWoFHVn9DfoQ_AUoAXoECAIQAQ&biw=414&bih=710&dpr=2#imgrc=fIqsEI3tVV0JKM|

[link:https://www.google.com/search?q=Druid+Arch&tbm=isch&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOOQMRJNSi0uUcjIzE4tVsjMU8hLTU3JSS2O4knOSC3OSS1SKEgsyj7FyKufrm9omJGTk1eWm25wipEHxDcqK0ovzzCsOsXIDeKWZJmbGFYawRQnJRVlVKWXZEEVZ2VXGRnEZxj_YhR1QrHRD2IjABbV-gmLAAAA&stmid=L2cvMTFobGxudm1nMA%3D%3D&prmd=imnxv&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjsn9D30q_0AhVKSawKHWSvBgIQrNwCKAB6BAgBEFk&biw=414&bih=710#imgrc=9G4BPAK-72wZgM|

I don’t know how to put photos up. But there’s a look.

There a lot of great, less visit areas around there, or there used to be. A great resource is the guide book “Hiking Southwest Canyon Country” by Sandra Hinchman. Extensive coverage of the Four Corners’ Canyons.

[link:https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/hiking-the-southwests-canyon-country_sandra-hinchman/879658/#edition=720406&idiq=27596901|

I posted this version because the cover photo is of one of my most epic journeys: Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon. We realized it was the cover photo the night before we went in, and I was looking at the photo credits and was excited to tell my group we were hiking the cover. Sick slot canyons. Buckskin is claimed to be the longest slot canyon on the planet.

][link:http://

|

This is a good video showing the trip. You have to hike it in one day because of flash flood concerns. And definitely check the weather. It’s permitted now, but wasn’t when we went. We did the 45 miles in a leisurely 5 days, after the 15 mile first day.

Sorry so long, but it’s dear to me, that country. Thanks Joe!!!

[ybbor]

29. A couple of photos from Buckskin Gulch

Last edited Tue Nov 23, 2021, 09:55 PM - Edit history (2)

Here is me crossing the “cesspool”, and it’s cold, too.

[link:|

And just wandering

[link:|

[Sogo]

20. I think I've been on that road....

New Mexico?

[ancianita]

25. It's one of the best, if not the only way, to get into the Valley.

I recall it's out of Arizona, then by the time you actually drive among the stone megaliths and monuments, you drive across the Utah line.

Most of Monument Valley is in Utah.

[Sogo]

32. Oh ok, then it's not the road I'm thinking of,

but it looks a lot like driving in New Mexico. Enchanting!

[ybbor]

31. Not sure if you saw, but

Posted a bunch of suggestions and a good resource below.

Do it! No time like the present, or near future.

[ampm]

5. Yea for us

Finally, something left. Beautiful he's done more in one year than what's been done in 300 hundred years. She is all we have and there will come a point where she will give us a great shaking

[ffr]

6. K&R. And all the gratitude in the world for the president who save countless lives

When the GOP is more than happy with their inaction causing genocide!

Interesting 3D highway picture too!

[Mysterian]

7. Thank you, President Biden!

Thank you, President Biden!

[XanaDUer2]

9. That's wonderful nt

[Bobstandard]

10. You can camp right on the edge of the canyon pictured!

There is a rough camping spot right on the edge of that canyon. You reach it by paved road. There are even pit toilets. The desert views on the way there are spectacular! Put it on your list!

[ancianita]

16. Do indeed go to every single place you see on your map. You'll feel the glorious trip of a lifetime.

I'm so happy you're going.

I've been there twice -- Grand Canyon north and south, Monument Valley, the Escalante, Chaco Canyon -- and when I have the chance again, will go in a heartbeat.

[iluvtennis]

19. Beautiful land - thank you President Biden! n/t

[RobinA]

21. See Also

Capitol Reef National Park. I lesser known park, but spectacular.

[Tommymac]

22. Doc, Seldom Seen, Bonnie and Hayduke are proud of President Joe.

This is Monkey Wrench Gang country.

Ed Abbey is smiling somewhere.

[Cha]

27. KR

[druidity33]

30. It bothers me actually...

and i hope that i am just being too cynical. I appreciate Biden reinstating Bears Ears and other Preserves and Sanctuaries. But aren't they just as liable to become "Resource Exploration" areas under the next R administration? Can't we permanently set aside these wildernesses?