Halloween weekend 2014 Utah trip info/ recommendations (Moab area)

A loop my friend and I did a few years back you may like in Canyonlands NP:

http://www.pmags.com/four-days-on-the-colorado-plateau-canyonland-arches-and-colorado-national-monument

The short version is a he Snycline Trail/ Alcove Canyon/Upheaval dome loop. Really short road walk between the two THs.

I may have to do that. Is there water available?

The route goes right by the Green River. I'd treat/filter as appropriate.

Gordon, the first place I'd point you is the Needles district in Canyonlands. Probably the best place for a desert newb (which it sounds like you are). I'd check the permit availability calender on the Canyonlands website right now, and grab what looks best to you. You really can't go wrong. More water, options, and variety than the loop Mags suggested, but almost certainly more people as well.

If you would prefer something more challenging and remote, but still with numerous water sources, I'd send you down to the Robbers Roost/Dirty Devil area. Use the Angel Cove TH on the west side of the river and explore the forks of Robbers Roost canyon.

Thanks for the suggestion, David.

Needles is about an hour further. I am already at my max. Looks cool, though. Thanks!

Mee & Knowles canyons make a neat loop and even closer than Moab:
http://fastestknowntime.proboards.com/thread/17/mee-knowles-canyons

That's an interesting option, Peter. hmmmmmmm…..

I'd second Dave's Needles rec, but if that's out of the question, your options are kinda limited. Island in the Sky has a couple options, maybe exploring the forks of Lost Spring Canyon in Arches. Mee/Knowles is definitely a great loop if you're good with some (relatively basic) canyon routefinding. It's significantly less traveled than anything near Moab. Much of the Black RIdge area is as isolated and remote as you can get on the CO plateau. There might be some hunting traffic up on top close to the roads and upper Mee sees a little bit of (local) traffic, but other than that the area basically gets ignored as folks head west to Utah. It's been a wet fall here so water shouldn't be a problem in either canyon.