Take it to Moab, Utah’s Spring Break playground
After two months of studying for tests and stressing over school, students need a breather.
A breath of fresh air is the preferable choice as students take refuge in private cabins, long road trips and airplane rides to warmer and more exotic places.
To get away from the monotony of everyday life, Daniel Callister, an undeclared freshman at Utah State University is looking forward to the week of March 10 through the 14. He has a specific venture planned as Mother Nature is calling him south to Moab, Utah. Callister said it is a great place for Spring Break because there is so much to do and it is so close.
“Me and a few of my friends plan on traveling down to Moab,” Callister said. “It only takes five hours by car. It is a place that has a lot of options, from rafting to mountain biking, and hiking to four-wheeling.”
Moab, located in southeastern Utah, has a population of 4,779, according to a Moab Web site.
Dave Olsen, a community development director for Moab City said that although the town is small, it hosts about 1.5 million visitors a year.
Spring break is an especially busy time for the town. Marian DLay, executive director of the travel council, listed some of the events that will be taking place in Moab during the week of USU’s Spring Break: There will be an annual half marathon and 5k run on March 15. And Arches Winter Series barrel racing will also be held during that week.
Arches National Park is a complementary activity for those who plan on visiting Moab this Spring Break. Olsen said Arches National Park is just four miles north of Moab.
DLay said there is not one particular attraction for every student, but Moab contains a variety of activities.
“It is really a toss up,” DLay said. “Mountain biking trails and the Arches National Parks are great this time of year. The cool weather makes a great place for hikers and mountain bikers.”
Nate Stowes, a sophomore in business accounting, said Moab a great place to mountain bike because there is such a wide variety of trails.
“This makes it technical and fun,” he said.
His favorite trail is one of Moab’s most popular trails, Slickrock.
“It is a good place for beginners and advanced bikers to ride,” Stowes said. “They have a two-mile beginner trail and a 15-mile advanced trail.”
Jeremy Wood, a junior in business administration went mountain biking in Moab last year during the spring.
“Mountain biking is well-liked because it gives an opportunity to get out, enjoy nature and get a workout.” he said.
A lot of the trails in that area are unique because you actually ride on the red rock itself, Wood said. The temperature in Southern Utah is perfect this time of year for mountain biking.
“It doesn’t get muddy and wet and that gives opportunity for bikers to ride year-round,” he said.
Jeff Baugh, a pre-med senior, said Moab is a favorite place for mountain bikers from all over the country.
“It is the Mecca of mountain biking in Utah,” he said. “It is so unique.”
Baugh said this is the perfect time to go mountain biking in Moab.
“It is prime weather conditions this time of year. It is beautiful right now,” he said.
With all these alternative activities available, Callister plans to get down to the basics of the Moab experience.
“We are going cheap,” he said. “All you have to pay for is the entrance of the car, camping, food and gas.”
His friend Mendy Magistro, a senior in music therapy, supports this choice for an inexpensive trip of adventure and activity.
“Moab is a student-friendly vacation,” she said.
–syllee@cc.usu.edu
Mark Christensen of Lehi, Utah heads into a natural half pipe found along the Slickrock trail outside of Moab, Utah. (Photo by Scott Davis)