Unexpected DISCOVERIES & SECRETS | Colorado National Monument to Goblin Valley, Utah

With Colorado wrapped up, we head back to Utah to set up for adventure in the Goblin Valley area. But as plans like to change, they do just that. What turns out to be a failed morning, turns into a surprise discovery and exploration.
Oh, Colorado National Monument... we miss you already! But we've got places to be and adventures to have. Like Rattlesnake Arches! Maybe... Possibly. Or not as some mapping led us astray.
Heartbroken but determined we quickly figure out a substitute adventure for later on and make the drive back to Utah to set up camp at Goblin Valley Campground - our home base for the next couple days.
And wouldn't you know it... Our ability to change plans on the fly gets tested again. Armed with the advice of a park employee, we get in the truck and take an offroad adventure down Behind the Reef Road to something called the Chute Canyon Trail once hearing the words "slot canyon". Will it live up? See for yourself!
The next day we take care of some business in Hanksville, Utah, film a few other videos you will see in the next couple of weeks, and find some surprises behind our campground yurt.
VIDEO FILMED: 04/12/2023 - 04/13/2023
▬▬ R E L A T E D V I D E O S ▬▬
⚪ LITTLE WILD HORSE CANYON - • Hiking the Little Wild...
▬▬ T I M E S T A M P S ▬▬
00:00 More Trouble & Backup Plans
08:31 Behind the Reef
15:13 The Chute
25:06 Taking Care of Business
34:36 Secrets Behind the Yurt
▬▬ L I N K S ▬▬
⚪ Gear we use - www.amazon.com/shop/thecactus...
⚪ See where we've been - www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mi...
⚪ Music from Epidemic Sound - www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
(As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.)
_____________________________________________________________
✅ Find us on Instagram, Twitter & Facebook - @cactusatlas.
✅ Check out our website - cactusatlas.com
Welcome to the Cactus Atlas! We are Glenn and Amy and invite you to join us as we visit all sorts of locations across the American West. We tour both natural and man-made attractions.
Our base of operations is in the Phoenix, AZ area. We do a lot of hiking, day trips, and campground reviews and hope that we will be a great resource if you are planning a trip to the American West. We also hope to delight you with our exciting adventures!

Пікірлер: 98

  • @Dany-ii5lu
    @Dany-ii5lu Жыл бұрын

    It´s a pleasure to be your co-pilot and to see all these amazing landscapes that I probably will never see by myself. So thanks for taking me along!!! Best regards from Germany 😎

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Always happy to have passengers along for the ride. Happy to have you along and bring these landscapes to you. 😊

  • @H.P.
    @H.P.10 ай бұрын

    I like the POV driving camera. That is how I see the country when I do one of our driving vacations.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    10 ай бұрын

    😄 Thank you!

  • @cheric3399
    @cheric33993 ай бұрын

    Oh and forgot to thank Slim for safe driving.

  • @shanefanon
    @shanefanon4 ай бұрын

    The 'Chute" is nice in your dry weather.

  • @TheMonicaw42
    @TheMonicaw42 Жыл бұрын

    This is motivating me to pull out all my Dads old Super 8 movies he took of our trips. We lived in California but my Dad loved the 4 corner states and we took so many trips there. Good memories

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    It's a beautiful region. You're very lucky to have those old movies and memories. ❤️

  • @joakke5114
    @joakke511411 ай бұрын

    Absolutely love the driving footage. Only thing I hate is to discover I completely missed the Swell when driving from Hanksville to Moab last year :). Thanks for the fantastic footage and we love your comments, so genuine. Best regards from The Netherlands. (BTW, we also loved Cathedral Gorge and Panaca.)

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    11 ай бұрын

    Oh no! That's too bad that you missed the Swell. Any chance for future trips (granted that's a heck of a distance away)? 😅

  • @carolguezen5829
    @carolguezen5829 Жыл бұрын

    I have a mug from Hanksville...absolutely loved Goblin Valley and an sending a co-worket there as well. Absolutely loved Utah!!!!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Ooh. A mug from Hanksville? Does it say Hanksville on it? How fun! Your coworker is bound to have a great time at Goblin Valley. I swear it is the closest way to experience another planet while still on ours. 👍

  • @jonh4301
    @jonh4301 Жыл бұрын

    I like seeing the road trip windshield commentary. Goblin Valley looks awesome.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it! We definitely enjoy sharing the trips too. 😄

  • @tpseeker3367
    @tpseeker336710 ай бұрын

    LOL waves to Amy as she was probably blushing when Glenn mentioned she was being filmed. I agree with everybody else. Kinda like we're actually riding along with you Glenn.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    10 ай бұрын

    *waves back* 👋👋 Slim is a magical truck that allows for many many passengers. Happy to have you along with us! 😄

  • @tpseeker3367

    @tpseeker3367

    10 ай бұрын

    🤗🤗 @@CactusAtlas . Promise I won't take up much room. Just a bag or few. J/k ps Not sure if I've mentioned this before (pretty sure I have) Garmin Inreach. You can still send selected texts & me thinks do like a month unlimited yet limited texts & get Weather.

  • @alexmineff5596
    @alexmineff5596 Жыл бұрын

    Oh I liked the dialog between you two as well. It worked.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks! Kinda glad Glenn was making a habit of recording while calling home. 😂 A lot of our trips in the past have kinda worked like that where I research alternatives because of something getting in the way of filming something.

  • @lynnnorthrup8914
    @lynnnorthrup89145 ай бұрын

    You have been one of the best narrators on KZread. Slim wouldn’t have liked the ride into Rattlesnake Canyon. You can walk that faster than driving it. The tight slot you were looking for is in Upper Chute Canyon near McKay Flats. Crack Canyon is better than Lower Chute. Also, check out the Wild Horse Windows hike right off the road to Goblin Valley. San Rafael Swell is amazing and we’re still exploring all the possibilities. Fun video and thanks for sharing!😀👍

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    5 ай бұрын

    Awesome! Thanks for the insights and recommendations. I highly doubt we're done with the Swell and will be back one of these days. 😅

  • @cheric3399
    @cheric33993 ай бұрын

    Thank you and Amy also, for the great video

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    3 ай бұрын

    Our pleasure! Thank you too! 😊

  • @throughthethicket
    @throughthethicket Жыл бұрын

    Beautiful views as per usual! And, to answer your question, yes - the car segments are very enjoyable. Take care and safe travels.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, you too! Happy to hear that you enjoy the road footage. 😊

  • @SidetrackAdventures
    @SidetrackAdventures Жыл бұрын

    That landscape was amazing. Just looking at the view in front of you after coming across that cow was incredible.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Right?! So many amazing views back in that area. It's a big playground. 😅

  • @jeniferokeywsu
    @jeniferokeywsu Жыл бұрын

    Gotta love laser pointers and crap like that! 😂 I found your channel through a Goblin Valley campground review. Been watching ever since. Thanks for showing how you adjust when things need to change. You and Amy make a great team.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    How awesome! And here we are returning to that very campground. 😄 Thanks so very much!

  • @guipe43
    @guipe43 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing such beautiful formations! It shows that love nature and animals. May you have a blessed weekend, filled with happiness!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much! Hope your weekend is going well. 😄

  • @nationalparksprincess3216
    @nationalparksprincess3216 Жыл бұрын

    The geological features in this area are aways fascinating 😊 I really enjoyed watching, especially since you show alot of your drive 😊 Fantastic video Cactus! 😊

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks so much! 😊 Happy that you enjoy the road footage.

  • @singingnomad5099
    @singingnomad5099 Жыл бұрын

    😅you’re so funny. More please! 😂

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    More to come in the upcoming weeks! 👍

  • @guswatts
    @guswatts Жыл бұрын

    At first listen I thought Amy was Alexa or Siri. 😂 Great Video and great team work! Lovin it. PS🐄 I would never trust a cow unless served on a plate at Burger Shack. Loved the foreshadowing. 😊

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    😂😂 Sweet! If this editing thing doesn't work out, maybe I have a future being an anonymous voice on everyone's devices. Kinda like that idea. 😅 You know, I never really even thought about the cow & burger clips. Haha!

  • @ShelleeGraham
    @ShelleeGraham Жыл бұрын

    34:48 staying in the “yurt.” (Circular tent made of skins, or a collapsible framework used by Nomads.)

  • @diazart3337
    @diazart3337 Жыл бұрын

    Ok I've been following CA for awhile now and this video is my favorite so far, pretty much had me at R2 D2 & Jawa's! Definitely gonna make plans to go to Goblin Valley, your description and letting us tag along convinces me for my wife & I to do but also you give me a little hope and inspiration to try to do this alone also. Plus we just gotta new Outback that should be able to handle the roads you were just on. This Colorado series so far has been amazing, thank you for some amazing content! All the best to you, Amy & Slim! ....oh! And UP THE IRONS, from one fellow Iron Maiden fan to another 🌵💀🌵

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    How awesome! Always happy to inspire travels and adventure. Don't think you'd regret heading out to see Goblin Valley. And congrats on the Outback! 😄👍

  • @tominvermont9157
    @tominvermont9157 Жыл бұрын

    Your vids are great Glen. The geology of the Southwest is amazing. :Looks like Slim is makng it possible for you to reach the boonies a lot easier.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Slim has definitely been a game changer in having the confidence to reach new places. 😄

  • @SwiftyTravels
    @SwiftyTravels Жыл бұрын

    A great trip! I loved your pure joy in eating your burger 😀👍 looks like a great place! I’m looking forward to the yurt tour, I’ve always wanted to stay in one

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Spoiler alert - the yurt is awesome. Well worth it for the experience. You'll see it next week! 😄

  • @safepetproducts
    @safepetproducts Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, i got some new pins on my map.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Glad we could help! 😄

  • @thewanderingtraveler8984
    @thewanderingtraveler8984 Жыл бұрын

    I like seeing where you are going. I have been to the swell and I love it there. spent time hiking and driving every road I could. It's a great place to go.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    One of our favorite places! Lots more content from that area coming up in the upcoming weeks. 😄👍

  • @thewanderingtraveler8984

    @thewanderingtraveler8984

    Жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Icant wait to see it.

  • @cherylpearson1963
    @cherylpearson196310 ай бұрын

    You are doing everything great🥰 thank you

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 🤗 We appreciate that!

  • @CapricornGirl9
    @CapricornGirl9 Жыл бұрын

    Your videos are great, I will be out in that area in October and it’s great knowing what to expect.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Oh, there is SO much out there to explore that even getting lost and just wandering about is bound to lead to something amazing. We're always happy to provide ideas though. 😄

  • @MissAstorDancer
    @MissAstorDancer Жыл бұрын

    Well, I enjoy everything about your videos, and this has been one of the best! I do very much enjoy the driving footage! It def adds to the "being there" feel! My road-trippin', campin', travellin' days are over, but I can still experience so much of the joy and fun and excitement just by watching you! Thanks to both you and Amy for all the work and love you put into your videos!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Aww, thank you! It means so much that you appreciate our videos and we're VERY happy to bring our travels to you to tag along. 😊

  • @lzwnn
    @lzwnn Жыл бұрын

    Love the ride-alongs!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Always happy to bring others along for the ride. 😊

  • @pauldean3935
    @pauldean3935 Жыл бұрын

    Just discovered your channel a couple weeks ago, and I am really enjoying your work, so thanks! I've done some of the same adventures, but you're also giving me lots of new inspirations. It'd be great if you'd mention the elevations of your locations. That's a big factor for deciding the right time to visit.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Awesome! Welcome aboard! I'm not sure Glenn knows the elevations half the time 😅 but it's certainly something we can try to provide in the future. 👍

  • @martinjdesmond
    @martinjdesmond10 ай бұрын

    Excellent adventure

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    10 ай бұрын

    Thank you! 😄

  • @sprucy434
    @sprucy43419 күн бұрын

    I live i the area that you filmed this, and I can attest that YES Google maps is wonky. But we chalk it up to being in the Grand Valley. ;)

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    18 күн бұрын

    Haha! Yeah, anything off pavement and Google seems to forget where you're going entirely. 😂

  • @JTube571
    @JTube5715 ай бұрын

    Just catching up on videos so pardon me if I missed it, but seeing your route map it looks like you took 191 out of Moab to I-70, then went East. If you ever do that route again, I recommend actually taking 128 from Moab along the Colorado river to Cisco. The river drive is amazing and Cisco is a unique little town that only has a few residents. Also popular with fans of a movie from the 70's called Vanishing Point.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    5 ай бұрын

    Sounds like a fantastic drive. Sometimes we're often rushing to get to places to film on schedule but if we're back in that area, we'll keep your suggestion in mind. Thanks! 😄

  • @beverlycoleman1916
    @beverlycoleman19168 ай бұрын

    Thank you Glenn and Amy I just love your videos they’re so beautiful and spectacular! I hope one day I would be able to visit Utah and see all this magnificent landscaping you have prepared in your planning for your viewers. It now takes the guest work out of planning for vacation so much easier many thanks. Do you think a woman could do this experience alone??

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    8 ай бұрын

    I don't see why not. It really just depends on your comfort level. Happy that we can inspire and help with vacation planning, however! 😄

  • @alexmineff5596
    @alexmineff5596 Жыл бұрын

    I’ve very much enjoyed this group of road videos. I do like the camera view of the road dialog balances well with when you are out exploring. Great enjoy able work Thanks for taking us along

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Awesome, thank you! We certainly don't want to fatigue anyone but like to allow people to experience the trip with us. 😊

  • @SomeplaceOrAnother
    @SomeplaceOrAnother Жыл бұрын

    That burger does look tasty 😋

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    It was! So very good!

  • @robertherrmann4823

    @robertherrmann4823

    Жыл бұрын

    Not nearly as good as the burgers at Rays Tavern in Green River.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Well, darn. Had a stay there in Green River one night. Wish we had known!

  • @ENJIMEEREBAY
    @ENJIMEEREBAY Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another great informative presentation Glen and Amy.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Our pleasure! Thanks again! 😄

  • @lauraslanesvanlifetravels
    @lauraslanesvanlifetravels Жыл бұрын

    Thanks for showing us the route on the map that you took, I took a screenshot of it. I liked the exploration behind the yurt...those almost looked like screwy goblin faces...definitely a little creepy!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    The imagination can go wild there with those formations. And happy to provide help with the map. 😊

  • @having-fun-while-i-can
    @having-fun-while-i-can Жыл бұрын

    do you ever try to capture the milkyway? seems like you have prime locations for it and have the gear as well.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    For sure. I have been itching to use my go pros to do a night sky recording (which come out amazing) on a camping trip, but so far, on every trip this year, the weather has not cooperated. Just a matter of time. Have some camping planned in July with good locations for that so fingers crossed.

  • @having-fun-while-i-can

    @having-fun-while-i-can

    Жыл бұрын

    @CactusAtlas I used my osmo action1 for a milkyway shot. I was at an airbnb near Payson, the shots came out pretty good for an action camera.

  • @timothylinn
    @timothylinn6 ай бұрын

    Great channel, Glenn! I'm really enjoying it. I've got two thoughts and a question. • It would be helpful if you showed the worst parts of the roads you drive. When you drove to Chute Canyon, you said passenger cars shouldn't attempt. It would've been nice to see why. • Next time you're in the area, stop at Crack Canyon. As a photographer, I would argue that it is much better than Chute and different than Little Wild Horse. • Is Amy a teacher? I'm trying to figure out why she doesn't come along. Looking forward to your future uploads!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    6 ай бұрын

    Generally when we make the statement about passenger cars not being suitable, it's usually a clearance issue and just not wanting to be responsible for someone taking their Mazda Miata over something that might damage the underside. 😅 I'll try to include more footage in videos of the rougher spots though. Crack Canyon was something we wanted to do, but as always... the lack of time is always the biggest factor. And nope. I'm not a teacher. 😊 I'm just more of a homebody than Glenn is and don't mind staying here. Besides, we have some clingy cats and I fear what the house would look like if they were left to their own devices or someone strange to them stayed in the house. 🤣

  • @timothylinn

    @timothylinn

    6 ай бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Hahaha. Yes, cats don't hide their feelings when they feel abandoned. 🙂 My wife is a teacher, which is why I asked. I can appreciate Glenn's comment about how the truck opened up a new world of possibilities (or something like that). The next step is putting a truck camper in the bed. It expands things even further. Wind, temperature, meals, and showers-even campgrounds-are no longer limitations to exploration. For example, those two wide spots in the poster frame for this video become overnight parking spaces. And cats travel nicely in a truck camper. :-) Of course, they aren't free so that is a factor, but we bought a truck camper 20 years ago and it has been one of the best purchases of our married life.

  • @Fuelmyinspiration
    @Fuelmyinspiration Жыл бұрын

    Oh man sounds like a pain!! I’d like to recommend ONX it’s an off-road maps that works amazing! Separates BLM from private lands and rodes. Give it a shot if you’d like. Great video btw 🍻

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you! onX Offroad is actually what we use in the truck. Being able to see the boundaries between private land vs public has been SO helpful when it comes to routes and flying the drone. For some reason it has just been taking a while to get the marker oriented correctly.

  • @gstiles7
    @gstiles7 Жыл бұрын

    Oh man, I'm a little disappointed I thought we'd be eating steak on our trip 😂 I beg to differ sir, you need to work on your Slim voice, I thought your Sand person voice was spot on 🤣🤣 Thanks for the trip...you're my boy Blue!

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    😂 Hey, you never know. Maybe one day Glenn will go nuts and grill a steak while camping. Or maybe it'll just be hot dogs. 🤣

  • @gstiles7

    @gstiles7

    Жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas Sounds good, but my comment was truly aimed at the walking steaks from which Glenn was arm's length. Just cause it had ear tags, when you're in the wild everything's fair game 😂

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    😂😂🤣

  • @anthonydugger1133
    @anthonydugger11334 ай бұрын

    The white cliffs straight in front at 7:58 are they natural or have they been worked? Please.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    4 ай бұрын

    Not entirely sure to be honest. Hopefully someone else comments with that info. Sorry about that!

  • @carollyngillespie3860
    @carollyngillespie3860 Жыл бұрын

    You could have petted that cow. They are very docile animals. Looks like she's used to people.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    We're guessing that could have been the case as she didn't run or walk too far away at all. But she was just chilling there enjoying her day so no use bothering. 😊

  • @SomeplaceOrAnother

    @SomeplaceOrAnother

    Жыл бұрын

    Yeah, very chill 😊

  • @TacoSyndicate
    @TacoSyndicate Жыл бұрын

    You should use Gaia mapping.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    We might try it one day. Just sort of picked onX Offroad to start. 😄

  • @guswatts

    @guswatts

    Жыл бұрын

    @@CactusAtlas onX has worked for us with property north of Ash Fork and South of the GrandCanyon. Lots to navigate with 40 acre grids.

  • @CactusAtlas

    @CactusAtlas

    Жыл бұрын

    The routes people have made have inspired a few outings as well. It has come in handy.

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