Water, water, water... There is no shortage of water in the desert but exactly the right amount, a perfect ratio of water to rock, of water to sand, insuring that wide, free, open, generous spacing among plants and animals, homes and towns and cities, which makes the arid West so different from any other part of the nation. There is no lack of water here, unless you try to establish a city where no city should be. - Edward Abbey, while in Arches National Park
Stepping out of an air-conditioned vehicle in the middle of an American desert along one of America's Byways, the heat initially oppresses. Perusing the stark surroundings, your first impression may be one of emptiness and lifelessness. Flat plains and alien landscapes stretch out into every horizon, evoking feelings of helplessness and awe. For most visitors to the true desert, the experience is overwhelming and a little frightening; but what adventure isn't? With a closer look and the proper knowledge, the secrets of the desert are unlocked and their beauty and value become apparent. A newfound respect for life and its ability to exist virtually everywhere fills you while examining the relentless struggle for existence as you travel some of America's Byways.
Before colonizers and explorers ever set foot on the parched ground just off of Death Valley Scenic Byway, several different native cultures carved a life for themselves out of the valley. Try to imagine the scene nine thousand years ago when Nevares Spring people enjoyed fertile lakes and abundant hunting in the valley. With considerably less effort, picture the Desert Shoshone Nomads carving out a life in the desolate desert more or less as you see it now. Escaping to the surrounding mountains during the scorching summer months, this rugged society lived on sparse game, pinyon nuts, and an intense will to survive.
Survival is a constant theme here, where supremely adapted organisms thrive. In July of 1913 the temperature in Death Valley reached 134 degrees, easily the highest in the nation and just 2 degrees short of the hottest temperature ever recorded in the world. Life manages to flourish in Death Valley despite absurd temperatures and almost nonexistent rainfall. Observe over 1000 diverse species of plants, including 23 that exist nowhere else on earth. During high spring runoff, the valley fills with colorful wildflowers, surprising travelers who expected a barren wasteland of rock and sand.
Few experiences compare with contemplating the 3-mile wide, 1-mile deep chasm created by the Colorado River at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Take the Kaibab Plateau-North Rim Parkway and stand at the edge of one of the world's most stunning natural phenomena. To get a real feeling for the sheer size and majesty of the Grand Canyon, plan a hike to the bottom and back. As a warning to hikers, the National Park Service's slogan says, "What goes down, must come up." Be sure to prepare accordingly and expect the trip to take two days of strenuous hiking. The effort yields the reward of an up-close and intimate experience with this one-of-a-kind canyon in the Arizona desert.
A journey among the nation's great deserts requires a trip through Southern Utah's red rock and sand, among imagination-defying otherworldly landscapes and rock formations. Highway 12 takes you past the multicolored hoodoos of Bryce Canyon National Park, the sheer cliffs and natural bridges of Capitol Reef National Park, and countless other trails, roads, and recreational areas. Dinosaur Diamond Prehistoric Highway in Utah and Colorado packs a similar amount of thrilling desert landscapes along its 500 miles. The city of Moab serves a variety of "desert rat" needs, whether they seek out the sandstone and slickrock for off-roading, mountain biking, rock climbing, or canyoneering. Arches National Park inspires travelers with natural sculptures lovingly created by countless years of constant wind and rugged, arid landscapes.
So have the mechanic check out your air-conditioner, stock up on plenty of water and sunscreen, and hit the road on some classic western road trips on America's Byways. The nation's still-untamed desert wildernesses beckon.
