A view of the La Sal (Salt) Mountain Range in the Fall, south of Moab, Utah. The La Sal Mountains are located in the Grand and San Juan counties of southern Utah near the border with Colorado. The range is encompassed by the Manti-La Sal National Forest, and is part of the southern Rocky Mountains. Its tallest peak, Mount Peale stands at 12,721 feet. The naming of the range comes from a time when the region was controlled by Spain, and the ranges high peaks were a prominent landmark on the Old Spanish Trail. The mountains are comprised largely of igneous rock that dates to the Cretaceous and Permian periods.
This photograph offers an up close portrait of a howling coyote petroglyph in Moab, Utah. This particular petroglyph is considered to be from the Formative Period, a transition of sorts between Archaic Indian Culture, and the Anasazi and Fremont native american cultures that dominated eastern Utah until the arrival of the Ute tribes in more recent times.
In Native cultures across North America, the coyote holds deep symbolic significance, often portrayed as a complex and multifaceted figure. Regarded as both a trickster and a teacher, the coyote appears in many indigenous stories, reflecting human traits such as cunning, resourcefulness, and folly. For tribes like the Navajo, Hopi, and Plains Nations, the coyote is a central character in creation myths and morality tales, teaching lessons about balance, humility, and respect for natural laws.
In some traditions, the coyote represents transformation and adaptability, embodying the ability to thrive in diverse and challenging environments. Simultaneously, it can serve as a cautionary figure, whose mischief and hubris bring unintended consequences. Beyond mythology, the coyote is also respected as a living being, integral to the ecosystem and a symbol of survival in the face of adversity. This blend of reverence and caution underscores the profound relationship between Native peoples and the natural world, where every creature carries spiritual and practical significance.
Each spring OHV enthusiasts converge on Moab, Utah for the Easter Jeep Safari. The red rock desert terrain around the city offers miles of trails for explorers of all types to enjoy. This particular spot, overlooking the Colorado River, which winds its way through canyons north of the city, is known as the Moab Rim Trail. Poison Spider Mesa and the Wall Street climbing area are seen in the distance.
