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Charlie Glass, a local Moab cowboy, sitting on a horse: the photo is in black and white and is clearly older, as it's blurred. Charlie Glass atop a horse. [Moab Museum Collection]

By the Moab Museum, originally published in the Moab Sun News


Throughout Black History Month in 2023, the Moab Museum dug into its collection to highlight stories of prominent Black individuals and groups throughout the history of the Moab Valley. In this column, Charlie Glass takes center stage: a Black local Moab cowboy who worked at the Turner, Osborn, and Cunningham ranches. This cowboy was known for his grit and ingenuity, qualities admired during his time pushing cattle from Moab to Thompson Springs.

Glass was known for his fierce loyalty to ranch bosses, but his reputation was really made in 1921 during the Sheep Wars era, a time of conflict between sheepherders and cowboys. Glass found himself in an altercation with Basque sheepherder named Felix Jesui whose flock was encroaching on Oscar L. Turner’s property. Glass fatally shot Jesui and claimed self-defense. Glass’s bail was set at $10,000 (the equivalent of $157,000 today) which his boss, Turner, paid immediately and without question.

A black and white photo showing cowboys driving cattle.
Cowboys drive Scorup-Somerville cattle. [Moab Museum Collection]

After a well-attended court hearing, Glass was acquitted and continued to work on the Turner Ranch for another 16 years. In 1937, Glass was playing poker with the cousins of the man he’d shot years before. After what local lore calls an amiable game, the group parted ways. But later that evening, Glass was found dead in the back of the men’s pick-up truck—reportedly, Glass’s neck was broken. The cousins claimed no foul play, but the truth of the night remains a mystery to this day.

Glass was buried in the Turner family plot, at a time when African-Americans were barred from being buried in the Fruita, Colorado, cemetery. Stop by the Moab Museum to view Pete Plastow’s portrait of Charlie Glass, mid altercation with Felix Jesui, who proved to be the ultimate end of the this local Black cowboy. .

The Moab Museum website has a larger profile on Charlie Glass and a recording of “The Ballad of Charlie Glass,” performed by Sand Sheff in 2019 at KZMU Studios. The song was written and composed by William Leslie Clarke, courtesy of Three Rivers University Press.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts and find out about upcoming programs, visit MoabMuseum.org

A view of The Windows section of Arches National Park, with the snow-covered La Sal Mountains in the background. The Windows, Arches National Park

To visit Arches National Park this summer (from April to October), visitors need to reserve a time to enter the park in addition to purchasing a park pass.



Press release by Arches National Park


In response to feedback from stakeholders and the general public, Arches National Park is changing its 2025 pilot timed entry reservation system to accept reservations up to six months in advance—twice as long as previously announced.

According to recent surveys, 15-26% of Arches’ visitors plan their trip six months or more in advance. “Enabling earlier reservations gives people more flexibility in planning their visit to Arches,” said Arches National Park Superintendent Lena Pace. “To accommodate all travel styles, we will also continue to release next-day tickets, which often remain open for same-day booking.”

The previously-announced decision to not require reservations from July 7 to August 27, 2025, (after July 4th weekend until just before Labor Day weekend) is also an adaptation based on feedback from past pilots. Visitation traditionally slows down during peak summer months when daytime temperatures are hottest, reducing the need to manage crowding in the park.

All other program parameters will remain the same. Visitors arriving between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the program is in effect will need to have booked a timed entry ticket in order to enter the park (unless they have camping, tour, or special use permits; concessions contracts; commercial use authorizations; academic or volunteer fee waivers; or are from an associated Tribal Nation). Visitors arriving before 7 a.m. or after 4 p.m., or between July 7 and August 7, 2025, will not need a timed entry ticket.

Tickets must be obtained before entering the park and will not be available at the park entrance. Visitors can reserve their tickets through Recreation.gov, either online or over the phone (1-877-444-6777), beginning at 8 a.m. MST on January 2, 2025. Reservations will be released up to six months in advance in blocks. On January 2, reservations will open for all dates in April, May, and June. On February 1, reservations will open for the month of July and unreserved times for April, May, and June will remain open. The full release schedule is as follows:
  • April to June reservations (April 1-June 30) open January 2.
  • July reservations (July 1-6) open February 1.
  • August reservations (August 28-31) open March 1.
  • September reservations (September 1-30) open April 1.
  • October reservations (October 1-31) open May 1.
Starting March 31, additional tickets will be released at 7 p.m. MT nightly for park visits the following day. Any unreserved tickets remain available for same-day booking.

After booking a reservation, visitors will receive a timed entry ticket that allows them to enter during a one-hour specified window. After entering, visitors may stay in the park for the remainder of the day. Ticket holders may exit and re-enter the park on the same day with a correctly validated ticket. The only cost associated with booking a reservation is a $2 Recreation.gov processing fee. 

Arches’ pilot timed entry program is an effort to improve visitors’ experiences through managed access. Visitation to Arches National Park grew 73 percent between 2011 and 2021, nearing 2 million people annually. This increase was concentrated during certain hours, causing congestion at key park destinations, reduced visitor enjoyment, and increased resource damage. During times of peak congestion prior to implementing these pilots, the park had to temporarily close its gate until crowding lessened, resulting in many visitors being unable to enter the park at their preferred time or at all. The vehicle reservation pilots in 2022, 2023, and 2024 were successful in reducing congestion, improving visitor experiences, providing reliable access, and distributing visitation throughout the day. Visitors arriving with the appropriate timed entry ticket and park pass were guaranteed entry to the park during the pilots.  

For more information about the 2025 pilot timed entry program, please visit go.nps.gov/ArchesTicket. Details and updates will also be posted on the Arches National Park Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram pages.

The most enjoyable trips to Arches are safe ones. When making your travel plans, draft an itinerary that matches your current health and fitness with the expected temperature and trail conditions at the time of your visit. Then, build in some flexibility so you can nimbly react to the unexpected, too.

The inside of the Moab Museum: a photo of the historic saddle on display in the permanent collection Courtesy of the Moab Museum

Press release by the Moab Museum

The Moab Museum will be temporarily closing its doors from December 23, 2024, through February 10, 2025, as we prepare for the exciting installation of our newest exhibition, U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy. During this time, Museum staff and volunteers will be hard at work creating an immersive and educational experience that delves into the history and legacy of uranium mining in the Moab area.

While the Museum will be closed to visitors, we will host periodic volunteer days for those interested in supporting this important installation process. Community members are encouraged to get involved and be part of bringing U92: Moab’s Uranium Legacy to life.

Mark your calendars for February 15, 2025, when the Museum will reopen with an all-day celebration of the new exhibition. Join us to explore the stories of miners, mill operators, entrepreneurs, and others who shaped Moab’s uranium boom and its lasting impact. Stay tuned for more details as we approach this exciting opening!

For updates and volunteer opportunities, visit www.moabmuseum.org or contact us at info@moabmuseum.org.

A graphic depicting a pile of presents painted in a watercolor style



We don’t know about you, but “Holly Jolly Christmas” has been stuck in our heads since November (Dolly Parton’s version) – and yet we’re still scrambling to find gifts for our friends and family. Whether you’re a Moab local, a regular visitor to our little valley, or if we’re still just a line on your travel bucket list, Moab has gifts abound for you and your loved ones.

For the (wannabe) Moabite: Art created by the Community Artist in the Parks


Each year, the Southeast Utah Group of National Parks chooses a “community artist in the parks”: a local artist who creates art in the parks during the months of April through October (the Southeast Utah group encompasses Arches and Canyonlands national parks, and also the Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments). The program has hosted 16 artists since 2009.

Work created by many of the artists – the two most recent being Annie Dalton and Jess Hough – is sold locally in Moab Made, the Moab Information Center, and at the Arches National Park visitors center.

For the history buff: Museum memberships


An arrow points to the Moab Museum logo The Moab Museum, first incorporated in 1958 as the “Southeastern Utah Society of Arts and Science,” boasts an impressive collection. Its permanent exhibition expertly leads visitors of the museum through the long history of the area, from stories of the first peoples in the area through to Moab’s modern history as an outdoor recreation hub. A temporary exhibit will be installed in February that will dive into the area’s uranium mining boom and bust. Members of the museum don’t pay the entrance fee to visit the museum or attend its numerous and expansive in-person programs. Individual memberships are $40 and can be gifted by emailing Diego Velasquez, the museum’s membership and marketing coordinator, at diego@moabmuseum.org.

Moab Giants offers a glimpse into the much further past. Visitors will explore the dinosaur history of the area through exhibits including an outdoor dinosaur trail (with over 100 life-size replicas of dinosaurs), 5D prehistoric aquarium, and 3D theater. Memberships can be purchased at individual or family levels on the Moab Giants website.

For the adventure-seeker: Guided experiences or white water rafting trips to check off their bucket list


An arrow points to an image of a group of people white water rafting in Moab There’s no lack of outdoor experiences in Moab, and all are better to do with a guide: guides can show you the ropes (literally, if you’re going on a rock climbing or canyoneering trip), and also provide a wealth of knowledge of the area. Many guides are certified by Science Moab and the Moab Museum so they can provide fascinating and accurate information to visitors. A few popular experiences include rafting Cataract Canyon (the otherwise inaccessible canyon that the Colorado River flows through on its way to Lake Powell), taking intro mountain biking and climbing courses in the many beginner-friendly areas around town, horseback riding along the Colorado River, and off-roading the nationally recognized Hell’s Revenge trail in the Sandflats Recreation Area.

Explore a list of guides and outfitters here.

For the foodie: Restaurant gift cards


An arrow points to rows of doughnuts There’s something for everyone when it comes to Moab’s restaurant scene. Offerings include numerous Thai restaurants (ask any local their favorite and you’ll get a different answer), burger joints (from diners like Milts to family sit-down spots like The Spoke), breakfast and lunch cafes (Mas Cafe offers pastries and stellar coffee), fusion spots (have you tried the banh mi at 98 Center?), even sushi (Sabaku Sushi will have you praising raw fish in the middle of the desert). You can find a list of Moab restaurants here.

For the reader: Books from Moab’s independent bookstore


An arrow points to a vintage copy of The Monkey Wrench Gang The desert provides endless inspiration for writers and artists in our area. Luckily for us, Moab’s local independent bookstore, Back of Beyond Books, curated a list of desert southwest literature. We recommend classics like Terry Tempest William’s “Red: Passion and Patience in the Desert,” and “Tracing Time: Seasons of Rock Art on the Colorado Plateau” by Craig Childs. You really can’t go wrong with this list!

The bookstore is also known for its rare books collection: if you really want to stun a reader in your life, gift them a signed, first edition copy of Edward Abbey’s “The Monkey Wrench Gang” or a second edition of “On Desert Trails” by Everett Ruess. Books are available to purchase online!

For the fashion-forward: Locally-designed apparel


An arrow points to a microgrid fleece Numerous Moab boutiques carry locally-designed clothing and accessories. Moab Made, a retail shop that feels like a gallery, carries only goods created by local artisans – it’s easy to find a gift for any of your artistic friends from its collection of pottery, art prints, and accessories.

Desert Wild, a clothing store, last year created a locally-designed, micro-grid fleece clothing line. Designs include a hooded long-sleeve dress, skirt, and zip-up hoodie, each featuring large pockets – perfect for any outdoor adventurer. The shop also carries trendy apparel and accessories.

For the traveler: A Moab trip itinerary!


What’s better than a fully-planned trip? Whisk your loved ones away on a vacation full of wonder to Moab, Utah – you can use pieces of this gift guide to craft a perfect week. Experience the outdoors, local art, and history from the world’s most beautiful basecamp. Visit Discover Moab for ideas on where to stay and what to do during your visit!

A landscape image of Moab, Utah, covered in snow.


Winter is a lovely time to be in Moab, Utah: town is quieter, snow blankets the red rocks, and the cold air is offset by warm sunshine. But it’s the off-season, meaning many of our local restaurants and places of business will change their hours or close for an extended break. Read on for a list of seasonal closures! And make sure you double-check with open businesses about their winter hours.

Restaurants

98 Center – Closed December 30 to February 13
Cactus Jacks – Closed January 6 to 20
Lops Pop Shop – Closed December 21 to January 6
Moab Garage Company – Closed December 8 until spring (TBD)
Rooted Vine – Closed January 3 to February 13
Sabaku Sushi – Closed December 28 until spring (TBD)
Sweet Cravings – Closed December 30 to January 14
Trailhead Public House and Eatery – Closed December 24 to January 19

Businesses

Desert Wild and Indigo Alley – Closed January 5 to February 6
Moab Museum – Closed December 23 to February 10
Skydive Moab – Closed November 15 to March 1
Ye Ol’ Geezer Meat Shop – Closed January 13 to 27

Want to add your business to the list or update this info? Email Alison Harford at aharford@grandcountyutah.net!

Charlotte Quigley, an older woman, posing with her easel on the upper Mill Creek Trail. Charlotte Quigley, 2025 Community Artist in the Parks [Courtesy of the National Park Service]

Press release by the National Park Service

The National Park Service Southeast Utah Group is pleased to announce the selection of Charlotte Quigley as the 2025 Community Artist in the Parks (CAIP).

Quigley has a deep well of experience with both art and national parks. A life-long watercolorist, she also works in pastels and, more recently, oil paints. She has a master’s degree in art history and experience as a youth arts teacher, arts council director, and member of the Gallery Moab cooperative. After living at several national parks in New Mexico, Quigley moved to Moab 18 years ago. “I feel so fortunate to be in such a beautiful place, where there are so many amazing subjects so close at hand.”

About her upcoming tenure as Community Artist in the Parks, Quigley says, “I’m excited to have this opportunity to paint in the parks and encourage others in their creative endeavors. This is a chance to really focus on our beautiful landscape and share its unique characteristics with others.”

Created in 2009, the CAIP program highlights the connection between a local artist and the surrounding landscapes, particularly Arches and Canyonlands national parks and Hovenweep and Natural Bridges national monuments. Participating artists must reside in Grand, San Juan, or Montezuma counties.

As the Community Artist for 2025, Charlotte Quigley will create original work within the parks for a minimum of 24 hours per month, April through October, and share her inspiration and creative process with visitors. Her work will be sold in Canyonlands Natural History Association stores during her tenure.

For more information about the program and a schedule of the community artist’s park activities, visit go.nps.gov/CAIP.

A pair of historic snowshoes against a white background. The snowshoes are made of wood and rawhide lacing. Gordon Fowler’s snowshoes [Moab Museum Collection]

By the Moab Museum, originally published in the Moab Sun News

Summertime visitors to the Moab Museum may have difficulty understanding why there’s a pair of snowshoes on display in the Museum’s gallery. While the desert, of course, isn’t well-known for its snow, locals know that the La Sal Mountains outside of Moab can get quite snowy indeed.

Today, Moabites enjoy recreating in the mountains in the wintertime on sleds, skis, or snowmobiles. In the past, the remote community of Miner’s Basin high in the La Sals was the site of a seasonal mining operation, with some hardy souls overwintering in the snowy basin. In Miner’s Basin’s heyday, it boasted a store, a post office, and lodging for over a hundred optimistic miners.

Gordon Fowler, whose initials are found on the wood of these snowshoes, used these snowshoes to prospect in Miner’s Basin in the La Sals many decades after most others gave up hope of mining riches in the area. Made with a sturdy hardwood frame with rawhide lacing, the snowshoes allowed the wearer to travel over powdery snow without sinking knee-deep. The snowshoes were acquired by the Museum from the estate of Bill Conners, who grubstaked Fowler’s endeavor.

The Moab Museum is dedicated to sharing stories of the natural and human history of the Moab area. To explore more of Moab’s stories and artifacts, find out about upcoming programs, and become a Member, visit www.moabmuseum.org.