Antelope Canyon, Best Friends, Bryce, Zion trip report
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Antelope Canyon, Best Friends, Bryce, Zion trip report
Just a quick trip report of our recent trip to Utah and Arizona. Many thanks to everyone who gave us such wonderful advice. Hope this is of some help to anyone else planning this type of trip.
Day 1. Flew into Vegas, arriving in the afternoon, and drove to Page, Arizona. This was probably our one and only big mistake. The theory was a good one - get our long drive out of the way on the first day and work our way back. However, I didn’t realize that we would end up driving in the dark through the mountains on hairpin turns, which I’m not comfortable with even in daylight. If there was a different, better way to do it, avoiding having to drive through Zion National Park, I didn’t know about it. Luckily we were returning later in the week to Zion so the $25 to drive through there wasn’t a total waste. Let’s just say I was completely freaked out by the time we got to Page. Luckily, my husband was fine with it.
Day 2. Antelope Canyon. We took the 10:15 tour with Overland Canyon Tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Our guide, Lillian, was great. There were only 6 of us, and she was very helpful. Unfortunately, the canyon was pretty dark at that time so we didn’t get many good shots. The crowds weren’t bad until we left, at which time it became jam-packed.
We then toured Lower Antelope Canyon. There were only two tour companies at the entrance, and we chose Ken’s Tours. In retrospect, I wish we had chosen the other tour company as we ended up with a large group. I was under the impression, reading on these boards, that the lower canyon would be smaller groups, but that wasn’t the case. Although there were many more people than I expected, we did enjoy lower canyon more. There was better light, probably because it was later in the day, so I get much better photos.
From there we visited Horseshoe Bend. Beautiful view, but I was pretty out of breath on the return hike. Uphill, hot, and I wasn’t quite acclimated yet. But it was fine.
From there we drove to Kanab and stayed overnight at Canyon Lodge in their small shoebox of a room, but it was clean, attractive, comfortable, and the price was right. Dinner at Rocking V where luckily we had made reservations ahead of time. Our most expensive meal of the trip, but we enjoyed it.
Day 3. One of the highlights of the trip, for me anyway, was volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We took the morning tour, had the wonderful $5 vegetarian buffet lunch, and then volunteered with the pigs in the afternoon. A fantastic experience, and I plan to go back again next year and stay on their grounds for a longer amount of time. Exceeded all my expectations.
Bryce Canyon in time for the astronomy presentation -- not at all what I was expecting and for us, a disappointment. Then we drove over to the visitors center to view the stars through the telescopes. Not really knowing or appreciating what I was looking at, to me the main event was just looking up at the sky. Bryce is designated as an international dark sky park, and being from Chicago, I am in awe of a sky filled with stars. Stayed in one of their cabins, which was wonderful. So nice being close to the rim, having a fireplace and a mini-fridge so we could eat in our room.
Day 4. Extremely high winds today. Hiked the rim to Upper Inspiration Point and practically had to hold on to the railing to keep from blowing away. The hoodoos……wow. Dinner at the little Italian restaurant -- very good alternative to dinner at the lodge.
Day 5. Up before dawn to see the sun rise. Bitter cold! Then back to our room to warm up in front of the fire. Hiked the Queens Garden Trail. Much better hiking weather today. Drove to Zion along the spectacular Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Stayed in the cabin in the park, which was also really nice, except no mini-fridge this time.
Day 6. Hiked the Riverside Trail. Checked out “The Narrows” to see if it was something I thought I would be able to do. Looked doable. Hiked Lower Emerald Falls, and then drove into Springdale to rent pants, shoes, and socks for hiking the Narrows the next day. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 7. Second highlight of the trip. Hiking the Narrows. Thankfully, the water was low. But even with the water being low, the current really tries to knock you over. I can’t say enough about this hike. It ranks in my top 3 hikes of all time. We hiked in about a mile or so, and now I wish we had hiked farther. Just a fantastic experience. We didn’t start hiking until 11:00 or so because we wanted to wait until it warmed up a bit. But even then, at this time of year, there weren’t crowds once you hiked in. I am ruined now for other hikes.
Day 8. Home
Again, thanks for all the advice. If I can answer any questions, I’m happy to do so.
Laurie
Day 1. Flew into Vegas, arriving in the afternoon, and drove to Page, Arizona. This was probably our one and only big mistake. The theory was a good one - get our long drive out of the way on the first day and work our way back. However, I didn’t realize that we would end up driving in the dark through the mountains on hairpin turns, which I’m not comfortable with even in daylight. If there was a different, better way to do it, avoiding having to drive through Zion National Park, I didn’t know about it. Luckily we were returning later in the week to Zion so the $25 to drive through there wasn’t a total waste. Let’s just say I was completely freaked out by the time we got to Page. Luckily, my husband was fine with it.
Day 2. Antelope Canyon. We took the 10:15 tour with Overland Canyon Tours of Upper Antelope Canyon. Our guide, Lillian, was great. There were only 6 of us, and she was very helpful. Unfortunately, the canyon was pretty dark at that time so we didn’t get many good shots. The crowds weren’t bad until we left, at which time it became jam-packed.
We then toured Lower Antelope Canyon. There were only two tour companies at the entrance, and we chose Ken’s Tours. In retrospect, I wish we had chosen the other tour company as we ended up with a large group. I was under the impression, reading on these boards, that the lower canyon would be smaller groups, but that wasn’t the case. Although there were many more people than I expected, we did enjoy lower canyon more. There was better light, probably because it was later in the day, so I get much better photos.
From there we visited Horseshoe Bend. Beautiful view, but I was pretty out of breath on the return hike. Uphill, hot, and I wasn’t quite acclimated yet. But it was fine.
From there we drove to Kanab and stayed overnight at Canyon Lodge in their small shoebox of a room, but it was clean, attractive, comfortable, and the price was right. Dinner at Rocking V where luckily we had made reservations ahead of time. Our most expensive meal of the trip, but we enjoyed it.
Day 3. One of the highlights of the trip, for me anyway, was volunteering at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. We took the morning tour, had the wonderful $5 vegetarian buffet lunch, and then volunteered with the pigs in the afternoon. A fantastic experience, and I plan to go back again next year and stay on their grounds for a longer amount of time. Exceeded all my expectations.
Bryce Canyon in time for the astronomy presentation -- not at all what I was expecting and for us, a disappointment. Then we drove over to the visitors center to view the stars through the telescopes. Not really knowing or appreciating what I was looking at, to me the main event was just looking up at the sky. Bryce is designated as an international dark sky park, and being from Chicago, I am in awe of a sky filled with stars. Stayed in one of their cabins, which was wonderful. So nice being close to the rim, having a fireplace and a mini-fridge so we could eat in our room.
Day 4. Extremely high winds today. Hiked the rim to Upper Inspiration Point and practically had to hold on to the railing to keep from blowing away. The hoodoos……wow. Dinner at the little Italian restaurant -- very good alternative to dinner at the lodge.
Day 5. Up before dawn to see the sun rise. Bitter cold! Then back to our room to warm up in front of the fire. Hiked the Queens Garden Trail. Much better hiking weather today. Drove to Zion along the spectacular Zion-Mount Carmel Highway. Stayed in the cabin in the park, which was also really nice, except no mini-fridge this time.
Day 6. Hiked the Riverside Trail. Checked out “The Narrows” to see if it was something I thought I would be able to do. Looked doable. Hiked Lower Emerald Falls, and then drove into Springdale to rent pants, shoes, and socks for hiking the Narrows the next day. Dinner at the lodge.
Day 7. Second highlight of the trip. Hiking the Narrows. Thankfully, the water was low. But even with the water being low, the current really tries to knock you over. I can’t say enough about this hike. It ranks in my top 3 hikes of all time. We hiked in about a mile or so, and now I wish we had hiked farther. Just a fantastic experience. We didn’t start hiking until 11:00 or so because we wanted to wait until it warmed up a bit. But even then, at this time of year, there weren’t crowds once you hiked in. I am ruined now for other hikes.
Day 8. Home
Again, thanks for all the advice. If I can answer any questions, I’m happy to do so.
Laurie
#3
Thanks for posting your report. I have been to the places you mention so this was fun to read. I would like to go back one day. I think we drove by the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. I didn't know you could volunteer so thanks for mentioning it. I love animals so will need to check that out.
#4
You got the pigs, how far ahead did you book? We booked a few weeks out and pigs and horses were difficult. But I was happy at Cat World and my friend enjoyed walking dogs.
We were lucky to snag a cottage at Best Friends, you can now book them online. Really nice especially if you are volunteering.
http://bestfriends.org/The-Sanctuary...laces-To-Stay/
We were lucky to snag a cottage at Best Friends, you can now book them online. Really nice especially if you are volunteering.
http://bestfriends.org/The-Sanctuary...laces-To-Stay/
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I think I booked about 6 months ahead of time, when their new online system first started. We figured everyone would want the dogs and cats and that no one would want the pigs. We were surprised to learn that the pigs are so popular and that we were lucky to be able to volunteer with them. Very intelligent animals. I think I'm going to splurge and book a cottage for next time. The cabins look pretty tiny. The advantage of working with the dogs or cats would be bringing one back to the room for a sleepover -- fun!!
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Thank you for reporting about your trip. Sounds like you had a good time! Although I haven't volunteered at Best Friends, we have spent some time there and are supporters. Thank you for volunteering - happy to hear that you will return to Best Friends and to see more of southern Utah.
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Keep in mind, that I'm not a big hiker, but I've been fortunate to enjoy my top four gorgeous hikes:
1. Sunshine Meadows in the Canadian Rockies
2. The hike to Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, Lake Louise
3. The Narrows
4. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
What are your favorites?
While my husband is into hiking for the physical challenge, I'm in it for the natural beauty. The tougher the hike is, the more spectacular it better be. And even then...the hike at Lake Louise is about my limit.
1. Sunshine Meadows in the Canadian Rockies
2. The hike to Plain of Six Glaciers Tea House, Lake Louise
3. The Narrows
4. Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
What are your favorites?
While my husband is into hiking for the physical challenge, I'm in it for the natural beauty. The tougher the hike is, the more spectacular it better be. And even then...the hike at Lake Louise is about my limit.
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