Itinerary Question: Nevada, Arizona, Utah area

Oceania-You are asking for our advice but don't want us to suggest changing your itinerary. So not really sure about the point of this thread and don't know how much help you'll get. Anyway, when is this trip taking place? I'm assuming it's summer and you'll have long days of sunlight.

Day 5 seems impossibly long to me. I'm not sure what time Mesa Verde opens but you already have listed 11.5 hours if you stay at Mesa Verde for 6 hours. If you start at 8am, you'll be lucky to get to GCNP by 8pm.

Day 7-Since you're staying at the Grand Canyon, I'm not sure I'd detour to Sedona before heading to Las Vegas. You wouldn't have a whole lot of time there and adds quite a bit of driving time.

Paula, I did state my reason for posting my itinerary: to see if logistically my itinerary is possible. I would love to hear suggestions about the routes, order of things, etc. but not about changing the destinations. Everyone will have their opinion of what I should go see but like I said I have my reason for going to the places I'm going.

Mesa Verde opens at 8am and if I leave by 2pm, I should get to GCNP by 8pm...it's a 12 hour day which I'm fine with it. This leg of the trip is not meant to be a leisurely vacation, it is work...Vegas portion will be the leisure part. The longest drive without a break is 5.5 hours (not including restroom breaks), I have done that before, no problem.

The night of Day 6, I will be staying in Flagstaff so Day 7 I'm not at the park.

Day 7, Sedona over major crater...

Sorry didn't see you were staying in Flagstaff. I would definitely do Sedona over Meteor Crater.

The night of day 2 I would stay in Bryce or if you can't get reservations Ruby's just outside of the park.

Two things I suggest to people about Bryce; Sunrise at Bryce Point and any hike that get's you down into the hoodoos. You could do Navajo Loop - Queens Garden.

To get to Bryce Point for sunrise you would have to sleep close.

If you do what I suggest for Bryce the only other sight that's different it Natural Bridge.

Since you like to pack it in (I don't pack it in but somehow seem to get a lot done - I guess I pack it in), in the afternoon I would drive to Cannonville and get instructions in the visitors' center on how to get to Willis Creek.

It's only a 10 mile dirt road drive below Cannonville and the hike there is easy but you'll be in a real slot canyon. I was there 2 years ago and I'm taking my daughter there in mid-September. Little visited by people here but well worth it.

I forgot to mention. Getting to Page by sunrise doesn't do much for you. You want to visit Horseshoe Bend and Antelope Canyon when the sun is high in the sky.

That would put you there between 11AM and 2PM.

You can add to those two sights The Best Dam View. It's only a 15 minute stop just after crossing the bridge into Page. You get a bridseye view of the dam.

And what did you intend to do visiting Sedona.

Sedona is just a little town full of restaurants that close at 9PM and t-shirt storers.

The beauty of Sedona is hiking the red rocks surrounding the town. If you go to Sedona have a hike set and ready to go. I would suggest either the Pink Jeep Broken Arrow, the Broken Arrow hike or Boynton Canyon Vista that's very short.

Thanks for not inviting me.

Myer that's for helpful posts! Do you have any recommendations on budget accommodation near Bryce? I chose Mt. Carmel because the prices are more reasonable and easily accessible to/from Zion, Bryce and Page.

Would you recommend the upper or lower canyon at Antelope? I was going to go for lower but I can't seem to find any tour companies go there. So Horseshoe is also best seen at high noon? I knew that about Antelope but not Horseshoe.

As for Sedona, to be honest I'm not fussed about going but people keep saying it's a must see for the views so I thought I'd just drive through but most likely I'll probably head straight to Vegas as the only time I can go is early in the morning on my last day and I imagine I'll be quite tired.

oops that's supposed to be "Mayer thanks for the helpful posts".

seniormsuedu - why bother posting in this thread??

If you have the energy on that last day, I think a drive into Sedona is worthwhile. If you are up early, you could drive down there through Oak Creek Canyon, which is very scenic. Stop at one of the local cafes and have breakfast with an outrageous view. (Yes, we prefer spending time and hiking there, but the scenery is beautiful and unique from the road also). It's only about 30 - 45 min. from Flagstaff.

It's Myer.

I went to the Upper. The one without the ladders, etc.

I didn't go with anybody. I drove into the parking lot and bought a ticket. I went with the next "guide"/driver and spent an hour walking thru the Canyon and taking photos. Spectacular.

As for Bryce. Start off with Ruby's just outside the park. I don't think it's much more than $100 per night. A little farther out is Bryce Canyon Pines but I think it's an occupancy issue rather than a price issue.

In Mt Carmel you're not near enough to anything to take advantage of them. Driving just before dark (be careful with animals on the road) saves the daylight for you.

The reason you need high sun at Horseshoe Bend is that it's straight down about 1000 feet and you want the sun to be up high otherwise it's dark down there. For sure Antelope Canyon.

The best scenery from Sedona is look up and turn in a circle. Getting their driving thru Oak Creek canyon is scenic but Sedona itself is there for the surroundings.

If you do go to Sedona I would do the Boynton Canyon Vista (not the full Boynton Canyon) hike. It's a slight detour off Boynton Canyon, is a vortex sight and is extremely scenic. In less than an hour you can get a taste of Sedona Red Rocks. It's in Sedona west.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

Myer - did you go to Antelope during the off season? Because everything I read says you have to go by guided tour and that it's best to book in advanced.

Hi Oceania,

Since you are not allowing us any input except whether or not this is "doable", yes, it is. Only you will be able to answer whether you enjoyed it - afterwards. The more you rush, the less you see.....

Buona fortuna

You should be aware that there is road construction on the Zion-Mt. Carmel highway, which might impact your schedule, depending on the day you'll be traveling through there. According to the Zion NP web site, the highway is closed Sunday - Thursday from 8:00 PM - 8:00 AM until Oct. 28. Other times, expect up to 30 minute delays.

Remember that it is an hour later in Utah than in Nevada, so be sure to take the time change into account in your planning for that first day.

Sara is correct. Depending upon the day of the week you'll want to leave Zion early enough to get thru the construction.

I went at the very end of May 2007. It's true you cannot go alone, but unless they've changed things you don't have to book an actual tour.

I drove east on Rte 98 (it's about a half mile north of Hoseshoe Bend on Rte 89) a couple of miles and pulled into the parking lot for Upper Antelope Canyon. At that time the parking fee was about $6. I then bought a "guide" ticket for about $20. and waited for the next truck.

There were six of us in the next truck and the drive was about 10 minutes. The "guide"/driver was a Navajo student who had his own stories about the area.

When he saw that I had a tripod he kept pointing out good spots to photograph. He spent a lot of time with me while I took photos.

I have their brochure. It doesn't show a web site but there's a phone number: 928-698-2808.

Maybe somebody who'se been their recently can comment on this.

If you do a search on:
Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park their web site comes up. It says you must have an authorized guide. I guess the truck driver was an authorized guide. They do mention the name of organized tours but it doesn't mention that you must use these or that you cannot just show up and do what I did.

Call them.

I have been to Upper Antelope twice, with no reservation, once in May and once in October. All of the guides will point out the places to take pictures and will take them for you if you are having trouble. Focus is very difficult because of the shapes in the canyon. Here are the pictures from ym last visit. I discarded more than I kept because of focus difficulties.

http://mikepintucson.shutterfly.com/1384

Oceania, I think your itinerary will work, at least knowing the parts of the country I've visited. It'll be full and busy, but that's what works for you.

And yes, Oceania, I totally get what you're looking for here re advice. You want to know if the itinerary you've posted is manageable given that you're a full-plate style sight-seer -- and you're hoping for some tweaks and other wild-card issues you hadn't considered from the folks here. I've often posted full but what turn out to be perfectly manageable itineraries here, and like you I often get grumbles from folks who say "why are you bothering to ask for advice?" It's a difference in sight-seeing style more than anything else.

Good advice from Sara about road construction and from Myer on some smaller details. That's the kind of help folks like me find really helpful.

I'll go renegade here and suggest that you drop the four corners visit. It is the most over rated attraction I've encountered. Add to that the fact that the monument isn't really the actual spot where the four states meet (it is actually a mile or so away as they've recently discovered through modern mapping techniques). The current, incorrect location was identified in 1868. Since the whole idea of going out of your way to see Four Corners is to be in four states at once it seems a little sad that it isn't even in the right spot. It was a boring attraction before and even more meaningless now.

Peterboy not sure where you got the impression that I'm going out of my way just to see The 4 Corners. I'm going to see Mesa Verde and on my way back to the Grand Canyon, I pass through it...well at least according to Google Maps.

Bachslunch - thank you!! It's nice to read a post like yours where someone gets you. We all have different travel goals and styles and we're all not going to agree with them. The folks on the this forum are much more understanding, helpful and friendly than some others.

To be honest, I am humming and hawing about going to Mesa Verde because it is out of the way and the short amount of time I have, but I have to be honest and say that the likelihood of me coming back in this region is slim and I want to take advantage of seeing it since I'm so close by -- in fact this is my first real trip travelling in the US and I have travelled all of the world! I'm both excited and nervous!

Thanks again to everyone!

If you do cut out Mesa Verde, you could visit Monument Valley instead. And if you do that, you could also visit the ruins at Betatakin.

http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm

Next to Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon, this is the most outstanding Anasazi dwelling I have ever visited. If you go, make sure you take the guided tour or it's not really worth the stop.

Monument Valley and Navajo National Monument are much closer to Page and the Grand Canyon than is Mesa Verde. Perhaps some time you will get back and focus more on Colorado and then you could visit Mesa Verde and, maybe the Moab area too with Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.

You are right Oceania, you'll be going right past 4 Corners so a brief stop would be easy.

I hope you don't decide to skip Mesa Verde. It will give you a glimpse into the long human history of the southwest. Before travelling to the area as an adult, I was under the impression that there were a few ruins to see in places like Mesa Verde (which I visited in my youth). Through my more recent southwestern adventures I've realized just how extensive the reach of the Anazazi and other Native American cultures is in the region. There are ruins, pictographs and petroglyphs everywhere throughout the region. Since Chaco Canyon (the hub of the Anasazi culture) is a little off your radar then a trip to Mesa Verde will be the next best thing. We visited Mesa Verde right before we visited Chaco Canyon and it was interesting to see the 'before' at Chaco when the culture was at it's peak and then the 'after' when the culture was gripped by the 'great fear' that drove them into the easily defended canyons of Mesa Verde. What caused all this and where all the remains are of all the people are is the great mystery of the southwest.

If this kind of thing interests you I'd suggest picking up a copy of 'Anasazi America' by David Stuart It is a readable yet concise overview of that mysterious lost culture.

Here's a link to an excellent site about Chaco Canyon...great videos and insight into the Anazasi culture:

http://www.exploratorium.edu/chaco/flash.html

Here's a link to some of my own Images of Mesa Verde and Chaco Canyon

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/co_and_nm_05&page=3

and a trip report from our last adventure to Utah

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr

I hate to hear that his may be your only chance to visit the area. Perhaps this trip will draw you back for a more in depth visit. Either way you're going to love this trip!!

Where are you coming from?

Peterboy - you're the first person who has encouraged me to go to Mesa Verde!! The only reason why I was contemplating not going is because of all the negative feedback I previously got ....but I have now decided that I will be going!

I'm so glad you're going to MV! If it is at all possible try to stay at Farview Lodge inside Mesa Verde NP. I'm going from memeory but I think the drive into the park from Cortez is going to be an hour plus to the Visitor's Center and the ruins are beyond that. Spruce Tree House can be self toured but Cliff Palace and Balcony House (if you do only one, this would be it IMO) are ranger led and you must sign up ahead of time. If you get there before the VC closes, you could sign up for an earlier tour than if you arrive the next morning. The group size is limited so the tours do fill up. I'm not sure if they take phone reservation but that might be worth finding out.

Here's Far View's addy:

http://www.visitmesaverde.com/accommodations/far-view-lodge.aspx

and for the park:

http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm

Go to the maps and check ot the road from the park entrance to the visitor's center and you see why the drive is so long. Get stuck behind a slow-moving RV on that twisty road and you'll wish you'd done the drive the afternoon before.


We generally don't expect much from NP lodging and dining. The rooms at Farview are pretty basic but clean and most have great views. Try to get a room in the outer ring of roooms for the best views with the other unit behind you. The Metate Room was a pleasant surprise as well with probably the best food we've had in a NP restaurant.

Far View looks nice but unfortunately out of my budget. I do have a place already booked. I did check out the NPS site and it is about an hour into the actually ruins which I'm prepared for.

I was wondering if the road from the park entrance to the visitor centre is open before 8am (so I can get to the visitor centre right at 8am when it opens)...would you know? I'm assuming it must be because there's lodging and camping there. Anyways, I plan to leave Cortez at 7am the latest.

I was thinking of doing following (in the same order):
- Balcony House - 1 hour
- Cliff Palace - 1 hour
- Mesa Loop Trail - ??
- Chapin museum and Spurce Tree House - ??

Looks good..to get into Balcony House you'll need to go up this ladder

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/50016032

and crawl through a tight hole in a wall and up a rock face to get up and out of the ruin. It isn't really difficult but I didn't look down on the last stretch! This is your best chance for an intimate feel right inside a cliff dwelling. The museum is not large and has a nice collection of artifacts and Spruce Tree House gives you a chance to enter a kiva. Cliff Palace is large and impressive but you can only walk in front of it. If I had to choose, I'd sacrifice Cliff Palace first if availability is limited.

Also, when you are in the Monument Valley area make sure to turn on the radio in your car to hear the local broadcasts in the Dineh (Navajo) language. There are no Dineh words for 'certified public accountant' so it is an odd blend of the soft Dineh words interspersed with more jarring english words. It is a unique experience.

Thanks a million! So 5-6 hours should be sufficient for the park then? I hope to be in GCNP by sunset if possible, taht means leaving Mesa Verde by 2 or 3 (which is 6-7 hours actually)

What time you have will be sufficient for a good feel of the place especially if you do a guided tour or two. If you have never been to the area then even driving is enjoyable in such an unfamiliar landscape. The journey is the destination.

Another note regarding time. Although Arizona is in the Mountain Time Zone, it does NOT observe daylight savings time like the rest of the states in that time zone. That means that during the time you are visiting, Arizona & Nevada will have the same time, while in Colorado & Utah it will be an hour later.

I'm going to buck the trend here and vote for Meteor Crater over Sedona. Although very pretty, the drive down to Sedona from Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon is something better appreciated as a passenger rather than a driver. You need to keep your eyes on the road, not the scenery. Likewise, the rock formations surrounding Sedona are also pretty, but you'll have had plenty of such sights by that time. After the majesty of the Grand Canyon, Sedona may be somewhat of a disappointment.

Now, although some may consider it just a big hole in the ground..........it's a freakin' meteor crater!! How often are you going to be able to have a chance to view and walk around an actual meteor crater on this planet? Such well preserved meteor craters are extremely rare.

Furledleader, that's exactly what I was thinking!

A lot of my interests on this trip come from the Geography classes I took last semester which talked about Mesa Verde, meteor crater, rock formations, etc.

Last question - on my way back to Vegas I was thinking of driving up through Mojave Park. It will extend my drive by 1.5 hour (not including the time I stop). According to NPS website, I-15 has a nice scenic detour where you can see Joshua trees and Kelso dunes. Good idea?

I had to 'google' Kelso Dunes...singing sand??? I've never been there but if you're driving right by I vote for a visit. Joshua Trees are neat if you haven't seen one.



I was amused that, the same evening I posted here about Chaco and Mesa Verde, this film was broadcast on a local station and I was able to capture it on DVR. I've heard of the film but never seen it. It was an Anasazi evening!! Loved it!

http://www.solsticeproject.org/films.html

I don't know if you mentioned it but what time of year are you planning this trip for?

Last week of August

Perfect! Monsoon season...great thunderstorms.

Oh...I hope that doesn't mean it's going to rain the whole time

No, the rainy season in the southwest means passing (sometimes large) thunderstorms but not every day nor all day...usually during the mid to late afternoon. It is only of concern if you are hiking in a canyon or travelling a dirt road. Mostly it means great skies for photography.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/85429067

Late August and early September is my favorite time to visit.

this is overly ambitious to say the least and is not doable if you expect to benefit from a visit to mesa verde and several other locations. Mon Valley 17 mile gravel road, given seasonal traffic, will take you 3 or more hours and it is at least a 40 minute drive from Kayenta to reach the Visitors Center which is near the access. If you really want to enjoy MonV, take a adjacent Mystery Valley tour with a native american guide through trailhandlers and get up close to petroglyphs and ruins. Just to view the several areas in Mesa V would require 2-3 days, and that includes a ranger trip climbing up the ladders and through a cave into a
ruin. If you want to simply take a few steps on
the rim at the Grand C, & not walk several parts of the rim trail, much less go down partially into the canyon, you will need more than 1 day. The slot canyons you want to visit will take more time to visit and depending on weather may not be accessable. The road between Page and the GC will take you longer than you have esti mated. Meteor Crater would be more interesting than "Sedona" which sounds like you want to stop in the center and visit 4 blocks of shops. More interesting in the Flagstaff area is Walnut Canyon Natl Park which has cliff dwellings and the walk will take 2 hours+ and Wuptaki National Monument. If you want to see Red Rocks, you
need to hike in Red Rocks state park and give yourself at least a half day. If your intent is a whirlwind tour, better you should buy a video(s) than do this as proposed. Get real.

artnuvo, what you are rudely suggesting ("get real" and "better you should buy a video," indeed! Like the latter is remotely the same as actually being there...) is most certainly not the only way to travel successfully here.

I spent no more than half a day in Monument Valley doing a guided tour -- and this proved both sufficient for me and very enjoyable. One could certainly go into more detail, but that's a personal choice. I'm not convinced it's absolutely necessary.

Have been to Grand Canyon North and South Rim and spent no more than a day at each. Did some rim walking and rim hiking, taking it all in, and I found this wonderfully enjoyable. One could of course do a below the rim hike all the way in and out of the canyon, which would require more than a day -- but again, that's a personal decision. And while it likely would have been very enjoyable, I'm not convinced I missed something life-altering in not going below the canyon rim.

The research I've done into Mesa Verde suggests that one could indeed spend several days here. Or one could spend a single day, which of course limits how much of the park you can experience. Again, personal choice.

I suppose I could go on, but point made.

C'mon artnuvo...tell how you really feel LOL

You should remind yourself that oceania is taking HER
vacation not YOURS. I agree that it is a hectic schedule
and it isn't how I would approach it but it IS possible
to do what oceania wants to do within the time frame suggested.

I somewhat agree with artnuvo. I wasn't going to post anything on this thread. Yes, I suppose you can check everything off your list, but you really won't be experiencing any of the places and you can only somewhat say you saw them. I always find the longer I stay at a National Park, the more I enjoy it. Some parks, don't require that much time, but for I would probably give my entire 7 days to just Bryce and Zion.

I love Mesa Verde. BTW, it will take you an hour to get to the sights after you enter the park and then another hour to exit the park. The road is long and slow. So really you have time to see one sight while at Mesa Verde before it is time to go. Most of the ruins require a guide, and those are usually at 9:00 or 10:00AM and last an hour or so. You can then get another ticket, but it would be for an afternoon tour.

I can't imagine being able to see Mesa Verde and 4 corners, then being at the GC in time to go to bed. Plus, you are doing all of this driving solo, so you can't even trade off and sleep occasionally.

bachslunch and peterboy thank you. It would be nice if people respected other's styles and preferences but that's really their issue, not mine.

I am going to vote with those that suggest slowing your trip down so you are spending less time driving from A to B and more time experiencing the places rather than just checking them off. We really liked the Page, AZ area and enjoyed a boat trip of several hours on the lake and also went rafting on the river as well as hiking on the sandstone overlooks. Sedona is nice, but over-rated and a little pricey, if that's a consideration. I have seen many, many National Parks and Mesa Verde is near the bottom of the list for me. Flagstaff is OK, but why go out of your way to stay there? After Grand canyon head back towards Vegas. Also one of my favorite float trips ever is the Black Canyon that leaves from the base of the Hoover Dam.

I'm back from my trip and had a fantastic time, thanks to all for your help. For those interested, here's my trip report if you're planning a similar trip:

I flew into Las Vegas and rented a car from Alamo close to the airport (there's a free shuttle that takes you to rent-a-car centre that has all the major companies in the same place). They will use fear mongering to get you to buy extra insurance and GPS but I didn't go for it. My credit card has the adequate insurance and part of the stipulation is that you explicitly decline CDW coverage. I considered getting GPS but glad I didn't - I didn't even have a map and didn't get lost as there are signs posted everywhere.

I got the car and drove to Springdale and I stopped along the way to buy some food and supplies. All the stores including Walmart were out of the styrofoam coolers but fortunately I found one at Sol Foods in Springdale for $2!!

I stayed at Zion Park Motel in Spring which was about $80/night - the room had a microwave and mini fridge, plus there was a ice machine. From Walmart and Sol I bought a bunch a food (yogurt, fruit, musuli, small packets of peanut butter, cheese, tuna, bread loaf, hummus and pasta salad). I also got a 9litre jug of water which was way better and cheaper than buying the smaller jugs. I also filled up my water bottle where I could as well.

The next day I took the shuttle from town to the park which was less than 10mins, entrance fee was $12. I did 3 hikes: Observation Point which took me under 4 hours return even though NPS estimates 5 hours. The other 2 were Riveside Wwalk and Weeping Rock. I highly recommend the Observation Point hike especially if you're afraid of heights and don't want to try the other 2. Riverside Walk and Weeping Rock are ok, I personally think they're missable. I stopped and some of the other points such as Temple Sinawava and the museum. I got back to the town around 4pm and got take-out from Whiptail Grill (their grilled prawn tacos are amazing!!). I just checked out the shops and walked the small, quiet time reminder of the day. I tried the Bumbleberry pie, it was ok...tastes better with ice cream.

I waited until 8am before heading out Bryce the next morning because the highway doesn't open until then due to construction. The construction zone was about 13 miles with some crazy narrow winding cliffs and 1mile thru a canyon. There was about 30min delay due to construction. I got to Bryce Canyon around 10:30am - my original plan was to stay in Glendale but a few people mentioned that the sunrise was the best part about Bryce so I opted to stay in Bryce City - I would personally wouldn't do that again because the quality of food and service is pretty low/bad and the sunrise/sunset isn't all that great. I had the buffet lunch at Ruby's before heading to the park - it's about $12 and food consisted of mash potatoes, bbq pork, ribs, fried chicken, beans and corn bread...the salad bar was pathetic. I had to pay $25 instead of $12 for park entrance because I was bringing in my car so I could see the sunrise/set. There's nobody at the entrance before and after sunset so you could actually go in without paying.

I arrived at Bryce Point at 1pm and started my hike from there I did half of Peak-a-boo and half of Navajo Loop going to Sunset and Sunrise Point took a break there and filled up on water before heading back down through the Queens Garden Trail and the other half of Navajo and Peek-a-boo ending back at Bryce...these trails were AMAZING. I'd highly recommend this route, it took me about 4 hours, about 8 or 9 miles. I spent sunset at Inspiration and sunrise at Bryce Canyon (tons of tourists there at that time) but I saw way better views/lighting during my hike. If I had to do it again, I would stay at Glendale and would skip the early sunrise.

I stayed Fosters, the sign infront of the hotel said $60 but when I inquired she told me $75 cash or $85 credit card. I found a big hairball in the shower and there's no sound proofing at all, all noise can be heard including opening and closing of doors. The buildings are pretty much shacks. There is fridge and microwave but no ice machine. I got hardly any sleep because I was so cold despite turning up the heat.

The next morning I headed to Bryce Point to the check out the sunrise, I was pretty disappointed especially with all the tourists standing there with their cameras ready to capture their shots. BTW, it's absolutely freezing here in the morning!! I returned to the motel to get my stuff and had breakfast there...disgusting that cost $10 including taxes and tip.

I headed off to Page Arizona and I stopped along Big Water to check out the dinosaur information/exhibit. I made a few more stops along the way and arrived in Page around 11am. Antelope Canyon can only bee seen by a tour company but I hadn't booked anything. Each tour company has different times they can go to the canyon. I went to 2 places before I decided to book the 12pm tour with Overland Tours (I just saw the sign). The actual tour was ok...basically they drive you there and tell you which angles to take the picture from and how to adjust your camera but my guide hadn't a clue about photography or cameras. That lasts 1hr 45m and cost $32. The place is generally packed between 10-1 because the best time to see it. Next I headed to Horseshoe Bend which wasn't too far but there's a mile hike from the car park to Horseshoe Bend in the sand so be prepared for that.

Originally I had planned to go to Cortez Colorado after this but I expected to have left Page by 1pm, it was now 3pm and I decided not to to Cortez. I wasn't sure what to do next so I headed for Kayenta. Once I reached there I found a sign that said "Tourist Info" which was inside a basic coffee shop. The guy gave me some info and asked if I had reservations when I said no, he said everything here is $200/night but he said he had a friend that just opened up a B&B for $40. He called her up and I spoke with her - basically she's opened up her home to guests so you share the bathroom and kitchen with her and her kids and this evening with her girlfriend and 2 year old son. She didn't make or offer any breakfast for me either and apparently now her prices are $40 for the room and $10 for breakfast.

I was going to take a guided tour through Monument Valley but so glad I just did the self-drive ($5). It takes about 90mins for the 17mile loop. It scenically nice but what a bore after a while. It was roughly around 9:30 when I finished and I headed back on the highway and stopped off at Navajo Monument Valley since I was passing it (even though there's a 20mile detour). I did 2 of the smaller hikes, spent about an hour before returning back to the highway. This was also skip-able IMO.

I was now headed toward the Grand Canyon (east entrance) along the way I saw a sign "Dinosaur Tracks". As the name indicates there's dinosaur tracks on some Navajo land, I pulled up and a lady stopped me to ask if I'm here to look at the tracks when I said she, said park there and I'll show you them. She didn't mention anything about a price even though I knew it wasn't free. Anyways she spent about 10mins showing me the dinosaur tracks, eggs and excrement. She told me all the information she was giving me was from UA students who did research here. She asked if I liked the tour and when I said yes, she said she normally charges $20. I told her she shouldn't have mentioned that at the beginning of the tour, not the end. I was going to give her a $5 tip but told her I'll give her $10 and of course she gladly accepted that.

I then continued to GCP, I arrived at 2pm and had I known how big it really was, I wouldn't have spent 2 hours getting to the GC village (I was stopping at all the points) which aren't nearly as impressive. However, I'd definitely recommend checking out the Tusayan ruins and museum, I'd skip the Desert Tower.

I reached the village at 4pm, checked in at Yavapai Lodge and had lunch/dinner at cafeteria there. Yavapai was really nice (no AC but I didn't need it anyways). It cost $115, no fridge or microwave but there was a ice machine. The 2 meals I had at the cafeteria were really good. I had a full pot roast with 2 sides and a roll for $10...it tasted really good. Around 5pm I took the shuttle to Powell and walked to Monument Creek Vista. BTW Hopi is packed with tourist at sunrise/set for the views. It's so dumb that people blindly just listen what's the best spot according to soemone else's opinion. Anyways, the best views are from this area IMO during daylight hours.

The next day I started South Kaibab hike at 7am and it only took me 30mins to get to get to Cedar Point even though NPS estimates 2-4 hours for the return trip. Since it was only 7:30 I proceeded to hike to Skeleton's Point and was there about 8:15am. I stayed there for 15minutes before starting my hike back. Along the way I saw several people who started the same time as me still heading down. I got back to the top at 9:45pm...so it took 2 hours 45mins and I took plenty of stops for rest and pictures. I guess I'm better shape than I thought.

After that I went to Yaki Point and then stopped at Pipe Creek which is beginning of the paved trail to Mather's Point. From there I went to Geology Museum but because there were so many people I just walked through it and then started a very brisk hike through Shrine of Ages and back to the "village". Got back to the hotel, checked out, had lunch at the cafeteria and then started my drive down to Winslow to see the Meteor Crater.

Unfortunately the website said the last tour was at 2:15pm and wouldn't you know it, I got there at 2:20pm but fortunately in the summer they extend it to 3:15. The tour was interesting, you basically walk 2minutes from the visitor centre to the rim of the crater and guide talks about the crater. There's also gift show, museum and movie. I spent about an hour there before heading back towards Flagstaff. Admission is $15 which I think is steep.

I was planning on stopping at Walnut Canyon since it was on the way but I got stuck in traffic due to construction which lasted 1hour sitting in the exact same spot whilst baking the sun. It was 4:55pm by the time I goto Walnut Canyon and they close at 5pm so I just headed to my hostel.

I stayed at Grand Canyon Hostel on San Francico St. It's $20 and includes free wi-fri and breakfast. I had an amazing take-out dinner for from a nearby Greek restaurant for $10 and just walked around town, it was pretty quite and most of the shops were closed.

One of the girls I was sharing a room with suggested to check out the town of Oatmen on my way back to Vegas because it was old time mining town and there were donkeys walking along the street. I thought, why not, it sounds interesting but it was abandon crap town...I didn't see a single person, just a few cars but it was along the historic route 66.

I headed back to Vegas and made a brief stop at Kingsmen and the Hoover Damn...I have no idea why this is such a huge tourist site. I made it to Vegas around 11:30am so I decided to go to Fashion Mall in Primm...it was disappointing. The Premium Outlet is way better. I also did some shopping at the Fashion Show mall.

Things to note: it's EXTREMELY DRY so take adequate creams, eye drops, etc. Also take warmer clothes because it does get cool not only at night/early morning but even during the day...there was cold winds while hiking in Zion.

Approximate Costs (excluding Vegas):
Car: $155
Gas $106 (drove total of 1300 miles)
Accommodations: $428
Food (groceries, snacks and meals): $250
Entrance Fees: $124
Total: $1064

You can buy a National Park Pass that covers all National Monuments, National Recreation, National Parks, and is also a Northwest Park Pass(for parking at some trailheads). These are $80.00 for an entire year. I always enjoy the Hoover Dam, especially going to the bottom and the tour. I am glad you found The Whiptail-very good. The guided tours at Monument Valley go off the main road and allow you to see a whole lot more.

Thanks for reporting back, sounds like a full trip.

Next time you do not need to sign up for one of the tours of Antelope canyon in Page. Just take your car there pay to park in the lot and pay for a tour with one of the Navajo guides, I think the parking was $6 per car and the tour was $20 per person.

Spirobulldog is right about the National Park pass, $80 for a year is a bargain and for US seniors it is $10 for a lifetime and good for the folks in your car. It is not for Navajo or state parks like Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley, however.

I know about the annual pass but I only paid $62 for the National Parks so it didn't make sense to pay almost $20 more especially considering I don't live in the US and won't be back there again within the year.

"I headed back to Vegas and made a brief stop at Kingsmen and the Hoover Damn...I have no idea why this is such a huge tourist site."

I went to Vegas many times before I finally visited Hoover Dam, but once I took the full tour and heard the story of how the "damn" (heh) was built, it's no mystery why it's still a tourist attraction.

It's an engineering marvel, but you can't get the story by just driving over it and taking a photo. It's truly amazing, and required the engineers and builders to figure it out as they went along because they did things that had never been done before.

If I read correctly you hike both sides of Navajo Loop. I thought the Wall Street side is closed due to a rock slide.

Is it now open?

Myer, I believe so because you could walk on Wall street side...there were no closures of any sort.

As you are going by Kingman Arizona, take a four mile jaunt off highway I-40 (exit highway 66 going towards Peach Springs) to go for a tour and tasting at Desert Diamond Distillery. It is a small family run business making Vodka, clear rum and dark rum, and soon to be agave rum, on the tasting bar, but will be out soon. A great place to see while cruising through the area, and only 5 minutes from the highway. It shouldn't change your itenerary, but it will be worth stopping for! Check out www.desertdiamonddistillery.com!

Sounds like you hike like us. Thanks for posting about the time it takes. We're off to that area soon and were wondering how long they would be.

Also glad you did see the meteor. I missed it the first time I was in the area and really wished I had insisted on it. Now I KNOW I will go.

I need advice-12 nights-April 7 to 19-Want to cover Pheonix, Grand Canyon, sedona and Tuscon. Hotels, time in each city,hikes,etc. Should we fly into Pheonix or tuscon to start. looking for reasonable places to stay. Somebody suggested the Arizona Inn in Tuscon. We love mtns living in Miami. Thanks.

You'll probably find less expensive flights and more times offered through Phoenix. This post is old, so you might consider starting a new one, just for you.