Clousie

Know I'm getting a late start on planning this, but just decided to visit Arches and Canyonlands in late Sept to early Oct. Then I saw a post on SW Colorado and decided to add Mesa Verde and loop through Durango/Ouray/Telluride. Would plan to spend roughly a week in each state/area.

My dilemma and questions. Seems as though the Utah parks are still quite hot at end of September, so thought of going in October. However, reading past posts, it seems as though the foliage in SW Colorado will probably be past by end of September.

If we went to the places I mentioned for CO last week of Sept, would we likely still have some color? Although we have great color in NJ, I still love the super saturated golden aspen against blue skies and red rocks. Also not sure I'd want to drive the road from Durango>Ouray if snowing either.

Was also thinking of flying into Salt Lake City and making a big loop, but now thinking perhaps Montrose would be better. Any comments on that airport?

Welcome to any suggestions/thoughts. Have just started researching the past couple of days and there seems to be way to much I want to see in both areas

emalloy

I've done several trips to the area at that time of the year and it has been great with nice color on the trees. If you click my name and scroll down to the Trip Reports, the most recent ones (2015 and 2013) both go to those sites.

2015 was from Denver and 2013 was from Albuquerque. We've also gone from Las Vegas. If you want to limit driving, then Grand Junction might be the most convenient, but a bit more expensive.

DebitNM

Way more flights into ABQ and cheaper too. I would check out Southwest -- they have a sale for the fall going on right now.

Likelihood of there being measurable amounts of snow at that time of year are low. I was in Telluride in mid September several years back and we did have a snow squall pass but nothing of any concern.

As far as color being around at end of September, it depends on a lot of factors including temperatures and amount of rainfall during summer so hard to say. You "may" be okay in early October

If you wanted to do UT in September - Temps in mid to Late September are not typically HOT. Highs are about mid to upper 80's, lower towards end of month. Out here, we consider those our 2 best weather months.

I would do CO first and then to UT.

historytraveler

Can't imagine the temperatures in Utah parks being too hot in September. Of course, weather is almost always unpredictable but you should be fine.

You could look at flying into Albuquerque and out of Salt Lake.

tomfuller

The last time we went to Moab and Arches was in the first week of November. The weather was beautiful. Southern Utah had not had any snow yet.
To get there we took the Amtrak California Zephyr eastbound from Sacramento to SLC arriving early morning and rented a car at the airport before the downtown car rentals opened.
If you wanted to fly to a large airport, you could fly to Denver and ride the California Zephyr west to Grand Junction.
The scenery west of Denver is great especially through the Glenwood Canyon.

historytraveler

In answer to your question, I would not bother flying into Montrose. Use either Albuquerque and Salt Lake City or do a loop from SLC as you originally planned. November is fine for most of the Utah parks but not so much for Durango, Telluride area. Stick to your late September early October plan and do the mountain areas first to catch fall colors which won't be that much of a factor in the Utah parks.

jayne1973

We were in Arches in late September and it was HOT.

jlub

Hello Clousie,
Sadly I think late September you'll miss Colorado Western Slope peaches. If you happen to go a bit earlier anywhere in southwestern CO, Durango, etc. look for the peach stands on the side of the road. Look for the ugly runts with a brown spot or two on them. A quick sniff will tell you what you're in for. You will not be disappointed.

Clousie

Reading your comments, we've decided that beginning in CO is the way to go. Sure we'll see color somewhere. Also had almost decided to do a round trip from Albuquerque, but finally found a reward flight from SLC one way where we didn't have to fly to LAX or SRO first. So we'll fly into and out of SLC. Also found that we could save about $300 on the car by getting it off airport location as happens in other places, too. Would have liked another look at NM, but also like saving over $600 with SLC.

Trip is shaping up like this:

Night 1 stay somewhere southeast of SLC
2/3 Ouray
4 Durango
5/6/7 Fairview in Mesa Verde
8/9/10/11/12 Moab to hike 2 days each in Canyonlands and Arches plus Dead Horse SP
13 ???
14 SLC airport area

Nights can be moved around at this point, so any suggestions where to put the extra night any point on the schedule? Maybe somewhere before Ouray so we won't be tired on the road there and we'll enjoy it more?

tomfuller

Suggestion for the 13th - Goblin Valley State Park and the close to road section of Capitol Reef NP.
The Hoo Doos in Goblin Valley are interesting.
There are some petroglyphs near the road in Capitol Reef
Do not rent from Fox in SLC. One tire was under inflated and another one was at 90psi. (I'm not kidding).
The rental paper said the tank was full when I pulled out - It was at half.
Night 1 could be at the Robbers Roost Motel in Green River.
DW and I stayed there several nights to save some money by not staying in Moab.

Clousie

Okay. Have 3 nights at Fairview Lodge. Looks like a great place to stay. Sure we won't be disappointed. Five night at Desert Hills in Moab.

Any suggestions for Ouray?

DebitNM

Ouray - St. Elmo Hotel or Beaumont Hotel & Spa.

Eat at The Beaumont even if you don't stay there; and also - Buen Tiempo and Bon Ton are great places to eat.

Clousie

Now that I've booked some places, do need a spot for the next to last night. Haven't been to SLC so could explore there.

Has anyone been to Antelope Island?

I've also heard terrible things about Fox, Tom.

StantonHyde

Don't stay near the airport in SLC--stay in town. It will take you a max of 20 mins to get to the airport. Antelope Island is hot and boring unless you want to bike around it or try to see buffalo. If you are going to rent a car and explore, then drive up one of the Canyons and hike in the mountains--beautiful colors. Or go up to Park City.

db6040

I just want to second the recommendation to stop in Goblin's Valley. It was actually one of my husband's favorite stops in our two week trip through southern Utah/Arizona last October.

I also just wanted to mention although it may be too late if you have already booked - it was HOT even in October in many places we visited. Next time we are going later in October or in November for cooler temperatures and less crowds.