Utah road trip 6th-10th april
Apr 15th, 2015, 12:13 AM
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Utah road trip 6th-10th april
We just finished a quick 5 day trip of the region. It was rushed but I guess we got a taste of the place and will definitely return. I will review the hotels and attractions separately.
We reached Vegas on 5th night from L.A. Car pick up at the airport was long and all rental car companies had long lines.After 45 minutes picked up our car from Budget and went to Marriot Grand Chateau for the night. Since it was a Sunday the strip was not crowded
On Monday we left at 10am for Zion. Straight drive to Springdale and parked the car and took the shuttle. Purchased the annual pass and did the full loop Of the park in the shuttle.Hiked to weeping rock and emerald pools. It started getting chilly and left the park at 6.30 pm . Shuttle on the way back had long lines and can imagine what happens in the summers. Enjoyed the park for a couple of hours.
Left for kanab. Must mention that this drive was one of the most scenic exiting Zion. About half way there is a particular stretch of very nice rock formations. The evening light was adding a lot of color.then we came across a hill which had all the wave formations. There is a small pull out which can hold 4-5 cars only and we spent some time to take in this place. I checked with people at kanab about this place but no one seems to know the name.Reached holiday inn at kanab for the night.had dinner at desert star cafe
On 7th we had a day trip booked with dreamland safaris for white pocket. Could not get permits to the wave.Once we came across white pocket, decided to do it. One of the several highlights. Left Kanab at 6pm for page. Views before entering page of the lake are very nice.Checked in at courtyard lake Powell.
On 8th morning we had a trip booked with Kens tours for lower antelope at 9am. Fantastic tour with lovely photos. Saw the crowd at higher antelope and thanked the forum advisors to go with the lower antelope canyon. We left for horseshoe bend to get the some nice shots. Saw lot of people standing on the edges despite the advise to avoid these points. Left for monument valley. Reached at 2pm and had lunch at the view. We did not want to risk the 17 mile drive in the rental car despite the attendant at the gate advising it could be done if we drove at 15mph. We wanted to spend a night but View and Gouldings were booked. Left at 3pm for Moab. Decided to drive straight to Arches. The visitor center closes at 4.30 hence we drove into the park. A visitor advised us to visit the double arch/ window while there was light. Brilliant advise and got to see an amazing sunset. Very few people at that time. Could not see delicate arch as it was to dark and we are not into hiking. Arches was one the best parks for us and need time to see it properly. Stayed at the Fairfield inn at Moab.
On 9th morning left for Bryce. Drove to Capitol reef and then took scenic route 12. Reached Bryce at 3pm and checked in to the lodge. Visited some of the spots and got some good shots.Sunset was ok. Ate dinner at the lodge. Good food. At night went star gazing for a while. Clear skies all through. Got up in the morning for the sunrise. Freezing at -6c. Brilliant sunrise.
10th morning drove back to Vegas to take the flight to L.A. Brief stop at red canyon.
This was a rushed trip with more than 1100 miles in 5 days.
Glad to have made the trip in spring because in summers it must be very crowded.
We reached Vegas on 5th night from L.A. Car pick up at the airport was long and all rental car companies had long lines.After 45 minutes picked up our car from Budget and went to Marriot Grand Chateau for the night. Since it was a Sunday the strip was not crowded
On Monday we left at 10am for Zion. Straight drive to Springdale and parked the car and took the shuttle. Purchased the annual pass and did the full loop Of the park in the shuttle.Hiked to weeping rock and emerald pools. It started getting chilly and left the park at 6.30 pm . Shuttle on the way back had long lines and can imagine what happens in the summers. Enjoyed the park for a couple of hours.
Left for kanab. Must mention that this drive was one of the most scenic exiting Zion. About half way there is a particular stretch of very nice rock formations. The evening light was adding a lot of color.then we came across a hill which had all the wave formations. There is a small pull out which can hold 4-5 cars only and we spent some time to take in this place. I checked with people at kanab about this place but no one seems to know the name.Reached holiday inn at kanab for the night.had dinner at desert star cafe
On 7th we had a day trip booked with dreamland safaris for white pocket. Could not get permits to the wave.Once we came across white pocket, decided to do it. One of the several highlights. Left Kanab at 6pm for page. Views before entering page of the lake are very nice.Checked in at courtyard lake Powell.
On 8th morning we had a trip booked with Kens tours for lower antelope at 9am. Fantastic tour with lovely photos. Saw the crowd at higher antelope and thanked the forum advisors to go with the lower antelope canyon. We left for horseshoe bend to get the some nice shots. Saw lot of people standing on the edges despite the advise to avoid these points. Left for monument valley. Reached at 2pm and had lunch at the view. We did not want to risk the 17 mile drive in the rental car despite the attendant at the gate advising it could be done if we drove at 15mph. We wanted to spend a night but View and Gouldings were booked. Left at 3pm for Moab. Decided to drive straight to Arches. The visitor center closes at 4.30 hence we drove into the park. A visitor advised us to visit the double arch/ window while there was light. Brilliant advise and got to see an amazing sunset. Very few people at that time. Could not see delicate arch as it was to dark and we are not into hiking. Arches was one the best parks for us and need time to see it properly. Stayed at the Fairfield inn at Moab.
On 9th morning left for Bryce. Drove to Capitol reef and then took scenic route 12. Reached Bryce at 3pm and checked in to the lodge. Visited some of the spots and got some good shots.Sunset was ok. Ate dinner at the lodge. Good food. At night went star gazing for a while. Clear skies all through. Got up in the morning for the sunrise. Freezing at -6c. Brilliant sunrise.
10th morning drove back to Vegas to take the flight to L.A. Brief stop at red canyon.
This was a rushed trip with more than 1100 miles in 5 days.
Glad to have made the trip in spring because in summers it must be very crowded.
Apr 15th, 2015, 02:43 AM
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Wow! You covered a lot of territory. We've done quick trips, but not quite that rushed, I'm sure you will want to return for a bit of a slower pace. You've made me want to get going on plans for a return to the ares.
Thanks for the report and did you post pictures?
Thanks for the report and did you post pictures?
Apr 15th, 2015, 03:57 AM
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Quite the quick trip but you sure got a taste of the incredible beauty of this region. Thanks so much for the trip report. Now you need to plan a longer trip so you can spend some time relaxing and exploring. We've just started planning our fall trip to Utah - our 4th year in a row exploring and there is still so much to see!
Apr 16th, 2015, 07:46 AM
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You MUST get back to Moab to see Arches properly including Delicate Arch from up close. While you are there, stop to see Canyonlands (Island in the Sky). When DW and I went there we came from SLC instead of Las Vegas.
There are 5 National Parks in Utah plus some dinosaur sites as well.
There are 5 National Parks in Utah plus some dinosaur sites as well.
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