final plans utah/arizona trip
 

we are going in june and have all reservations so i do not need feedback about the order i decided to do parks. Most interested if leaving out anything that really cant be missed. Landing in vegas sunday and will drive to zion. If we get there at three i am worried it is too late to do angels landing so i think we might do the canyon overlook trail then instead of on our way out to bryce. thoughts??? monday and tuesday we will do the narrows and angels landing. leave on tuesday to bryce and stop at red canyon on the way but planning to get to bryce before dark. Wed hike in bryce. leave really early thursday and go to Paige-do antelope canyon and then evening boat trip on lake powell.(really sad we have no time to do trip to rainbow bridge) leave early friday do horse bend canyon then valley of fire to arrive late afternoon to vegas.

Thinking about it again. If we leave bryce at 7am and it takes 3 hours we can get to paige by 9(their time) well in time for a 10am antelope slot tour and then could get to a 12:30 lake powell rainbow bridge boat ride correct?

If you get to Zion by 3pm then you will have plenty of time to do the Canyon Overlook trail. I think it's prettier though later in the evening as the sun is going down, so you don't necessarily have to rush to get there. I got there around 5pm last week and did it then, and it was fine. There were people just starting when we were coming down. The only thing is that you would be entering Zion on the opposite end of the park than Canyon Overlook trail. You could always go on into the main canyon and do a short trail like Emerald Pools that afternoon/evening, and still do Canyon Overlook on the way out. Just a suggestion.

Good idea Any thoughts about the timing with paige part of trip?

Now I'm thinking maybe we should do valley of fire on way from vegas to bryce.

Your plan sounds fine to me.

Take the time Sunday upon arrival at Zion to simply enjoy the surroundings and acclimate yourself to the park. You can ride the shuttle bus to Zion Lodge, take a simple walk to Emerald pools, then perhaps over to weeping rock. None of these trails requires planning or effort. Or just walk the path along the river. Even if you check-in to your hotel upon arrival then take it easy, that's ok.

You can enjoy the beauty and peace of the park without having to venture out on a trail.

Canyon overlook is not a trek - it's a short hike from the parking are over to the overlook, where you will stay no more than about 15-20min.

I mean vegas to Zion

timewise is my bryce -page itinerary going to work?

As to your idea for getting to Paige to take the 10 tour, I'm pretty sure Antelope Canyon is a Navajo park and so will be on Navajo time, the same as New Mexico which does have daylight saving time. Call to check on that. The boats will be on Arizona time.

I was thinking that too but i called and they said they stay on page time so i was thinking 10-11:30 and even if running a drop late supposedly only a 20 minute car ride to boats.

I think a later hike to Angel's Landing can actually be quite nice as long as you are strong enough to finish it before dark (which is 8-9? depending on the month). However with your other two days there is certainly no reason to rush. Enjoy that first afternoon/ evening in Zion by just taking the shuttle, visit the History Museum, walk the Parus trail or Watchman trails.

Plan about an hour for Canyon Overlook, which is better in the mornings with the light on the view.

Double check when the Bridge boat tour needs to meet. If it leaves at 12:30 you might need to be there by 12... It might work. In general terms the antelope canyon tour would be 2 hrs, with a 5 min drive back to town. Assuming you are leaving out of Wahweap marina for the boat tour? Yah, about 15-20 min for that drive. If you can call the Lake Powell resorts and ask them what they think you'll be better off. They should know more about timing.

And Valley of Fire might work that first day if you wanted to visit. It is a nice intro, it can take half a day to do right though, so don't leave too late, you want to get to Zion before dark.

I really like Valley of Fire - during cooler times of the year. It would be too hot for me in June. If you do go there, bring a lot of water.

If you have time, this is a nice, short hike (again, bring lots of water): http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand...oadstools.html

Shanti it looks great-is that in valley of fire?

I think i am going to stick with original plan so we don't feel rushed. meaning lwave bryce early get to paige in time for 11 ockish tour and then do sunset cruise. that way if we want more time at bryce in morning or whatever there will be no pressure

everyone has been so helpful. i need to buy a camelpac-the most challenging hike we will do is to angels landing (in june) should i buy the 3 liter? will it be more comfortable to carry a 2 liter and then make my husband carry some extra water or maybe some powerrade.(just to be clear he already has a camel pac of his own i think a two liter) thoughts??

I'd buy the 3 liter. Nothing says you have to put the full 3 liters in it. Remember that if you fill the camel pac at low altitude and then go to use it at high altitude you may get sprayed in the face when you open the valve.
After about 3 days of use you should put a little bleach water in and slosh around to kill any lingering bacteria and then refill with clean water. Use only water in your camel pac.

Buy the larger size . You can never have enough water in Utah. The name of the original is Camelbak.

Great product. Take snacks too. It helps to keep up the energy!

thanks to all

Toadstools is a bit west of Page on the north side of highway 89

thanks

worked it out so i could go to see rainbow bridge but now i am not sure i want to because it is a seven hour boat ride(because of low water) should i do it anyway? it seems amazing but such a long time on the boat. if not will do a sunset cruise instead.

is there anyway to see the rainbow bridge in a shorter amount of time?

i want to thank everyone for all your help. we just came back and had a great trip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear you had a good trip. How about a trip report to pay it forward?

Gonna work on it