Grand Circle Trip from Ohio
 

I'm not sure if I should have continued on my posting from July or start a new one, so forgive me if I should have done the former. I have been doing my homework about taking a 2-3 week trip to the Grand Canyon. We leave in a few weeks and will be driving from Ohio. We are fairly convinced to not stop in Las Vegas like originally planned because of suggestions from all of you (another trip someday). I have also taken suggestions of the Grand Circle because there is so much more to see than just the Grand Canyon. I would like to share my possible itinerary and see what you all think. Please share with me if there are places we should miss or stops I haven't mentioned. This will probably be the only time we make it to this part of the country. So we want to see as much as we can but still enjoy it. We think we will start by bringing I-40 in and going clockwise, taking I-70 home.

1) Petrified Forest/Painted Desert - we really want to stop here
2) Grand Canyon - Southern Rim - definite
3) Kanabe ?
4) Zion NP
5) Bryce Canyon NP
6) Grand Staircase/
7) Lake Powell
8) Arches
9) Canyon of the Ancients and Mesa Verde - I think we would enjoy the Trail of the Ancients, I'm just not sure where to put this in our trip? It just looks different from the other National Parks.

There are so many other National parks in the northern part of the circle but I know we can't get to them all. We have probably added to much to our trip now.

Please, I'm looking for advice. It can be so overwhelming.

Thank you,

Kathie

Here is a map/distance/time chart that was posted by another Fodorite a long time ago that might help in planning some of your trip:

http://ohiohickstraveltips.weebly.co...-utah-map.html

If you plan to leave in a few weeks, you need to be flexible to avoid possible bad weather. Keep an eye out for storms and have a plan B in case you need to alter your route. We have travelled in the area in winter, and been very lucky, but have also seen snow in April.

Some of the wonderful places on your list, like Mesa Verde and Bryce are at quite high elevations. This means that snow is likely to be on the trails and ranger led programs will probably be fewer. Once a storm has passed however, the roads should be fine for travel and seeing these places will be a treat without the crowds of summer.

Finding lodging near the interstates should not be a problem and even in the parks you might find lodging at a better rate than in the summer, but some parks, like Mesa Verde, typically close their lodging in the winter. Keep a list of phone numbers for lodging in the parks in case you need a last minute change and pick up one of the motel/hotel discount booklets that you can find in the highway VCs. Even if you don't/can't use the coupon, you will know where there is a choice of lodging and what is offered at them and have numbers to call.

Fill your gas tank when it gets to half full, keep food, water and warm clothes in the car.

Have a fantastic trip.

On the Grand Circle I've counted about 35 major sites to be visited. Your itinerary has 7 so there is room for another trip.

Painted Desert hiking trails
Onyx Bridge This Onyx-log-petrified Bridge is 250,000,000 years old once located at earth’s equator and home to dinosaurs.

This is a leisurely 3 hour round trip walk across barren desert plains to the distant plateaus of the Black Forest. It is named Black Forest because much of the petrified wood is black in color. We also found a piece of crystal about 2-by-1 inch (5 x 2.5 cm) that was almost transparent!

Trailhead is at the Painted Desert Inn. Before entering, ask the ranger at the Painted Desert Inn desk for a photograph of the critical landmarks to guide to you to this bridge. The bridge is located GPS N 35. 06.515 W 109. 47.534 at an elevation of 5528 feet).
Crystal Bridge is slightly south of the Inn we discovered while search for Gerdie's resting place (unique dinosaur found here). Crystal Bridge has no established trail so here is the GPS reading
GPS N 35.05.286 W 109. 47.623 at an elevation of 5,575 feet.

And, we did find Gerdie's exact resting place below Chinde Point. Exact location is Top Secret - Visitor Center will not disclose the exact location. IT is a small wash.

Vaga

Thank you for the additional information. Since we are headed to the Petrified Forest as one of our first stops the additional information is great.

I am also becoming a bit worried about the weather in the northern part of our trip. I hear the stories about people being trapped in their vehicles because of snow or lost. I'm hoping we are still early enough in the season to not have those worries. We are your average tourists wanting to see some beautiful country/scenery. Not your die-hard hikers that need to be completely alone in nature although we are hoping this time of year we won't have the crowds that others have mentioned at some of the National Parks.

If you're concerned about winter weather in the northern part of the trip, just reverse your order. I-70 is going to have the highest elevation so do it first and get that out of the way.

Of all your destinations, Bryce is the highest elevation. Reversing your order gets the highest road and highest park out of the way in mid-October rather than later October or early November. I doubt you'll have severe winter storms either way, but the odds are slightly better for good weather in mid-October.

Really, most of the time you are going to be on the interstate or going to major destinations. Grand Staircase and Mesa Verde/Canyon of the Ancients are the most remote of all your choices so that is where you need to pay the most attention to road conditions and weather. Grand Staircase can be dropped if needed, you'll have enough to do with everything else.

By my calculations, you will be traveling in this area from early to mid November. There is a very good possibility you will encounter some snow but odds are it will not be a huge impact but you could be required to wait out a couple days somewhere. I-70 has a better chance than 40 of having snow so you might want to reverse the circle. It is a bit out of the way to go to Mesa Verde and to get to I-70 from there, you will need to go over at least one mountain pass unless you backtrack to Moab. Sounds like a great trip, just stay flexible.

At home,practice putting on chains because
1 Leaning experiencing - not easy the first time
2 Are they the right size?????????????????
3 You will also need a water proof blanket to lay on while routing the chain. Back link on is always the problem
Depending on snow depth a small shovel is useful.
And have chain straps

Front wheel drive - chains in front
When using my 4-WD truck, I add about 300 pounds to stuff to the read to insure traction. Jeep is not a problem
Or rent an all wheel drive vehicle with snow tires.

Vaga

If you need chains, stay off the road.

OP is from Ohio, they do get snow there and are unlikely to run into something they haven't seen before in terms of snowstorms. The only real issue is getting on a remote road and getting stuck or going off into the ditch. Unlikely as well.

A BIG second--if you need chains find a motel and stay until you don't.