Help needed for trip to Utah
 

We are planning a driving trip to Utah starting mid Sept. I have put together a rather long and rough itenary and would appreciate comments and suggestions. The first 4 days will be spent driving to Moab from the East. My wife and I are about 70, we like to take short hikes or walks , not the long or strenous ones.

DAY 5, THURSDAY, SEPT, 20TH, Drive to Moab, UT, Stay in Moab 4 nights

Arrive in Moab late in day, if have time, stop to see Colorado National Monument

DAY 6, FRIDAY, SEPT 21ST, MOAB

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

DAY 7, SAT, SEPT 22ND, MOAB

DEAD HORSE STATE PARK
DRIVE ROUTE 128 MOAB TO I70 AND BACK, SEE FISHERS TOWERS, NEGRO BILL CANYON, POTASH SCENIC BYWAY
GO TO BAR M CHUCK WAGON DINNER ONE EVENING

DAY 8, SUNDAY, SEPT 23RD, MOAB

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, ISLAND IN THE SKY, SECTION
VISIT TOWN OF MOAB

DAY 9, MONDAY, SEPT 24TH, DEPART MOAB, STAY AROUND THE NEEDLES SECTION OF CANYONLAND PARK, about 75 miles from Moab

Needles area of Canyonland National Park


DAY 10, TUES, SEPT 25TH, DRIVE TO NATURAL BRIDGE

Natural Bridge


DAY 11, WED, SEPT 26TH, DRIVE TO MONUMENT VALLEY, STAY ONE NIGHT, ABOUT 75 MILES

Monument Valley
Navajo Tribal Park
Drive Valley of Gods
Navajo Indian Reservation
Historic Bluff


DAY 12, THUR, SEPT 27TH, DRIVE TO GLEN CANYON RECREATIONAL AREA, ABOUT 140 MILES, Stay in Page

Walk across the Dam
Boat ride to Natural Bridge


DAY 13, FRI, SEPT 28TH, DRIVE TO GRAND CANYON NORTH RIM, ABOUT 240 MILES, STAY 2 NIGHTS IN NORTH RIM

Stop to see Grand Staircase, Escalante National Monument
Arrive North Rim in evening


DAY 14, SAT, SEPT 29TH, NORTH RIM GRAND CANYON, STAY HERE

North Rim, Grand Canyon


DAY 15, SUN, SEPT 30TH, DRIVE TO ZION CANYON, ABOUT 100 MILES, STAY IN AREA

Zion National Park


DAY 16, MON, SEPT 31ST , DRIVE TO BRYCE CANYON, ABOUT 150 MILES

Stop at Red Canyon for Photo shoot
Tour Bryce Canyon


DAY 17, TUES, OCT 1ST , STAY IN BRYCE CANYON AREA


Go to Kodachrome Basin State Park and Grosvenor Arch
Spooky Gulch Narrows
Anasazi Indian Village State Park
Drive the Burr Trail


DAY 18, WED, OCT 2ND, DRIVE TO CAPTIAL REEF PARK, ABOUT 175 miles,STAY IN CAPITAL REEF AREA , ONE NIGHT


Capital Reef Park
Capital Gorge


DAY 19, THUR, OCT 3RD, DRIVE TO GLEN CANYON FOR BOAT TRIP, ABOUT 60 MILES, STAY IN AREA

Boat Trip to Natural Bridge Monument, full day trip


DAY 20, FRI, OCT 4TH, DRIVE TO CANYONLAND, MAZE DISTRICT, ABOUT 130 MILES


Canyonland National Park, Maze district


DAY 21, SAT, OCT 5TH, START TOWARD ESTES PARK COLORADO, ABOUT 460 MILES

ARRIVE IN ESTES PARK LATE IN DAY

Your suggestions would be appreciated as to time spent in each area, route and things not to miss.

Thanks for your help.

Hi Buster,

OK first of all, we need to get you more detailed maps and information on the Natl Parks to study.

On day 7 in Moab: Dead Horse, Fisher Towers and the Potash Road are all in opposite directions? Dead Horse Point is north from Moab. Fisher Towers are east of Moab, and the Potash Rd is basically southwest of Moab....not a good plan.

Also, Canyonlands Island in the Sky District and Dead Horse Point are in the same area. Combine these two on the same day.

The Needles District doesn't have any lodging nearby. If you are not camping, you have to go there as a day trip either from Moab or Monticello.

Negro Bill Canyon is a 5 mi. round trip hike. If you are up for that, there's a beautiful reward at the end of the canyon. It's out and back the same way, not a loop.

Re: Page, I think you mean the boat ride to Rainbow Bridge which also includes a hike in order to see the bridge.

Zion - I think if you like short walks, you would enjoy 2 days at Zion more than 2 days at Bryce.

Day 17 is another day that is not possible. Kodachrome Basin is not too far from Bryce, but driving on from there to Grosvenor Arch I would not recommend, even though it's the most beautiful arch I've ever seen. It's a long, lonely, washboarded dirt road. Impassable in wet weather - and they are not kidding. I would not drive out there on your own unless you are able to walk out - and it's a multiple day hike out.

Also, Escalante, Boulder (where the Anasasi museum is) and the Burr Trail are in the opposite direction from Grosvenor Arch. Burr Trail is another road I would NOT recommend you taking, at least not all the way. Just do the paved portion (which has the best scenery anyway)and return to Boulder. The rest is long, dusty, washboarded, slow going, untraveled and boring too!

Why are you going to Natural Bridge Monument twice - on day 10 and day 19?

I'm not sure you really want to go to Canyonlands Maze District. It's the most remote part of the park and most sights require long off road drive and difficult hikes.

Remember, there is NO cell phone coverage in most of these areas once you are off the interstates like I70, or outside of a town the size of Moab.

Utahtea is the one who is great with routes and milage. I live here and tend to do one destination at a time. I know what many of these roads are like and how long they take, since I've driven them.

Keep planning and use the search box above to find tons of good trip reports and detailed info on these areas.

Good luck!

Dayle gave you a lot of good suggestions.

Scenic Hwy 128 out to Fisher Towers and the Potash Road are in opposite directions but can be done in one day. I also recommend doing Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands Island In the Sky district on the same day.

You will probably want to spend the night in Monticello, Utah after you have visited the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Make sure you stop at Newspaper Rock State park on the way in or out. You can't miss it.

The boat trip on Lake Powell is to Rainbow Bridge National Monument. As Dayle mentioned, it now involves hiking. If you are lucky...maybe all the snow in Colordo this winter will raise the lake high enough to get the boats close enough to Rainbow Bridge..but I wouldn't count on it.

The Escalante Grand Staircase you will travel though between Page and Zion will be seen from the vehicle. Not really any place to stop and see...that I know of.

I second the suggestion of spending two nights in Zion.

As Dayle has mentioned...all of this area is remote and you won't always have cell service. Please make sure your vehicle is in good working condition. The first part of the Burr Trail is paved...I wouldn't go any farther than the paved section.

We didn't get to make it to Grosvenor Arch because a rain storm closed the road. Check weather conditions before driving off of paved roads. I also would not drive off paved roads if it was raining or looked like rain.

I take it you were going to go to Bull Frog & Halls Crossing to do the second boat trip on Lake Powell. I'm not sure if they still do the boat tour to Rainbow Bridge from here anymore. I doubt you will want to do this tour twice. Instead I'd recommend doing the 1/2 day float trip out of Page on the Colorado River. This is not white water...but a calm water motorized rafting trip though some of the most beautiful canyon area. I would forget this part of the lake. It's remote and not as dramatic as the Page, AZ end of the lake. If you plan on the float trip, I'd spend the extra night in Page.

As Dayle mentioned, the Maze is very remote. I've never been, but I've read about it. You will need four wheel drive vehicle. http://www.nps.gov/cany/planyourvisit/maze.htm

I'm sure you will find this website very helpful: http://www.so-utah.com/

Utahtea

Thanks you for your replies, that is exactly the kind of info I was hoping to receive, just a couple of followup questions at this time
1. Is the boat trip to Rainbow Bridge worth the time and if it is a hike, how long a hike is it? Or would the 1/2 day float trip be just as interesing?

2.I had mentioned Natural Bridge 2 times, I actually meant Rainbow Bridge out of Bullfrog Marina.

3. It sounds like the Maze district is something to not even consider given that there are no services etc, are there other areas that I have included on the trip that are similar or are there areas that I should consider that I have not included?

4. Is the day, day and 1/2 I have for the North Rim of GC enough? We have been to the south rim several times.

We are retired, we can spend a couple of more days if I have missed something, on the way back to PA, we do plan on stopping at Estes and Scotts Bluff but after that, pretty much see ourselves heading to PA.

Thanks again for your help.

Hi again buster,

If you can add a couple of days, I would highly recommend Mesa Verde if you haven't been there. I would be basically on your way to Estes Park.

We have been to Mesa Verde and 4 corners 5 or 6 years ago but thanks for the suggestion, I will take a look at the map, I might want to re-consider that

If you have already been to the S. Rim of the Grand Canyon, then I think one full day at the N. Rim will be plenty.

Have you ever been to Canyon de Chelly National Monument? This could be put between Monument Valley and Page. I highly recommend taking one of the Navajo guided trips into the canyon. Very scenic and educational.

What about Dinosuar National Monument in northern Utah? Besides the quarry, this is a scenic location.

The two times we did the Rainbow Bridge National Monument, the tour boats could get close enough to the Rainbow Bridge to see it from the boat, but after years of drought in Colorado, you have to now hike 3 miles round trip. I've never had to do the hike, so I can't comment. All things equal, it would still be a hard choice between the boat tour to Rainbow Bridge and the float trip...both were great experiences.

Pictures take on last boat tour (before digital camera) http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...powell2001.htm

Pictures take on float trip (with digital camera)http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/pages...2003/float.htm

Utahtea

Hi buster,

Another suggestion if you haven't already visited. Durango-Silverton-Ouray and on northward is beautiful!

bb885 - if you are interested in help with Mesa Verde area/Durango etc. let me know. I live here and would be happy to help.

Alos, if you need a great B & B to stay in while in Moab -- Cali Cochitta B&B is the best. Great on all counts.

Hope this helps...
Debi

We did visit Durango/Silverton, took the round trip train ride, really enjoyd that, I rather doubt that we will be doing that this trip, we enjoyed it.
At the north rim GC, are there other lodges, motels within a reasonable drive distance, say 10, 15 miles other than the lodge in the park. They are really booked, I will have to change my timing by a day or so, to be able to stay near the GC, unless there are other places nearby?
Thanks

I don't know about lodging, but I can give you some miles and times.

Jacob Lake to the North Rim entrance station is 31 miles and a slow curvey drive. Figure at least an hour driving time and longer if you get stuck behind an RV.

North Rim entrance Station to the Lodge and actual rim is about 10 miles and plan on another 1/2 hour drive.

Utahtea

Honestly, try to figure out a way to stay at the lodging in the the park right at the North Rim. It is so unique that it is well worth it. Lodging outside the park is not close at all and speed limits in the park are low so it is hard to make good time in and out of the park.

If you stay at the lodge, cabins or motel units at the North Rim you'll be about to enjoy an evening meal right on the edge of the canyon and also get a cup of coffee and enjoy the sunrise while sipping it. All without starting your car. By all means stay in the park. Call for a cancellation every day...you'll get a room.

When I say that the lodge is on the rim, I mean it. Here's a look at it for you:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/35115476

yowser, I changed my plans some and did get 2 nights at the lodge, thanks for the suggestion. It means extending the trip an extra day, now deceiding on whether to spend 3 nights at Page , rather than 2,and do 2 boat tours, the float trip and the Rainbow bridge,plus the other sites take a day and drive to Canyon de Chelly or spend 3 nights rather than 2 at Monument Valley.

Great news about the N. Rim lodging.

I personally think the boat tour and float trip are both worth it.

I'm getting lost on what the itinerary is now. I think I'd would spend the night at Canyon de Chelly instead of making it a day trip from Monument Valley...that's going to be a lot of time in the vehicle.

Utahtea.

Based on suggestions received to my original post, reviewing other posts and double checking the map, here is my revised itenary, what are your thoughts, The first 4 days are driving from the East to get to Moab.

Day 5, Thur, Sept, 20TH, Drive to Moab, UT, Stay in Moab 4 nights
Arrive in Moab late in day, if have time, stop to see Colorado National Monument
Make reservations at Arches for Fiery Furnace Tour

Day 6, Fri, Sept 21ST, Moab

Arches National Park
Delicate Arch, Double Arch, Landscape Arch, Devils Garden
Consider Fiery Furnace Tour in Arches led by Ranger

Day 7, Sat, Sept 22ND, Moab

Drive Route 128 Moab to I-70 and back, see Fishers Towers
Drive Potash Scenic Byway, Rte 279, 34 mile
Go to Bar M Chuck Wagon Dinner one evening

Day 8, Sun, Sept 23RD, Moab

Dead Horse State Park, Rte 191 N to Rte 313
Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District, Visit town of Moab
Grandview Overlook, Green River Overlook, Upheaval Dome, Grandview Point, Mesa Arch Trail,

Day 9, Mon, Sept 24TH, Depart Moab, stay around Needles section of Canyonland Park about 75 miles from Moab

Needles area of Canyonland National Park
Needles Overlook
Newspaper Rock State Park

Day 10, Tues, Sept. 25TH, Drive to Monument Valley, along the way stop to see

Natural Bridge
Valley of the Gods
Goosenecks Park
Mexican Hat Rock
Consider Moonlight Tour

Day 11, Wed, Sept 26TH, Stay at Monument Valley,

Monument Valley Tour, possibly all day tour
Navajo Tribal Park
Navajo Indian Reservation

Day 12, Thur, Sept 27TH, Drive to Glen Canyon Recreational Area , About 140 MILES, Stay in Page

Walk across the Dam
Tour Dam
Horseshoe Bend

Day 13, Fri, SEPT 28TH, Stay in Page
Take ½ day float trip
Antelope Canyon


Day 14, Sat, Sept 29th, Stay in Page

Take Full day Boat Trip to Ranbow Bridge


Day 15, Sun, Sept 30TH, Drive to Grand Canyon North Rim, About 240 MILES, Stay 2 Nights in North Rim



Day 16, Mon, Oct 1, North Rim Grand Canyon, Stay here
North Rim Grand Canyon

Day 17, Tues, Oct 2nd , Drive to Zion Canyon , About 100 Miles, stay in area



Zion National Park

Day 18th Wed, OCT 3, Stay in Zion Park Area

Zion National Park


Day 19, Thur, Oct 4th , Drive to Bryce Canyon, about 150 Miles

Stop at Red Canyon for Photo shoot
Stop at Cedar Breaks National Monument
Tour Bryce Canyon


Day 20, Fri, Oct 5th , Stay in Bryce Canyon Area

Bryce Canyon
Go to Kodachrome Basin State Park


Day 21, Sat, Oct 6th, Drive to Capital Reef Park, via Rte 12, About 175 miles, Stay in Capital Reef Area 2 Nights

Kodachrome Basin State Park if did not get to it in Day 20
Anasazi Indian Village State Park
Drive the paved portion of Burr Trail
Capital Reef Park Visitor Center


Day 22, Sun, Oct 7, Stay at Capital Reef

Tour Capital Reef Park
Capital Gorge
Fruita


Day 23, Mon, Oct 8th Start to Estes Park, Co, 460 miles


DAY 24 Tues, Oct 9th, STAY AT ESTES PARK




DAY 25, Wed, Oct 10th, DRIVE TO SCOTTS BLUFF AND HEAD FOR HOME

Scotts Bluff, about 1550 miles to home or about 3 days driving
Sidney, NE, corporate headquaters of Cabelas


DAY, 26, 27, 28, Oct, 11, 12, 13th DRIVE TO HOME, ARRIVE HOME OCT 13

Hi Buster,

Your new plan is great! I have a couple comments for you.

On your first day at Arches Natl Park, I think you have more than enough hiking planned! The Devils Garden hike, if you do the whole thing is rather long (5+ mi.), but you do see some great arches and Landscape Arch is included. Add the Delicate Arch hike - 3 mi and Firey Furnace (requires some squeezing, leaping, walking on rocks) and you are going to be tired - unless you are used to lots of walking/hiking. You can just go to the viewpoint (1/4 mi.)of Delicate Arch and not hike up to it if you want.

Also, the day you drive out the Potash Rd., be sure to stop along the way to see the petroglyphs, they are not far into the drive. Further out the road is a wonderful short hike, Corona Arch hike. Highly recommend this one.

Have fun and take lots of pictures!

Highly recommend that Delicate Arch hike..the parking lot view does not do it justice. We enjoyed this hike & view so much we did it again on our return trip home. Its just such an incredible sight. I would give up the Landscape Arch if short on time.

I agree that the itinerary looks much better.

I didn't realize you planned on doing so much hiking in Arches. That's a lot for one day. The entrance to Arches is only 4 miles from Moab, so I'd suggest breaking up the hikes. I'd do one of the longer hikes like the three mile round trip hike to Delicate Arch, some of the short stops like Double Arch and the Window section and then do the drive out Hwy 128. Then on the next day do some of the other long hikes and do the Potash Road. The drive in and out of Arches is one of the most beautiful drives...so you won't regret doing it more than once. If you find time, you might also drive Kane Creek road. It's on the opposited of the Colorado River when you drive along the Potash Raod and there are many more exhibits of petroglpyhs on this road too.

Utahtea

Hi Buster,

Utahtea's suggestion to break up your Arches hiking a a very good one! I agree.

Kane Creek Road? I am looking at the Utah State map and am having trouble finding it, am I correct that Rte 279 is the Potash Road? If I understood Utahtea comment about Kane Creek Road being on opposite side of Colorado, I did not see a road across. I did see Old Kane Springs which is south of Moab and looks like it runs along side of Manti La Sal Forrest and hooks up with Rte 128 near Castle Valley, is this the road?
Your suggestions have really been appreciated, we are not great hikers, the idea of splitting them up may have come to me, I will be re-working Moab and Arches
Thank you