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Help with Utah Nat'l Parks & Grand Canyon Itinerary

Help with Utah Nat'l Parks & Grand Canyon Itinerary

Old Aug 24th, 2006, 12:52 PM
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I finished my trip in Vegas and I definitely wouldn't have wanted to start there. And you DO need that extra day there. I don't gamble either but it's just so much fun!
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Old Aug 24th, 2006, 01:07 PM
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Wow, I didn't even think of the time zone differences!

Plus, Arizona doesn't observe Daylight Saving Time -- that I did find out! My head is spinning.

That means that the time at the Grand Canyon is the same as it is in Vegas. Then when you go up into Utah, you'd "lose" an hour at that time.

Then at the end, I'd "gain" an extra hour in Zion NP. This is excellent. That would give me nearly a whole day at Zion!

BTW, the main reason I ended up siding with my husband was that I really couldn't imagine staying up really late that one night in Vegas and then having to deal with a 5+ hour plane flight. 'Course, that may still happen

I checked into the rates at the Goulding and they are really high ($170+) ... I wonder if it's really worth it. I know what they say: location, location, location. The San Juan Inn is much cheaper (<$100) but the location is only a little better than staying in Bluff at the well-recommended Desert Rose Inn. I'm still thinking this one over.

Thank you peterboy and Dohlice for your great help!
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Old Aug 25th, 2006, 05:11 AM
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Just to add to your choices, you might consider the Valley of the Gods Bed & Braekfast that is also near Mexican Hat.

We stayed there in '03 and loved it. It only has 4 rooms so book early to get one. It is right at the base of the Moki Dugway...here's a link:


http://www.zippitydodah.com/vog/
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Old Aug 25th, 2006, 09:52 AM
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Peterboy,

I saw the Valley of the Gods b&b mentioned somewhere else but I can't find the specific link again. I thought it mentioned having to use flashlights at night so as not to confuse the solar panels??? Seemed very rustic although in a beautiful location. Did you have dinner there or drive into Mexican Hat or Bluff?

It might make a good change --- our next stop will be Moab and this seems pretty different! That might be the best location and we love b&bs.
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Old Aug 25th, 2006, 10:33 AM
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The link in my post above is the only one they have I think.

Yes, they provide flashlights so that their solar system can "go to sleep" overnight. It does so automatically a certain amount of time after it is last used. There is power available all night in case you REALLY need it but turning on the regular bedside lamp will initialize the entire system and it will have to "doze off" again. It really wasn't an inconvenience at all. I just had to make sure all my camera and phone batteries were all charged up before I went to bed. The system provides "regular" electricity so no adapters are needed. If it weren't for the request to unplug chargers and use flashlights at night, you'd have no idea that the place is solar powered.

We stopped in Bluff on our way through (we were going clockwise on our loop) and picked up dinner item from the deli there and wine before we went to the B&B. We snacked on the broad veranda and ended up sharing the wine with some of the other guests who lacked our foresight (reasearch reasearch). They did have dessert to trade with though and that was nice.
You are welcome to use the kitchen at the B&B if you wish but you'll need to bring your oun grub.

The B&B is at the end of the road the goes through the Valley of the Gods. Gary & Claire were wonderful hosts and I hope to return for another visit someday.
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Old Aug 25th, 2006, 12:45 PM
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That sounds delightful and absolutely what we're looking for!

The book "Photographing the Southwest", Volume 1 (Southern Utah), by Laurent Martres, arrived in the mail today and everyone (not only photographers) who is traveling in that area should definitely get it. I had to order it from Amazon, my local bookstore didn't have it... I'm waiting now for Volume 2 which has the Grand Canyon in it (ordered it a day later, when the price dropped by $6). Fantastic guide and photos.

I just have to hold on for a bit to make the National Park reservations.
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Old Aug 25th, 2006, 04:39 PM
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Hi CZ,

I've been away on my own vacation and just now see your post. I really like your revised itinerary. Even 3 days in Moab is not enough, you will find endless serious photo work to be done! You will want to return.

I'm one of those people who think that even an hour in Las Vegas is too much! So I would never give up time in the natual beauty of the parks to go there!

You will love the Dreamkeeper Inn in Moab. I go down usually once a year and send lots of friends and Fodorites there. Homey, cozy, and serene. Which room do you have?

Buon viaggio!
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Old Aug 26th, 2006, 06:06 AM
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I agree with Dayle. We use Las Vegas strictly for their airport which gets us so close to where we really want to be - southern Utah! I love being in Zion at the end of the trip - I really enjoy Springdale and the drive to LV is quick and easy. We just drive right to the airport and leave on our last day. So I guess I'd recommend reversing your trip, ceezee. Not familiar with the Red River Ranch in Torrey but I would never advise skipping Capitol Reef. Monument Valley is more of a day trip for me - it's certainly worth seeing but I don't need to stay there overnight. If you can get a room at Valley of the Gods, do it. It is so incredibly scenic - you'll get some great pictures there and you can see MV in the distance. Add as much time as you can to Moab - there is so much to see in the area.
The time in LV is not the same as the GC. LV is an hour earlier - Pacific Standard time. GC and Utah are Mountain Standard time. So you gain an hour going from Zion to LV. Enjoy the trip planning and ask lots of questions!
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Old Aug 26th, 2006, 06:39 AM
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Sharondi,

You're right, the Grand Canyon is on Mountain Time but it's in Arizona and Arizona doesn't recognize Daylight Saving Time – that's why it ends up being the same as LV (at least, I think I'm right!).

Dayle,

I agree with you and Sharondi about LV, but to keep harmony it's one full day in LV. I'm the photographer (not my husband) so I'm giving a little at the end so he'll get up before dawn and come with me for sunrise photos.

We have a history of falling in love with place and returning time after time so I'm sure that this won't be our one and only trip to the area. If I get to 1 out of 10,000 places I'd like to get to this time, I'd be ecstatic. I know we're just going to see the tip of the iceberg. For example, I'd like to stay at the Grand Canyon North Rim next time and see Mesa Verde.

Going to start calling places today. Have to wait until Sept 1 to reserve at the National Park lodges.

Just to recap. This is my final plan:

Day 1 & 2: Grand Canyon South Rim, El Tovar in the park.

Day 3: Drive through Monument Valley and stay at the Valley of the Gods B&B.

Day 4, 5, & 6: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse and stay at the Dreamkeeper in Moab.

Day 7 & 8: Capital Reef, stay at Red River Ranch near Torrey.

Day 9 & 10: Bryce National Park, stay at the lodge in the park (Western Cabin ??)

Day 11 & 12: Zion National Park, stay at Desert Pearl Inn in Springdale

Day 13 & 14: Most of day at Zion NP then drive to Las Vegas. One full day in LV.

Day 15: Early flight back.

Thanks to everyone who helped me pull together this itinerary!
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Old Aug 26th, 2006, 08:46 AM
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Well, I just called all the places except for the National Park lodging. At the Dreamkeeper I got the Mesa room. At the Lodge at Red River Ranch I'm getting the Chaparal room. At the Desert Pearl Inn I got a King Riverside room (they can't guarantee a 2nd floor room but will note my request for one). And, finally, the owners of the Valley of the Gods B&B are on vacation and I couldn't make a reservation for next year with the person who was looking after the place so they will call me back when they return on Monday.

At a couple of the places the rates are going up by some unknown amount but they took the reservation anyway and will let me know what the increase will be (they thought it would be only $5 – $10, nothing significant).

Desert Pearl Inn has a new building opening up with Premium King rooms for a bit more ($178 so far) but I stuck with the regular King Riverside.

These places all sound so wonderful.
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Old Aug 27th, 2006, 01:25 AM
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The latest revived plan looks really good! Glad you decided to do it in reverse of your first plan...it would be my choice!

Utahtea
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Old Aug 27th, 2006, 02:34 AM
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You've got a wonderful itinerary, ceezee. And you're absolutely right; you'll go back again and again. You'll love it!
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 06:37 AM
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First day to call for reservations at the National Parks and already I can't get into the Bryce Lodge ... it's full.

Any other suggestions of where to stay?
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 07:35 AM
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Never mind! I just checked back on the web site to reserve at the Bryce Canyon Lodge in the park and a room opened up. It was even in one of the Western Cabins that I wanted.

The Valley of the Gods B&B isn't taking reservations for next September until next year. So that's the only lodging I'm waiting on (except for LV). I'll give them another call after the New Year. They assured me that there wouldn't be a problem to get in.
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Old Sep 1st, 2006, 11:15 PM
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Glad you got into Bryce Canyon Lodge. Those cabins have a nice porch for sitting, relaxing, reading, etc. Very peaceful.

When you arrive in Moab, go to the visitor center in Arches and make a reservation for the guided walk through the Fiery Furnace (You are only allowed in with the ranger). It is a spectacular walk!

Also, I recommend Tag-a-Long Tours for a boat trip on the Colorado River into Canyonlands. You stop 37 miles into the National Park, have a picnic lunch, then transfer to an amazing jeep ride up and out of the canyon. Awesome!
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Old Sep 2nd, 2006, 06:42 AM
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If you're going to return to Las Vegas from Zion, you really should catch Vally of Fire on your return to LV.

It's right off I-15, and is well-worth a few hours. I've got some pix at http://community.webshots.com/user/bookhall
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Old Sep 2nd, 2006, 01:34 PM
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Thanks elnap29 and bookhall for the tips.

New problem however. Red River Ranch just called to tell me that they were canceling my reservation!?!! Apparently, they got a tour group booking and needed our room so they just up and cancelled my booking.

So, where else should I be looking at in the Capital Reef area. Is Boulder too far away? The Boulder Mountain Lodge looks interesting.

I'm so disappointed, but better now than later.

Thanks for all help!
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Old Sep 2nd, 2006, 05:06 PM
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Boulder is barely a town at all, but it has a fantastic restaurant there called Hell's Backbone Grill. The lodge is on the same property and has good reviews. It is also next to the old Burr Trail, which is a beautiful back road into Capital Reef. So this might work well for you. Perhaps someone on this thread has more experience tying this together for you. (We went to Moab area one year and Escalante/Boulder the next, staying at Red Cliffs Lodge outside Moab on the Colorado River and in Escalante at Escalante's Grand Staircase Bed and Breakfast -- would highly recommend both.)
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Old Sep 2nd, 2006, 06:06 PM
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My sister just did a 12 day trip & stayed at Austin's Chuckwagon in Torrey and loved it. She said they just built a bunch of new rooms and cabins. Their room was very large, new, clean. They have a pool/hottub area, a good deli/store on-site for good lunches to go, laundry facilities. You might give it a try. Boulder Mtn Lodge is a great place & Hell's Backbone Grill is incredible. We like to spend a night in Boulder & a night in Torrey.
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Old Sep 2nd, 2006, 06:11 PM
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Hi Ceezee,

Staying in Boulder would not be convenient to seeing Capitol Reef because it's a bit of a drive over Boulder Mtn, but it is a great place to stay enroute and for doing some hiking in the area.

How about staying there one night on your way to Torrey?

There are a couple of small motels in Torrey. One is the Chuckwagon, I think it's actually Austin's Chuckwagon. I've stayed there and other posters have given it good reviews. Great owners, very typical and basic, but it does have a pool!

Boulder Mtn Lodge is very nice, good people, awesome food at the Hells Backbone, res are needed even for lodge guests, it's very small. The Lodge does have some kitchen rooms I believe. I stayed there a couple years ago and really liked it. A bit on the expensive side for me, but probably not for you!

good luck!
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