soxgirl

Last December I enthusiastically booked a family hiking trip to North Rim, Zion, Bryce, and Grand Staircase/Escalante areas. We are all set with our accomodations, we being DH and three 20-something children. We are all fit, active people. Well, sort of; in the intervening months, i have developed somewhat debilitating hip arthritis, which is limiting my initial vision and enthusiasm for this fabulously planned hiking adventure mid August. My question; what are recommended 3-5 mile, not too strenuous hikes i can be looking at in any of these parks? I can walk and hike, but my range of motion is limited, my stamina has not been tested since I eased back on my usual physical regimen in order to rest up for the trip, and I deal with daily pain/discomfort. I'm looking for recommended hikes for DH and me, knowing the kids can continue further on their own. Im trying not to feel sorry for myself, by the way Thanks.

iamq

At Bryce I would recommend going into the Canyon on the Navajo Loop trail at Sunset Point and connect with the Queen's Garden trail and take that up and out to Sunrise point. It is about a 3.5 to 4 mile hike that takes you into the hoodoos. The ascent is not super steep and the views of the hoodoos take your mind off of any fatigue you might feel. It was a favorite hike of mine on our trip.

The Rim Trail is also a spectacular hike and not strenuous although there are some steep uphill portions and gives you a huge bang for our buck. We hiked it from Sunrise Point to Upper Inspiration Point and back. Lovely.

At the North Rim, we really enjoyed the slightly undulating forest walk out to Cape Final. It is about 2 miles each way and the views from Cape Final are wide ranging and open. The trailhead is on the road out to Cape Royal. We drove to Cape Royal and spent some time there and drove back to the trailhead. Cape Final is just a huge rock sticking out into the Canyon. No guardrails.

Another trail on the North Rim to look at is the Widfross Trail. We did not do it, but wish we had. Moderate out and back.

We just returned from a similar trip. Here is a link to my trip report if you are interested.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...m-and-zion.cfm

I hope this helps and that you get other suggestions.

Have a great trip.

Myer

I have to sympathize with you. I don't know how severe your condition is but almost two years ago I suddenly started to have pain in what I thought was my groin.

It just didn't go away and I couldn't walk for more than five minutes without just giving up.

During a visit to an ortho about a possible knee issue I asked him about it. His response was that he didn't know anything about hips. HIPS!!!

Well, last June (2009) I had a full hip replacement. About four months later we went to Disney World for a granddaughters birthday and walked for hours. No problem.

A month ago we were in Italy for 10 days and we were non-stop.

If you can walk/hike several miles you should be fine. I couldn't walk five minutes.

I agree Navajo Loop - Queens Garden in bryce should be fine.

The trails in Zion are narrower and rockier so this could be a bit tricky. Riverside Walk is very smooth and tame and ends at the start of The Narrows. The rest may decide to continue there.

soxgirl

Great-keep em coming! Myer, I am seeing an accupuncurist and chiropractor-before I go under the knife, which is probably inevitable. The combined treatments offer me a fair amount of success. Good to know the surgery was so successful for you; walking and hiking are integral to my well being, and seems like they are to you as well! Iamq, I'll read your trip report now. Thank you both. Yay.

bachslunch

Will also speak in favor of both the Navajo Loop-Queens Garden trail and the Rim Trail in Bryce Canyon.

For Zion, the Riverwalk is very easy and pretty much dead level. Also consider the Emerald Pools Trail, which is no more strenuous then the Navajo Loop-Queens Garden hike in Bryce.

There is at least one trail that runs along the North Rim of the Grand Canyon that affords some worthy outlooks and doesn't head down in. Can't remember the name of one I hiked fitting that description, but it likely is the one iamq describes.

elnap29

A lot of the trails in Zion are wide and somewhat paved, and some won't be too strenuous. Also they don't require a serious hiking commitment, so that if you feel you've reached your limit, you can stroll back to the trailhead and catch the shuttle back to the lodge where you can blissfully await the reurn of the rest of your family. The Riverside Walk at the Temple of Sinewava is the most leisurely of strolls. The walk from the Lodge to the Picnic Grounds is short and pleasant (although not paved). The trail from the Lodge to the Lower Emerald Pools might be OK. Weeping Rock trail is fairly short, paved, but a little steep in one section - you could give it a try. The easiest would be the Pa'rus trail that runs from the entrance to the canyon to the Visitor Center. It is paved and level, running along the Virgin River. It's a bit hot in the daytime (little shade) but is very pleasant at dusk or early morning. I plan on walking/hiking in this park until I am close to taking my last breath of air.

Myer

sox-girl,

I don't know where you're located but I've got a good hip-replacement surgeon.

You can see my photos of these places at:

www.travelwalks.com

I'll be in Yelowstone and Grand Tetons NP next week.

Just playing catch-up from last year.

soxgirl

Myer, I am in the Boston area. BTW, I have read your posts-probably back in Dec when I planned this trip. As a family, we last did Yellowstone and Grand Tetons-some 4 years ago. Spectacular. (I could hike then without a second thought.) Iamq and others, I have done some digging, and along with your recs, I have found those exact same hikes that I think will suit me. One of the North Rim park people I spoke to on the phone the other day also recommended Widforss-sorry you missed it iamq-i'm enjoying your report. Thanks all. I have high hopes.