Is this one-day S.W. itinerary possible?
 

Hello again... I've talked to several of you folks before about this trip I'm planning for the end of May to the southwest. I've got about 11 days and have tried to spread things out a little bit every day. But there is one particular day I've got planned that might be too much.

Here it is... driving from Zion N.P. to Page, AZ early on a Wednesday morning, June 2nd. Want to tour Antelope Canyon around the Noon hour for best photograph lighting (or so I've heard that's the best time to tour). From there I want to make it to Monument Valley in time for a sunset tour. After that, driving on to Cortez, CO for the night. Considering time to stop for meals and maybe a photo stop here and there, is this a reasonable plan? How early should a person head out from Zion to make Page in time for a noon tour of Antelope Canyon? Will I make it in time for the sunset tour at M.V.? I'm not worried about the drive from M.V. to Cortez... driving late at night is not a problem.

Thanks for any opinions on this.

According to Mapquest, Zion to Page should take 2 hours and 30 minutes. However, it would be best for someone who has done this drive to give their input. Anyone?

I think it can be squeezed in. I would plan on leaving Zion early in the morning to make sure you made it to Page, AZ in plenty of time. Going thought the Zion Tunnel can be slow. You can view the lake if you get to Lake Powell early. I believe we took the 11:30 tour Antelope Canyon and the lighting was perfect as we made our way back thought the canyon.

I don't know how long the sunset tour takes at Monument valley, but you're going to be rolling into Cortez pretty late that night.

Utahtea

Since you have set up such a tight schedule for yourself, I'd suggest reserving the tours ahead of time.

If you try to chance it by arriving and THEN getting a tour, you may not get into a tour at the time of your choosing.

Just a thought.

IMHO, you don't have to worry about making reserations for the Antelope Canyon tours. I don't know about the Monument Valley ones.

Utahtea

Thanks, everyone, for your replies. Utahtea... do you think around 7:00 a.m. is early enough to start out from Zion? If there's going to be lots of good scenery on the way I want to enjoy it and stop now and then to take it in a little bit. The Coral Pink Sand Dunes sound interesting but maybe I should forget that.

I have tried to e-mail the Trailhandler tours to set up a Monument Valley tour but have not been able to get through yet. I'll just call if I don't hear back soon. Any other good sunset tour company suggestions?

Thanks again,
Sandi

Idnas71,

I don't think I'd leave any later than 7. You're most scenic areas will be just as you leave Zion and as you approach Lake Powell. The rest is scenic but in a "driving by will do it kind of way". You might want to plan a little time for the Checkerboard Mesa area which is after the Tunnel in Zion.

I've never been to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, but you seem to have a lot on your plater for that day as it is!

Utahtea

Is there something about Antelope Canyon at noon that makes for good pics? Actually, in general, the best times for pics are early morning and late afternoon/early evening when the sun is not directly overhead. Just wonder if something about Antelope Canyon negates that...

I think since Antelope Canyon is a slot canyon the only time it sees light is when the sun is directly overhead.

Thanks for the further advice, Utahtea. I'll plan to get on the road by at least 7:00, probably a little earlier.

I honestly think you are biting off more than you can chew with this itinerary. Driving the width of Southern Utah in zig-zag fashion without any stops is going to take the better part of a day. Throw in some stops and tours and well... It's more than I would want to do. Are there young children involved? If so, then this might be suicide.

Bird,

No kids involved... just a couple ambitious gals. As long as I can make the tour at Antelope Canyon and a sunset tour at Monument Valley I'll be happy. I'll still be somewhat happy if I can at least drive the scenic route myself at M.V. I don't mind the late-night drive to Cortez. And this is the busiest day out of 11 that I have planned so I think we'll make up for it with lesser itineraries on other days.

The part of the drive from Zion to Monument valley will be busy, but doable. The late night drive to Cortez is the kind of thing my husband and I might have done before we moved to the Four Corners area, but not now. Now we'd probably stay in a motel just north of Monument Valley. You'll be worn out after the tour. You get really parched and tired, even on a half day tour. It would be worth having some picnic fare waiting in you car after the tour, since restaurants tend to close early.

Be prepared for some desolate roads between Monument Valley and Cortez. Some of my friends won't drive through an Indian reservation after dark. Fill your gas tank before you start out; stations are sparse and tend to close early, and you don't find many pay at the pump stations. Make sure you have a cell phone (it won't work all the time), and don't get out of your car if you see someone lying in the road; just call 911, if possible. I know this sounds paranoid, but there are stories of ambushes done this way. Also, watch for deer along the road. It's more likely you'll hit a deer than get into any trouble with humans.

Coral Pink Sand Dunes is nice but not something to go out of your way for on such a tight schedule.

Definitely do-able though. Sounds like you travel like I do. Everybody thinks I'm nuts :-)

Personally, I'd leave at the first crack of dawn so I don't feel "rushed".


Sylvia

I agree with Travellyn. Having done part of this trip last year, I would be a bit nervous about driving from MV to Cortez after dark, especially since I doubt that you know the roads. We stayed at the San Juan Inn in Mexican Hat, just north of MV. The motel was clean and reasonably priced. Goulding's is at MV, but too expensive, IMO. You could get up early and leave for Cortez, enjoying the beautiful morning drive.

To Austin,

When we entered the Antelope Slots canyon around 11:30 ish, there was light in the canyon but no direct sun beams. We walked to the other end and then as we were approaching the entrance a beam of sunlight started to come into the canyon. We had a really nice tour guide that let us run a little overtime so we could get some great shots of the light beam:

Check out the last two pictures:

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/vacat...lopecanyon.htm

To Idnas71, I hear at different times of the day, the light beams come in different places. There's one place called the "bear" and we were to early for that one.

To: travellyn & mlm59, DH doesn't like to travel after dark but not for those reasons & so I would listen to your advise, but I'm courious, what route are you guys talking about? Hwy 160 or going up to Bluff and then over on Hwy 262. I can understand concerns on Hwy 262, but I thought Hwy 160 would be good even at night.

Utahtea

Sylvia,

Yes, I guess we are kindred travel spirits. I've been told countless times how crazy my plans are. But they usually work out and I always have a great time along the way.

I didn't think about safety concerns of the late-night drive to Cortez. I guess I'll have to consider that a little more. Thanks for the advice and warnings!

Utahtea,

We didn't drive from MV to Cortez. MV was at the beginning of our trip & Cortez near the end. We travelled from MV to Mexican Hat via 163 and then took 261 to Natural Bridges. I sure wouldn't want to make that drive in the dark! Seriously, I never feel comfortable driving on roads I am not familiar with after dark. Plus, after a hot, dusty tour at MV I think Idnas71 might enjoy a shower and a place to rest for the night. There are gas stations and restaurants in Mexican Hat, although the restaurant where we ate dinner wasn't too great. The food was better for breakfast at the restaurant at the San Juan Inn.

Utahtea, I don't know which route I would take from Monument Valley to Cortez. Last time we drove it in the other direction, we cut across from Cortez to spend the night camping at Hovenweep, and then south, on a web of smaller roads. In the summer, I might take the northern route, purely for greener views and more mountains.

I'd feel safe on 160 east of Cortez, but not west of Cortez. Much of 160 is really bad at night in terms of deer. (I live in a subdivision just off of 160, and see dead deer most days, except in winter.)

Thanks travellyn and mlm59 for the good information.

To travellyn, are the nats at Hovenweep always bad or did we just hit a really bad time when we were there? DH got eatten alive...I'm not kidding and bugs usually don't bite him. I was smart and stayed in the motorhome at dusk...bugs love me;)

Utahtea

Utahtea, no gnats when we were at Hovenweep, but it was early June and VERY dry. We were outside at dusk and early morning, so I think we would have experienced them if they were hanging about then. I think there may have been a mosquito or two.