Mesa Verde/Moab???
 

We have been working on our trip to the Southwest and my husband and I are trying to work out the kinks. We were in Utah last year and divided our time between Zion, Bryce and Capital reef. This year we will spend:
Grand Canyon- 1 night
Lake Powell- 2 nights
??Mesa Verde- 2 nights??
Moab- 3 nights
Long drive to Zion- 4 nights.
I would like to see Mesa Verde. I have some issues with climbing r/t previous ankle fracture, but still feel it is worth the detour. My husband feels this is something we should skip. Either add a day to Moab or spend a night in Monument Valley.
The 4 nights in Zion is my choice..to relax at the Desert Pearl Inn before returning home. Do some hiking/day trips. Non negotiable.
Any ideas..should we save Mesa Verde for another time? Overnite in MV??
I am getting very confused. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

Mesa Verde is worth a stop. There is plenty for the non hiker to see and if you have some more adventurous members of the group, do sign up for the ranger tours Cliff Palace and Spruce house especially. Cliff palace does involve some hiking down stairs and up ladders if it hasn't changed since I was last there but is very interesting. There is a motel in the park which opens in April I think. You could drive through Monument Valley on your way to or from Moab.

We really enjoyed Mesa Verde. As emalloy said, the Cliff Palace tour involves some stairs and a ladder at the end. You can ask one of the rangers at the visitor center if they think it's doable. The self-guided tour at Spruce something - can't come up with the name! - doesn't have stairs or ladders.

I hope you'll visit Antelope Canyon while you're at Lake Powell. If you can get there for a noon tour to catch the light inside the slot canyon, it's pretty incredible.

Lee Ann

You might want to consider at least a day raft trip out of Moab. There are lots of outfitters with trips of differing lengths. I did an overnight out of Moab years ago but cannot recall which outfitter we used.

Ok the Desert Pearl is a wonderful place to relax! My favorite hotel.

I dont know if this helps. But i enjoyed our time at the Canyon way better than Lake Powell. I was very dissapointed with the Lake area. We did a smooth water raft trip from there that was great. But unless your renting a boat it was not worth the 2 days. I wish we had went to the arches.

Allison,

I agree you should keep Mesa Verde. It's a special place. You will feel the presence of those who went before.

I'm not sure what you mean about your ankle problem. If you can't hike at Mesa Verde, you can't hike at Zion. Or, is it just ladders?

I love Zion, but I would add a day to Moab and keep Zion to 3 days. There is much more to see and do in Moab than in Zion. Defintely do a raft trip in Moab!

Have fun!

For most folks, a day and a half at Mesa Verde will be sufficient [with overnight at Far View Lodge, which is in the park and dinner at their Metate Room].

What time of year is this trip? Summers can book up, so think about reserving your room sooner rather than later.

The cliff dwellings are must sees. Cliff Palace, Spruce Tree House and Balacony House are the most popular but Long House is well worth the extra drive [another 40 minutes from the other sites.]

There isn't hiking per se in seeing the dwellings, but there are ladders etc that must be dealt with and there are stairs, some steep paved paths etc.

Deb

Thanks for the input..I'll have to see what we put together. As far as my ankle, stair climbing is tough. Stairs, even in my house, are very slow going. Steep inclines are hard because the range of motion with my ankle is not great. I know that there are some things that I can not do...but I can do more than I can't. It's not enough to keep me from going! Always appreciate the feedback!

We enjoyed Mesa Verde far more than Monument Valley.

Since your ankle is not up to snuff, there are a couple of good drives near Monument Valley. Drive thru Valley of the Gods, Drive the Moki Dugway and then go out to Muley Point. Also Goosenecks of the San Juan is nearby. All of these are just a few short walking distance from the car to the overlooks. All of these spots are within 10 miles of each other. I would think you would go right past this on your way to Zion. Another option would be 4 corners. Yep, touristy trap place, but still worth a stop in my book. It is a little out of the way(45minutes or so).

And yes, stay in Mesa Verde. Metate Dining Room has pretty good food. I would probably spend the night in Mesa Verde one night and then one night in Monument Valley or Valley of the Gods B&B.

Allison,
Wondering what your plans are for Lake Powell. 2 nights may be too much - although I admit I am not a big fan and agree with luvnyoung that time spent elsewhere may be more interesting depending on what you're planning to do while there.

I wouldn't skip Mesa Verde - it's a fascinating place and there is plenty to see and do even with limited mobility. You might consider an extra night at the GC - not sure how early you will arrive there but it would be nice to have a full day to walk the rim or shuttle to all the beautiful overlooks. I'd skip Lake Powell or only give it one night if planning to see Antelope Canyon. You can drive by MV and take some pictures on your way to Mesa Verde or Moab. I think your 4 nights at the Pearl are a wonderful idea - I love Springdale and Zion and enjoy ending my trips there too! Without knowing the kinds of things you enjoy doing, it's a little hard to make suggestions but seeing the cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde will be well worth the effort.