Moab, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, 9 days, need some suggestions
Jun 20th, 2010, 07:57 PM
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Moab, Monument Valley, Mesa Verde, 9 days, need some suggestions
We have a bit more than a week in August, from Fri. the 13th to Sunday the 22nd, starting from L.A.
I think we will go all the way to Flagstaff Fri. night, now I'm wondering how to fit in the rest. Drive thru Mon. Valley on Saturday, stay in Moab 2-3 nights and see Arches and as much of Canyonlands as we can, then stay in Cortez 2 nights & see Mesa Verde, head back thru Mon. Valley on way home, perhaps overnighting in Laughlin on Saturday the 21st. I can't decide if we should spend a night in Kayenta going or coming.
I have just started my reading, and could use some help in narrowing it down to the interesting things to see. We can hike and sightsee for hours, even in the heat. The interesting side things like Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway and Goosenecks look neat, how much driving time is needed out of the way from where to where?
How are the campgounds at Island in the Sky in august? Roasting hot and no shade? I understand they are first come first serve, do they fill up in August? For hotels, I'm thinking the BW Greenwell Inn in Moab, the Holiday Inn Express in Cortez, and perhaps the Hampton Inn in Kayenta.
I think we will go all the way to Flagstaff Fri. night, now I'm wondering how to fit in the rest. Drive thru Mon. Valley on Saturday, stay in Moab 2-3 nights and see Arches and as much of Canyonlands as we can, then stay in Cortez 2 nights & see Mesa Verde, head back thru Mon. Valley on way home, perhaps overnighting in Laughlin on Saturday the 21st. I can't decide if we should spend a night in Kayenta going or coming.
I have just started my reading, and could use some help in narrowing it down to the interesting things to see. We can hike and sightsee for hours, even in the heat. The interesting side things like Valley of the Gods and Moki Dugway and Goosenecks look neat, how much driving time is needed out of the way from where to where?
How are the campgounds at Island in the Sky in august? Roasting hot and no shade? I understand they are first come first serve, do they fill up in August? For hotels, I'm thinking the BW Greenwell Inn in Moab, the Holiday Inn Express in Cortez, and perhaps the Hampton Inn in Kayenta.
Jun 21st, 2010, 02:43 AM
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We did Moki dugway and VOG in May. VOG is kind of like a small Monument Valley. Moki dugway can be an e ticket ride. If you are in a larger rv it is not recommended as some of the switchbacks are very tight. I have a couple of pictures of Moki and VOG at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009 in the 2010 set if you want a look.
If you can fit it in while you are in the area Natural Bridges National Monument is very interesting and a nice contrast to the arches at Arches.
Hovenweep is between Moab and Cortez and is a nice contrast to Mesa Verde. Lowry Pueblo is also just off the route too.
If you can fit it in while you are in the area Natural Bridges National Monument is very interesting and a nice contrast to the arches at Arches.
Hovenweep is between Moab and Cortez and is a nice contrast to Mesa Verde. Lowry Pueblo is also just off the route too.
Jun 21st, 2010, 05:21 AM
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Restaurant info for Cortez area:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705273
Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn are the best motels in town. There are 2 B&B's also, if interested.
It is only a 10 minute drive from Cortez to entrance of Mesa Verde NP. It will take another 40 minutes to get to visitor center. Plan accordingly. Lot of folks who will do 2 days at park, stay at the park to avoid driving out and back the next day. They have Far View Lodge and camp grounds.
Be sure to go to the sites on Wetherill Mesa, only 10% of the visitors go there since it is another 45 min drive, but it is SO worth it! I have lots of posts here on MVNP and the area. Click my name for them.
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/705273
Holiday Inn Express and Comfort Inn are the best motels in town. There are 2 B&B's also, if interested.
It is only a 10 minute drive from Cortez to entrance of Mesa Verde NP. It will take another 40 minutes to get to visitor center. Plan accordingly. Lot of folks who will do 2 days at park, stay at the park to avoid driving out and back the next day. They have Far View Lodge and camp grounds.
Be sure to go to the sites on Wetherill Mesa, only 10% of the visitors go there since it is another 45 min drive, but it is SO worth it! I have lots of posts here on MVNP and the area. Click my name for them.
Jun 21st, 2010, 11:23 AM
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Plan B: Flying into and out of Salt Lake City. For this, we would have 7 nights. If we spend 3 in Moab, 3 in Cortez and 1 more back in Moab before we head to SLC for a 7 p.m. flight, would we be able to see Mon. Valley and VOG on a long driving day out of Cortez? Cortez to MValley looks to be about 100 miles.
Jun 22nd, 2010, 11:27 AM
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Back to Plan A, we are going to drive, probably overnighting in Kingman going and coming home.
If we spend 1 night Kayenta, 3 nights Moab, 3 nights Cortez, is this a good framework for sightseeing without wasting TOO much time in the car? We will want to hike as much as we can cram in. Arches NP seems quite small, one day or less?
I am thinking one whole day for the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands, then perhaps we could see the Needles section as we are heading down to Cortez.
What's a good way to fit in VOG?
If we spend 1 night Kayenta, 3 nights Moab, 3 nights Cortez, is this a good framework for sightseeing without wasting TOO much time in the car? We will want to hike as much as we can cram in. Arches NP seems quite small, one day or less?
I am thinking one whole day for the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands, then perhaps we could see the Needles section as we are heading down to Cortez.
What's a good way to fit in VOG?
Jun 25th, 2010, 04:46 PM
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Arches is a smaller park but it's crammed with scenery and interesting trails. I'd spend two days there unless you just do a drive through. Take the hike up to Delicate Arch in the evening and hang out for the sunset.
Canyonlands on the other hand is huge and has some awesome viewpoints but the hikes are not as interesting unless you do some of the longer ones such as the one to Chesler Park in the Needles district. The backcountry of Canyonlands is great if you have 4 wheel drive or take a guided trip out of Moab.
If you go into the Needles area, expect to spend pretty much a full day. Stop at Newspaper Rock on your way in and view the petroglyphs. You also might consider staying in Monticello that night instead of going all the way to Cortez.
Canyonlands on the other hand is huge and has some awesome viewpoints but the hikes are not as interesting unless you do some of the longer ones such as the one to Chesler Park in the Needles district. The backcountry of Canyonlands is great if you have 4 wheel drive or take a guided trip out of Moab.
If you go into the Needles area, expect to spend pretty much a full day. Stop at Newspaper Rock on your way in and view the petroglyphs. You also might consider staying in Monticello that night instead of going all the way to Cortez.
Jun 25th, 2010, 07:15 PM
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If all this isn't enough, you might consider Goblin Valley, it is one of my favorite places in utah. There is just so much in each area to do. canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com is a super experience as well. Deadhorse Point is very nice as well. If at all possible stay in the park at Mesa Verde instead of Cortez.
