Toucan2,

Yes, there's a trip report somewhere here for the 2008 Utah trip. Also a couple of more minor trips NY-Philadelphia (2007) and NY-Boston (2008).

2009 was a physical recovery year.

This is my dream trip--and 6 weeks--be sure to schedule some time at Grand Teton NP when you are doing your Yellowstone visit. And bring some warm clothes. It can get cold there in Sept.

What's Yosemite like in Sept / Oct?

Yes, you could go into Salt Lake City, we have been to Yellowstone/Tetons the past 2 years and used that airport. It's about a 4-hour drive. Jackson is much closer, right at the Tetons really, but it is smaller. Salt Lake would let you see the Salt Lake, of course, and it is something you may not want to miss. Plus, we found some interesting driving, and it's not a difficult drive.

By the way, since you will be going to Yosemite - if you have a chance and your route takes you that way, consider a stop at Devil's Postpile (on the Nevada side of Yosemite). You can see it with all the other parks at www.nps.org. There's a nice shortish hike to the top of the "postpiles" that we have enjoyed. And Mono Lake is nearby (pretty weird).

Thought perhaps you could work it into your route to Las Vegas from San Francisco & Yosemite.

September/early October is a great time for Yosemite, although the waterfalls will be scanty, especially the faous Yosemite Falls, which may be dry. The scenic beauty of the cliffs and all the rest is still there, the weather is fine, and the crowds have decreased. Still, try to visit at mid-week. And do include the high country (Tuolumne Meadows) in your plans.

I like Dayle's plan and the going in the order he has it listed. There are plenty of other secondary things to do and see on the routes he has suggested.

Very true. From Yosemite, you could continue on towards the east entrance, visiting Tuolomne Meadows and then out to Lee Vining (Mono Lake) and close enough to Devil's Postpile for a detour, if desired, then to LV.

As a side note, if you decide to include Monument Valley, be aware that it is NOT a national park. It is Native American land so you would not be able to use your National Park pass to enter. I would strongly encourage making reservations for as soon as possible. We will be staying in Gouldings Lodge in Monument Valley in early September, and I am aware that there is a National Geographic tour that will be in the area around that same time. Make reservations as soon as possible.

lakesidechick,

I agree that if you feel like you have time, add Mesa Verde and Sequoia. Both are wonderful!

Yes, you can fly into SLC. Flights are more frequent and less expensive. Drive from SLC to Yellowstone would be about 5 hours or more depending on which route you take. The route up through Logan Canyon, past Bear Lake and through Star Valley is the most beautiful!

Spiro - I'm a she!

Dayle, I know that, but I still get it confused every time. Even after Myer said "she" earlier. Sorry.

No problem Spiro,

It's provided a lot of entertainment in my life!

Actually, every "Dale" or "Dayle" I have ever known or met, starting with Dale Evans, has been a "she".

I had a boychick cousin named Dale. He was a he :-)

Good point to bring up about MV Jill. But, I don't remember the entrance fee being very expensive, was it? I think $5 a person or something? I should look it up.

The food in the restaurant at The View is also very good. The green pork chili was especially good, so keep that in mind :-)

Wow -- kudos to Dayle for a really good itinerary suggestion above.

Would definitely recommend spending a day in Jackson, WY. It's a fun town to explore for this length of time.

I'd personally spend more time in San Francisco and Las Vegas if you can, as both cities have plenty to offer -- though I wouldn't do so at the expense of cutting time in the parks.

Am thinking one could easily spend a week in San Francisco seeing the neighborhoods, museums, and other sites, plus this city should be on anyone's short list of great food destinations in the US. Four days wouldn't be unreasonable for Las Vegas, and there are good food options there as well. They're very different cities, plus they'll make a good contrast to the parks.

I agree that there is plenty to do in San Fran. 1 or 2 day would be enough for me in Vegas.

You can spend two weeks in Las Vegas without even hitting the casinos. In the immediate area, you can go hiking, rock climbing, rock scrambling, kayaking, ride an ATV, drive a dune buggy up a 500 foot high sand dune (or at least try to), sky diving, bodyflight (indoor skydiving), jet skiing, land sailing, race car driving, play 1950's and 1960's era pin ball machines...the list goes on and on. Las Vegas has also developed a world class set of dining options in the last 3 or 4 years.

And by the way, we'll be wanting a trip report! :-)

Thanks so much everyone... trip report approaching in October!!! (Probably 1000 more questitons before :-) )

We are late to the party but have spent some time in the area you will be covering. Flying to Jackson to start will get you running immediately, and in a jewel of a location then you can pick your route driving over as some suggest. However, It seems noone has mentioned in Page to see Antelope Canyon, though it may have been implied. If you see mesa verde and it is very cool, other close parks include Black Canyon of the Gunnison, which is very different from the Grand Canyon, Great Sand Dunes is a hoot, especially sliding down after you hike up, In escalante, mentioned above find a slot canyon (we did peek a boo) will change the way you look at the power of water. Part of Canyonlands is Horse shoe Canyon and the Grand Gallery, do not miss it, but unlike us, go down early or like us hike out by flashlight, not recommended by us or the park service/BLM. Las Vegas is the polar opposite of a national park but there are several parks close by including Death Valley and contrary to popular opinions it is abosutely gorgeous, you can go in the south and drive out the north entrance, many stops, bring ice pops, for the hot temps.

some things I would not want to miss in each park
Arches - the primitive trail in the devils garden
Zion - Angels landing and the narrows (spend the time and bring your best camera in a wet bag even a four hour hike upstream is not too hard but worth every minute-cold water in october but that is when we did it)
Grand Canyon - Be sure to hike in even part way to skeleton point or so, btw can snow in October and north entrance closes, but a few hours away in page could be 90 degrees
Muir woods in San Fran was nice but small to see tall trees not "fat" like sequia
It has been a while but preferred Sonoma County to Napa Valley, but may be just as bad now, its been a few years.
Monument Valley is nice, in a few weeks we are planning to go just north of MV to Natural Bridges (especially for the night sky), goosenecks and Valley of the Gods, UT which is billed as mini monument valley, also can get from there over to Arches or Vice versa
Bryce - hike in very different view
I agree Dayle has laid out a nice itin, I would have as many days as you can spare in Yellowstone, we spent 9 days and would love to go back, it is a big park with lots of things to see and do - We changed hotels every night or every other in yellowstone and Tetons, otherwise you will spend your day driving in and out of the park instead of seeing what you came to see.
Rent/Hire a car that has four wheel drive or some places may be off limits to you and your vehicles abilities.
For giggles, you can get the National Park Passport and have it stamped in each parks visitor center (and help the economy by buying the stamp if the park has one)
I apologize for length but hope you understand my enthusiasm for the west. We live on the East Coast but get out every chance we get. Probably goes without saying but a camelback full of ice is worth its weight in gold in these areas, hot desert ice cold water, say no more. I did not see age or experience but our kids are 4 and 6 and we take them everywhere, if we can do it so can you :) Enjoy.