I have seen several recent articles suggesting that Lake Powell is nearly empty with catastrophic low water levels. Any confirmation from locals?
M

Ape,

You will not be able to see both the Needles District and the Island in the Sky District in the same day, let alone a 1/2 day. They are a 2 hour drive apart. You'll have to choose. I would recommend the Island in the Sky because it's higher altitude = cooler temps for summer and has lots to see just by driving/short walks. Needles hikes are very long 10+ miles to the really cool places and you can't do that in the summer.

Also, there are several rafting companies that do 1/2 day afternoon trips. One even does a night/dinner trip - it's Canyonlands at Night. Other raft comanies are: Navtec, Tag-a-long, plus others. Check out the Moab web site for lots of info.

Write back if you have more questions.

Yes, Lake Powell is 1/2 empty due to 5 years of severe drought in the western US. Boating & recreation still go on, but it just means you will see things that used to be underwater! The Hite Marina is closed because it is now miles from water....and I heard(but you should confirm) that Rainbow Bridge is no longer reachable by boat.

ok, for the day drive from moab to brcye, we'll be stopping at capital reef. is there anywhere else we should plan on spending time?

also, is it necessary to book a rafting trip ahead of time (before we get there)? how about horseback riding at brcye canyon? most of the vendor websites say that i should book now, but i'm wondering if that is necessary.
thanks!

one more question, is $553.40 a good price for R/T non-stop airfare from philadlephia? i've checked around and the prices seem the same for non-stop flights. does anyone know if the prices from philly to vegas will go up or down between now and the end of august?

$553.40 is the price for 2 tix.

sounds like a good price for TWO tickets.

Yes - reserve rafting / horseback in advance. The 1/2day horse(mule) ride down into Bryce is very fun, interesting guide.

We just paid $430 for 2 rt nonstop tickets from Albany, NY to LV for our fall trip to Utah. Great price, I thought.

To Mikemo,

The lake levels at Lake Powell are about the same as they were last August when we were there. Yes the lake is low but it DOES NOT take away from the beauty of the area.

My pictures from last August:

http://www.utahtea.lithium.com/vacat...oat%20trip.htm

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

Utahtea

To ape462,

I totally agree with Dale that you do not have enought time to visit the Needles and Island in the Sky Districts of Canyonlands in one day, much less 1/2 a day.

I also recommend Island in the Sky district. Green River Overlook should not be missed. I haven't been since they paved the road...YEAH! I also like the short hike to Mesa Arch and Grandview overlook.

You are already looking at about 5+ hours of driving from Moab to Bryce. There are many interesting places to stop if you had the time. Gobblin Valley State Park is about 11 miles or so off of Hwy 24 before Hanksville on the way to Capitol Reef.

I hope you plan on driving scenic Hwy 12 between Torrey and Bryce. This secion of highway is worth stopping at some of the scenic overlooks.

Kodachrome Basin State Park about 9 miles off the highway just outside of Cannonville before you reach Bryce.

There are many other things to see in the area but my advise would be to spend your time in Capitol Reef and driving Hwy 12.

I have not gone on the horseback rides but my SIL looked into them last year. If you want to ride in Bryce Canyon National Park you have to make your reservations thought the National Park.
http://www.nps.gov/brca/horseback_riding.html

From what I've researched, all the other venders do not take you into Bryce National Park. You also can not weight more than 250 pounds. They have a scale there.

Utahtea

yeah, if you spend more than one day at Bryce, you definately want to take the Horseback ride. we went last Sept and did the short ride into the canyon, on top of hiking the Navajo Trail, among other things. The horseback ride gets you down into some parts of the canyon that aren't as easily accessible, if you are hiking. defintely worth it

oh yeah, another poster was correct, you want to get a horseback ride w/ the outfit that's located in the Bryce Canyon Lodge, they are the only ones who actually take you down into the canyon, all the others are just rides on the outskirts, just an fyi

is it worth driving the 30 miles from mather campground to desert view for a sunrise? i want to see a sunset at hopi point, which is close to our campground, so i'm wondering if taking in the sunrise from a different viewpoint is worth it. any advice? thanks so much!