Need help with Southern Utah itinerary
 

I know this is a lot to ask but I really need help… I’m starting from scratch on planning a Southern Utah trip for early September. We’re flying into Las Vegas on a Saturday, arriving mid-afternoon, renting a car. We leave out of Vegas the following Saturday morning. On our last trip there we did Zion, Bryce, Page, Grand Canyon (South Rim). This time we mainly want to hit Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef. We also want to go back to Page and see Horseshoe Bend again, and probably do the boat trip to Rainbow Bridge. Our main goal is to see the beautiful scenery, and my husband is an avid photographer. We’re willing to do some hiking, but nothing too strenuous (we’re in our 50s). Any suggestions on the best route to take, places to go, how much time to spend in each location, where to spend the nights (we’re willing to change hotels frequently). Thanks in advance!

How many days???

Seven.

hmm.. we just did LAS-Sedona-GC-Bryce-Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)- Salt Lake City...last week...we stopped in Page for lunch..

Looks like you're out of your way to do LAS... can't you fly into Grand Junction maybe? That is a long stretch from LAS to MOAB...

Have you thought then maybe to go from Vegas to Flagstaff? And then maybe head up that way to Capitol Reef and make your way up to MOAB...

We probably should have flown into a different airport, but we already have our tickets and at the time we were planning to go to Zion but changed our minds.

I'm thinking we could do a big circle, maybe something like:

Day 1 – Las Vegas to Page (stay one night)
Day 2 - Do AM boat trip to Rainbow Bridge, PM drive to Mexican Hat or somewhere nearby (stay one night)
Day 3 – Tour Monument Valley area. PM drive to Moab (stay three nights)
Day 4 – Canyonlands/Arches
Day 5 – Canyonlands/Arches
Day 6 – Canyonlands/Arches. PM drive to Capitol Reef (stay one night)
Day 7 – Capitol Reef. PM drive to St. George (just to spend the night since it's on the way to Las Vegas)
Day 8 – St. George to Las Vegas

Any thoughts??

Just a little tweek for Day 2, drive to Kayenta, AZ or stay in one of the two places in Monument Valley, unless you can get the B+B in Mexican Hat. The motels in MH are very ordinary and not less expensive than Kayenta and it will make your trip that day a little shorter.

After MV You might like to drive up UT 261 and do a quick visit to Goosenecks of the Sanjuan amd if you dare continue up Moki Dugway if it isn't wet. We just did part of your trip last week click my name to find the trip report if you want and a couple of pictures of Goosenecks and Moki at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets

Thanks emalloy! The only reason I was thinking about Mexican Hat was because of the Inn, but I haven't even checked to see if it's available. If not, I'll do Kayenta. I'll check out your trip report. Thanks.

(P.S. I said Inn above, but I really meant Valley of the Gods B&B of course)

When you wrote that you're in your 50s I'm not sure if you are boasting or complaining.

Why should that stop you. I'm in my mid-sixties.

If your husband is into photography you should consider a few things.
Page - Antelope Canyon.
Between Moab and Capitol Reef - Goblin valley State Park
Bewteen Capitol Reef and Bryce - Lower Calf Creek Falls (a bit long but not difficult at all), Devil's Garden Escalante, Willis Creek just south of Cannonville (this is a real slot canyon and a very easy walk after a 10 mile dirt road ride).

There may be a few more but I won't be there until mid-September.

Good point Myer. Our age doesn't really matter, but unfortunately we're not the most athletic people!

Thank you for the suggestions. We did Antelope Canyon last trip and loved it. I'll definitely put your other suggestions on the to-do list.

If you are coming from sea level, be aware that Arches and Canyonlands are significantly higher. Arches~4000-6000, Canyonlands~3000-7000 feet. Getting acclimated takes us 2 or 3 days during which hiking requires a slow pace and frequent stops. We suck wind a lot. That said, it hasn't stopped us from visiting, although we have avoided hikes that we thought might get us into trouble.

Have a fantastic time.

For a great place to stay in Moab, try Cali Cochitta:

http://www.moabdreaminn.com/

It is a wonderful B&B with lovely rooms, great breakfasts, interesting guests and the owners, Kim and David are terrific hosts. It is in a great location, just a short walk to the main street. One of our top/favorite B&B's.

emalloy brings up a good point.

The elevations are not high enough to know you're in elevation but high enough to feel somethings up during hikes.

Just go slowly, rest when you feel winded and drink water before you feel anything.

Thanks so much for the suggestions and the warnings about the elevations!

On Day 6, I would leave early and see perhaps Deadhorse Point and perhaps Little Wildhorse Canyon. DON'T MISS GOBLIN VALLEY, it is near Lil Wildhorse. I think the best thing in Capitol Reef is picking fruit and having a picnic in the picnic area with the deer. Cap Reef is nice and isn't crowded, but IMOP isn't nearly as stunning as the other places you are visiting.

Thanks spirobulldog, will do!

Now that I've decided on the basic itinerary and made hotel reservations, I really need to delve into all of the options for specific places to visit. I'll also want to consider what times of day to visit certain places for the best photos. So any suggestions/ideas are most welcome!

Mesa Arch in Canyonlands at or before sunrise. Delicate Arch @ Sunset, although the next time I see it I am going for Sunrise. Delicate Arch has a lot of people at sunset. I liked the entire hike of Devils Garden in Arches NP. I like to hike early and late and then take a nap in the middle of the day because of the heat, I am not sure about the temperature at that time of day. Canyoneering with www.deserthighlights.com is one of my all time favorite things. It is adventurous. If you could catch Goblin Valley in the late evening and then try Capitol Reef early in the day is good. There is a museum/store/house in Cap Reef that makes homemade fresh fruit pies(picked in the orchard). They run out of them early in the day. They also have homemade ice cream with fruits from the orchards. This store is located right by the picnic area. I hiked 30 miles this past october in Cap Reef, and I would say spend your hiking time elsewhere.

There is a Devils Garden in Arches and then Devils Garden in Escalante. Don't get them confused as they are different. I haven't done the one in Escalante, but hopefully can sometime.

We stayed at Valley of the Gods and enjoyed it. I would do Moki Dugway, Muley Point, and Goosenecks of the San Juan as they are just a few miles from VOG.

If you go to a sight for sunset, you usually leave it with enough light to get back to your car.

If you go somewhere for sunrise everything is done in the dark.

I sometimes wonder how you'd find Mesa Arch for sunrise. How would you hike to Delicate Arch in the dark?

Bryce Point in Bryce Canyon isn't a problem as the viewpoint is only a few yards from the parking lot.

You can actually see pretty good in the dark. Your eyes adjust. You could take a flashlight. Now, I haven't done a whole lot of hiking in the dark, but have done a little. If you stay long enough at Delicate Arch, it will be dark by the time you get to your car.

I got back from Delicate Arch just as it got totally dark.

I've heard things about rattlesnakes at night but haven't heard or seen any.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

Select 2007 & 2009 trips to Utah & Arizona