spirobulldog

I don't consider hiking at 4000 to 5000 feet much of an altitude(although I guess it could be at a slight altitude). I don't notice a shortness of breath like I do when hiking above 8000 feet. I hiked above 10000 this past summer a time or two and didn't feel to bad at that height. Altitude does effect people at different levels. I think I am at 1500 feet in elevation where I live. From what I have read, most folks don't notice elevation(shortness of breath) until 6000 feet or more. Keep in mind that when hiking or other strenuous activities you are going to breathe harder to start with. I would be more worried if I were experiencing headaches, dizziness, or nausea than breathing a little harder. You can always take your time or turn around.

tomfuller

I suppose that a sunset picture at Delicate Arch would be beautiful, but I don't like the idea of hiking out of there in the dark even with a headlamp.
My home is at an elevation of 4400 feet. I don't have problems breathing unless I try to rise over 2000 feet in less than 2 miles.
Sit and rest for 4-5 minutes when you tire.

Myer

spiro, tom,
I agree 5,000ft isn't much elevation. I live at sea level so anything has some effect.

Also, my first hike to Delicate Arch was 5 hours after the plane landed so I didn't have any to to acclimatize. The second time I went (2 days later as it was cloudy the first time) was easier.

Going to Delicate Arch for sunset doesn't have to involve hiking in the dark. For sure not going out.

If you start the return a little before the sun's shadow reaches the Arch, you should return before it gets dark.

It's mostly downhill for the return so quite a bit faster.

On my recent trip to Yellowstone we hiked Mt Washburn. The hike starts at 8,800ft and goes up to about 10,400. Sucking for oxygen began almost from the start. But worth the effort.

spirobulldog

I didn't have any problem coming from Delicate Arch in the dark and we didn't have any flashlights(which I would next time). I plan on hiking Delicate Arch early in the morning in May(6:30am), not sure what to expect.

Myer, I wish I would have hiked Mt. Washburn when I was there.

Myer

spiro,
I'm glad we hiked Mt Washburn. I'd do it again. Very easy walk except for no oxygen.

Sunrise at Delicate Arch will have a different look than sunset as the sun will rise facing you. That would place the Arch most likely in some shade with dramatic shadow effects.

You'll be hiking there in the dark.

helen63

Thank you for all this additional information!

I followed the advice to maximize time in Zion Park, and booked 2 nights in Zion Park Lodge.
First day includes driving from Las Vegas, which is not that close, so I will not have too much time on my first day. That’s why decided on two nights.
So, with this, I adjusted a little bit Myer’s plan, and thinking of the following:

Day 3 – Drive to Bryce – overnight in Bryce (see the canyon on the sunset and the sunrise)
Day 4 – Drive to Page. Overnight in Page
Day 5 – Start early, and drive to Moab
Day 6 – Arches
Day 7 – Drive to SLC via Goblin valley and Price

Still contemplating whether we should include or exclude Page.

elnap29

It's a lot of driving. Check googlemaps or mapquest to get an idea of drive times to help you decide.

spirobulldog

I think you are not stopping to smell the roses, skip Page or skip Arches.

Day 2
Hike The Narrows, Canyon Overlook, Emerald Pools.
Have lunch under the big tree in front of the lodge. Everybody does this and it is pretty cool. Have dinner in the lodge that evening. Watch the wild turkeys and deer( they appear on the lawn often in the evenings)

Day 3
Bryce
Hike The Navajo Loop/Queens Garden
Sunset

Day 4
Sunrise @ Bryce
Drive Scenic HWY 12
Drive to Capitol Reef-see the Orchard and have pie at The Gifford House(located in the park)you will eat your pie a few feet from the house in the picnic area (usually many deer are here) Then drive on to Goblin Valley and continue on to Moab

Day 5
Arches
See Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Double Arch, and Balanced Rock, plus tons of other great options there

Day 6
Canyonlands, Deadhorse Point

Day 7 SLC


On Day 4 you could add Calf Creek Falls hike or Little Wildhorse Canyon hike. You would be right by either one of those and they are worth doing. You might consider spending the night in Torrey, near Cap Reef, on this day.

Nelson

Mr Myer knows this area well and has good advice, but he did say:

However, I'm non-stop as you can see by the itinerary I made up.
That's not for everybody. But if it is for you then what I wrote will work.

It will work but it's a heckuva lot of driving. You need to decide if that's for you. (I'm the other side of the coin. My wife and I have spent an entire week each in Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands and could have stayed longer).

I also consider driving as much as possible in the middle of the day, to be in the parks early morning and late afternoon - best time for photography, wildlife, fewer people.

Whatever you decide it's a fantastic area.

Myer

helen63,

With all that driving I would try to get an extra day/night in Moab.

Being in each place for one night isn't too bad on a three day trip. However, on a slightly longer trip such as yours, moving every day wears on you. You also spend a lot of time changing lodging.

helen63

Spirobulldog, thank you, so much appreciated details!!!

Elnap, Nelson, Myer, thank you again for your point of view. I will see if I can cut one day from Las Vegas to add to Moab, or maybe drive straight to the airport on the last day without SLC sightseeing (my fligt not until late in the day), so that way, I can stay extra day in Moab

helen63

The more I read and look at pictures, the more I am determined to visit Page area. And now, it looks like I would like more time in there. The Colorado River Discovery (Smooth water rafting, rather float than rafting) looks really good.

The raftig trip are twice a day - 7:30 am and 1:00 pm. So, if I leave Bryce canyon early (after sunrise), will I be able to make to 1:00 pm trip (actually need to be there by 12:30). According to Mapquest, it is only 3 hours trip, but not sure how constructions, traffic, and detours can affect our travel time. Do you know if it is better to take early morning or 1:00 pm river trip?
So, with that I am thinking, of taking Antelope canyon tour next morning, and then drive to Moab. Or something of this sort. Now, I am pretty set on cuttig one day out of LV, and adding it to Moab.

spirobulldog

You won't be sorry about cutting LV and adding it elsewhere.

spirobulldog

We will be in parks 26-31, btw.

helen63

Spiro, we will be around Moab on those dates. Are you going to be around there too?

spirobulldog

yes

helen63

Should we plan for a quick GTG then?

helen63

What about Coral Pink Sand Dunes ST? Photos look amazing, but I do not see anyone recommending it.

Is it worth a stop?

LittleDickensD

oooohh, marking for the great advice!