You realize that we all expect a trip report later ;)

Goblin Valley State Park is other-worldly - worth some time since you will be driving by the entrance. I think Devil's Garden (off of the Hole-in-the-Rock Road near Escalante) is more scenic and colorful. Both are worth the time, if you have it.

They do sell a small selection of wine and liquor at Escalante Outfitters in the town of Escalante. We are always running out too.

We enjoy Bryce Canyon Pines for casual dining outside of the park. Nothing fancy but everything is fresh and they make homemade pies. Great patty melt.

I wouldn't recommend dining inside the park at Zion - the menu sounds much better than the food tastes. Springdale has much better options as others have suggested. We also enjoy Café Soleil for good coffee and breakfast/lunch wraps, etc.

To all my trip planners:

With all the effort everyone has put into this--We will certainly publish a trip report. It will be interesting to compare the plan to what actually was accomplished. Copilot just bought a new zoom coolpic.
We realize that we can't give all the recommendations as much time as most recommend, but we can figure out where we will concentrate on for the next trip.

Booklover44: have a good map for LWH trailhead.

Sharondi/spirobulldog and utahtea:

After peterboys food pics at the Springdale gas station, we will certainly go there and probably order the same thing. Steak for me; veggie for copilot. Solves dinner inside Zion concern.

All--have adjusted LWH, Goblin, Escalante Devils Garden and Lower Calf Creek each for more time. And have moved Willis Creek on our way to Zion from Bryce. Also added 2-3 additional hrs for Zion on the 8th. Will publish new schedule after I have completed more research.

Will be interesting to see how Willis compares to LWH. I haven't ever done Willis.

I would have one meal at Zion Lodge. I thought it was good. I also like to have a picnic under the big tree out front with the throngs of people in the afternoon. Or at the very least, an ice cream.

RVvagabon:

Where is the east trail head for Zion observation pt? Or is the canyon overlook on the way? Have not found a reference to the east entrance for this trail--only the 5hr version.

Your Post: Zion - Observation Point. The best view of the park, but it is a strenuous hike if you start within park boundary. If entering outside of park (EAST) entry, then it is practical. Suggest Canyon Overlook whose trailhead is east of the tunnel.

RVvagabon:

Since we are staying near the lodge in a Cabin. Would not the simplest way would be the shuttle to Weeping Rock. Then it looks more like a 3-4 mile round trip hike?

Here's the link to the NPS info on east rim trail.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisi...-rim-trail.htm

The problem with east trail head is how to get there. A solo hiker or 2 can easily hitch hike. A larger group would need to figure out a pla with car. If it were my group, I'd park there, then hitch hike one person back with a sign after the hike. All cars headed that way pass the trailhead.

The hike to Observation point is not a cake walk if doing it from the east trail head - you still have a lot of miles, and a lot of vertical to go once you reach the Obs Point trail.

I looked my records from my last trip to ZNP about a year ago. it took me less than 2 hrs to ascend to Obs point from the valley. less than 1hr back down. Not a senior, but 50+ age group. ymmv.

At Zion, I would also not do a 2hr shuttle bus ride in one shot. There is a narrative that plays on the shuttle bus, and it's the same narrative on every bus, but active people will get much more out of the trip using eyes out in nature rather than a road-level view from a shuttle bus.

I'd take the shuttle to several different trail heads and hike several of the shorter hikes on the day of arrival. Weeping rock trail, emerald pool, and definitely Riverside walk along the river. Given a choice I would NOT hike the 5 hr East Rim/Obs point hike as my only hike. Most of the hike is outside the valley - great hike, great views, but you should NOT miss hiking up the Virgin river past the end of the Riverside walk. Even if you only go a short way up the river, only 1/4 to 1/2 mile, around a few bends past the end of the paved trail you will experience the grandeur of Zion canyon narrows.

http://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisi...uide2013-4.pdf

My favorite vigorous hikes in Zion are Narrows, Scouts Lookout towards Angels Landing (I can't go all the way to AL...), and Obs Point from the valley up/down. After that East Rim back to the valley, and West Rim (continuing past Scouts Lookout).

J62:

Perfect, you have answered all we need to know wrt ZNP
Will take your advice on multiple short shuttle rides and multiple hikes. Will take your recommendations and with a rangers help, put the two day plan together. Will focus on your recommendations--Weeping rock, emerald pool Riverside,Narrows and Scouts Lookout.

We are still confused about Observation point starting point. From your thread above we think you are recommending Obs pt. from the valley up and down. Is this where you shuttle to Weeping Rock? And also from your records--this is about a 3hr round trip?

And thanks for the links. We had several other links but more importantly your reply gave us what was missing--where to start and the time required.

Weeping rocks is about a 10min easy walk from the valley floor/shuttle stop. There is one shuttle that runs up/down the length of the valley, from the park entrance to Temple of Sinawava stop. There are about 8-10 stops along the way, with stops in each direction. Zion Lodge is about 1/2 way up the valley and stopping there to picnic on the front lawn under the cottonwoods, or just eat an ice cream is a great way to rest and enjoy.

Re Obs point, yes, I am recommending starting at the valley mostly due to the transportation question. I think it's the same starting point / shuttle stop as Weeping rocks, or one stop over. The map will tell you.

From my records, Obs point up/down was 3hrs total hiking time for me, but I'm in good shape and a fast hiker, and I jog downhill when the slope isn't too steep. It could easily take twice that depending on your pace. I carried food + 2 liters of liquids with me and nearly all of it. There are hikers doing this trek with only a single 1/2 liter bottle of water in their hand, and no nutrition - not smart.

For what it's worth, Angel's Landing (about 1/2 mi beyond Scout's lookout) is one of the iconic hikes in all of the US. Do some research, watch a you-tube video or someone traversing the narrow section, then decide if you want to go for it. It's not for me.

I have a fear of heights and could not even think of going the last 1/2 mile to AL. The walk up to Obs point would have bothered me had a I stopped to smell the roses - much of the hike is a zig zag along the face of the cliff. At the top, I could not get within 20' of the edge, and could only stay at the top for about 1/2 hr before I had to go down.

J62:

Crystal Clear. And since my copilot has a very high level fear of dropoffs--we will take your advice. WIll show copilot the videos.
2 liters and food is good advice. And if we do Obs pt. we will plan on 4 hrs. Half hr at the top seems like a lot of work for a short visit.

Added this after watching 3 videos- W O W !!! -thank goodness we looked at the video--not only would the copilot do this--I won't either. Mesa Verde taught us a good lesson when we did the trip many years ago. Angel's landing is not for us. Hopefully we can make it to Scouts Lookout

Great advice--thanks again

The short trail near the east entrance to the tunnel is called the 'Canyon Overlook Trail'

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractio...Park_Utah.html

It has a lot of bang for the short walk.

Sept 3 -- Arches………………Moab Diner--bkft
AM--3hr----Delicate Arch hike--Picnic lunch
PM--4hr----Devils Garden hike/ possible night pgm..
----------Desert Bistro dinner///.Hampton Inn

I might consider flipping the order of the hikes.

If you're considering the full "Devil's Garden Primitive Trail" then it is one best tackled early before the day heats up. There is one section early in the hike along the top of a "fin" that may very well turn your acrophobic copilot around anyway.

Here's our experience on The Devil's Garden Trail starting with this picture from the top of the fin we crossed. Behind me the other side of the fin was only about 40' from the ground.

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21330677

Consider a late day hike to Delicate Arch to watch the sun go down and the moon come up...it will be a nearly full "supermoon" while you're there. Obviously you'll need a flashlight/headlamp for the walk down but there are usually lots of folks so it is safe if you take your time.

While it is a lovely experience, I'd swap one night of dining at the Desert Bistro for one at Sabuku Sushi...if you like sushi that is.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/sabaku-sushi-moab

We had a great early meal there before the evening hike up to moon rise at Delicate Arch...a little lighter than the meal at DB and appropriate for the evening's activity. We sat at the bar last visit and one of the owners was preparing the food...very, very good an unexpected treat in the desert.

peterboy:

Plan to do Whiptail hike first day on the way to MV.
Reversed the 2 Moab hikes and will have a Sushi picnic(we lived in Japan for two years and are both sushi lovers) Sushi was developed for just this purpose.

J62, peterboy and all:

After reviewing all your experienced recommendations; a lot of trip reports; Several Books; and Joe's Trail guide we have once again updated our itinerary.

The first 2/3 of the trip have been well scrubbed and the prime changes are in the Bryce/Zion days. Zion plan follows J62 recommendations with minor changes.

On the days we are not driving 2-4 hrs we plan on a siesta in the heat of the day.

We have also decided to make sure we have not piled on too much for the last few days to wind down.. But you-all have too many great recommendations....so we have opted to take the first day at Bryce(Sept 7) at an easy pace and the same for Sept 8. We are hoping we will then do a major workout on Sept 9 in Zion.

And somehow fit in Willis Creek hike in into or out of Bryce. Whiptail and Kolab Reservior planned for trip out of Zion on our way to hotel in Vegas.

We have exchanged Obs point in favor of Scout's Lookout as it is half the accent and 2hrs less time. Scout's Lookout will also provide some great late afternoon shade for the hike after spending a week in the sun. Copilot also added Canyon Overlook for a sunrise. Also dropped the 2hr Zion shuttle.

We are grateful for all the time and effort you have given us --an efficient routing to attempt accomplishing so many Vistas.
What we miss will be planned for our next trip.

Aug 31----- Ga to LAS,....... rental car to Hotel Alexis
Sept 1-LAS to MV-Antelope Canyon hike -Drive 7 hrs.
AM--Whiptail trail hike in Snow Canyon
PM--Wind Talker Monument=Hampton Inn/ View =dinner

Sept 2 ---To Moab via--MV ride thru-- Drive time 3-4 hr
----Arches visitor ctr-Hampton Inn/Desert Bistro dinner
PM-4hr-Islands in Sky/Green river/Arch hike/Grand view

Sept 3 -- Arches………………Moab Diner--bkft
AM--4hr----Devils Garden hike-Sushi lunch
PM--3hr---Delicate Arch hike-
possible night pgm..
----------Desert Bistro dinner///.Hampton Inn

Sept 4-To Torrey-Hanksville-gold Mill-Drive times 3hr
AM----1hr---Goblin
2.5hr--Little wild horse hike
PM ---1hr--Chimney Rock/Capitol Gorge drive
1hr--Hickman Br. Trail—Gifford House(5th AM ?)
-------------Best Western/-Cafe Diablo(7:45)(4:00 Pie)

Sept 5---to Boulder/Escalante--------Drive time 2-3 hr
------------Anasazi Museum--bkft Backbone Grill Boulder
3-4hr---Burr Trail / Wolverton loop-Slot River inn/dinner

Sept 6 - Escalante -----------------------Drive time 1hr
3-4 hr--Lower Calf creek hike/River Bridge/Kiva coffee
2hr------Devils Garden drive/hike
2h--/Willis Creek option
PM ---- to Bryce--Bryce cabin/Lodge sunset/dinner

Sept 7 Bryce--cabin
Rim Walk/Mossy cave/Queens landing-Lodge dinner
add Bryce activities at visitor ctr.

Sept 8 Bryce-----------cabin
AM--open, options--Willis ck 2hr or to Zion
PM---Drive to Zion
4-5hr-weeping rock/Emerald lower pool/Riverside walk

Sept 9- Zion,
AM—Canyon Overlook-2hr.(sunup)
3hr-Scout”s Lookout hike
PM--2hr open
Early dinner At Whoptail Grill then Kolab Reservior
LAS to Alexis Hotel(late)------Drive 3hr
Sept10-home

peterboy:

I think I confused myself about some of your recommendations.
We are clear on the Whiptail grill and the Kolab reservior.
Where was the short hike you took after dinner at Whiptail grill. We believe we mistakenly pined it Whiptail trail?

The short hike after dinner was the trail to the petroglyph panel which is also out through the tunnel toward the east entrance. It doesn't have a name. The description is here:

http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/146411200

No park service personnel will acknowledge the site or give directions.

Peterboy--thanks, got it and hopefully we can by you too a drink in Torrey.

I also thought Snow Canyon was near St. George Utah...unless there's another near Monument Valley.

You are correct as Snow Canyon is near St. George. We we trying to do it on our way to MV. We have dropped it as we thought after your Whiptail Grill dinner, the hike you were on was Whiptail trail. So we will find something else to do on our way to MY. And it sounds like the Petroglyph panel is near the Canyon Overlook that we have planned(near the east tunnel)????????

Since you are going to other slot canyons, if it isnt a sunny day on Aug 31, don't bother with the time/expense of doing Antelope Canyon, when it is sunny it is spectacular (see my afternoon pics at www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009 in the 2008 album) but not so much if it is overcast or rainy. If you want a break in the driving and you are in Page, go out to Horseshoe bend overlook or just to the Best Dam view.

I'd love to tag along on your trip.