megee333

Hi,

We are trying to plan a trip from Sedona to Denver and only have 5-6 days. End May/beg June 2012.

Firstly, is it worth it or is 5-6 days too short and we won't experience the journey fully and maybe we should stay around Sedona?

What are the must-see's? We've been to the Grand Canyon before but definitely want to see Monument Valley; Million$ Hiway sounds good and the best national parks on the way.

We also have a baby with us, so the less driving the better, max 3 hours a day.

Thanks in advance for your tips and ideas,

Tomsd

I think you have plenty of time. If you aren't planning on seeing the Grand Canyon again, spend a couple nights in Sedona, and then a night at Monument Valley. To break up the driving to Monument Valley (maybe 4 hours from Sedona?)- stop the Navajo National Monument on your way to Monument Valley - where you can see some Cliff Dwellings - on a nice walk from their visitor center. http://www.nps.gov/nava/index.htm

From Monument Valley - you should be able to get back to Denver in two driving days - maybe stopping in Moab or some other nice place along the way. From Moab - you are close to I 70 - and that may take you 4 plus hours, but you could stop at say Glenwood Springs for a break - and soak.

Or go through Southern Colorado and stop at Durango?

qwovadis

classic.mapquest.com directions have done it make more time or stay around visitsedona.com Hyatt our fav priceline.com
also pick up the Grand Canyon El Tovar or Phantom Ranch
We usually fly into PHX carrentals.com

For road trip for us in the past.Sedona SantaFe/Taos
innatloretto.com Raton Pass into Colorado Pikes Peak Garden of the Gods area best on up to Estes Park for Rocky Mountains NP stanleyhotel.com our fav super neat spooky old place
where Stephen King wrote the Shinng. You will be on the road
more than you want if you elect this though.

Happy Deciding!

Tomsd

And here is how to get to Durango. You might even want to ride the steam? railroad there, but it all depends on how the baby is doing, eh?

http://www.distancebetweencities.net...rango_co/route

emalloy

I'd go for it and would suggest a route that would go: Sedona to Monument Valley, about 4 hours, so stop along the way as suggested. With babies it is easiest to drive during their nap/sleeping time, so stay flexible and stop when you need to. Do pick up an inexpensive cooler before you leave and fill it with drinks and food for those times when you need to stop and there is no store close by. Fill your tank with gas whenever it gets below half as there are some areas where services are scarce.

I would want to see Mesa Verde along the way to Durang and maybe even go up to Moab for a day or so.

There is lodging along the route in Kayenta (south of Monument Valley if you can't get it in MV) and Mexican Hat (north of MV ). Also in Bluff, Blanding, Moab, Cortez, before you get to Mesa Verde if you can't get lodging in the park and Durango past Mesa Verde. If you go east from Durango along 160 there isn't much until you get to I - 25, if you head up to I - 70 to get back to Denver there will be places to stay along the hwy.

have a great trip.

HappyTrvlr

Look into visiting Canyon de Chelly on your way. It's north of I-40 , near the AZ/NM border. Book a Navajo guide to explore the canyon in an SUV.

Tomsd

It's all about choices but if you are not on a quest to see the bigger Cliff Dwelling sites - such at Canyon de Chelly - or Mesa Verde - the Navajo National Monument will certainly give you a very good introduction.

Also in Kayenta - at the local Burger King - is a small tribute to the Code/Wind Talkers - the Navajo - who during WWII - in the Pacific - serving with the Marines - used their native tongue so the Japanese could not listen in and find out where they were directing artillery fire, etc. They were sworn to secrecy until the 70's - and only then received little/belated credit. This thrilling movie - Wind Talkers - tells their tale - with Nicholas Cage and others. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245562/

WhereAreWe

"also pick up the Grand Canyon El Tovar or Phantom Ranch"

For real!???

A couple with a baby is supposed to go to Phantom Ranch? At the bottom of the Grand Canyon, accessible only by raft or hiking 14-16 miles round trip?

tomfuller

After driving through Monument Valley, the next night would be spent at Moab Utah. Spend at least 4 hours at Arches NP.
The next night would be Grand Junction Colorado.

megee333

thanks.

does no one think the Million $ hiway is any good?

i'd like to go Durango to Ouray, then onto Denver via ??? (suggestions please)

megee333

also which is more interesting and natural and fun/exciting to see -

Moab or Durango to Ouray on Million$ Hiway ??

thanks again

megee333

and how about Independence Pass to Aspen?

which way is better? to/from Carbondale?

cheers