e,

If your friend thinks that 2 days in the Moab area is "enough", then they must be the kind of visitor that drives through a Natl Park, snaps and picture at the entrance sign and checks it off their list!
Or, have they even been there?!

Minimum for Moab is 3 days. If you have the time, consider yourself blessed and take it!

Great thank you. I was beginning to feel that she was just driving through.

We know have

arrive SLC - leave next morning for Moab

4 nights Moab

1 night Torrey

2 nights Bryce - need to find a place to stay but I'm calling

2 nights Zion

last day drive back to SLC

As I keep saying, can't thank you enough for your advice. I just booked Little America in SLC and a Best Western Zion Park in Zion. I already have Autin's Chuck in Torrey although we are in a pit of a room. I need to call there as well and see if we can get upgraded.

I'm still working

e,

Trip is shaping up very well. You're doing great. Keep working for Bryce.

Austin's Chuckwagon is a typical small town motel, clean and nice. Great owners!

There is a very nice B&B there. The Sky Ridge Inn. Again, only about 6 rooms, but you might try it.

e,

I have a very minor issue.

My own opinion. But if I have a choice (and have to choose one), I'd take a Lower Calf Creek Falls hike over Capitol Reef NP.

I would either try to sleep in Boulder instead of Torrey or move the first night of Bryce to Boulder.

I think in Bryce if you could arrange for sunset at Sunset Point, sunrise at Bryce Point, hike Navajo Loop/Queens Garden and view 2-3 other viewpoints (Natural Bridge), Bryce can be seen very well and without rushing from mid-afternoon to mid-afternoon of the next day.

By sleeping in Boulder and getting an early start, you can hike Lower Calf Creek Falls (2 1/2 hours app), go to Willis Creek (2 1/2 hrs) and end up in Bryce by mid afternoon.

Just some thoughts. Then again, I'm pretty well non-stop.

Please don't skip Capitol Reef. I was actually going to suggest additional nights there. Torrey is a beautiful little western town and the park is incredibly scenic and geologically amazing! And Austin's is a great place to stay.

Your plan looks good. Have a great trip and please write a trip report when you get back.

Well, I'm still calling like crazy to get September 15 in Bryce. If I can I will switch my September 14 reservation and stay in Boulder, if I can get something there. I tried some other Bryce locations but the only ones with rooms had terrible reviews and I didn't want to chance a really awful hotel.

Your suggestions all sound great and I would like to do it all with as little extra driving as possible. I will let you know how I fare.

eznmomma:

While in Torrey, make sure you eat at Cafe Diablo, one of the best restaurants you'll ever experience right in the middle of nowhere. The glazed ribs I still think about once in a while. As others have said, this trip will be one you remember and reminisce upon for years.

As you drive on 12, my family and I did a hike to Natural Bridge which was just south of Calf Creek Falls I believe. About 2.5 miles round trip, you'll have to wade a cross the small shallow creek about 4 different times, but you are rewarded with a large natural arch in the side of a mountain. Especially if you aren't going to get to Arches, I think you'd enjoy this.

I will definitely do Arches, but I think I have more time than I need there - 3 full days and two half days. I think I might head out one day early, stay two nights before Bryce, if I can get the reserations and see some of the spots everyone is recommending.

exnmomma,

Sounds like you've got a great trip planned. I'll be following behind you a week or two!

Hey Dayle, got any trips planned to the Utah parks in mid September to early October?


Utahtea