Summer in Utah w/ the kids: Capitol Reef, Escalante, Bryce, GCNR, Zion
Sep 1st, 2011, 07:23 AM
#21
InSandy I went to Grosvenor Arch a couple of years prior to going to Arches so I figured it doesn't compare. Maybe it does.
Yes, it is a bit of an adventure getting there but nothing like the adventure getting to Willis Creek.
When you went to Grovenor arch did you stop in at Kodachrome Park? I did and didn't think it was much compared to Bryce canyon (which was where I was staying).
I got a negative feeling toward state parks after that and was very, very pleasntly surprised with Dead Horse Point next to Canyonlands.
Yes, it is a bit of an adventure getting there but nothing like the adventure getting to Willis Creek.
When you went to Grovenor arch did you stop in at Kodachrome Park? I did and didn't think it was much compared to Bryce canyon (which was where I was staying).
I got a negative feeling toward state parks after that and was very, very pleasntly surprised with Dead Horse Point next to Canyonlands.
Sep 1st, 2011, 07:02 PM
#22
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Day 5 It was raining when we left Bryce the next morning. The drive to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon was 3 1/2 hours most of which was pretty remote. Before this trip we had seriously considered not going here because of the distance. DH and I had been to the south rim in the past and it was not our favorite park. Our expectations were not high. The kids begged to go here and they were right.
The weather cooled dramatically as we climbed the Kaibab Plateau. It was a welcome change after the heat of the Escalante. Be sure to get gas and use the facilities in Fredonia-- there is not much between here and the park. That is why we loved it.
There were so many miles of open country up the Kaibab Plateau. Miles and miles of pine forests engulfed in the mist. At the top, near the entrance to the park there were still patches of snow--everything was unexpected for the southwest in August. We could have been on the Oregon Coast or Michigan's UP it was 57F there. At night it was in the upper 40's.
It was pouring rain and the fog was very thick as we checked into the park. All we could do was laugh--we were at the Grand Canyon and couldn't see it becasue of a storm in the desert. I had a feeling we would be that family all dressed in Grand Canyon sweat shirts! We talked to a ranger who suggested we hike into the canyon and see if we could get below the cloud line. We started down the North Kaibab Trail and could only see about 20 feet ahead of us at anytime. The good news was that very few other people were on a trail where the views were concealed in fog. About a mile and a half down the trail(this took a long time) the fog thinned out and suddenly we could see colorful red canyons covered with spruce and Ponderosa forests. The colors were fantastic. Words and pcitures don't do it justice. We hiked down to the Supai Tunnel about 2 miles down. We could see the bridge a little further on and would have loved to go on to it but it was time to turn around. The trip back up was not easy we had dropped about 1600-1700 feet and now we had to climb back up it. It took my breath away.
We had dinner reservations in the lodge and what a surprise this was. It was beautiful to watch the sunset (the weather had cleared)over the canyon. We hiked out and toasted with everyone who had gathered to see the show. DH had Buffalo Medallions and the kids loved trying it.
I should mention the room we stayed in here was a Western Cabin. We were about 50 yards from the rim with rocking chairs on our front porch. The room was much bigger than the one we had in Bryce and laid out better. Best of all after we put the kids to bed we walked right out by the rim and were awed by the stars. The Milky Way was bright and easy to spot. Constellations were clear and all of the missing stars were filled in. The terrible weather that had turned into the perfect day was capped off with shooting stars. Wow!
The weather cooled dramatically as we climbed the Kaibab Plateau. It was a welcome change after the heat of the Escalante. Be sure to get gas and use the facilities in Fredonia-- there is not much between here and the park. That is why we loved it.
There were so many miles of open country up the Kaibab Plateau. Miles and miles of pine forests engulfed in the mist. At the top, near the entrance to the park there were still patches of snow--everything was unexpected for the southwest in August. We could have been on the Oregon Coast or Michigan's UP it was 57F there. At night it was in the upper 40's.
It was pouring rain and the fog was very thick as we checked into the park. All we could do was laugh--we were at the Grand Canyon and couldn't see it becasue of a storm in the desert. I had a feeling we would be that family all dressed in Grand Canyon sweat shirts! We talked to a ranger who suggested we hike into the canyon and see if we could get below the cloud line. We started down the North Kaibab Trail and could only see about 20 feet ahead of us at anytime. The good news was that very few other people were on a trail where the views were concealed in fog. About a mile and a half down the trail(this took a long time) the fog thinned out and suddenly we could see colorful red canyons covered with spruce and Ponderosa forests. The colors were fantastic. Words and pcitures don't do it justice. We hiked down to the Supai Tunnel about 2 miles down. We could see the bridge a little further on and would have loved to go on to it but it was time to turn around. The trip back up was not easy we had dropped about 1600-1700 feet and now we had to climb back up it. It took my breath away.
We had dinner reservations in the lodge and what a surprise this was. It was beautiful to watch the sunset (the weather had cleared)over the canyon. We hiked out and toasted with everyone who had gathered to see the show. DH had Buffalo Medallions and the kids loved trying it.
I should mention the room we stayed in here was a Western Cabin. We were about 50 yards from the rim with rocking chairs on our front porch. The room was much bigger than the one we had in Bryce and laid out better. Best of all after we put the kids to bed we walked right out by the rim and were awed by the stars. The Milky Way was bright and easy to spot. Constellations were clear and all of the missing stars were filled in. The terrible weather that had turned into the perfect day was capped off with shooting stars. Wow!
Sep 2nd, 2011, 06:18 PM
#23
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Hang20 I'm so glad you loved your visit to the North Rim. I love it too. It is a world away from the South RIm. Sounds so cozy and incredible from your description. Keep writing, I love it.
Myer-- Natural Arches and bridges are always incredible to me, no matter where they are
We have visited Kodachrome several times as well. It definitely does not compare to Bryce, but we use it as a nice campground from which to explore the area. Some other state parks which are worth visiting besides Dead Horse Point (which has often been listed as one of the best state parks in the nation ) are Goblin Valley, Snow Canyon, Edge of the Cedars, Goosenecks,
Myer-- Natural Arches and bridges are always incredible to me, no matter where they are
We have visited Kodachrome several times as well. It definitely does not compare to Bryce, but we use it as a nice campground from which to explore the area. Some other state parks which are worth visiting besides Dead Horse Point (which has often been listed as one of the best state parks in the nation ) are Goblin Valley, Snow Canyon, Edge of the Cedars, Goosenecks,
Jan 13th, 2012, 09:53 AM
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a friend of mine asked me today about our trip to Utah. I gave her this link and realized I had never finished writing it. I will finish it if only as a record for myself. I kept a journal on this trip, it passes time in the car and helps remember details, so I will go back to recording it here.
I can not say enough good things about the North Rim and Zion. I can't say enough bad about Las Vegas for a family.
I will add more in the next few days. Sorry.
I can not say enough good things about the North Rim and Zion. I can't say enough bad about Las Vegas for a family.
I will add more in the next few days. Sorry.
Jan 13th, 2012, 02:35 PM
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Utah is a great place. I have been to every National Park there and most of them twice. I haven't been to the North Rim yet, to Phantom Ranch or Havasu Falls. Those are all on my bucket list for sometime. You should finish your TR, for sure.
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kfunasaki
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Sep 5th, 2012 02:26 AM
