gnomemom

Hello,

I've searched and searched and I can't find the answers I'm looking for.

I have wanted to see the Grand Canyon since I was a kid (perhaps inspired by the Brady Bunch? LOL). I also LOVE the amazing rock formations in southern Utah (at least, from seeing pictures).

I want to know if we do The Grand Circle Road Trip from the NP web-site - will it work for a family? My kids will be 8 & 9 at the time of travel. I am mostly concerned with safety. They are decently behaved children, but I want to bring three on the trip, and have three when we get home Will there be trails for us to walk in the national parks (especially at Zion and Bryce) that do not have sheer drops on either side?

I have no plans for serious/dangerous/adventure type hiking - but will we miss out on the good sightseeing if we have to stick to safe/easy trails?

Would you travel to these national parks with two eight year olds and a nine year old?

Thank you! I've been enjoying reading everyone's trip reports!

Myer

I'm not sure what's in the Grand Circle road trip so I'll comment on what you asked.

You should have no trouble with Navajo Loop and Queen's Garden hike in Bryce.

In general, the hiking trails in Bryce are wider and smoother (less rocks) trails than Zion. No sheer fall-offs.

There are also some tame hikes in Zion. Riverside Walk is more a walk than a hike but great scenery. A stream with sheer walls on either side. Also, some deer, etc.

The Lower and Middle Emerald Pools should be fine.

I think Canyon Overlook is good as well but could be a problem this summer due to road construction at the east entrance to Zion.

Some will suggest Angel's Landing and The Narrows. That's up to you.

Where else will you be?

Bill_H

<b>I'm not sure what's in the Grand Circle road trip </b>

http://www.us-parks.com/the-grand-circle.html

<b>will it work for a family? My kids will be 8 & 9 at the time of travel.</b>

Literally thousands of families do this each year without problems. Unfortunately there have been fatal injuries to children due to falls, especially at the south rim of the GC, so you have to keep an eye on all of them.

No problem finding flat trails or overlooks with railings and fences, but there are also a lot of places without any railings too, so just be careful.

gnomemom

Thanks for your replies! I do keep a very close watch on the kids.

I forgot to mention that we won't travel until May, 2012, so I should have plenty of time to secure lodging and plan!

Myer

Ok.

I'm not a big fan of Capitol Reef (maybe by then I had been to Arches). There are some pretty tame hikes like Grand Wash. I can't remember if Hickman bridge had anything with sharp dropoffs. Somebody else can answer. Chimney Rock definitely has ledges but not really on the trails. If you keep away from the edge you're ok. Elevation gain of about 800 ft.

Arches has many hikes with no dropoffs. Delicate Arch is all uphill going but nothing hard. The area around Double Arch (The windows Section). Several arches you can walk in and thru.

I'm not sure if they're old enough to go on the Fiery Furnace ranger led hike. There are some steep dropoffs but you don't have to go to the edge.

In Canyonlands I only really like Mesa Arch but that's me. It's only 1/4 mile and nothing steep. Just don't go thru the arch and fall on the other side. Also, Mesa Arch is the only arch I saw that you approach from the top. Don't climb on it and walk. I once saw a photo of some guy doing that.

Between Arches and Bryce Canyon you'll pass some really good sights.

Between Arches and Capitol Reef you have Goblin Valley State Park. The kids will have a ball climbing all over the rocks. Nothing steep. Nothing to fall off.

Between Capitol Reef and Bryce you have Lower Calf Creek Falls. A little over 2 miles each way but a spectacular falls at the end. The kids can go in and swim. Nowhere to fall.

A few miles east of the Calf Creek area and 10 miles (dirt road) down Hole-in-the-Rock-Road is Devil's Garden Escalante. I describe it as a grown up Goblin valley. The kids will be able to play around and climb many of the rocks. Nothing to fall.

Then closer to Bryce and just south of Cannonville (stop at the Cannonville visitors center for instructions) after a 10 mile dirt road drive you have Willis Creek. Not much of a creek but you'll be walking in a real slot canyon. Narrow with high walls on either side.

You can see these places in my photos at:
www.travelwalks.com

Select 2007 & 2008 Utah trips.

gnomemom

Oh Myer, thank you so much! I really appreciate this in depth post! I'm going to use all of this information to map out my plan. They are normal, healthy kids - so they can walk and climb on rocks, but I don't think my heart can take steep drop offs (we live in Illinois - there is nothing remotely like a cliff around here at all!). Plus, even with two years to plan - I've already told them that they have to stay with me and be careful when we go!