Utah National Parks Help
May 2nd, 2014, 01:48 PM
#41
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The stretch of highway between Bryce and Cap. Reef is a worthy destination by itself. Scenic Byway 12...we made a whole vacation of an out and back to Torrey from Vegas. We've included it in every trip we've made to Utah. Here a trip report:
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr
You're gonna love your trip!
We expect to hear all about it.
http://www.pbase.com/peterb/utah_tr
You're gonna love your trip!
We expect to hear all about it.
May 2nd, 2014, 02:17 PM
#42
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Myer, can you drive Devils Garden Escalante without 4 wheel?
Thanks Janis
peterboy, your pictures were great, thank you. We are really looking forward to driving Scenic Byway 12. I do have Fodor's Utah and will concentrate on reading it now that I have all my lodging sercured.
Thanks Janis
peterboy, your pictures were great, thank you. We are really looking forward to driving Scenic Byway 12. I do have Fodor's Utah and will concentrate on reading it now that I have all my lodging sercured.
May 3rd, 2014, 03:09 AM
#45
cd,
Yes, driving on the dirt road to Devil's Garden Escalante is no problem in a regular car. It's level and smooth.
Past Devil's Garden it starts to get bumpy but fine until there. We had a regular car both times I was there.
Willis Creek slot canyon is somewhat of an adventure driving there but I've been there twice with a regular car and did ok. This road has a few small hills and sand on the road with some ruts. But drivable.
You can see photos of my trips to Southern Utah at:
www.travelwalks.com
Yes, driving on the dirt road to Devil's Garden Escalante is no problem in a regular car. It's level and smooth.
Past Devil's Garden it starts to get bumpy but fine until there. We had a regular car both times I was there.
Willis Creek slot canyon is somewhat of an adventure driving there but I've been there twice with a regular car and did ok. This road has a few small hills and sand on the road with some ruts. But drivable.
You can see photos of my trips to Southern Utah at:
www.travelwalks.com
May 3rd, 2014, 03:32 AM
#46
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The advice on driving is great for dry weather. If there is or has been rain, however, do not drive on the unpaved roads. We were on one and it was bright and sunny, but must have rained in the area the day before, after we were a few miles in it turned into a very greasy muck and we were very glad to have a 4wd and also that we were used to driving in heavy snow.
If water is flowing through the low spots don't try to cross it.
If water is flowing through the low spots don't try to cross it.
May 4th, 2014, 10:46 PM
#51
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Hi cd,
Your last itinerary looks really good. Sorry I haven't been around but my excuse is I've been in Zion for the last 7 days.
You said you did walks and not hikes. The Riverside walk in Zion is 2 miles round trip and very easy. Lower Emerald Pools is easy and Middle Pool is a little harder but still very accessible. Upper Emerald Pools gets even harder. Weeping Rock is short and easy. The Pa'rus Trail is an easy 1.8 miles one way but it's out in the open and can be hot so do it in the late evening. You can see the same views from the shuttle buses but if you want to just be out and enjoy the views it's a nice walk. You can do it one way and ride the free shuttles back to the visitor center. You can also go down to the Virgin River to cool off in.
In Bryce an easy walk is between Sunrise and Sunset points.
In Capitol Reef a short and easy walk is Capitol Gorge to Pioneer Register. Grand Wash is easy but longer but you can go as far as you want and then go back. Make sure to stop at the Petroglyph panel on Hwy 24.
In Arches, Landscape arch is a little over 1 1/2 miles round trip. Double Arch and the Windows are short and easy. Park Avenue can be easy if you park at Courthouse Towers parking area and walk up Park Avenue and stop before you have to climb up to the overlook. You can stop at the Park Avenue overlook driving in or driving out.
In Canyonlands, Mesa Arch is 3/4 miles round trip. Make sure you stop at Green River Overlook and Grand View!
I love the boat trip to Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. You might also be interested in the Colorado float trip out of Page and the Antelope Slot Canyons.
Utahtea
Your last itinerary looks really good. Sorry I haven't been around but my excuse is I've been in Zion for the last 7 days.
You said you did walks and not hikes. The Riverside walk in Zion is 2 miles round trip and very easy. Lower Emerald Pools is easy and Middle Pool is a little harder but still very accessible. Upper Emerald Pools gets even harder. Weeping Rock is short and easy. The Pa'rus Trail is an easy 1.8 miles one way but it's out in the open and can be hot so do it in the late evening. You can see the same views from the shuttle buses but if you want to just be out and enjoy the views it's a nice walk. You can do it one way and ride the free shuttles back to the visitor center. You can also go down to the Virgin River to cool off in.
In Bryce an easy walk is between Sunrise and Sunset points.
In Capitol Reef a short and easy walk is Capitol Gorge to Pioneer Register. Grand Wash is easy but longer but you can go as far as you want and then go back. Make sure to stop at the Petroglyph panel on Hwy 24.
In Arches, Landscape arch is a little over 1 1/2 miles round trip. Double Arch and the Windows are short and easy. Park Avenue can be easy if you park at Courthouse Towers parking area and walk up Park Avenue and stop before you have to climb up to the overlook. You can stop at the Park Avenue overlook driving in or driving out.
In Canyonlands, Mesa Arch is 3/4 miles round trip. Make sure you stop at Green River Overlook and Grand View!
I love the boat trip to Rainbow Bridge on Lake Powell. You might also be interested in the Colorado float trip out of Page and the Antelope Slot Canyons.
Utahtea
May 5th, 2014, 12:17 PM
#52
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Sorry cd, just seeing the other part of your new agenda. We did 1 Ranger program in Bryce and 3 in Zion. They were all excellent. I'm a bider and the bird walk was really fun in Zion. Hope you have a great trip!
May 5th, 2014, 12:59 PM
#53
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Thanks Utahtea, I will print this post out and take with so I have a copy of the walks and their length. and I will check on the Colorado float trip out of Page.
birder, I think we would like to do a Ranger program in Zion. We will have the time since we will be there 3 nights.
birder, I think we would like to do a Ranger program in Zion. We will have the time since we will be there 3 nights.
May 5th, 2014, 02:09 PM
#54
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cd, we did the half day float trip from Page. It was very nice with a stop at a place where there were petroglyphs (also pit toilets). The ride down to the base of the dam through the access tunnel in the cliff was neat too.
May 5th, 2014, 02:09 PM
#55
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Utah, I just reserved the Colorado Float trip. I'm excited! It sounds wonderful! I also downloaded the acknowledgement of risk that we have to sign, man, they make you sign your life away! :_)
May 7th, 2014, 06:43 PM
#57
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cd,
I hope you enjoy the float trip as much as we did. NOW that you are doing the float trip, you HAVE to do the 3/4 mile hike to Horseshoe Bend.
WARNING: There are no guardrails at the end of this hike which drops 500 feet to the Colorado River below... so watch your children carefully! We did this hike the day after we did the float trip and just happened to get there when the rafts were going down the river. Here's information on the hike to Horseshoe Bend. http://www.travelsw.com/southwest-tr.../horseshoe.htm
Utahtea
I hope you enjoy the float trip as much as we did. NOW that you are doing the float trip, you HAVE to do the 3/4 mile hike to Horseshoe Bend.
WARNING: There are no guardrails at the end of this hike which drops 500 feet to the Colorado River below... so watch your children carefully! We did this hike the day after we did the float trip and just happened to get there when the rafts were going down the river. Here's information on the hike to Horseshoe Bend. http://www.travelsw.com/southwest-tr.../horseshoe.htm
Utahtea
May 9th, 2014, 06:06 AM
#58
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Thanks Utahtea, I'm not sure about Horseshoe Bend, the no guardrail thing is unsettling and DH has a fear of heights. Actually, I've been reading about HW 12 from Zion to Bryce and it was said that a lot of the road is narrow with no guardrails and sheer drop-offs on both sides....that concerns me...how dangerous is it?
May 9th, 2014, 07:18 AM
#59
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There is only one really scary section--called the Hogs Back. I just stay as close to the middle line as possible and look straight ahead and don't drive too fast. It's not like people go plunging to their deaths on a weekly basis--LOTS of people drive this road and do just fine. You will too. (and your passengers will love it if they aren't afraid of heights!)
