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Utah NP Itinerary Help
Planning a trip mid May to Arches and Zion. I know it's far to Zion but I may never get back so we're going to do both. We are flying into SLC and going from there. Any thoughts or info on my itinerary would be appreciated. We have never been to this area and it is a bucket list destination. We are moderate hikers who can go long distances but quick elevation gains may be difficult as I have bad knees. As much as I would like to Angels Landing and Kanarra Falls I am unsure if they are feasible for me. I am unclear about Bryce and Canyonlands or a detour to Antelope Canyon (I know it's prob out of reach but it looks amazing! Don't want to spend the whole week in the car though) and how they might fit into the plan or if we should even try. Super excited to explore this amazing part of the USA and I really appreciate your input.
Day 1 Arrive, head to Moab Settle in Deadhorse Point for Sunset Day 2 Arches Hikes--which ones? Day 3 Sunrise at Delicate Arch Pack up and head towards Zion What to do along the way? Stops? Short hike? Settle in to hotel in Springdale Day 4 Observation point hike Afternoon on the Virgin River (maybe tubing?) Day 5 The Narrows 4/5 hours go early Rest of day? Day 6 Canyon Overlook hike for sunrise Rest of day? Day 7 Sunrise at ?? Head back to SLC What to do, see hike along the way? Settle in to hotel Day 8 Fly home |
Your plan for Zion looks good. Observation point is a signficant elevation gain but the views from the top are well worth it. You can sprinkle in several of the shorter, easier hikes/walks around what you've planned. The Virgin river water flow is relatively low - not really enough for tubing iirc but there are places just outside the park you can splash in the water.
The other hike I recommend for the view is Scouts Lookout which is on the way to Angels Landing. It's at the same elevation so a lot of vertical switch back but you avoid the difficult last half mile out along the narrow ledge. The real money view is about 50y beyond Scouts lookout, around an outcrop you scamper around with chains to hold on to, where you can sit in the sun and look directly out on the canyon below and Angels Landing ahead of you. You'd want to do that hike early in the day to avoid the crowds. Obs Point trail should be less crowded. In my experience it's the hike down from either Obs Point or Scouts Lookout that is harder on the knees. I find that a slight jogging pace is actually far easier on my knees as you don't come to a jarring stop with every step but rather go with the flow. For the Narrows, you will definitely want to rent a walking pole and perhaps water hiking boots. There are numerous outfitters in town. Depending on the air and water temp also consider a dry suit, although by mid May the water temp should have warmed up a bit. I've done that hike in very early May and was glad I wore a dry suit as the water temp was in the low 40s. I took one dunk when I stepped into a deep hole and was forced to doff the suit and wet clothes to dry out in a rare sunny spot lest I freeze. You can hike up to the Narrows whatever distance you want. Anything beyond about 1/2 mi from the end of the paved walking trail and you'll be around a corner and beyond the point where 90% of the tourist go to. Depending on the water level there may not be a lot of dry land along stretches of the hike. A small waterproof point & shoot camera is also a good idea if you want pics. Chances are high you'll get yourself and your gear wet so leaving non-waterproof items behind isn't a bad plan. |
In Arches, I would not do sunrise atDelicate arch, it is better for sunset and could be done on your day of arrival in Moab or at the end of the full day in Arches. For a spectacular sunrise, go to Mesa Arch in Canyonlands Island in the Sky.
My Personal preference would be to add a day in Moab and cut from Zion and do more in Canyonlands. Perhaps a quick stop at Bryce between Moab and Zion. Do be aware that one direction of your sunrise or sunset hikes will be in the dark. You need to have good flashlights and pay attention to where the trail is especially when you are on the slick rock. |
Thanks very much for your tips. I will look at canyonlands and see about heading there for a day. And yes! to the sunset/sunrise. We have head lamps but will bring a couple of flashlights in our packs for backup. Any thoughts on which hikes to do in Arches?
If you think of anything else feel free to chime in again. I appreciate it! |
Originally Posted by J62
(Post 17221477)
Your plan for Zion looks good. Observation point is a signficant elevation gain but the views from the top are well worth it. You can sprinkle in several of the shorter, easier hikes/walks around what you've planned. The Virgin river water flow is relatively low - not really enough for tubing iirc but there are places just outside the park you can splash in the water.
The other hike I recommend for the view is Scouts Lookout which is on the way to Angels Landing. It's at the same elevation so a lot of vertical switch back but you avoid the difficult last half mile out along the narrow ledge. The real money view is about 50y beyond Scouts lookout, around an outcrop you scamper around with chains to hold on to, where you can sit in the sun and look directly out on the canyon below and Angels Landing ahead of you. You'd want to do that hike early in the day to avoid the crowds. Obs Point trail should be less crowded. In my experience it's the hike down from either Obs Point or Scouts Lookout that is harder on the knees. I find that a slight jogging pace is actually far easier on my knees as you don't come to a jarring stop with every step but rather go with the flow. For the Narrows, you will definitely want to rent a walking pole and perhaps water hiking boots. There are numerous outfitters in town. Depending on the air and water temp also consider a dry suit, although by mid May the water temp should have warmed up a bit. I've done that hike in very early May and was glad I wore a dry suit as the water temp was in the low 40s. I took one dunk when I stepped into a deep hole and was forced to doff the suit and wet clothes to dry out in a rare sunny spot lest I freeze. You can hike up to the Narrows whatever distance you want. Anything beyond about 1/2 mi from the end of the paved walking trail and you'll be around a corner and beyond the point where 90% of the tourist go to. Depending on the water level there may not be a lot of dry land along stretches of the hike. A small waterproof point & shoot camera is also a good idea if you want pics. Chances are high you'll get yourself and your gear wet so leaving non-waterproof items behind isn't a bad plan. Thank you so much for all your input. I have investigated the gear we will need to rent at the Narrows and I am so excited to explore there. I will check out dry suits as well. Zion outfittters rents a waterproof backpack for $12 so I think we will get one of those too. I will check out Scouts Lookout, it sounds amazing. I agree about the downhill on your knees, a little bit of a jog can definitely help the impact. Any thoughts on which hikes to do in Arches? Thank you! Really appreciate your thoughts! |
On your way between Green River and Zion, visit Goblin Valley State Park to see the hoodoos. You will also be driving through a section of Capitol Reef NP. There is a place to pull off the highway to see some petroglyphs. Make sure to stop at a couple of the pull offs on Route 12.
Watch out for a couple sections of slick rock on the hike out to Delicate Arch. Make sure you have at least two good flashlights for the hike back after sunset. The other hike I did in Arches was out to Landscape Arch. That hike goes through a slot canyon. |
Get a park pass
Would highly recommend purchasing an America the Beautiful Pass if you don't already have one. For $80 it will get four adults into over 2000 federal recreation sites for a calendar year. With most of the major parks now charging a $35 entrance fee you can see where the savings will quickly add up. If you are over 62 you can get the senior pass for $80 for life plus $10 processing fee or $20 for one year. Will allow you and three other adults in the park.
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Originally Posted by tomfuller
(Post 17221528)
On your way between Green River and Zion, visit Goblin Valley State Park to see the hoodoos. You will also be driving through a section of Capitol Reef NP. There is a place to pull off the highway to see some petroglyphs. Make sure to stop at a couple of the pull offs on Route 12.
Watch out for a couple sections of slick rock on the hike out to Delicate Arch. Make sure you have at least two good flashlights for the hike back after sunset. The other hike I did in Arches was out to Landscape Arch. That hike goes through a slot canyon. |
If you want to see petroglyphs and pictographs, there are lots right in Moab. The easiest to reach are in Courrthouse Wash right off 191 between town and Arches, or along 270 on the weather side of the river, look for the small sign, or along Kane Creek road on the opposite side of the river in the small campground. There are also some in Arches, near Wolf ranch right off the path to Delicate arch.
If you ask at the Arches VC, they will give you directions to them and other sites in the area. Sadly the ones in Courthouse wash were vandalized so are not as bright as they once were. If you search my former screen name (emalloy) you can find links to TRs for the area. |
The petrogylphs at Capitol Reef are right by a parking area. It will be a long day if you take the Hwy 12 route. It's very scenic and there are many places to stop.
You'll need to purchase shuttle tickets in advance again this year at Zion. |
Originally Posted by Patty
(Post 17222524)
The petrogylphs at Capitol Reef are right by a parking area. It will be a long day if you take the Hwy 12 route. It's very scenic and there are many places to stop.
You'll need to purchase shuttle tickets in advance again this year at Zion. I have been investigating the shuttle a little bit, have to check it out more thoroughly, but thank you for the reminder. I believe tickets go on sale 2 weeks in advance? I'll double check |
Originally Posted by oldemalloy
(Post 17222405)
If you want to see petroglyphs and pictographs, there are lots right in Moab. The easiest to reach are in Courrthouse Wash right off 191 between town and Arches, or along 270 on the weather side of the river, look for the small sign, or along Kane Creek road on the opposite side of the river in the small campground. There are also some in Arches, near Wolf ranch right off the path to Delicate arch.
If you ask at the Arches VC, they will give you directions to them and other sites in the area. Sadly the ones in Courthouse wash were vandalized so are not as bright as they once were. If you search my former screen name (emalloy) you can find links to TRs for the area. |
My favorite short hike in Arches is to Landscape Arch in Devil's Garden.
https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvis...ils-garden.htm There were so many people trying to get to Delicate Arch when we visited in late April one year that we gave up - couldn't even find a spot to park. But when we revisited in January, we had the trail to Delicate Arch almost entirely to ourselves - wunderbar! I have a couple of trip reports here too if you're interested: https://www.fodors.com/community/uni...ition-1676890/ https://www.fodors.com/community/roa...-trip-1666843/ |
This is the Hwy 12 route https://goo.gl/maps/9JV7AGCZ2fPyLJi1A It's a minimum of 7 hours between Moab and Springdale not including stops. It would be better if you could overnight along the way.
Shuttle tickets are released twice a month on the 16th or last day for the following month https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvis...le-tickets.htm |
Need help with October trip
Hi! My husband and I are 60 and fairly fit… flying into slc and flying out of Las Vegas mid October.We arrive in slc Sunday afternoon and have to be in Las Vegas Friday afternoon…. Please help with itinerary. We are renting a car and looking forward to hiking and wildlife sighting.
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Originally Posted by pennykupferberg9468
(Post 17279084)
Hi! My husband and I are 60 and fairly fit… flying into slc and flying out of Las Vegas. We arrive in slc Sunday afternoon and have to be in Las Vegas Friday afternoon…. Please help with itinerary.
Welcome to Fodors pennykupferberg. You've tacked your questions on to a thread from last March about a trip in May over a different itinerary (in / out of SLC). It would be better if you start a new thread with your specific questions. |
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