Utah NP's
May 28th, 2007, 07:06 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Utah NP's
My family and I are taking a trip west beginning 6/19-7/1. Our itinerary looks like this now but I am thinking of re-doing parts-
Las Vegas-2nts at Caeser's Palace
Zion NP 2nts - Flannigan's Inn
Bryce NP 2nts- Bryce Canyon Resort
Take Scenic Hwy 12 up towards Torrey/Capitol Reef, Stay at the BW Capitol Reef 1nt.
(I have heard that while this is a beautiful drive that there are very steep drop-offs on the roads. This makes me a bit nervous. I need to look into this more. I believe the area I am referring to is the Hogback-I don't see anyway on getting around that)
AFter leaving CR we planned a full day drive to Monument Valley but decided to stop short of it in Bluff for 1nt. Bluff, I have just found out is only 50 miles from MV, correct?
After 1 night in Bluff (just to eat/sleep) we move onto MV for 2nts, staying at Gouldings Lodge.
Leave MV for Grand Canyon for 1 night at Thunderbird Lodge.
Leave for Vegas, one night, catch plane next AM.
Questions-
Do you think it is feasible to get from Capitol Reef to MV(Gouldings Lodge)in one day or would we be over doing it?? If so, we could up our stay at Gouldings, still take 1 night at the Canyon (what is the distance from Gouldings to GC?) and add another night to Vegas to veg by the pool.
I should add we have a 13 and a 9 year old with us.
Thanks!
wendy
Las Vegas-2nts at Caeser's Palace
Zion NP 2nts - Flannigan's Inn
Bryce NP 2nts- Bryce Canyon Resort
Take Scenic Hwy 12 up towards Torrey/Capitol Reef, Stay at the BW Capitol Reef 1nt.
(I have heard that while this is a beautiful drive that there are very steep drop-offs on the roads. This makes me a bit nervous. I need to look into this more. I believe the area I am referring to is the Hogback-I don't see anyway on getting around that)
AFter leaving CR we planned a full day drive to Monument Valley but decided to stop short of it in Bluff for 1nt. Bluff, I have just found out is only 50 miles from MV, correct?
After 1 night in Bluff (just to eat/sleep) we move onto MV for 2nts, staying at Gouldings Lodge.
Leave MV for Grand Canyon for 1 night at Thunderbird Lodge.
Leave for Vegas, one night, catch plane next AM.
Questions-
Do you think it is feasible to get from Capitol Reef to MV(Gouldings Lodge)in one day or would we be over doing it?? If so, we could up our stay at Gouldings, still take 1 night at the Canyon (what is the distance from Gouldings to GC?) and add another night to Vegas to veg by the pool.
I should add we have a 13 and a 9 year old with us.
Thanks!
wendy
May 28th, 2007, 08:27 PM
#3
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wendylynne,
just did a similar trip and have a trip report with links to pictures if you click on my name - there'
s even a picture of hogsback. It is steep but you should be fine - just don't drive too fast. Not sure about your concern, I was assuming it was because you'll be driving at night? It's a shame if that's the case. Try to do that drive during the day and save at least 3 hrs because there's a great stop/hike there called Calf Creek (3 miles hike to the falls and another 3 back but it's an easy hike). That's also on the trip report with pictures. It's a gorgeous drive. You'll want to do it during the day.
just did a similar trip and have a trip report with links to pictures if you click on my name - there'
s even a picture of hogsback. It is steep but you should be fine - just don't drive too fast. Not sure about your concern, I was assuming it was because you'll be driving at night? It's a shame if that's the case. Try to do that drive during the day and save at least 3 hrs because there's a great stop/hike there called Calf Creek (3 miles hike to the falls and another 3 back but it's an easy hike). That's also on the trip report with pictures. It's a gorgeous drive. You'll want to do it during the day.
May 29th, 2007, 02:56 AM
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
we're not driving at night on Hwy 12, I just have a basic fear of heights. How long is the drive along the hogbacks? I am sure I can get over it but a sheer drop on either side kinda freaks me out!
wendy
wendy
May 29th, 2007, 08:26 AM
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Maria,
Could u plz send me the link to your photos? There were 24 photos on the link that I saw but none said Calf-Creek.
What do you know of the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley? I know it is about 5-6 hours and currently we are going to stop in Bluff for the night and take a leisurely pace to MV the next day and hang by the pool at Gouldings (6/27-2nt)before our MV tour on 6/28.
thanks, wendy
Could u plz send me the link to your photos? There were 24 photos on the link that I saw but none said Calf-Creek.
What do you know of the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley? I know it is about 5-6 hours and currently we are going to stop in Bluff for the night and take a leisurely pace to MV the next day and hang by the pool at Gouldings (6/27-2nt)before our MV tour on 6/28.
thanks, wendy
May 29th, 2007, 09:32 AM
#9
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry, I meant it was the one associated with the Calf Creek hike. In any case, here it is.
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbMXLFmzctWLFEg
I haven't done the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley.
I'm sure Dayle can help with that?
share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AbMXLFmzctWLFEg
I haven't done the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley.
I'm sure Dayle can help with that?
May 29th, 2007, 10:32 AM
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As mentioned, the actual length of the hogs back isn't very long, as you can see in this sign...it says 4 mile. http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/sign.jpg
Here is a view from the air: http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/hogsair.jpg
You might find the website where I found the pictures very interesting:
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/homepage.html
What route were you taking from Torrey to Monument Valley? Taking Hwy 95 south from Hanksville will be your fastest route and pretty scenic at that. You will cross over Hite's Crossing but since Lake Powell is so low, you will only see the Colorado River. On this route you will also pass Natural Bridges National Park, which will make for a nice break. Plan on about an hour or a little longer if you take one of the hikes.
After Natual Bridges you will have a choice of taking 95 into Blanding or taking 261 down the Moki Dugway and seeing Muley Point and the Goosenecks. You would have to double back to Bluff, but really, the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley, with these few stops can be done in one day.
I'm with DeniceRG, I'd take a night off of Monument Valley and add it to the Grand Canyon. Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon entrance at Desert View is a little over a 3 hour drive. Once you enter the park, it's another 25 miles to the Grand Canyon village. There are many great view points that you will want to stop at on your way to the Grand Canyon village.
Utahtea
Here is a view from the air: http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/hogsair.jpg
You might find the website where I found the pictures very interesting:
http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/hogsback/homepage.html
What route were you taking from Torrey to Monument Valley? Taking Hwy 95 south from Hanksville will be your fastest route and pretty scenic at that. You will cross over Hite's Crossing but since Lake Powell is so low, you will only see the Colorado River. On this route you will also pass Natural Bridges National Park, which will make for a nice break. Plan on about an hour or a little longer if you take one of the hikes.
After Natual Bridges you will have a choice of taking 95 into Blanding or taking 261 down the Moki Dugway and seeing Muley Point and the Goosenecks. You would have to double back to Bluff, but really, the drive from Torrey to Monument Valley, with these few stops can be done in one day.
I'm with DeniceRG, I'd take a night off of Monument Valley and add it to the Grand Canyon. Monument Valley to the Grand Canyon entrance at Desert View is a little over a 3 hour drive. Once you enter the park, it's another 25 miles to the Grand Canyon village. There are many great view points that you will want to stop at on your way to the Grand Canyon village.
Utahtea
May 29th, 2007, 10:33 AM
#12
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 977
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't fret a bit about the Hogsback... the road isn't near the edge at all. I was only aware that we'd driven the famous Hogsback after we'd gotten to Boulder from Escalante. We drove back south on 12 to hike to Calf Creek Falls the next day and that's when I saw what all the fuss was about...not worth any anxiety that's for sure.
The road out of Zion is likely to give you more of a problem than the Hogsback and even that's not a big deal.
Look at it this way....how often, during your day to day driving, do you accidentally drive off the road. Probably never. Just keep the wheels on the pavement and it is pretty much as scary as driving to the store...maybe less so.
What scares me the most is driving into Arches NP and seeing all the oncoming drivers trying to steer with their camcorders up in front of their faces.
The road out of Zion is likely to give you more of a problem than the Hogsback and even that's not a big deal.
Look at it this way....how often, during your day to day driving, do you accidentally drive off the road. Probably never. Just keep the wheels on the pavement and it is pretty much as scary as driving to the store...maybe less so.
What scares me the most is driving into Arches NP and seeing all the oncoming drivers trying to steer with their camcorders up in front of their faces.
May 29th, 2007, 10:45 AM
#14
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,690
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
that's funny peterboy but oh so true. I didn't realize it was the hogsback either until we got out and saw/read the sign. It IS scarier to see people driving with and trying to take pictures in Arches.
May 29th, 2007, 10:57 AM
#15
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 794
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Advice sounds good so far. Just wanted to note that if you do go down the Moki Dugway that the drop offs for that route really are steep. The views are great, but be prepared for lots of switchbacks.
May 29th, 2007, 12:44 PM
#18
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,189
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Since we are talking about our first trip on Hwy 12...the first time we did the hog back it was day trip from Bryce and we were only going as far as Boulder. A thunderstorm blew in and started to rain long before we reached the hog back but once there it was pouring so hard you could hardly see the road, much less any drop offs...glad we didn't decide to pull over and let the storm pass!!! By the time we stopped in Boulder, Utah the sun had come out and we stopped to see the Anasazai Indian Village State Park, it wasn't until we were on the return trip later that day that we saw the hog back and the drop offs. Been in love with the area ever since! 
Utahtea
Utahtea
Jun 2nd, 2007, 03:20 PM
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
B,
The road (Hwy 9) that takes you from the canyon floor up out of the east entrance at Zion is very steep with extremely tight switchbacks. Not the most extreme I've done. It does have amazing views, but the driver needs to keep their eyes on the road.
The road (Hwy 9) that takes you from the canyon floor up out of the east entrance at Zion is very steep with extremely tight switchbacks. Not the most extreme I've done. It does have amazing views, but the driver needs to keep their eyes on the road.
