Vegas Side Trips...Thank you!
Apr 30th, 2005, 12:29 PM
#21
Join Date: Jan 2005
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I would have to agree that Zion is more spectacular than VOF and well worth the drive --much larger, way more variety and jaw-dropping scenery. I only mentioned VOF as an alternative to Zion in case you were looking for a great place to camp but didn't want as long a drive.
But I would have to disagree about visiting Red Rock over VOF (for an additional trip) -- we go to VOF on a regular basis and were just at Red Rock a few weeks ago. While Red Rock is also gorgeous (and a closer drive), Valley of Fire is sort of other-wordly in some ways and we find it much more colorful, as well as truly feeling like you are away from the city (Red Rock is closer to Vegas and you can still see the city from some of the viewpoints in the park). Both places have good hiking trails and nice visitor centers, VOF has petroglyphs on some of the rocks you can hike to, while Red Rock has wild burros you can sometimes spot here and there. VOF is about 50-60 miles away but most of it is on Hwy 15 and it usually only takes us about an hour-ish to get there; RR is about 15 miles away but most of it is on a city road with stop and go traffic so it took us 45 minutes on a weekend day to get there. Here are links to info on both of those places to help you decide:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nev...tate_park.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nev...anyon/nca.html
I'm sure you'll have a blast no matter what you decide to do and I hope all this info hasn't been to confusing for you!
But I would have to disagree about visiting Red Rock over VOF (for an additional trip) -- we go to VOF on a regular basis and were just at Red Rock a few weeks ago. While Red Rock is also gorgeous (and a closer drive), Valley of Fire is sort of other-wordly in some ways and we find it much more colorful, as well as truly feeling like you are away from the city (Red Rock is closer to Vegas and you can still see the city from some of the viewpoints in the park). Both places have good hiking trails and nice visitor centers, VOF has petroglyphs on some of the rocks you can hike to, while Red Rock has wild burros you can sometimes spot here and there. VOF is about 50-60 miles away but most of it is on Hwy 15 and it usually only takes us about an hour-ish to get there; RR is about 15 miles away but most of it is on a city road with stop and go traffic so it took us 45 minutes on a weekend day to get there. Here are links to info on both of those places to help you decide:
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nev...tate_park.html
http://www.americansouthwest.net/nev...anyon/nca.html
I'm sure you'll have a blast no matter what you decide to do and I hope all this info hasn't been to confusing for you!
May 1st, 2005, 08:18 AM
#22
Join Date: Jan 2003
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Just a word of caution to everyone visiting Zion in the next month or two. The reason hiking the Narrows is not advisable now is that we are having a very unusual year for water runoff. For the same reason, I doubt if you'll find any of the tube rafting companies renting tubes for the next few weeks.
The Virgin River, which is normally a slow, narrow, peaceful river has been rampaging since January and we still have a much higher than normal snowpack in the mountains that will increase runoff during the Spring.
I drove through the Virgin River Gorge, below Zion on the river yesterday and the river is still high, fast, silt-laden, and dangerous. If you're going, and I recommend you do, please stay at least several feet away from the banks of the river. Banks have been undermined by the swift water and can crumble away without warning.
Please also get local information before attempting hikes in any of the canyons in this area. Flash floods can be generated by rains miles away that you may not even be aware of. Check with the rangers or local river guides before attempting back country hikes in any canyons.
Zion and the surrounding country is more beautiful than normal this year because of all the moisture we have had but high-water precautions are very much in order.
The Virgin River, which is normally a slow, narrow, peaceful river has been rampaging since January and we still have a much higher than normal snowpack in the mountains that will increase runoff during the Spring.
I drove through the Virgin River Gorge, below Zion on the river yesterday and the river is still high, fast, silt-laden, and dangerous. If you're going, and I recommend you do, please stay at least several feet away from the banks of the river. Banks have been undermined by the swift water and can crumble away without warning.
Please also get local information before attempting hikes in any of the canyons in this area. Flash floods can be generated by rains miles away that you may not even be aware of. Check with the rangers or local river guides before attempting back country hikes in any canyons.
Zion and the surrounding country is more beautiful than normal this year because of all the moisture we have had but high-water precautions are very much in order.
May 1st, 2005, 05:57 PM
#24
Join Date: May 2005
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Hi guys, first time posting here. Thinking about getting off the couch and doing some exploring. My buds want to go to Vegas, I'm more into doing some outdoor stuff. Did you feel you could do Zion justice, in just one day?
May 2nd, 2005, 08:45 AM
#25
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My family just returned from a trip to Sedona, GC south rim, Zion, Lake powell and ending in Vegas. The best part of the trip for me was Zion. We did it in one day and it was the most amazing place I have seen. Beautiful!! Do not miss it! Also, did the drive to Jerome and that was wild and crazy!!!
