zion and bryce
Mar 28th, 2004, 04:09 PM
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zion and bryce
We will be traveling from Las Vegas to Yellowstone and want to know can we do Zion and Bryce with one night stay at springdale before going on to Yellowstone or do we need two nights?
Mar 28th, 2004, 04:17 PM
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Hi! You lucky ducks! I would LOVE to go up to Zion and Bryce for a few days right about now! It's been awhile since we were there, but if I recall, the two parks are only and hour or 90 minutes apart; something like that. I live in Boulder City, so I'm trying to remember the name of the town just past Zion on your way to Bryce. That might be a place you'd want to stay. Are you driving from Vegas straight through to Zion and then "doing" Zion before heading up to Bryce? You could do Zion and Bryce highlights, in one day, without a ton of hiking, just to get a good feel for both parks, IF you started at St. George or Hurrican or Springdale; but certainly not from Vegas. Good luck and have fun! One of the most fun things my son and I ever did on the spur of the moment while we were up there once was to take an inner tube trip down the Virgin River. He was only 5 then, he's almost 13 now, and he still talks about it! Might be a little chilly for that yet, when are you going? Have fun!
Mar 28th, 2004, 04:51 PM
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I would recommend two nights, particularly if you enjoy hiking. Both Zion and Bryce deserve a full day apiece, in order to see their wonders in all their glory. Make ABSOLUTELY certain you see Bryce either at sunrise or sunset. Preferably both, but I'm not certain how you'll be able to do so if you stay at Springdale.
Mar 28th, 2004, 05:00 PM
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tata: Have you tried the hiking poles? My knee has been acting up and someone on here recommended them for my hiking trip to Zion and Brice. I am supposed to be there right now, but my trip was put off til mid-May also. I'm going to try the poles, they are really supposed to help. If you are interested I'll dig up the name of them on the post- I need to look it up anyway so I can buy them for myself.
Mar 28th, 2004, 07:13 PM
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tata: The poles are called Leiki poles. I think they are sold at REI, Hudson Trail Oufitters, those kinds of places; I haven't shopped for mine yet since my trip was postponed.
BTW don' know when you are going, but if it is May and if you end up staying in Springdale instead of going on to Bryce, I will tell you that when I called this week to change my reservations to mid-May I could not get a suitable room (needed 2 queens) at Desert Pearl or Cliffrose Lodge. I did get one at Flanigan's but we have to change rooms during a 5 day stay, that is how booked they are in May.
BTW don' know when you are going, but if it is May and if you end up staying in Springdale instead of going on to Bryce, I will tell you that when I called this week to change my reservations to mid-May I could not get a suitable room (needed 2 queens) at Desert Pearl or Cliffrose Lodge. I did get one at Flanigan's but we have to change rooms during a 5 day stay, that is how booked they are in May.
Mar 28th, 2004, 07:55 PM
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I think that you need at least a full day for each. Spend a day in Zion, and stay in Springdale - we stayed at Flanagan's four years ago, and thought that it was wonderful; it has a great restaurant, and a breakfast buffet is included. I've read great things about Desert Pearl, as well. Don't worry about finding someplace between Zion and Bryce - I'm not sure that there is any place, but it's only two hours from Zion to Bryce, so you wouldn't gain much by trying to stay between them.
As for hiking at Zion, the Riverwalk trail is flat and paved, and very nice, so you shouldn't have a problem with that. Weeping Rock might be doable, depending on how much trouble you have with your knee - there is a fair amount of elevation gain, but it's a short trail, only a quarter of a mile, so you might be able to manage. It's pretty neat, although you might not want to bother if it's raining, as the cool effect of the water dripping through the rocks would be lost on you then.
As emd said, the hiking poles can really help - I have a bad knee, and I love to hike - I find that using a pole can really take the pressure off when going downhill, and helps me with my balance overall. Using two might be even better.
If you have the time to do so, drive to Bryce the second day. Drive to the end of the canyon, stopping at each viewpoint to marvel. We actually did see a rainbow at Rainbow Point! If you can manage it, take a short hike down among the hoodoos - if not, could your knee take a horseback ride? I know they offer trail rides on horseback, but we didn't do that. Be sure to catch the sunset - I think we saw it at Sunrise Point, and were utterly astonished. If you have the time, spend a night in the area - can you get a place in the lodge? Ruby's is a reasonable, if uninspiring alternative - clean and comfortable, and handy, if nothing special. If you really want to, I suppose you could try and make some time in the evening driving up I-15, but I have no idea what lodging is available north of Bryce. A relaxed evening there, then an early start the next day (and a chance to catch the sunrise over the canyon if you get up early) would be what I'd do.
As for hiking at Zion, the Riverwalk trail is flat and paved, and very nice, so you shouldn't have a problem with that. Weeping Rock might be doable, depending on how much trouble you have with your knee - there is a fair amount of elevation gain, but it's a short trail, only a quarter of a mile, so you might be able to manage. It's pretty neat, although you might not want to bother if it's raining, as the cool effect of the water dripping through the rocks would be lost on you then.
As emd said, the hiking poles can really help - I have a bad knee, and I love to hike - I find that using a pole can really take the pressure off when going downhill, and helps me with my balance overall. Using two might be even better.
If you have the time to do so, drive to Bryce the second day. Drive to the end of the canyon, stopping at each viewpoint to marvel. We actually did see a rainbow at Rainbow Point! If you can manage it, take a short hike down among the hoodoos - if not, could your knee take a horseback ride? I know they offer trail rides on horseback, but we didn't do that. Be sure to catch the sunset - I think we saw it at Sunrise Point, and were utterly astonished. If you have the time, spend a night in the area - can you get a place in the lodge? Ruby's is a reasonable, if uninspiring alternative - clean and comfortable, and handy, if nothing special. If you really want to, I suppose you could try and make some time in the evening driving up I-15, but I have no idea what lodging is available north of Bryce. A relaxed evening there, then an early start the next day (and a chance to catch the sunrise over the canyon if you get up early) would be what I'd do.
Mar 28th, 2004, 10:50 PM
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tata,
How long do you have for this trip? Will you be driving back to Las Vegas?
If you think you have two nights without cutting your Yellowstone trip short, then I would take them.
I really can't think of much lodging between Springdale, Utah and Ruby's Inn (near Bryce). I think you will have to choice one or both.
Las Vegas to Springdale is 160 miles and will take about 3 hours. That gives you plenty of time to ride the shuttle buses and do the Riverside Walk. I think I would stay in Springdale or the Zion Lodge because everywhere you look you can see the canyon. Once you get to Bryce you have to be at the rim to see the canyon.
If you decide to move on to Bryce it's 90 miles and will take about 2 hours to drive.
Once you leave Bryce I would suggest driving up scenic Hwy 12 to Torrey, Utah, then you can take Hwy 24 up to I-15. You might consider Torrey, Utah as a place to spend the second night. This will give you time to drive from Zion, see Bryce and enjoy Hwy 12.
Utahtea
How long do you have for this trip? Will you be driving back to Las Vegas?
If you think you have two nights without cutting your Yellowstone trip short, then I would take them.
I really can't think of much lodging between Springdale, Utah and Ruby's Inn (near Bryce). I think you will have to choice one or both.
Las Vegas to Springdale is 160 miles and will take about 3 hours. That gives you plenty of time to ride the shuttle buses and do the Riverside Walk. I think I would stay in Springdale or the Zion Lodge because everywhere you look you can see the canyon. Once you get to Bryce you have to be at the rim to see the canyon.
If you decide to move on to Bryce it's 90 miles and will take about 2 hours to drive.
Once you leave Bryce I would suggest driving up scenic Hwy 12 to Torrey, Utah, then you can take Hwy 24 up to I-15. You might consider Torrey, Utah as a place to spend the second night. This will give you time to drive from Zion, see Bryce and enjoy Hwy 12.
Utahtea
Mar 29th, 2004, 04:32 AM
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thanks for the suggestions. I did get a room at flanigan's for Thursday night and decide to get up early and travel to bryce for the day on friday. we don't have to be back to las vegas until the next friday so we will to the scenic drive hwy 12. we just stop somewhere friday night. on to jackson on saturday.how long would it be from torrey to jackson? we live in north carolina and want to see as much as possible.
thanks
tata
thanks
tata
Mar 29th, 2004, 06:35 AM
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You have a few options on how to get from Torrey to Jackson, but they all involve at least 9 1/2 hours of driving. That's a long day.
Unless you want to drive a 12+ hour day back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas you are going to have to plan one night on the road back. If you do, try to get as far south as you can and then you might have some time to visit the Kolob section of Zion National Park that is just south of Cedar City, Utah.
This is only going to give you 5 days in the Grand Teton - Yellowstone area. Unless you like hiking, I would spend one night at the Grand Tetons and devote the other 4 days to Yellowstone. There is SO much to see in Yellowstone.
Utahtea
Unless you want to drive a 12+ hour day back from Yellowstone to Las Vegas you are going to have to plan one night on the road back. If you do, try to get as far south as you can and then you might have some time to visit the Kolob section of Zion National Park that is just south of Cedar City, Utah.
This is only going to give you 5 days in the Grand Teton - Yellowstone area. Unless you like hiking, I would spend one night at the Grand Tetons and devote the other 4 days to Yellowstone. There is SO much to see in Yellowstone.
Utahtea
Mar 29th, 2004, 07:27 AM
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Thanks for the help-utahtea you are a big help on all the things i needed. Plan two nights in Jackson and three nights in West yellowstone due to no rooms available in park for may. Can't wait!!!!!
Mar 29th, 2004, 07:35 AM
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tata,
When in May are you going to be in Yellowstone? I just was looking on the Yellowstone website and not all the roads will be open in May. If you go before May 14th you might not be able to drive up from the Grand Tetons!
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadopen.htm
Utahtea
When in May are you going to be in Yellowstone? I just was looking on the Yellowstone website and not all the roads will be open in May. If you go before May 14th you might not be able to drive up from the Grand Tetons!
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadopen.htm
Utahtea
Mar 29th, 2004, 10:28 AM
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Oh good, I was worried that some of the important roads wouldn't be open but they should be by the time you get there.
If you don't mind, I'll make some suggestions on how to do Yellowstone now that you have reservations for 3 nites in W. Yellowstone.
Day 1 leave Tetons and vist the West Thumb geyser area, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, the Mud Volcano, the canyon area and the waterfalls and then drive thought the middle of Yellowstone to West Yellowstone.
Day 2 visit ALL the geyser basins between Madison and Old Faithful.
Day 3 Visit Norris Geyser Basin if you haven't already been able to squeese it in, Mammoth Hot Springs and over to Tower Junction if you have the time. Since the section between Tower and Canyon is still closed due to road work you will have to go back to W. Yellowstone, the way you came.
Utahtea
If you don't mind, I'll make some suggestions on how to do Yellowstone now that you have reservations for 3 nites in W. Yellowstone.
Day 1 leave Tetons and vist the West Thumb geyser area, Yellowstone Lake, Hayden Valley, the Mud Volcano, the canyon area and the waterfalls and then drive thought the middle of Yellowstone to West Yellowstone.
Day 2 visit ALL the geyser basins between Madison and Old Faithful.
Day 3 Visit Norris Geyser Basin if you haven't already been able to squeese it in, Mammoth Hot Springs and over to Tower Junction if you have the time. Since the section between Tower and Canyon is still closed due to road work you will have to go back to W. Yellowstone, the way you came.
Utahtea
