Arizona and Utah

[Judy]

January 27, 2003 at 19:52:55:

My husband and I are planning a 10 day trip to Arizona, Grand Canyon, Lake Powell, and on to Utah. We will be starting from Phoenix and flying home from there also.
actually with flying from and to the East Coast we have only 8 days to travel. I was hoping someone would have a great itinerary! We want to go to Zion, and Bryce Canyon... Is the painted Desert possible too? And maybe natural Bride?? and something reef?? We leave April 25th. Any idea on the weather at that time? Thanks for your help.

[Jennifer]

January 30, 2003 at 00:09:10

Judy

What can I say - you will have an incredible experience in Arizona and Utah! I used to work with the NPS in a small little gem of a park in southern Utah, known as Cedar Breaks N.M. My husband and kids (6 and 2) and I went back out to Utah last summer and could not believe we had stayed away for more than 12 years!! If you only have 8 days to travel - I would get out of Phoenix as soon as possible and head towards the Grand Canyon for 2 days - preferably the north rim - I think its much nicer- but any way you look at the Grand Canyon you will be overwhelmed by the beauty of it all. I would then head towards Zion NP going via Grand Staircase Escalante! We have not been through Escalante but our geologist friends say it is outstanding! My favorite national park of all is Zion NP. Its majesty is unparalled in my view. I don't know what the whether is like in April but you can be sure to miss the crowds at all of these parks. Try to stay in the parks, many of them are run by Amfak I believe. The cabins in Zion are great and right up close to the wonderful Navajo Sandstone formations. There is no place to stay in Escalante but there is word of a wonderful little B&B near Mexican Hat Utah, up on a cliff - they bring in their own water and electricity is through a generator! A friend of ours stayed there and really had lots of great things to say about it. You could swing up to Bryce Canyon, it is about 3 hours from Zion NP. If you had more time, I would visit Arches National Park - we could only visit for one day in July (the heat was unbearable) But we plan to return there in early spring so I would think April is a perfect time there. If you can, read Desert Solitaire during your visit to the incredible southwestern desert areas (by Edward Abbey). I came to love Arches NP because of that book. We love Utah! If your are not too aggressive in your plan, travel the area as if you will return, becuase you will want to again and again. Have a wonderful time!

[pixie]

February 09, 2003 at 13:27:37

Jennifer

2 families ( 8) with teens looking to go west for March ( 14-23) would like to include Grand Canyon and dude ranch....possibly vegas as an entry and exit port. any ideas of iteneraries..kids want warm!