Utah/Arizona National Park Trip

The concept of a "national park" is an American innovation that, in part, grew out of the conservation movement that began in the nineteenth century. The United States Congress added more land and established Zion National Park on November 19, 1919. The burgeoning of American national parks reflected contemporary intellectual, social, and economic changes that to a growing appreciation for wilderness and wildlife.

Here Mo shares her trip itinerary for Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon with incredible hiking for those of us wanting to do the same. Thanks, Mo!

Travel to Las Vegas, stay overnite

Day 1 Wednesday April 6th-

Alley of Fire State Park (1 hour from LV. $15 admission. Temperature 86-56 degrees, spend 3-4 hours here)

o   Scenic drive-through park with pull-outs for Elephant Rock, Fire Cave, and the Beehives.

o   Possible Hikes: Rainbow Vista (1 mile r/t panoramic views), Pastel Canyon (10min walk, unmarked and only 2 parking spots), Fire Wave (1.5 miles r/t), White Domes (1.25 mile loop, slot canyon)

o   Pack lunch or stop at La Fonda Mexican in Overton NV.

·      2:00- Drive to Zion National Park (2.5 hours. Time change lose an hour. Arrive Zion est 5:30pm)

·      Cable Mountain Lodge 2 nights

·      Dinner in Springdale. Maybe go to park and walk all or part of Pa’rus Trail at sunset (easy walk, 3.5 miles 2 hours r/t)

Day 2 Thursday April 7th

all day at Zion (Sunrise 7:08am to Sunset 8:00pm, Temperature 70-39 degrees)

·      Hikes to consider:

o   Emerald Pools Trail lower and upper (3 miles, 3+ hours, easy to more strenuous, Zion Lodge shuttle stop)

o   Observation Point,  Narrows, Hidden Canyon and Weeping Rock are all closed due to weather or rockfalls)

o   Kolob Canyons- several trails, easy to moderate, less crowded, 45 min drive from Springdale

Day 3 Friday April 8th Zion/Bryce

·      Drive Zion Mt Carmel Highway. Right after tunnel stop for Canyon Overlook Trail (1 mile r/t, 1 hour, easy)

·      Continue on highway and exit park at East entrance (est 2 hours)

·      Stop in Orderville at Forscher Bakery. Has gf sandwiches.

·      Drive to Bryce (1 hour more, est arrival 1-2pm, Temperatures 58-29 degrees, Sunrise 7:03am sunset 7:58pm, best photos are in morning)

·      Drive or take shuttle to Rainbow Point and/or Inspiration Point.

·       Check in Bryce Canyon Lodge Conf #22526891 1 night Queen studio suite

·      Maybe go to Sunrise Point for sunset if we have energy.

 Day 4 Saturday April 9th  Bryce/GCNP

·      Early hike in Bryce: Queens Garden to Navajo Loop (3 miles, 2-3 hours, easy to moderate). Start at Sunrise point, take Queens Garden trail to Navajo Loop to Sunset Point. On Navajo Loop choice between Two Bridges and Wall Street…choose Wall Street if open. At end double back on Two Bridges trail to Thor’s Hammer. Note: Navajo Loop is steep ascent or steep decline depending which way you hike.  Need to decide which hurts less. People typically get to park between 9-10am so better to do hike earlier than that.

·      Drive to Grand Canyon (5 hours)

o   Option to stop at Horseshoe Bend south of Page, AZ. (.75 mile walk from parking lot)

Hotel 4/9-4/12 El Tovar

Day 5 & 6 Sunday April 10th and Monday April 11th

GCNP (Temperature 78-47 degrees)

·      4/10 6:00 reservation at El Tovar Dining Room

·      Hikes/Walks/Drives to consider:

o   Bright Angel Trail- no. Views not as good and more crowded.

o   South Rim Trail (13 miles, flat, paved) Viewpoints:

§  Mather- by Visitors Center crowded

§  Yavapi- less crowded. Good for Sunset

§  Yaki Pt- need to take orange shuttle to get there

§  South Kaibab Trail_ take orange shuttle (starts running at 4:30am): Go below the rim to Oooh Ahh Point (1.8m r/t, return is uphill, takes 2 hours incl shuttle). Continue to Cedar Ridge (3m r/t, restrooms) or Skeleton Point (6m r/t, see Colorado River, takes 4+ hours)

o   Hermit Rd Viewpoints (red line shuttle takes 2+ hours to see all stops and wait for shuttles, best in morning before crowds, consider biking with tour from Bright Angel)

§  Powell viewpoint

§  Hopi- similar to Powell

§  Mohave

§  The Abyss- different perspective

§  Pima Pt

§  Hermit’s Rest- last stop, trees block view a little but cafe and gift shop are nice

o   Desert View Rd (have to drive about an hour to get there, less crowded. Takes 4-5 hours if you stop all points)

§  Shoshone Pt (2 mile r/t hike from Yaki Pt turnoff, 1 hour)

§  Grandview Pt- more crowded, can be foggy in morning

§  Moran- outcroppings

§  Lipan- more open view

§  Desert View point- popular, watchtower (can climb 85 steps to top for views),

Day 7 Travel Transition Day April 12th

GCNP/Phoenix

·      Hike in AM

·      12:00 lunch reservation at El Tovar Dining Room

·      Drive to Phoenix (4 hours) fly home the next morning

 Day 8 Fly Home