maria_so

Hi everyone! I'm starting to plan the September trip and I need help with streamlining the places to hit and what order. I was wondering if you kind folks would again come to my rescue.

Here's what I have so far:

We fly in to Phoenix (9/1) and drive directly to Sedona spending the night there. Been to Sedona before many times so I want to hit sunset at Cathedral rock then dinner.

9/2: Up early for a hike at West Fork then lunch and on the road

utahtea

It might help to know how long you have for this trip. What your interest are. Do you like a fast or slow pace vacation?

Do you want to stay in Arizona or are you interested in the Utah National Parks too.

Utahtea

maria_so

Oooops. Sorry Hit a button there accidentally.

So continuing 9/2(rather picnic at slide rock and hang out at slide rock the rest of the day. Dinner, early bed.

9/3:Up early and do montezuma castle/well and head out to Canyon de Chelly (about 4 hours away per the lady at Thunderbird Lodge - can someone verify this?). Do the car loop (rim trail). Staying at Canyon de Chelly for the night.

9/4: Up early and do one of the hikes. I've done the main house. Anyone recommend another good one that won't take all day? Then after the hike, drive to Monument Valley and meet up with the jeep tour (toten pole tours) and overnight in the canyon (camping/sleeping under the stars in sleeping bags).

9/5: Up for sunrise at totem pole with breakfast (provided by the Dineh) then head back to the car and drive to Lake Powell and do rainbow bridge tour with hike. Sunset at Horeshoe Bend, dinner and off to bed.

9/6. Up early - rent a boat and play in the water, do a hike, etc. (suggest away please) Would like to kayak instead of renting a boat. Anyone have any ideas about this? Stay second night in Lake Powell.

9/7: Up early to do Antelope Canyon then head out to Grand Canyon. Staying at Bright Angel Lodge.

9/8: Grand Canyon.(trying for a mule ride, possibly overnight to Phantom Ranch. If the latter is achieved, then staying at GC through 9/10 and driving to Phoenix for an 8pm flight out. If not, then we're thinking of staying in Phoenix for 9/9 and up early for Superstitious mountain and the area before we have to head back to Phoenix for our flight back. Or can you suggest another place? Was also thinking of doing Sedona one more night instead of phoenix. I just love that place.

Well, let me know what you folks think. Plane tickets are already purchased and we are getting a convertible so time on the road would be tons of fun too. Looking forward to hearing from everyone.

maria_so

Hi Utahtea. Was kind of hoping to see you online. Uhmmmm, we have from 9/1 through 9/10 and the original plan was also Utah:

9/1 sedona
9/2 Canyon de Chelly
9/3 Monument Valley
9/4 Lake Powell
9/5 Zion
9/6 Bryce
9/7 - 9/8 Grand Canyon
9/9 Sedona
9/10 flight back at 8pm.

...but it got a bit overwhelming so we talked (why it took me awhile to get back and finish the itinerary, we discussed over dinner) and we decided instead of running around, that we should consolidate some places. Anyway, all that's permanent is the flight (to phoenix) and the dates (9/1 to 9/10) and the first night in Sedona (got a hotel reward !!!). Would like to go to GC again and definitely monumnet valley with totem pole tours. I've done this before and loved it and want to see Lake Powell again also.

Please suggest away. Many thanks in advance.

maria_so

Oh, and fast paced. We get bored easily.... (smile). My honey just added (bars would be good too - the lush that he is! He can't help it, he's English - oi!)

laurieb_nyny

The only day I noticed that will definitely not work is 9/5. The Rainbow Bridge Tour is an all day tour & you will not get there in time from MV. Perhaps you can rent the boat on this day & go to RB on 9/6. 9/7 can stay the same but be advised that AC is best seen in the middle of the day (between 11 and 1).

Dayle

Hi Maria,

So have you been to Bryce and Zion before? If you get bored easily, how about going somewhere new? I've been to Sedona and frankly find it pales in comparision to Zion and Bryce.

TheWeasel

9/9 - If you're looking for a bit of a road trip out of Phoenix, you could drive the Apache Trail (take 60 east to Apache Jct., then 88 to Roosevelt and then south, then take 60 west back to Phoenix.) You'll go past Lost Dutchman State Park (Superstition Mtns.) Tonto Nat'l Monument (cliff dwellings) and Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. If you want a little more driving, you could head south on 79 @ Florence Junction, then take 287/87 west to Casa Grande Nat'l Monument, and head back to Phoenix on either 87 or I-10.

The only cautionary note is that sections of 88 between Apache Jct. and Roosevelt are dirt road and/or one-lane, and the drive down Fish Creek Canyon has steep drop-offs. The views are great though.

TheWeasel

Sorry, that should've been 9/10 (your last day), not 9/9.

maria_so

laurieb_nyny: good shout. I can easily switch it. I've been there before and know about AC best between 11-1 but I missed the rainbow brigde tour last time. May jut do as you say, switch it. I wanted to kayak anyway. Many thanks for that.

Dayle: I know.....I love Bryce and Zion and wish I could incorporate it to this trip but I think the drive is too far, yes? Or can you see a spot where it isnt too much? We decided to incorporate it on another trip where we fly to las vegas instead and go up to moab instead of down.

TheWeasel: Yes, yes, yes! That's what I meant about Superstitious mountain. I couldn't remember the name last night. I've done that trip by myself (in a compact car, no less) and loved it immensely. I didn't get to hike all the way up to the saguaro dwellings though as I got there too late so I wish I can do so this time.

Everyone: It may help to know that I have been to all of these places but my honey hasn't - which is why we're doing the trip, so he can experience the beauty of the southwest also. If it were up to me, then I would skip alot of these and focus on what I have not seen yet. Something to keep in mind....

again, many thanks in advance.

utahtea

There is only one hike into Canyon de Chelly and that is the White House Ruins. Any other travel into the canyon has to be done with a Navajo guide. I'm not familar with other hikes in the area.

Unless Lake Powell's water level rises A LOT this summer, I would not suggest renting a boat to get to Rainbow Bridge. You have to go thought Antelope Canyon (which is different than the land Antelope slots canyon) and the water is REALLY rough and it takes a long time to get though this section. Just like the boat tour...it will take all day to do get there, hike and get back.

Otherwise, it looks like a very fast pace trip!

Utahtea

maria_so

Thanks Utahtea. I tried to do that the last time with renting a boat but i remember it was so confusing to get to rainbow bridge. We ended up beaching at the deserted beaches and having a swimand a picnic - which is what I had planned with the boat rental for this time and just do the rainbow bridge tour (the 7 1/2 hour one). Also, I think I'm leaning in towards a kayak tour now....