RachLW

My dad and brothers and I are taking a 2 week trip in July (I know not the best month but the only one that worked with our school/work schedules) to see some of the great western national parks we've never seen. We are avid hikers and all in good physical condition. The goal of our trip is to see as much nature as we can and get a good feeling for the geological and ecological habitats of the western united states! We are from Georgia and love the beautiful Appalachian mountains but are super excited to get some time in west of the Mississippi!

Here is our itinerary, let me know what you think and any suggestions. I had some thought to cut out sequoia and spend 4 days in Yosemite. None of us have ever been to any of these parks before and not sure when we would ever get a chance to go back.

Day 1: Arrive/ San Fran
Day 2: San Fran
Day 3: Drive to Yosemite, Camp in Upper Pines (already have our spot reserved)
Day 4: Yosemite (Upper Pines)
Day 5: We have a choice here: Head to Sequoia (Lodgepole campground) or stay one more night in Yosemite at Crane Flat campground.
Day 6: Sequoia (lodgepole)
Day 7: Drive to Las Vegas, one night in Vegas (need to do this night as one of my brothers is flying home this day from LV)
Day 8: Drive to Zion, camp in Zion
Day 9: Zion, drive latish to Bryce to see Sunset at Bryce
Day 10: Bryce
Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon
Day 12: Hiking into GC, have permit to stay at Bright Angel Campground
Day 13: Stay on Rim of GC
Day 14: Up for sunrise and out to Pheonix to drive home.

So I'd love advice on this itinerary. I know it's a lot but we have a lot we want to see! Also would love recommendations on good day hikes in all of these parks. Like I said we are avid hikers so don't mind a challenge!

Thanks!!

spirobulldog

I would be very concerned about backpacking my first time to the Bottom of the Canyon and back. You are talking serious heat and a serious hike(especially in July).

I just hiked Shenandoah/Appalachains this past weekend. Even though we did enjoy it, it didn't come close to any of the parks we have visited in the west. So, you are in for a treat.

The trees at Sequoia are better than Yosemite and there is great hiking there. However, I would probably just stay the extra day at Yosemite. I might skip Maripossa at Yosemite and save the trees for Sequoia. You could see Hetch Hetchy and hike perhaps in Tuolomne area. Since you will have backpacking equip, I would backpack in Yosemite perhaps.
Panorama Trail connecting to Mist Trail would be a good hike in Yosemite. Not sure how well the falls will be running this year in July though.

I really like The Narrows and Angels Landing in Zion. If you have difficulty with Angels Landing, then just remember that GC is even longer and hotter hike.

In Bryce, I would hike Navajo Loop/Queens Garden


If you happen to have the time and funds, Canyoneering is great thing to do in Utah. Zion Adventure Company offers guides. They also have rental shoes for The Narrows hike(which I think a person needs).


You could easily spend all your time in just Yosemite/Sequoia or just in Utah(although hot in July). I have been to Utah 5 years in a row now. There is that much to do there. Yosemite is a very pretty park, but will be crowded.

Underhill

I just read a news piece saying that the air quality in Sequoia is now terrible, if that helps make your decision.

PaulRabe

> Day 11: Drive to Grand Canyon
> Day 12: Hiking into GC, have permit to stay at Bright Angel Campground
> Day 13: Stay on Rim of GC

As Spiro noted, hiking down The Canyon one day and then hiking out the next -- IN JULY -- is going to be a MAJOR challenge. Have you ever done desert hiking? Desert CANYON hiking? In July? If the answer to the first question is, "No," then The Canyon is not the best place to start.

Get your knees ready from some SERIOUS stress, get the right clothes and equipment, and take all the advice in these URLs:
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-tips.htm
http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/hike-smart.htm
http://www.bobspixels.com/kaibab.org/bc/suffer.htm

I've said it before, I'll say it again: if you make the effort to properly plan and prepare for your hike into the Grand Canyon, it'll be one of the best hikes of your life. If you don't, it'll be your worst. The choice between these two options is entirely up to YOU.

RachLW

Wow you guys are giving me some serious food for thought. I have done some desert canyon hiking with NOLS 4 years ago but not on July. I should have been a little clearer though. We are having our packs muled in for us and are eating meals at Phantom Ranch. So we will just have light weight gear and water with us.

I do worry as my dad is pushing 60 and his knees aren't the best. Would we be better to spend two days on the rim? Or a day on the North RIm a day on the South?

Right now our plan is a sunrise start down South Kaibab and then the next day another sunrise start back up. With just 2 days at the Canyon would our time be better spent otherwise? I do love a challenge but don't want to take unnecessary risks.

Thanks!

montereybob

More days in Yosemite would be better. There is so much great hiking and scenery there. And it is so spectacularly beautiful that you won't want to leave. Am I right in assuming you are touring Yosemite valley? It's not to be missed. Ditto for Glacier Point view point and the tunnel viewpoint. There are so many great trails in Yosemite at all different levels of difficulty, that you might want to get one of the many books on Yosemite trails to guide your choices. Also don't miss the dramatic and historic Ahwannee Hotel lodge in the valley.
Have fun.

spirobulldog

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...per-canyon.cfm

read the above recentpost related to hiking at GC. This is about as serious of a non-technical hike as you can get, IMOP. If you have any hesitations, really think hard before you do it.
When it comes to rafting or hiking in GC, I would always listen to Bill_h as he has a lot of experience and I think his advice is very sound.
A first time hike down would be far better in Oct or May. Now, with even a slight knee issue, I don't think I would ever think about it.

I think you have way to much on your plate and are trying to cover way to many areas. You are covering 7or 8 major areas in 14 days. Almost all of them really need far more than a couple of days each. Most of the places are huge and have a ton to offer. Personally, I would spend it in just CA, or just UT/AZ. Of the two, for July I would easily pick CA Sierras.

You can't expect to hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, Hike some in Yosemite, Seqouia, Bryce, and Zion all in that short of a span. and this isn't counting throwing in Vegas and San Fran.

Consider some good quality time at a couple of spots,rather than just checking them off your list. This will eliminate some driving too.

Myer

IOn Bryce you start at the top and go down. The sunset is nothing compared to the sunrise at Bryce Point.

Plan on getting up very early and driving to Bryce Point in the dark. You will not be the only one there. There's a viewing gallery that protrudes out into the canyon.

Remember it's not the sun you want but the canyon as it turns orange. Your back will be to the sun.

Otherwise, others have covered you well.