Another US road trip idea/suggestions
Discussion
So we're off to a wedding in the US in second half of October and we've decided to stay a further 9 days and do a mini road trip 
So far the plan is to fly into Vegas and i've already booked something from the Hertz Adrenaline collection
I've been toying around with route ideas and have so far come up with the following:
Las Vegas -> Zion -> Bryce Canyon -> Page -> South rim of the Grand Canyon -> Las Vegas
This seems to be a fairly standard loop from Vegas however my girlfriend is a big fan of Autumn and has asked that we fit in some 'Fall' scenery. This has made me wonder whether we could go up to Yosemite and Sequoia but it seems to be more of a one way route up to SF or LA. Another concern (and reason we didn't go to Yellowstone) is the weather - are the passes over from NV to these parks potentially closed due to snowfall at this time of year?
Has anyone done anything similar or have any other route suggestions ?
TIA
So far the plan is to fly into Vegas and i've already booked something from the Hertz Adrenaline collection
I've been toying around with route ideas and have so far come up with the following:Las Vegas -> Zion -> Bryce Canyon -> Page -> South rim of the Grand Canyon -> Las Vegas
This seems to be a fairly standard loop from Vegas however my girlfriend is a big fan of Autumn and has asked that we fit in some 'Fall' scenery. This has made me wonder whether we could go up to Yosemite and Sequoia but it seems to be more of a one way route up to SF or LA. Another concern (and reason we didn't go to Yellowstone) is the weather - are the passes over from NV to these parks potentially closed due to snowfall at this time of year?
Has anyone done anything similar or have any other route suggestions ?
TIA
On the route you mention the best place for fall colours will be in Zion. I don't really think of the southwest as a great fall-colour place though. To be honest, the area is amazing regardless.
Take your girlfriend to the Ouray area of Colorado in late Sep/1st week of Oct next year for stunning autumn scenery (and visit Moab, Monument Valley etc).
Yosemite is awesome and hubby and I are heading back again in November. It is a gamble with the passes over the Sierra Nevada at this time of year. Tioga pass can close for a few days after snowfall, but might re-open (which happened to us in Oct-12). The historical final closing dates are here:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.ht...
For a first-time visit, spring would be a better time in Yosemite so that you can experience the waterfalls.
Edited to add: In your situation and timescale, the route you mention sounds like the best plan and you should definitely have a great time.
Take your girlfriend to the Ouray area of Colorado in late Sep/1st week of Oct next year for stunning autumn scenery (and visit Moab, Monument Valley etc).
Yosemite is awesome and hubby and I are heading back again in November. It is a gamble with the passes over the Sierra Nevada at this time of year. Tioga pass can close for a few days after snowfall, but might re-open (which happened to us in Oct-12). The historical final closing dates are here:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tiogaopen.ht...
For a first-time visit, spring would be a better time in Yosemite so that you can experience the waterfalls.
Edited to add: In your situation and timescale, the route you mention sounds like the best plan and you should definitely have a great time.
Edited by Breadknife on Wednesday 23 July 11:39
I think the route you've outlined is good. It's sensible distance wise too (something a lot of people don't fully understand). You could definitely stop at Valley of Fire too.
You're likely to see some snow too i would have thought, maybe in Bryce?
I hope you're up for a bit of walking too, Zion especially is all about hiking around.
I'd suggest the Wave lottery too, but i think you might have missed that
Yellowstone is an amazing place, and my favourite park i've visited in the US (i've been to a lot...). It's not feasible as a round trip from Vegas though. You would need to fly out from somewhere like Bozeman rather than drive all the way back, it's approx a hard 2 days drive from Vegas.
You're likely to see some snow too i would have thought, maybe in Bryce?
I hope you're up for a bit of walking too, Zion especially is all about hiking around.
I'd suggest the Wave lottery too, but i think you might have missed that
Yellowstone is an amazing place, and my favourite park i've visited in the US (i've been to a lot...). It's not feasible as a round trip from Vegas though. You would need to fly out from somewhere like Bozeman rather than drive all the way back, it's approx a hard 2 days drive from Vegas.
Edited by Matt.. on Wednesday 23 July 14:31
Check your route with the Arizona DoT website as certain roads near Page (I-89 south definitely) are subject to a massive (100+mile) diversion due to a land slide last year which took the road with it.
Agree Zion is great, this was the view from the bike...
Sedona (south of Flagstaff) is also well worth a short detour.
Agree Zion is great, this was the view from the bike...
Sedona (south of Flagstaff) is also well worth a short detour.
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 25th July 09:45
Crossflow Kid said:
Check your route with the Arizona DoT website as certain roads near Page (I-89 south definitely) are subject to a massive (100+mile) diversion due to a land slide last year which took the road with it.
The current detour / diversion is via 89T though (following road improvements), which Google maps puts as being 2.5hrs from Page to Grand Canyon Village. The old detour via 98 & 160 would have added 50 mins to that journey time. Whilst the 89 is still closed, getting from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim is still pretty easy and direct.A lot of pine trees in the south west, not the best for autumn color. I think you need to have a flexible itinerary with an adrenaline collection car at that time of year. you could have nice warm days with the roof down or several feet of snow in some spots, likely all on the same day too. We once had that in June no less, snow at cedar breaks in the morning, sitting on the sundeck for dinner in page in the evening. But its far more likely in October. On the plus side though I wouldn't have thought you would have any hotel problems if you booked up your next one the evening before you move on or even just walking in wherever you get to (unless there is a big road shutdown) You may also want to check the chain rules as you may be required to carry them in a 2wd on some roads (Utah chain law comes into effect Oct 1st).
You want to be careful if you head towards Yosemite, not only due to pass closure, but the small towns on the east end start closing down early September so hotel and restaurant choices may be reduced especially as ski season at mammoth wont have started yet either.
It may be worth checking when they open up the road up zion to cars, (if the still do) During the summer its the bus system only, but in the quieter months you can (3 yrs ago) drive up, If you can time it so you can do the latter it will be much better experience imho. Same with the bus road west of the grand canyon village at the south rim.
If you did want to do the wave then you could try for a walk up pass, they only issue half (10) passes in the online lottery, the others you have to attend in person to the office for a draw for the next days hike.
Yellowstone is an easy drive from LV, couple of days but boring most of the way until you get of I15 in Idaho, and there is so much in southern UT and AZ I'd save it for another day and winter opps might not have started by then anyway.
My advice, cut short that adrenaline collection car to your time in LV and pick up a 4x4 suv and go where you want with confidence. Whilst you will probably be ok with a vette, the sheriff is unlikely to check for chains, with the weather out west so upside down lately you may not be!
You want to be careful if you head towards Yosemite, not only due to pass closure, but the small towns on the east end start closing down early September so hotel and restaurant choices may be reduced especially as ski season at mammoth wont have started yet either.
It may be worth checking when they open up the road up zion to cars, (if the still do) During the summer its the bus system only, but in the quieter months you can (3 yrs ago) drive up, If you can time it so you can do the latter it will be much better experience imho. Same with the bus road west of the grand canyon village at the south rim.
If you did want to do the wave then you could try for a walk up pass, they only issue half (10) passes in the online lottery, the others you have to attend in person to the office for a draw for the next days hike.
Yellowstone is an easy drive from LV, couple of days but boring most of the way until you get of I15 in Idaho, and there is so much in southern UT and AZ I'd save it for another day and winter opps might not have started by then anyway.
My advice, cut short that adrenaline collection car to your time in LV and pick up a 4x4 suv and go where you want with confidence. Whilst you will probably be ok with a vette, the sheriff is unlikely to check for chains, with the weather out west so upside down lately you may not be!
Breadknife said:
Crossflow Kid said:
Check your route with the Arizona DoT website as certain roads near Page (I-89 south definitely) are subject to a massive (100+mile) diversion due to a land slide last year which took the road with it.
The current detour / diversion is via 89T though (following road improvements), which Google maps puts as being 2.5hrs from Page to Grand Canyon Village. The old detour via 98 & 160 would have added 50 mins to that journey time. Whilst the 89 is still closed, getting from Page to Grand Canyon South Rim is still pretty easy and direct.We were heading North-West from Mexican Hat to Kanab and it really took chunks out of our original route.
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