Utah
Zion, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Canyonlands, Arches, Mesa Verde, Black Canyon of the Gunnison
Day 1: Begin your glorious tour of the Colorado Plateau in Zion National Park, where you will climb Angel’s Landing for an expansive view of the area. The hike is challenging and some might not make it to the top, but no matter where you end, it is one of the best hikes in the park. After lunch (you’ll probably want to pack one to take with you), round out your day with some shorter hikes to the Emerald Pools and Weeping Rock. When you are finished hiking, get in your car and drive the very scenic Zion Mt. Carmel Highway towards the East Entrance of the park stopping at Canyon Overlook for a short hike and the pull-off at Checkerboard Mesa before continuing on to Kanab, where you will stay the next two nights. Day 2: After breakfast, drive to the majestic North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park and from the parking area take the paved trail to Bright Angel Point. Afterwards, take the short hike on the Transept Trail along the canyon’s rim. After some lunch, take a scenic drive on Cape Royal Road, including a short detour to Point Imperial before starting your drive back to Kanab for the night. Day 3: Begin your day with a short drive to Bryce Canyon National Park. This small park is a favorite of many visitors with its delicate, dreamscape formations. Drive Utah 63 at least as far as Bryce Point, stopping at Fairyland, Sunrise, Sunset, and Inspiration Points and hiking the Queen’s Garden Trail. If you have time, consider driving to the end of the road at Rainbow Point before checking in to your lodging for the night. Day 4: In the morning, get up and drive to Dead Horse Point State Park for the magnificent view of the Colorado River as it snakes its way into Canyonlands National Park. From there, continue into Canyonlands’ Island in the Sky area stopping at the Grand View Point and Green River Overlooks for more amazing views of Canyonlands’ wild beauty. After many miles of driving, make sure to stretch your legs on some short hikes at the Upheaval Dome crater and Mesa Arch before heading to your hotel for the next two nights in Moab. Day 5: Pack a picnic lunch and make the short drive from Moab into the beautifully unique Arches National Park. Your first stop from the scenic drive is Balanced Rock, where a short trail leads you around this amazing natural optical illusion. Afterwards, turn on the road towards the Windows, where several short trails leads to a number of arches including South Window, North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch. Return to the main road and drive to what many believe is the highlight of the park, the famous Delicate Arch. It will take an average hiker a few hours to make the roundtrip, but it is well worth the effort to see what is probably the world’s most famous natural arch. After some lunch, continue on the scenic drive, making short stops at Sand Dune and Skyline Arches before parking at the end of the road at Devil’s garden Trailhead. From the trailhead, a two- mile path leads to several more arches, including Landscape and Double O Arches. See as many of the arches as you have time for before beginning your drive back to Moab for the evening. Day 6: Get a good breakfast and pack another picnic lunch as today will be another busy day on the spectacular Colorado Plateau. Today you will visit another area of Canyonlands National Park referred to as “The Needles.” Begin by first driving to the end of the road at Elephant Hill and parking your vehicle. This is a great place for a picnic, but explore the area first by taking a hike. If you have the stamina and time, consider the ten-mile Chesler Park loop, which will take you through one of the most interesting formations in the area called “The Joint,” a narrow trail between massive rocks that gives the feeling of walking in a cave. After lunch and finishing your hike, leave Utah and drive to Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, where you will stay for the night. Day 7: After you awake and pack, begin your tour of this unique national park by seeing the sights along the ruins road. Make sure to visit both the Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, and Balcony House. After completing your tour of the sights along the Ruins Road, drive north via the San Juan National Forest scenic drive to Grand Junction, Colorado, for the night. Day 8: On your last day of this wonderful trip to the parks of the Colorado Plateau, take the Rim Rock Drive for a quick visit through enchanting Colorado National Monument before making your way back home from one of the most extraordinary places on the planet. |