haha nah I am about to do Everglades next week and then Alaska this summer. But just wanted to be prepared for Alaska if a flight deal pops up on where I need to fly into, and how to plan.
any one with suggestions for Bryce or Zion for the spring? tried using the TMB search function for prior info though that just yielded tons of stuff on Zion Williamson and Bryce Young...
Did both last December, absolutely stunning. My suggestion is that you should go. Will do my best to answer any questions you’ve got.
welp, that's my Clemson education holding me back. thanks for the suggestion as that resulted in some good posts.
My number one suggestion for Zion is to go to Observation Point via the East Mesa Trail. I believe I've mentioned it multiple times in this thread, but the view is spectacular and that route is pretty easy. It may still be the only way to get to observation point. The traditional valley route had been closed multiple years due to a rockslide. I don't know if it reopened yet or if it will. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/utah/east-mesa-trail-to-observation-point If you want to get away from crowds go to the Kolob Canyon section of the park. It is much quieter but still very scenic. Taylor Creek is a good trail. The Narrows probably won't be open in the spring, but if it is do it. If you can get a permit do Angels Landing. There are certainly sketchy sections where you are standing on six inches of rock and falling would mean certain death, but if you can get past the nervousness it's pretty thrilling. I did it before they required permits and it was absurdly busy on my way down which is what really made it dangerous. With smaller crowds I would assume its much safer, but you still have to hold onto chains to stay alive. The view at observation point is better, but if have time for both do both. I can give more day hiking suggestions if you want, but Observation Point, The Narrows and Angels Landing are the big ones. Bryce is pretty easy to navigate, stop at all the lookoffs. In the main amphitheater there are a few loop combinations you can do, just pick the one that you feel is the right distance for you. But definitely do go walk down in the hoodoos. If you can fit it in spend some time at Capitol Reef NP. It might be the most underrated park in the system that I've been to. I don't like it as much as Zion, but it would be hard for me to say any of the other three Utah park are better. The drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef through Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument is beautiful. Depending on temperature, near the Kolob Canyon portion of Zion is Kanarra Falls. It's like a mini version of the Narrows and you get to climb a couple of waterfalls. They do limit the number of hikers per day and you have to get a permit, first come first serve. Also near Bryce is Cedar Breaks National Monument. It has similar formations to Bryce but at higher elevation so it will probably have snow on it in the spring, which is a neat contrast to the red rock. I stopped by in late June and it was still covered in snow.
I’ll second everything tspa said. We just did a UT/AZ trip in October and did Zion, Bryce, Arches, antelope canyon, Grand Canyon etc. Make sure you figure out when you’ll need to apply for the Angel’s Landing lottery. It’s a must. I’m not super great with steep drop offs so I took half a Xanax before the hike and waited til I got to the top to look over the edge. Actually wasn’t nearly as bad as I expected (though hard to say how much was the medicine helping). We didn’t have time to do The Narrows but looked awesome (get waterproof hiking boots and poles though). If you’re a real badass apply for a permit to hike The Subway, looks sick. Bryce can easily be done in one day. There are towns that are right near the entrances of Zion and Bryce with plenty of lodging, wish we’d done that instead of staying in St George. HIGHLY recommend doing a UTV tour in the St George area if you have time, we did Mad Moose rentals and did a 4 hr sand dune/sunset tour that was one of the funnest things I’ve ever done in my life. You are literally going balls to the wall through slot canyons, shooting up massive sand dunes, rock crawling, etc. If you have even more time, Arches is my favorite national park thus far. Like a discovery zone for adults, climb everything possible
Another vote for everything tspa said about Zion. The only thing I would add is that it may suck at the time, but EARLY mornings are your friend. Get to the shuttle at 5am for The Narrows and/or Angels Landing and your experience will be greatly improved.
Oh yeah parking is terrible at Zion so get there early or be prepared to park in the town outside and spend time waiting on shuttles. We circled the parking lot for about 15 mins and got a spot but was not fun
drove up to the Grand Canyon this morning to read and check out the condition of a couple trails Grandview Trail was inaccessible, gonna be a few weeks at least till the ice melts at the top of that. Bright Angel Trail was actually busy but you'd want spikes for sure. Saw some people going down in tennis shoes without traction and they were gonna have a bad time Read like 150 pages on a nice little outcropping by the village. Good day. Wish gas hadn't gone up so much in the past few weeks
One of the greatest places I've stayed. Daughters and I spent a couple nights in late May a few years back...snowed overnight. Hiking down to the canyon floor was amazing but the hike back up was brutal for me, not them. The lodge is amazing.
Entered the lottery for a permit to hike Half Dome on statistically the best possible day (mid-week, mid-September) and still didn’t get selected. So that’s a pretty big bummer. Any recommendations for a backup hike if the daily lottery doesn’t come through? I know it’s a long way out, but I’m a planner.
I’m going to be in Key West with a spouse who doesn’t snorkel, but kids that do, all over 12 years old. Is Dry Tortugas worth the $200 a piece ferry ride?
you could still do the Mist Trail to the top of Nevada Falls or farther which is a nice view even if you aren't going all the way to Half Dome. You could return via the John Muir Trail for a change. Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point is fun and of course a spectacular view when you get to the top, but it's also a bit defeating when you realize you've gotten there via a pretty steep hike and see all the people getting out of vehicles at the top. But it's the journey not the destination right? Of course last year the road was closed all year so it would be a plus if it was the same this year If you need a longer hike you can link both of those in the same day via the Panorama Trail
Clouds Rest is supposed to be incredible, but really hard https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/clouds-rest--6?u=m
The road to Glacier Point was closed for 2022. I would check 2023 status. The only way there in 2022 was to hike it.
That seems rich. Unless you are staying solely in Key West, would recommend looking into Key Largo area instead if just snorkeling
Getting married in late May and doing a mini-moon in Maui right after. I've visited the Haleakala crater before and did a bike ride all the way down, which was an awesome experience. Any hiking / other sightseeing suggestions in the national park or other areas of the island?
We’re mobile. Part of the reason for going was to hit the Everglades, Miami, then drive the island hopping highway to get to Key West. $1000 for a family of five is probably a “no” for me, because my son and I will be the only ones who really care and we aren’t spending a whole lot of time in the keys.
List of National Parks that require a reservation this year https://www.foxweather.com/lifestyle/national-parks-reservations-2023
I second all these options as great recs. I also enjoyed the Cathedral Lakes hikes if you're exploring the Toulumne Meadows part of the park but if you're just doing the main valley it's a bit of a haul.
I've heard many people raved about doing the sunrise/sunset atop Haleakala. Seems very popular. I did the sunrise and got up at like 3 am to do it, drove almost 2 hours iirc to get there, and it was so cloudy and windy you couldn't see 5 feet in front of you so yeah I had bad luck and it wasn't my favorite. But others said it was unforgettable. The road to Hana is worth it and lives up to the hype imo. The Pipiwai Trail at the end of it is a great easy hike that is memorable. Also I am a nerd but I love using the Gypsy guide on the Hawaiian Islands and other road trips so that you get a bit of history and culture with your drive and up to date recommendations on where you should stop and what you can skip. You can download those from the App store I believe. I enjoyed using it on the Road to Hana. edit: I see they just rebranded and are now called "GuideAlong"
Went to Devils Tower today. Hiked the Red Beds trail and that was fantastic. Did Badlands a couple days ago, really want to come back to that and hike down in and camp.
Where'd the journey begin? I've always wanted to visit there, but always get talked out of it because there's a lot to see in wyoming and that's really isolated
Started in Cincinnati. Been in the Black Hills for about a week now exploring everything. Devils tower was a little more than hour drive from where we’re staying so it was an easy decision to head over and it’s been our favorite thing we’ve done this trip.
Two weeks out from Mesa Verde -> Black Canyon of the Gunnison -> Arches -> Canyonlands. Camping in the first 2, camping at a national forest for the other 2. Very excited.
Greetings from Mesa Verde, nerds. Hit Chimney Rock on the way in yesterday. About to set out for some adventure inside the park.
Cliff Palace was awesome. Sunset atop Mesa Verde was A+. Great campgrounds as well. Off to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Driving through the mountains around Telluride has been a treat. Will have to post pics later.
The drive from Durango to Ouray on HWY 550 is one of the best drives I've done anywhere. The San Juan Mountains are absolutely incredible. I've not done the other side of the mountains past Telluride, but I'm sure it's also awesome.
Did Black Canyon in a couple hours yesterday with just some south rim view points and a picnic lunch. Said fuck it and came to Moab last night to save our selves from the trouble of waking up early and breaking down camp to get to Arches for our 10:30 timed entry. Came into Arches at 6am and got some great sunrise views and got to do Delicate Arch before the brutal heat. Checked out Landscape arch and the Windows area was amazing as well. Camping at elevation in the national forest to escape this desert heat
If you can camp an hour from Moab, do it. Edit - not sure those came through. Warner Lake Campground, La Sal National forest. Went from 101 in Moab to mid 70s and shady with a light breeze. What a blessing.