Need help connecting AZ/NV/UT/CO sightseeing spots...

Take out Lake Powell and everything lines up pretty well. I would remove that considering your time restraints.

TriumphGuy wrote:
Wow how things change, and yet stay the same in just over a year.

Back in Dec 2014 I posted this thread and got lots of great input about a proposed trip to the Southwest: Upstate SC to Grand Canyon; 4 weeks - what would you do?

By now many things have come together. We ended up with a 35' Class A motorhome and are planning for 4 weeks off in 2016, mid-May to mid-June.

Credit where credit is due, I'm generally following a similar route as tragusa3: Trip Report: The Perfect Family Trip!

Anyway, to the point - now I'm getting a little wrapped around the axle trying to connect some of these dots in the most efficient manner. Specifically, the Hoover Dam vs Lake Powell are throwing a wrench into my trying to make a good "loop." If I leave one or the other out I can make sense of it, but trying to do both...?

Petrified Forest
...
Grand Canyon (South Rim)
Hoover Dam
...
Zion
Bryce
Capitol Reef
Goblin Valley
Arches
Canyonlands
Moab
Valley of the Gods / Monument Valley / Goosenecks SP
then backtrack to Lake Powell Halls Crossing?
Four Corners
Mesa Verde
Durango
...

So two questions:
1) what am I missing to make the most sense out of connecting these places?
2) any roads to avoid with a 36' Class A with a toad? I don't shy away from driving on twisty roads of Appalachia so I'll do what's needed if necessary, but I'd like to think I'm wiser these days and will avoid the "necessary" if you know what I mean.

Then you do remmember this;

TriumphGuy wrote:
Hi everyone,
Doing some long range planning. 2000 miles from Greenville SC to the Grand Canyon (and back of course). In a couple years I'd like to do this with the family.
I might be able to swing 5 weeks off of work but for now sticking with 4 weeks.
We wouldn't be using our current setup (F250 and 35' 5er) but rather in a small C or would have a DRW and a multi-slide TC. Something more mobile and that my DW is more comfortable driving.
I don't want to pack a thousand things into the trip. The drive is long enough as it is, don't need added stress. A couple goals off of the top of my head:
- See and experience the Grand Canyon for a few days. Don't just stop and look. Do some hiking, see some sunsets.
- Get off the beaten path and camp somewhere out there. Wander a bit. Living on the east coast, there really isn't much for getting out there and remote (i.e dispersed camping).


- Enjoy a few stops on the way. Focus is natural wonders but some historic sites too.

The route seems simple. Find my way to I-40 (through Atlanta to Memphis) to Flagstaff and then north.

Any time of the year. Kids are homeschooled so no schedule problems. My first thought is late Sept.

I'm hoping this is the first trip of many before they grow up and leave the house.

Thoughts?

Not trying to mess with you but the original thoughts had a LOT OF MERIT,

You do Know that Lake Powell has a Dam. So no need to waste a couple of days to see the one for Lake Mead, unless it is of some Historical connection for you.

North Rim is Cooler and Wilder than the South Rim, but it is in your Title, and this is your trip. On the way into GC think about touching Window Rock and Canyon de Chelly they are right on the way - even if you do not explore them.

IMHO 4 corners is a waste - was when I went at 10 (60 years ago) and would be now.

While in Moab be sure to drive out Rt 128 along the Colorado River - you'll know when to turn around and come back, want to say 35-40 miles.

You know you could come out of GC on the East side (Page) and do the loop that way missing Hover and Mead?

Sorry to mess with your Head but, I read your first post in 2014 and....

Bottom line no matter what you do it will be fun, You are in a Class A so the kids will be able to do things and move around a little. Remember they - Kids - Love the Water so use it to your advantage.

Last thought is to pack up everything and start right after work on Friday, that 250 400 miles is money in the bank, and believe me you will be glad to have it.

As you already know this is going to be AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOL,

How are you going to Exit and head HOME, Through Colorado I Hope - Maybe Wolf Creek Pass to Salida and Buena Vista and the Collegiates going out Rt 24 through Colorado Springs, home.

I assume you'll be entering Zion from I-15, Hwy 9. Where are you staying?

If you are staying at the Springdale entrance and were planning on leaving Zion via Hwy 9 east you'd have to disconnect your toad and drive both vehicles through the tunnels to get to Hwy 89 and up to Bryce. Check out the tunnel information on the Zion Nat'l Park web site for details.

An alternative to include Glen Canyon/Page, AZ area at this point would be: from Springdale/Zion entrance, backtrack on Hwy 9 west to Hurricane, UT. Then pick up 59 south toward Colorado City and it will then become 389 in Arizona taking you to Fredonia, AZ. Then get on Hwy 89 and follow it into Page, AZ. There's a very nice RV park right on the water and Antelope Canyon tours can be had from this area. You could also do the 'dam' tour or a boat ride on the lake.

Then go back on 89 to Kanab, UT and north on 89 to Bryce, etc.

If you take the tour of Monument Valley I would skip Valley of the Gods (you probably wouldn't want to do it in your vehicle) and just do a 'drive to' Goosenecks SP for a quick picture. There's really no reason to spend the night there.

I don't see a good route to fit everything in without some backtracking.

In my opinion you could also skip Four Corners. There's nothing there but a desolate area, some trinket sellers and a plaque and also an admission fee. Besides, it's really in the wrong place if you read up on it. :)

Have a great trip!