Summer trip to Antelope Can and Escalante?

jolooote wrote:
How did this become about RMNP ???

The OP said that he might do RMNP instead of Escalante since he was mistakenly under the impression that all the 4WD trails near there were difficult rating, which they certainly aren't.

How did this become about RMNP ???

steveandjil wrote:


One other option is the only major Natnl park I've not been to in the west - Rocky Mountain. Any comments here?

Since you've never been to Rocky I highly recommend that you go.... just not in summer as you have planned. The crowds are horrendous and everyone is in a hurry because they're using their vacation days. It's a gorgeous park with excellent hiking trails so don't hesitate to visit. Try to work it in June or late Sept. It will still be crowded but not as bad. That park is just too close to civilization so it's an easy trip for those living nearby. Also, for those coming from the east it's the first park they'll come to and naturally, they will want to stop. We've volunteered there in the summer so we kind of know about the crowds. :) By the way... they utilize approximately 1,000 volunteers in that park. Naturally, very few have the opportunity to stay in the park as we did because most come in for only the day from nearby towns.

Don't be hesitant about the 4-wheeling trails along Hwy 12 or up in the Capitol Reef Nat'l Park area. They're not all difficult and you won't be the only one on them. Stop at the Visitor Centers for trail info or Google.

Do the Antelope Canyon tour spending two nights at Page. Glen Canyon Rec Area has a very nice RV park with hookups overlooking the lake for the summer heat. Work in a tour of the Dam, also.... very interesting. Then head up Hwy 12!

There's nice 'cool' dry campground in the Dixie Nat'l Forest around Hatch, also. Or head north to Heber City, UT area for 4-wheeling.

I lived in Colorado for 6 years and then later Wyoming. I went to RMNP once never to return. Every other trip I made was better than the experience with all of those people.

Rocky Mtn NP is a zoo in most of the summer / fall. No 4wd trails in the area as it if all National Forest around it.

steveandjil wrote:
One other option is the only major Natnl park I've not been to in the west - Rocky Mountain. Any comments here?

Steve

As previously noted, if you want to see RMNP, stay on the west/quiet side of the park. You can always take your Jeep and explore Trail Ridge Road and go down toward the Fall River entrance and take the Old Fall River Road back up to Trail Ridge at the Alpine Visitors Center. In a Jeep, this would be a really fun trip. Gravel road with lots of hairpin turns, but folks do it all the time...in sedans. Just more fun in an open air vehicle.

There's Timber Creek CG inside the park, it's first come/first serve for all sites, and I've never seen it full. There's 2 commercial resorts in the Grand Lake area, plus about a half dozen USFS CGs in the general area of Grand Lake/Lake Granby/Shadow Mountain Res. There's also the YMCA facility at Snow Mountain between Granby and Fraser, it's got a wonderful campground there.

Not much in the way of 4x4 trails in the immediate area of Rocky, but there are some good albeit longer hiking trails than what is found on the eastern side. Of note is the trail along the Colorado River to the Lulu City site (which is not much more than a brook at this location), and the hike along the Grand Ditch.

We've done Utah Rt12 4 times. Don't remember any serious Off-Road 4x4 trails. Just some very easy and moderate dirt roads. The entire Rt.12 is not to be missed! Red canyon State park, Bryce, Kodachrome, Escalante, Lake Posey is one of the most beautiful CGs anywhere, Calf Creek Cg(My favorite). Going up the east flank of Boulder Mtn. at the Town of Boulder is an ancient Indian ruins museum. The best side ride in the state is just out of town to the east thru the amazing Long canyon on the old Burr trail Paved road. On up Rt12 at higher elevation is a few Nat'l forest CGs. One called Singletree. Farther north Rt.12 connects with Rt.24. Turn rite to go 15 miles to the amazing Capital Reef Nat'l Pk.

steveandjil wrote:
Thanks a lot for the advice folks. We do tow a jeep and we do off-road, but the off roads in Escalante sound a bit much for me - I spend the entire drive in worry about whether I'm going to get back out.

One other option is the only major Natnl park I've not been to in the west - Rocky Mountain. Any comments here?

Steve

There are plenty of moderate to easy 4WD roads in the Escalante area. If there are many 4WD trails near RMNP I haven't heard of them. If you go, camp on the west side and avoid Estes Park. We may stop there on the way home this summer.

Thanks a lot for the advice folks. We do tow a jeep and we do off-road, but the off roads in Escalante sound a bit much for me - I spend the entire drive in worry about whether I'm going to get back out.

One other option is the only major Natnl park I've not been to in the west - Rocky Mountain. Any comments here?

Steve

If to hot in Escalante for you head up Bolder mountain to Posey Lake or just boondock up there if campgrounds aren't your thing. One of our favorite areas in Ut.