Seattle to Southern Utah....Suggestions

[DucatiSSsp]

Hi Guys and Gals,

Will be taking off on early Monday morning and leaving for South Utah. Main plan is to head for Bryce Canyon(spend 2days)

& hit Zion for a day.

Can someone recommend some other good sights and roads while i'm down there?

I'll probably save Moab for another trip with the Dirtbike in the back. Figure i have 5 days to sightsee while down there.

Would like to hit the North rim of the Grand Canyon and maybe stretch another day and head north and hit South Dakota.

Leave Monday 14th, would like to be back late Tuesday or somewhat early Wed. 15th. Will be camping most of the nights as most of the hotel or lodges are fairly pricey <_<

TIA

Bryce

PS

Do I get into Bryce Canyon National Park for free since it was named after me? :blink:

 

[FJR_pig]

You might consider a cruise thru Hell's Canyon in NE Oregon on the way down...

 

[evil_henchman]

That's a really ambitious schedule, I wouldn't try to add much. In fact I'd forget about South Dakota this time out. A day in Zion is more than enough since all the really cool stuff is miles of hiking in. Bryce and Grand Canyon are real road accessable.

 

[Pjturbo]

Freeway it to Baker OR. At Baker OR. turn east on OR86 to Oxbow Dam. Cross the Snake into ID on ID71. Turn left on US 95 to New Medows then right on ID55 to McCall and Banks. At Banks turn left to Lowman then follow ID21 to Stanley. Right at Stanley to Ketchum and Hailey. If you have time take US 20 through the "Craters of the Moon" thenUS26 to I15 at Blackfoot. I15 will take you Salt Lake. If you hurry this will take two days. From Salt Lake you can make Moab and cruse the parks in one day. From Moab it's a day and a half to Bryce. Of course these times are dependent on how long you stop to see anything. You really need a full day at Moab. If you don't hike you can make the car viewpoints at Bryce in half a day. I would suggest a day at Zion. I fast tracked through on the bike the first time then went back with the wife in the car and spent a week from Moab to Zion. There's that much to see.

Phil

 

[jcyuhn]

I actually like Zion better than Bryce, but to each their own. The north rim of the canyon is a great trip, much less crowded than the south rim.

Kanab, Utah is in the area and a little bit interesting. It was the base for many western movies made in the area. I stayed at the Perry Lodge while passing through. The walls are lined with photos of very recognizable movie stars hanging out at the lodge, in the pool, etc. Might be worth stopping in if it's meal time.

Don't recall any particularly interesting roads in the area. I think we rode Mt. Trumbull Rd. north from the canyon, to Fredonia and then Kanab. There is a spectacular overlook after you climb away from the canyon, where the road begins to descend 5000 feet or more to the desert floor below. It's worth a look-see.

- JimY

 

[pinhead]

From Bryce, you might try heading West and North on Hwy 12 all the way to Torrey. That is one of my favorite roads in the country. Stop for breakfast or lunch at the Kiva Koffee house overlooking the Escalante River (west of Escalante), marvel at the drop-offs on the Hogback, take a side trip out to "The Gulch" and "Long Canyon on the Burr Trail (not a great road but worth the trip) ,get a good burger and a beer at the Burr Trail Grill in Boulder, then (if you passed on the beer), scrape some pegs through the Boulder Mountains on the way to Torrey. You won't regret it.

And as long as you're in Torrey, you might as well head on in to Capitol Reef. Its only ten miles away and the greenery in Fruita can make for a nice shady escape from the heat.

For camping, the Deer Creek campground on the Burr Trail is nice (outhouse only, no running water) but only has 6 sights, and the NPS campground in Capitol Reef is quite nice.

 

[DucatiSSsp]

Thanks, for all the suggestions!

Might just have to give Mom her Flowers a Day or 2 early and take off sooner. Have a new employee who grew up in Utah and gave me some suggestions. I think i will give up the return trip through South Dakota and take Phil's route on the way down or back. Want to spend Two days each at Zion and Bryce to relax, hike and take pictures.

Thanks Again!

Bryce

PS

If You see a blue FJR with the kitchen sink strapped to the back and the pilot wearing a white Vanson Velocity suit and a white helmet. You'll know that it's me! Hopefully, You won't see me with a State Patrol car flashing it's lights behind me!