Sabbatical Road Trip
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Beaverton, OR
Sabbatical Road Trip
I have a sabbatical coming up this summer and plan on taking a road trip where part of it will be in southern UT. How much time should I plan on spending in Zion and Bryce Canyon? I have 8 weeks and plan on hitting 15 states. I do not expect to see everything in either place I just do not want to blow through it.
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Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Nomad
I have a sabbatical coming up this summer and plan on taking a road trip where part of it will be in southern UT. How much time should I plan on spending in Zion and Bryce Canyon? I have 8 weeks and plan on hitting 15 states. I do not expect to see everything in either place I just do not want to blow through it.
What do you want to do there? Just ride through and see the main sights? Or do you want to stop, camp, hike, etc.?
Where else are you heading?
Congratulations on your sabbatical!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Utah
Faber is asking the right questions. You could spend a week in Zion National Park hiking and exploring. You could also have a good ZNP experience just riding the tram up the canyon and then riding on. It depends on what you like.
The same is true for Bryce. There are some cool hikes there, and you could easily spend a couple of days. Or you could do the Clark Griswold look, nod, and be on your way -- although I would suggest a minimum of a couple of hours to take in several of the vantage points and just ponder the beauty of it all.
Answer Faber's questions above, and you'll get some good guidance from a couple of guys who know southern Utah better than I. Even if you just play it by ear, you're bound to have a good time.
Based just on what you've said, I would say that while in Zion stay for a full day. Ride the tram up and, if you're not afraid of heights and are in good shape, hike Angels Landing in the morning. If you're not too bushed after that hike, try the Emerald Pools hike. Here's some info on that one: http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/emeraldpools.cfm If Angel's landing doesn't looks like your cup of tea, try one of the other hikes recommended on the site linked above.
As for Bryce Canyon, sunrise and sunset are your best times to view from the canyon rim. That view is spectacular, but like most canyons, getting down in the canyon on a hike is necessary for the complete experience.
I assume that your plans including riding Highway 12 from Bryce to Torrey and beyond. If they do not -- change your plans.
That's a can't miss ride.
Enjoy your sabbatical, and especially enjoy your stay in Utah.
The same is true for Bryce. There are some cool hikes there, and you could easily spend a couple of days. Or you could do the Clark Griswold look, nod, and be on your way -- although I would suggest a minimum of a couple of hours to take in several of the vantage points and just ponder the beauty of it all.
Answer Faber's questions above, and you'll get some good guidance from a couple of guys who know southern Utah better than I. Even if you just play it by ear, you're bound to have a good time.
Based just on what you've said, I would say that while in Zion stay for a full day. Ride the tram up and, if you're not afraid of heights and are in good shape, hike Angels Landing in the morning. If you're not too bushed after that hike, try the Emerald Pools hike. Here's some info on that one: http://www.citrusmilo.com/zionguide/emeraldpools.cfm If Angel's landing doesn't looks like your cup of tea, try one of the other hikes recommended on the site linked above.
As for Bryce Canyon, sunrise and sunset are your best times to view from the canyon rim. That view is spectacular, but like most canyons, getting down in the canyon on a hike is necessary for the complete experience.
I assume that your plans including riding Highway 12 from Bryce to Torrey and beyond. If they do not -- change your plans.
That's a can't miss ride.Enjoy your sabbatical, and especially enjoy your stay in Utah.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,752
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From: Indianapolis, IN
There's a lot more to see than Bryce and Zion in southern Utah! I was amazed last year when we rode our bikes out there. I didn' realize there would be so much to see. You will want to hit the Moab area and visit the Canyonlands NP and Arches NP. Then south of there you will find Mexican Hat and Goose Neck State Park and Monument Valley. Head over to Page, AZ and visit Antelope Slot Canyons. North to Bryce and Zion, scenic byway route 12. Check my thread out.
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...tures-too.html
https://www.hdforums.com/forum/road-...tures-too.html
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2010
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From: Beaverton, OR
Thanks for the info, I am still in the planning stage but I am thinking of 5 or days in the ZNP and Bryce Canyon area most likley staying in a motel. My wife and I hike a lot and just want to take in the sites. From there we are heading to CO towards Ouray, Montrose, Salida, the Royal Gorge Railroad ending up in Moore OK. She will fly home because she don't get a sabbatical from the school district. Then I will continue to the MO State HOG Rally if there is any MO left. Ride the Pig trail while I am in the area. Then head back through CO with my brother for the 4 Corners Rally. Last Sabbatical I did a 13K mile ride so I am open for any suggestions for local rallies in the SW from August 1st to Labor Day Weekend.
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