Thanks to all of you that replied with suggestions for our first extended trip with our TT. We have designed an preliminary itinerary based on many of your suggestions, and we would like your input. Please make any comments based on your experience:
Campground Attractions Nights
Blanca RV Great Sand Dunes 2
Alpen Rose Durango, CO 4
Mesa Verde
Durango-Silverton RR
Steamworks Brewery
Cadillac Ranch RV Park Bluff, UT 3
Monument Valley
Hovenweep
Valley of Gods
Goosenecks
Mexican Hat
Comb Wash
Butler Wash
Spainish Trails RV Park Moab, UT 5
Arches
Canyonlands
Dead Horse Point
Petroglyphs
Wonderland Torrey, UT 3
Capitol Reef
Bauer's Canyon Ranch Glendale, UT 5
Bryce NP
Zion NP
Cedar Breaks NM
Grand Staircase
Kaibab Camper Village Jacob Lake 4
North Rim Grand Canyon
Cottonwood CG Canyon de Chelly 2
Petrified Forest KOA Holbrook, AZ 4
Petrified Forest
We are especially interested to know if the number of days we have planned is adequate.
Thanks!
Nancy
Nancy and Mark
2005 Sunnybrook Solanta 2726
F250 Super Duty Powerstroke Diesel
Looks good to me. You may not need 4 days to see Painted Desert, unless you plan to do a lot of wilderness hiking which is highly encouraged. At Arches if you have the time DW and I recommend the Ranger led Fiery Furnace hike. You have to make reservations and it cost us $10/person, but it was worth it.
Also if you are at Bryce Canyon during a full moon they have an awesome night hike.
Have a great trip.
Jim & Junnie
2005 Sunline Solaris T-2553 Our Web Site
Thanks for the information. We hope to be able to go on the Fiery Furnace hike. I have not heard about the night hike at Bryce. I will have to check on the moon.
We do plan to hike at Petrified Forest. We were there for only one day on our way to San Francisco last year. We have never taken the TT on an extended trip, but we have done some road trips in the car. Petrified Forest is one of the places that we wanted to return to so we could hike. We will be there in late September so it may still be very hot.
While in Durango, don't miss Carver's Brewpub, 1022 Main Street. Ska Brewing also has a decent beer, 545 Turner Drive. But Steamworks is my favorite. They've got a pretty good IPA, and the Lizard Head Red is pretty tasty! Enjoy the trip!
Glen
2004 Dutchmen 27BG, Rocky Mountain Elk Edition
2002 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 8.1/Ally
2 boys, 12 & 14
a friendly black lab
a couple of decks of cards
a cold beer
I would spend less time at North Rim Grand Canyon, say 2 nights. You are familiar with Petrified Forest, but I would also spend less time there. There are several stops where I would spend more time, but instead, I'll recommend a stop in Page, AZ. There are several slot canyons there, particularly Upper & Lower Antelope Canyon. Then there is Horseshoe Bend, and nearby is Cottonwood Road and Paria Wilderness Area. If you are hikers, this is some of the best you'll find and Sept is perfect.
If it will help, I have photos of all those places in my gallery (link below).
We spent five months out west last year and went to many of the places you are going. I agree that four days in the Painted Desert is too much.
Great Sand Dunes: be sure to hike to the highest point on top of the dune. Hard but worth the effort.
Dead Horse Point SP: they have a great campground and you would be closer to Arches and will see Canyon lands from the park. You can hike the rim at Dead Horse.
North Rim of Grand Canyon: you should really stay in the park. Nice CG with trails and you will be sooooo much closer to the views.
You can see some pictures from our trip by clicking the link in our signature. The pictures are divided up into different segments so you can view those you may be interested in.
Have a great trip.
Ray and Susan
2007 HitchHiker II 29.5 LKTG LS
2007 SD Ford F-250 Lariat 4x2 Supercab
6.0 L V-8 Diesel with Tow Command System
2 Old Folks with 1 Traveling Cat
http://picasaweb.google.com/slowpezrs
I had a couple of thoughts, but just reading your itinerary wore me out!! I just hope you don't get frustrated trying to keep to this schedule. We never plan anything and it always seems to work out just fine.
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