We want to travel from Arches Nat'l Park at Moab to Bryce Canyon using highways 191 to 95 to 24 to 12. Will be towing 27' 5th wheel. Is it doeable? Is September the right time of the year for such trip? Your imput will be greatly appreciated.
Greg, Shirley, Misha (the dog)
2006 1 ton Dodge with CTD, SRW, extended cab, 4x2, short box, 3.73 LSD, J-brake, Superglide hitch, Prodigy controller, Line-x, Pressure-Pro.
2004 Citation Supreme 26RKS 5th wheel
Klondike double kayak, K-1 single kayak
Get a copy of Mountain Directory West at www.mountaindirectory.com or other source where they list the steep and curvy roads.
I try to avoid any road that states `scenic' next to it if towing a camper. It will only be scenic to the passenger.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
gregn wrote: We want to travel from Arches Nat'l Park at Moab to Bryce Canyon using highways 191 to 95 to 24 to 12. Will be towing 27' 5th wheel. Is it doeable? Is September the right time of the year for such trip? Your imput will be greatly appreciated.
Sure is, but looks like you might be taking the long way around. While your route is not the shortest route it does take you thru so beautiful and interesting country. Lots of national Park like features out there and the end of Lake Powell where you cross on Rt 95 is one of our favorites. You might want to research the Goblins SP and the Rt 12 drive from Capital Reef to Bryce these are a couple more great bonuses that you can include.
As long as you are in the area might just head to Zion and the North Rim – then Page –Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley. (sorry getting carried away)
The question was is it doable? The answer is Yes should be no problem, we usually try to wait a little later to do Utah like late October and November – September is for the Colorado Mountains and the changing of the Aspen – last week of September in Maroon Bells will be unforgettable. Then by the end of October they start to close the high mountain passes and you head to Utah.
Lots to see and do in this area of the country – for us we search out the cooler temps and try to get out and see/touch it more.
BOL and enjoy the drive,
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
MDX-FMCA--M&G Brake
States traveled in this Coach
Is it doable? Yes, because a lot of folk do it. Agree pretty much with Busskipper. The key is to take your time and don't get anxious to reach a destination on any given day. There is a lot to see out there and the driver can enjoy as much as the passenger if you take your time. There are plenty of places to pull over, smell the fresh air and catch a few zzzzzz. Hope you enjoy our state as much as we enjoy yours.
gregn wrote: We want to travel from Arches Nat'l Park at Moab to Bryce Canyon using highways 191 to 95 to 24 to 12. Will be towing 27' 5th wheel. Is it doeable? Is September the right time of the year for such trip? Your imput will be greatly appreciated.
We did basically the same trip a couple of years ago and loved it. You should check out Dead Horse State Park in the Arches/Moab area - spectacular views. We really liked Capital Reef NP. Stay at Fruita CG in the park. There are some really nice scenic hikes. Hwy 12 from Cap Reef to Bryce is a bit hilly and curvy but spectacularly scenic. If you are up for a short hike along the way, you should check out Lower Calf Creek Falls between Boulder and Escalante (37°47'29.59"N, 111°24'50.76"W). It's about a 2-3 hour rt (mostly level) and the scenery is spectacular. Also there's a great little resturant in Boulder called Hells Backbone Grill (www.hellsbackbonegrill.com/). If you have time, you really should take in Zion NP also. It was one of our favs. As for time of the year, I think Sept-Oct is perfect. It starts getting very cold at higher elevations later in the year. We had -5C at Bryce one night. Any questions feel free to PM me.
Thanks to all for good words. Will take advantage of some hints, but September is the time we cannot change.
To extend my question: we will be coming from the north. I'm thinking that instead of going through Salt Lake City, perhaps we could take f-wy 84 to 80 to 40 to 191 to 6 south. Another words, from Ogden, southeast to Park City, then to Heber City, Duchesne, Price, to Green River. What do you think?
Well, your suggested route is doable, BUT...know that between Duchesne and Price you will have to go over Indian Canyon Pass....9500'....with a smooth run up the north side, but wide switchbacks down the south side. Other than that, it's just fine. It'll give your rig a workout for a short time.
I-84 is under heavy construction in Weber Canyon (between Ogden and Mt. Green), and also just past Morgan to near Croydon. It's usually not too bad, but during commuting hours you'll have delays. If you've seen the Wasatch Front already, I-84 would be a nice change. Indian Canyon isn't bad in the summer, just a little steep, as summutt2002 stated.
Offline
