Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Crowds

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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby clamlamp » Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:11 pm

It's good to know about the fee for Zion and teardrops. That was one of my first stop after mine is built. I'm pretty shocked it doesn't qualify for small camping vehicle...

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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:14 pm

Left Zion to head to Bryce (and a hotel to clean up)!

Hit the road around 8am, and found parking for the Canyon Overlook trailhead - right after exiting the tunnel.

Steep but fun, the one pic has an arrow pointing to one of the evacuation holes in the tunnel. We dangled our feet, then got back on the road. ImageImageImageImage
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:17 pm

Stopped at a rest stop - Utah takes great care of theirs, from what we've seen.

Grilled some burgers, then on to Bryce.

After dinner we did a recon of tomorrow's hike - holy cow are we stoked for that! (Will be interesting to see what snow actually comes tonight).
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby pchast » Sat Mar 03, 2018 8:37 pm

Thanks for the Beautiful pictures of your trip.
That's an area I'll never get to otherwise.
:thumbsup:
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby KTM_Guy » Sat Mar 03, 2018 9:20 pm

Enjoy Bryce, We didn't plan enough time for there. We didn't do Kodachrome thats on the bucket list.

Nice photos so far.

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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Sun Mar 04, 2018 5:26 pm

Bryce - wow! Got a little snow overnight so they closed the road south of Inspiration Point.

We planned on hiking Queens Garden anyway - and it was amazing! Tough climbing out but around every corner was another incredible view. We saw maybe 10 other people the whole way.

Afterwards we drove over and hiked to Mossy Cave (froze cave this time of year). After a late lunch we're cleaned up at the Best Western Plus Bryce Canyon Grand - a really nice new hotel 3 miles or so from the entrance.

Slim pickings for restaurants - there's one open this time of year (Ruby's Buffet) as everything else seems to be going under remodeling. Tonight will just be sandwiches in our room.

Tomorrow we hitch up the Escape Pod and head for various hikes on the way towards Page.
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby Wolfgang92025 » Sun Mar 04, 2018 8:05 pm

Bryce this time of year is a great place to visit.
Great scenery with few people.
As far a restaurants, Ruby's is the only place open in the off season.
Wolfgang

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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:46 pm

Heck with Antelope Canyon, missus found this one outside Kanab. Beautiful and a good workout. ImageImage
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:49 pm

Then Nautilus, and another less than spectacular slot canyon before pulling into Lee's Ferry for the night. Awesome, could hear the river running from the campsite. ImageImageImageImage
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:54 pm

Tuesday we headed for Monument Valley, and spent the night at Gooseneck Park, Utah. Yes, we stopped at Horseshoe Bend outside of Page, but we camped 10 feet away from this "Bend"! For $10 whole dollars.
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 10:57 pm

Wednesday it was time to head for home. Quick pic at Forrest Gump highway, checked out Mexican Hat, and pulled a long haul back to Phoenix. ImageImage
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:08 pm

The Escape Pod did well, but some of the tough roads took their toll. (And some nefarious lot lizards when we stopped a couple times)...

The rear hatch, and one side door - the inside plates came loose like someone was yanking on them. A few through bolts will fix it up.

Put a new deep cycle in before heading out. With sparce use of the seat heaters (to warm the sleeping bag), charging camera's and cellphones - it lasted all week, never dipping below 12.4v.

It was a fantastic trip - no crowds, spectacular, if a little cold, weather, and for bring a native Arizonan, long overdue. Thanks for the kind words - after I get the pics out of the camera I'll post a few more.
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:23 pm

clamlamp wrote:It's good to know about the fee for Zion and teardrops. That was one of my first stop after mine is built. I'm pretty shocked it doesn't qualify for small camping vehicle...

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Follow up on the campsite drama. I checked the booking website, and it was updated yesterday - and all references to "small camping vehicles" is removed.
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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby clamlamp » Thu Mar 08, 2018 11:40 pm

Amazing trip! Thanks for sharing!

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Re: Zion, Bryce, and Monument Valley - Beating the Summer Cr

Postby shootr » Sat Mar 10, 2018 2:55 pm

Getting through the camera pics finally...

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