Review general Itinerary of NV, AZ, UT trip

[pudgy_groundhog]

Tuesday (19th) - Horseshoe, Antelope, Maybe something else quick in the area, Take Cottonwood Pass in afternoon. Camp in Kodachrome or Bryce

FYI, Cottonwood Canyon Road was closed about halfway when we were there last month. Probably a good chance it's open now, but I would just double check.

[Geonerd]

This appears to be a link to the latest GSENM road conditions.
http://www.usa-reporter.com/reporter...ion-Report.pdf
Seems Cottonwood is still closed. Suspect the road is washed out where it parallels a creek.

There are BLM visitor's centers in Kanab (as you leave town heading east on 89), Big Water, Cannonville and Escalante. There's an impressive camera store at 19 W. Center in Kanab.

[pudgy_groundhog]

When we were there the guy at the BLM office said it was closed for a "big mud puddle".

When we were getting ready to hike to Yellow Rock, we met a local rancher who told us the river/creek was crossing the road there and it was impassable (he saw one pickup truck stuck there).

But the OP is going in June - so who knows the condition then? I didn't quite understand why the water was crossing the road and what it would take for it to be passable.

[steven1110]

I'll keep an eye on the road conditions as our trip gets nearer. We can nix that portion should it not be open yet.

[Strnge]

Thanks for the info....I will be taking this trip in late July or early August.

Mike

[irishman]

Just got back from Utah yesterday (July 1), Cottonwood Canyon Road and Waheep Hoodoo's. The road to the hoodoos is open, but rough in a couple of places. My stock Wrangler had no problem climbing a two foot high rock ledge, another person's Toyota Highlander couldn't make it. I didn't check to see if it could be bypassed. If you decide to go, PM me for directions; the directions in Martres book and Kingsleys book are uneccessarily complicated. The "big mud puddle" is at the north end of the road between Grosvner Arch and Kodachrome Basin State Park--closer to the park. The puddle in the main road is about three feet deep, but there is a spur road that is only about a foot and a half that a passenger car can make. You can avoid all the headaches by hiring a guide (shameless self-promotion):
www.southwestphotographyandtours.com

[Geonerd]

Originally Posted by irishman

You can avoid all the headaches by hiring a guide (shameless self-promotion):
www.southwestphotographyandtours.com

"Avoid all the headaches?"
What are we supposed to be, a bunch of Scottsdale metrosexuals or wanna-be-cowgirls? You know the type; the ones who brag about living in 'The Desert' but are actually quite terrified of it?

Gimme more puddles and and dust and rattlesnakes!
The adventure is half the fun!

[steven1110]

We've been back for a week now and it was a spectacular trip. I really wish we had more time because we did feel a bit rushed but that didn't stop us from cramming in the most that we possibly could.

I ended up having to revise my first week's schedule because my wife's company switched up the dinner date on us this year so I ended up spending more time around Vegas than I would have preferred.

I personally think that I/we fit in a good bit of stuff in the small amount of time we were there. I had a good amount of time to photograph and didn't feel too horribly rushed. I do wish we would have had at least 1 more day in Zion though.

The final itinerary is below for other's future use.

Monday - Snow Canyon til around 2:00, Drove Zion's Kolob Scenic Drive, Drove to Cedar Break and camped there that night.
Tuesday - Drove back to Kolob and hiked Taylor Creek to the Double Arch. Back to Vegas
Wednesday - Vegas day
Thursday - Valley of Fire for the majority of the day. Believe I did all the hikes within the park. Back to Vegas
Friday - Vegas Day
Saturday - Hoover Dam, Lake Mead Rec Area, Mt. Charleston, Red Rocks. This was the only day were we didn't have enough time to thoroughly explore with is a shame because Red Rocks was stunning.
Sunday - (Very long day) Quick snow canyon visit again, Toroweap (need a minimum of 5 hours to get there and explore a little), Grand Canyon North Rim campground
Monday - GC North Rim, Angel Bright, Rim trail, North Kaibab Trail to first water point, Cape Royal, Point Imperial, Drive to Page, AZ. Horseshoe Bend at sunset.
Tuesday - Lower Antelope, Drive Cottonwood Canyon Road with a few hikes along the road, Grosvenor Arch, Camped in Grand Staircase,
Wednesday - Bryce Canyon - Queens Garden, Navajo, Peek-a-boo. Drive to Zion, camp outside of park.
Thursday - Narrows
Friday - Angel's Landing, back to Vegas

Cottonwood Canyon Pass was passable but the mud hole at the northern end did surprise us. The hole on the main road wasn't passable at the time but there was a spur off the the left that was also mostly filled with water but had a high route that would allow cars to get through.

[Win]

Thanks for the heads up, Bruce. I'm surprised you were able to drive to the Wahweap Hoodoos, no "Road Closed" signs? Good luck with your tours.

Steven, you sure crammed a lot into your trip, sounds like you had a great time.

[irishman]

Originally Posted by Geonerd

"Avoid all the headaches?"
What are we supposed to be, a bunch of Scottsdale metrosexuals or wanna-be-cowgirls? You know the type; the ones who brag about living in 'The Desert' but are actually quite terrified of it?

Gimme more puddles and and dust and rattlesnakes!
The adventure is half the fun!

I know what you're saying, but it's a good thing that most people are afraid of it--the desert is not a thing to take lightly! It took me years to get over my intimidation, but I hope to never lose my healthy respect.
Even now, when I'm by myself and 25 miles from any road and 100 miles from the closest hospital and without any cell service I begin to question my sanity.

Originally Posted by Win

Thanks for the heads up, Bruce. I'm surprised you were able to drive to the Wahweap Hoodoos, no "Road Closed" signs? Good luck with your tours.

Thanks Win. If you ever need directions let me know.

Steven, you sure crammed a lot into your trip, sounds like you had a great time.

[steven1110]

Originally Posted by Win

Steven, you sure crammed a lot into your trip, sounds like you had a great time.

We did fit a lot in but we're young and fairly fit so we were able to do a lot more than others would.

[pudgy_groundhog]

Just got back from Utah yesterday (July 1), Cottonwood Canyon Road and Waheep Hoodoo's. The road to the hoodoos is open, but rough in a couple of places. My stock Wrangler had no problem climbing a two foot high rock ledge, another person's Toyota Highlander couldn't make it. I didn't check to see if it could be bypassed. If you decide to go, PM me for directions; the directions in Martres book and Kingsleys book are uneccessarily complicated. The "big mud puddle" is at the north end of the road between Grosvner Arch and Kodachrome Basin State Park--closer to the park. The puddle in the main road is about three feet deep, but there is a spur road that is only about a foot and a half that a passenger car can make.

In the interest of full disclosure, this road to Wahweap Hoodoos is technically closed (according to BLM office). If you ask locals, they will tell you something different. I'm not sure how strict they are at patrolling or ticketing (I'm guessing not much). Just an FYI.

Steven110, sounds like you had a great trip!