Needed info for long road trip!!!!

This coming spring/summer we are going to be driving from Alaska down to the "Lower 48". We are making plans to stop at several National Parks on the way down. I would like everyone's opinion on the "don't miss this" places at each park. With the winter we have had here, we wish we could leave today!!!! Anyway, here are our intended stops:
1. Banff National Park in Canada
2. Mt St Helen's
3. Redwood National Park
4. Yosemite
5. Kings Canyon
6. Grand Canyon
7. Zion National Park
8. Arches National Park
9. Garden of the Gods

We have received information from the NPS from all areas but I have always made use of any intel I get here!!! I was able to spend several weekends in Garden of the Gods a few years ago but will still appreciate any more information you may be able to provide. Thanks!!!!!

As part of the research, I would highly recommend you get all 3 volumes of Photographing the Southwest by Laurent Martres from Amazon or other book store. Those books follow a path basically from Las Vegas through southern Utah, Colorado, and northern Arizona. The sites in the book seem to overlap with the last half of your site list.

The wife and I go to the Moab UT area every time we get the chance.

How long?
What month(s)?
What are your specific interests?
How far are you willing to hike?
Camping of Motel?
Dirt roads OK?

I've made that drive a couple times and there is a lot to see before you get to Banff. I loved Hyder, AK for the bears (July usually), eagles and nearby glaciers. Don't miss Jasper NP and surrounding areas. There are numerous lakes, waterfalls and glaciers along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff. All the lakes are great at sunrise or shortly after. Vermilion Lakes in Banff is a good sunset spot. We also spend time south of Banff in Kananaskis Country. Last visit (4th) we spent 12 days in Jasper, Banff, Kootenay and Yoho NPs...lots to do.

Don't overlook Glacier NP or Mt Baker, Mt Rainier and the Eastern Sierra. I realize you can't do it all, but those are wonderful places. Places like Redwood NP, Sequoia NP and Kings Canyon NP would be less a priority (IMO). They are all good, but... All the Utah NPs are great, as well as surrounding areas. I've spent entire springs/summers there and still have places on the list. Colorado is another place that you could spend your entire trip and never get bored.

Depending on how much time you have, you might consider limiting the number of "stops" and learn more about the surrounding attractions. My gallery has photos of many of these places, organized by state/province. It may give you some ideas. Have a great trip.

sparker1 wrote in post #13742262
Don't miss Jasper NP and surrounding areas. There are numerous lakes, waterfalls and glaciers along the Icefields Parkway from Jasper to Banff. All the lakes are great at sunrise or shortly after. Vermilion Lakes in Banff is a good sunset spot. We also spend time south of Banff in Kananaskis Country.

I'd definitely second that especially as it would not put you so much off track to get to Waterton/Glacier NPs on the next leg of the trip.

WOW guys, thanks for all the great information. We are planning on pulling out of Alaska about the 4th week of May. Total length of the trip may end up being 4-5 weeks. We are shipping our stuff down so this will be a "hotel at night" kind of a trip. I wish we could take all the camping gear but not possible this time. Day hikes are a must. But we will have to pick the best of the best. Distances out to 5-7 miles shouldn't be a problem. Dirt roads kinda need to be kept to a minimum. We are taking the wife's Sorento. Thanks again and keep the info coming. It truly is much appreciated!!!

Do any of you know if there is a yearly pass for getting into national parks? If I can save a few bucks, it would be worth it!!

EricL wrote in post #13743940
Do any of you know if there is a yearly pass for getting into national parks? If I can save a few bucks, it would be worth it!!

Yes, You'll definitely want one, you'll save after the first 2 parks.

There are two options, one NP only and a slightly more expensive option that covers some other places - I don't know much about that though.

You can just get the NP pass at the first park you arrive at, good for a year at all NP.

along those lines....when someone gets 62....get the senior NP pass. It is only $10 for the rest of your life and includes everyone in your vehicle when you enter a NP. Definitely a good deal!


http://www.nps.gov/fin​dapark/passes.htm

The National Parks pass is now $80, so you will need more than two parks to make it worthwhile. But with your itinerary I'm sure it will come in handy.

When we first visited the Canadian Rockies we were a little surprised by the cost - even though we were there for a week, it was cheaper to buy the yearly pass (which we ended up using the next year, so it worked out okay).

Of the parks you listed, I've been to these ones:

1. Banff National Park in Canada
4. Yosemite
5. Kings Canyon
6. Grand Canyon
7. Zion National Park
8. Arches National Park

Love them all ... while Banff is nice and I'm sure you'll want to go to all the famous places, don't forget some of the other parks nearby. My favorite park is actually Assiniboine Provincial Park, but you can't really day hike there (requires backcountry camping). Lake O'Hara in Yoho is a close second - if you have a time frame for when you'll be in Canada and it's far enough out, try to get permits to Lake O'Hara. I can't remember how far Sentinel Pass is (starts at Moraine Lake), but that is a great hike that is probably within the range you listed (or close to it).

Yosemite - the usual suspects. I would spend time in the valley as well in the high country. Tioga Lake is a nice spot and Clouds Rest is a nice hike. If you are in the area long enough, a nice side trip (if you are staying in the high country part) is Mono Lake and Bodie Ghost Town.

Kings Canyon - can't help much there as we were backpacking and only did one day hike (which was okay - super smoggy that day so didn't have great views). The sequoias are cool to see and there are some easy walks around those.

Grand Canyon - I've only been to the south rim, so not familiar with trails on the north rim. But north rim is a lot less crowded (and not as hot if you are planning on going in the summer). It's nice to walk along the rim and if you want to go into the canyon - Indian Garden/Plateau Point is a good option. If you are in the area, a lot of people also go to Page or Sedona - both great spots too.

Zion - most popular hikes are the Narrows and Angel's Landing. If you don't like exposure, Angel's Landing can be dicey - but it's still a nice hike if you just go to Scout Lookout. Another alternative is Observation Point across the valley. Emerald Pools is a shorter/easier hike.

Arches - smaller park, so the longest trailed hike you can do is about eight miles I think (Devil's Garden Primitive Loop). It's a good one because it hits a lot of cool things in one hike. Of course, Delicate Arch. Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands neat to see in this area. There are also nice spots that aren't in the national parks.

Not sure what your route or rough itinerary looks like, but wondering if you've been to Yellowstone? If you haven't and it fits your route, I would add it. The thermal features are unique and it's a great park to visit. A lot of other stuff to do in the area as well.

That's a great deal! My dad has one and it's nice that it includes everyone in the vehicle.

You can do better in Colorado than Garden of the Gods (well, I've never been there somehow). Indian Peaks Wilderness would be a great stop, Lake Isabelle is a very easy walk, but snowy until early July, also Rocky Mountain NP, they are next to each other. I could make another suggestion or two in CO if interested, but won't waste space here if not.

Arches is great, just drive through it and stop at every pull out. The Fiery Furnace might be fun, but you (mostly) need to go with a guided group and to have signed up ahead of time, so that might present scheduling problems. I was in Arches last May and it's quite a busy place, I finally decided you just have to get over the idea that you'll have any sort of solitude and enjoy the scenery. While in the area, drive across the street, so to speak, and visit Canyonlands, the Islands in the Sky area.

patrick j wrote in post #13748210
You can do better in Colorado than Garden of the Gods (well, I've never been there somehow). Indian Peaks Wilderness would be a great stop, Lake Isabelle is a very easy walk, but snowy until early July, also Rocky Mountain NP, they are next to each other. I could make another suggestion or two in CO if interested, but won't waste space here if not.

Arches is great, just drive through it and stop at every pull out. The Fiery Furnace might be fun, but you (mostly) need to go with a guided group and to have signed up ahead of time, so that might present scheduling problems. I was in Arches last May and it's quite a busy place, I finally decided you just have to get over the idea that you'll have any sort of solitude and enjoy the scenery. While in the area, drive across the street, so to speak, and visit Canyonlands, the Islands in the Sky area.

Absolutely, I will take on any advice. Our schedule, at this time, is very flexible!! I do know there are many choices in Colorado and willing to listen!!!!

EricL wrote in post #13751268
Absolutely, I will take on any advice. Our schedule, at this time, is very flexible!! I do know there are many choices in Colorado and willing to listen!!!!

Definitely hit either Indian Peaks Wilderness or Rocky Mountain NP. In Indian Peaks try either Lake Isabelle or Blue Lake. In Rocky Mountain go to Bear Lake and do one of the hikes that go up from there.

If you have time, go to Great Sand Dunes NP, pretty cool place.


I try to send everyone to Mohawk Lake and beyond (but they never listen). Anyway, it's just south of Breckenridge (Hwy 9 I think), take the Spruce Creek road (right turn), and follow it as far as you can, then the trail should be fairly obvious. You'll pass a nice waterfall at the start, keep going above Mohawk Lake and you'll end up in a nice valley at around 12,000', there are a few unnamed lakes up there. I put a couple of links below to help out with this one.

Trail Description. You can drive a little further than they suggest.


A map of the area, zoom in a couple of notches and scroll a little bit to the right and you'll find Mohawk Lakes, next to Pacific Peak.


We do have snow into June and even July at higher elevations, so if you are here too early some of this stuff might not be accessible. So far we are having a light snow year though.

I agree with Patrick - Rocky Mountain National Park from the east side. There are some spectacular hikes and drives. If you get there after the first week of June, Glacier Gorge should be fairly open for hiking, and there are few places anywhere that I've found to be more beautiful. The drive over Trail Ridge Road is a fairly unique experience too, topping out at more than 12,000 feet. Also the Wild Basin in the southern part of the park is a bit less traveled and has some great hikes too. The hike to Ouzel Falls is nice, and if you feel energetic, you can continue on to Ouzel Lake and Bluebird Lake, but it's about 8 miles one way to Bluebird. I've done it, but it's a full day's hike.