PortlandOR-Utah National Parks-Grand Canyon December 2012

Dear Roadies :)

I'm back here for suggestions. Thanks to all the inputs I've received here, my previous summer road trips went smooth as butter and I'm grateful to this forum and the members for that.

I'm planning to visit Utah national parks, Sedona, Grand Canyon and if possible Death Valley. I have received Back country permits for 3 days in GC for the new years eve, new year and 2nd January 2013. I will be doing a fair amount of hiking during my trip on must do trails in major national parks ( for example: Angels Landing in Zion national park, South Kaibab-BA trail in GCNP).

I'm planning to allocate 2 full weeks for this trip and willing to add few days if it is required.

Now my major concerns is should I drive or Fly. I like driving and don't mind splitting the road trip into multiple days, however I'm worried about road conditions in Winter. I drive a midsize sedan which is front wheel drive only. My other option is to fly down to Las Vegas and rent a car for 2 weeks, complete the trip.

Suggestions please.

I'd drive. The normally fastest way from Portland to Las Vegas is I-5 to CA-58 to I-15. The only real trouble areas can be over the Siskiyous on 5 and very occasionally over Tehachapi on 58. If 5 is in bad shape, you can take 101 down the coast and cut back across, or take I-84 to I-15 through SLC (this is actually only 30 miles longer than via I-5). A front wheel drive car with all season tires is good enough for driving on Interstates and most other roads in any conditions that don't require chains.

Hello Glc. Which is my best bet, I5 or I84. My goal is to complete "the Grand Circle" not visit Vegas. If I84 is better than I-5 in terms of Weather.

You won't know until it's time to go.