I don't have any specific preference as long as I have a map with good detail. I usually print off some detailed NP maps for reference to finer detail. You could look around in the RTA map pages.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucitcha
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I don't have any specific preference as long as I have a map with good detail. I usually print off some detailed NP maps for reference to finer detail. You could look around in the RTA map pages.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucitcha
Ok, is this what you meant? So, you think it's fine to drive from Bishop and explore Death Valley the same day?
day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite
day 10: explore Yosemite, heading to Bishop through Tioga Pass. Overnight in Bishop.
day 11: drive from Bishop to Death Valley. Overnight in DV.
day 12: drive from DV to Grand Canyon (South Rim)
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas
Yes, I realize the fine tuning is up to us, but since I've never been to any of the parks, it's a little rough to choose (but really cool, too!)
Planning is a big part of traveling, love it! =)
That's about what I would do, yes. Like I mentioned, as you have that extra day in Yosemite I would perhaps go to Lone Pine instead of Bishop to get more time in DV as it is closer. You should be able to hike around Mariposa grove and take a ride up to Glacier point and short walk to the viewpoint. Other walks such as 'Taft point' are possible along Glacier point road and then spend some quality time in Yosemite valley hiking. Explore Tioga pass when leaving for DV and make a few stops, Tenaya lake, Tuolumne meadows etc.
Ok, thank you all so much for the advice.
I think it's a nice plan, an we do have a few months before making flight/lodging arrangements. So it's a lot of time to go over the plans. My husband is pushing for one day less in Yosemite, one day more in the Grand Canyon. We'll see... I think we'll have to do some more research before we decide it. There are just so many amazing places to know in your country. I'm already kind of blue for not considering Bryce and Zion!
Will come back to tell you our final plans, and later on after the trip!!!!!!!!
1 last question:
Is it cooler to go from GC to Vegas through Route 66? Any cool places to stop by?
It adds about an hour taking 66 from Seligman to Kingman.
There are a couple of places I'd recommend. First, Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-in and the magnificent Sitgreaves Pass and Oatman.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucitcha
Mark
Why not wait till you get there, and decide. Do you really have to plan so tightly that you cannot decide when actually there. He may want to stay longer... on the other hand, you may agree with him and want to move on. You never know till you get there.Quote:
Originally Posted by lucitcha
Lifey
Yes, actually since he wants to go all the way down the trail to the bottom of the Canyon, we have to decide very far in advance what night we're going to be down there, so that we can book lodging in the Phantom Ranch 13 months before (for what I've read, it sells out this far ahead). We also want to stay INSIDE all the parks, and all the threads here semm to go for BOOK IN ADVANCE. Also, we won't be able to "extend" our grand canyon part as a spur of the moment thing, since we're buying flight tickets months before and this will be the last part of our trip.
So, how about.
day 6: drive from SF to Sequoia NP
day 7: drive from Sequoia NP to Yosemite NP
day 8: explore Yosemite
day 9: explore Yosemite
day 10: Drive to Stovepipe Wells DV.
day 11: Drive from S Wells to Williams AZ
day 12: Explore South rim
day 13: explore the South Rim
day 14: drive from GC to Vegas
On day 9 you could leave Yosemite just after lunch, sight see along Tioga pass and stop in Lee Vining to give you a little more time in DV and possibly make Furnace creek your overnight destination on day 10. Another option would be to revert back to skipping Sequoia and visiting Mariposa grove.