Las vegas - Albuquerque March 2012

Evening All

After some information about our forthcoming trip, Fly into vegas on the 21st march 2012, staying 4 nights, then planning on driving to Williams via Hoover dam, staying one night in Williams, following day take the train to the grand canyon, full day in GC and had planned to stay the night in Flagstaff.

This will take us to the 27th March, we have a flight booked from Albuquerque to Miami on the 30th thus giving us 3 nights to explore the surrounding area, our main concern is weather conditions but would love to do some kind of circular route taking in Monument valley.

Any recommendations, tips, maps, driving time etc would be very much appreciated


Regards Andy

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !!

If you are stopping in Williams for the night you will have time to take a stop at Hoover dam and you could detour from I40 and head from Kingman through Seligman on part of the original route 66, where yoo will find some wierd and wonderful memorabilia shops etc. You could take the train into GC or just drive yourselves in. If you were to drive you could continue out of the east entrance to Cameron for the night. This route would take you along 'Desert view drive', with it's many viewpoints of the GC and without the need to back track. It would set you up for a nice easy drive to Monument valley. However, if you head for Flagstaff you could visit Walnut canyon and/or Sunset crater.

It would be possible to drive from MV to Albuquerque in a day, so again you have further options. Four corners NM for the touristy 'one hand and foot in each of the four states at the same time', which is the only place this can be done. [AZ,UT,CO and NM] Near to Cortez is Mesa Verde NP and a little further along the road is Durango and the famous rail ride to the mountain town of Silverton. You could head further east still, before heading south, to Pagosa Springs and soak in the natural hot springs as a treat.

A lot will depend on the pace you want to travel and what appeals to you so do a little research around the forums using the search box and by scrolling down the page where you will find 'Similar threads'. You need a good paper map to travel with and to get a feel of the area when planning, but you will find the RTA mapping programs in the green tool bar above very useful. You can search for attractions and create routes and 'play around' with your options. Once you start to fill in the blanks we can help to 'fine tune' your trip.

Enjoy the planning !

Adding to what Southwest Dave has posted, after Durango, with that lovely train, and Pagosa with the hot springs, my goodness they are hot! you could continue on along scenic route 160, over Wolf Creek Pass. Pass through Alimosa and some 18 miles further on take 150 into Great Sand Dunes NP, one of the lesser visited, but none the less a great NP.

At Fort Garland take 159 south to Albuquerque, through San Luis where there is a magnificent life size Way of the Cross going all the way up the hill to the chapel at the top; through Taos, and the bridge over the Rio Grand; Sante Fe, with its many attractions, including the Basilica and the Miraculous Staircase; and then onto Albuquerque.

But you won't want to do all that, on one day.

Lifey

Thanks guys for the quick response,some interesting points there which we will take into consideration, from your own experiences how do you think we will fare weather wise once we reach Williams/Grand canyon/Cameron/MV etc.

Just a quick question regarding hire car, a couple of years ago we did Vegas/Death Valley/Lone Pine/ Lake Tahoe and had a very nice chrysler, would that be suitable for the roads we will encounter on this trip

regards again Andy

Any standard sedan will work just fine for your trip. There's no place where you'll need to go off the pavement, and even if there was, you can't take any rental, including 4 wheel drive rentals, off-road.

The only word of warning is that you can't be assured of getting the exact same model of car as last time. Rental companies book by class, using the words "or similar" when it comes to the models they use as an example.

Thanks for that micheal, do you have any experience of this area around end of march as to the weather conditions, we originally had planned Bryce/Zion and the North rim but believe most of it will be inaccsesible.


regards andy

Bryce and Zion are both open and accessible year round. They can and do see some snow, although by the end of March, it would be a fairly rare. Average high temps should be in the 50's (F), with lows a little below freezing.

The north rim does close for the winter, and does not reopen until mid-may.

Thanks again, think we have decided on the first 2 nights after leaving vegas which are as follows. (any advice on accomodation, resteraunts from personal experience would be much appreciated)

Day 1, Leaving Las Vegas 7am en route to Williams, taking in the Hoover dam and old route 66 through kingman/seligman etc, overnight in Williams

Day 2 Early Start to drive up to South Rim GC, full day up there and hope to catch the sunset followed by overnight stay in Cameron.

Would appreciate any feedback inc estimated driving times for both days.

Time to start planning day 3 and 4 :-)

regards andy

Also wondered after looking at the maps section what would be the best paper map to purchase for the Williams/GC/MV/ Route please.

Honestly, its kind of hard to give good advice on a piece by piece basis. The best choice for day 1 and 2 will likely decide on what you do with days 3 and 4, etc. It would likely be best if you sketched out a rundown of an itinerary, and then make changes and adjustments from there.

Having said that, both of your first two days look good. Williams has lots of motel options, and you can certainly compare your options in the Reservations section of RTA. I believe Cameron really only has the Trading Post as the one and only option.

Cheers Michael, Looks to be plenty of option in Williams and yes the trading post looks like the only option in Cameron.Trying to get my head round day 3 and 4 at the moment, thinking of driving up to kayenta (Any idea of how long a drive that is?)and exploring MV from there, stay overnight in kayenta,

regards Andy

Cameron to Kayenta can be driven in less than 2 hours. The only lodging in between is in Tuba City, which has 4 hotels and a B&B.

If you are planning on catching a sunset over the GC, it will be pretty late by the time you get to Kayenta. And driving after dark on unfamiliar roads may not be the wisest choice.

Lifey

Quote:

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Originally Posted by glc

Cameron to Kayenta can be driven in less than 2 hours. The only lodging in between is in Tuba City, which has 4 hotels and a B&B.

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Thanks for that m8

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

If you are planning on catching a sunset over the GC, it will be pretty late by the time you get to Kayenta. And driving after dark on unfamiliar roads may not be the wisest choice.

Lifey

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Evening Lifey or is it morning in OZ, think we are going to hopefully catch the sunset at GC and stay overnight in Cameron before driving up to Kayenta the following morning

Quote:

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Originally Posted by andy, lyns and the jew

Evening Lifey or is it morning in OZ ...

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Morning of the next day, in Oz, where we are always ahead of the rest of the world.... LOL

Lifey

The Cameron trading post is pretty cool, although a little touristy. Good food and a massive store[s] will keep you occupied if you have time to spare. I'm not sure what the rooms are like as we stayed in the RV park, but enjoyed it as an overnight stop.

When you get to the GC you could explore the viewpoints around the village area and up to Hermits rest to the west. To catch a sunset and not miss too many other viewpoints after dark, [while not having to back track] you would have to make your way along Desert view drive and witness the sunset closer to the east kiosk. Lipan point is a popular choice or you could make your way to the Desert view viewpoint and the Watchtower, which is the last one in the NP. I think the sunset would be around 6.30pm in March and you would be under an hour away from Cameron starting from Desert view.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Lifemagician

driving after dark on unfamiliar roads may not be the wisest choice.

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Especially in the West where you have open range. Black cows are hard enough to see on the road in daylight.

Yes think it would be pretty hard to spot one of those in the dark :-), A slight twist to the trip now is that the flight from Alberquerque is not actually booked yet, we have to be in Miami still on the 30th March but would it be a possibility and maybe a better option when we leave Kayenta/MV on the 28th March heading back to Vegas(so fly from Vegas to Miami ) and taking in Bryce/Zion canyon over 2 days on the way back. Any thoughts much appreciated and thanks for the feedback so far. Great site

andy

That's a decision that you must come to for yourself really, as there is not a single 'best' option for everyone.
What would I do ? I would head back to Vegas via Zion and Bryce which are two magnificent NP's. From Cameron you could head to MV and onto Page AZ for the night.

Cheers dave, been doing a bit of planning most of the afternoon and we have 99% decided on flying back from vegas, therefore taking in BC/ZC, Lake powell etc on the way, just not sure whether to stay in Page/Kanab or what looks a cracking place off one of the reviews is Springdale.

Hotels we have come up with so far are.


Williams = Holiday Inn

Cameron = Trading post

Kayenta = Hampton inn


Andy

Springdale is an amazing little town located right next to Zion NP and I would highly recommend staying there for a night when visiting Zion. It is too much back tracking to visit Bryce etc from there, so don't book all nights in one spot. I would do one night Kanab/Page, 1 near Bryce and 1 in Springdale. Tropic has some lodging options for Bryce canyon, but take a look at 'Rubys Inn'.

another thing worth seeing is the Navaho Bridge. from there you will be able to see California condors...my, oh, my what a massive bird. at the same time make a side trip to the ferry crossing..this was the crossing until the 1920s at the eastern end of the Grand Canyon....

Cheers again Dave and Bob.

Will defo be crossing the navajo bridge looks stunnning.

Sadly Dave will only have the 2 nights so looks like will save BC till next time, so defo the 1 night in Springland, but could do with some tips on Kanab and Page as to where to stay, maybe at this stage of our trip the general feel is to have a relaxing ish kind of day with a few sights but also a few bars etc before more hectic sightseeing in Zion


regards Andy

Both Kanab and Page have a good selection of hotels. The only place I would NOT recommend you stay is the Super 8 in Page - it's not well maintained and customer service is poor. When I stayed there I had no heat in my room and the wi-fi was broken - and the front desk person had a "could care less" attitude.

Cheers for the heads up m8, been looking at the days inn and suites in Page

Right guys, all sat here discussing our final plans and they have thrown a spanner into the works, the other two have expressed an interest in seeing MV then heading to Phoenix for a couple of nights instead of Page/Zion, im dead againsn't this but they would like some input, so was after anybodys experience of Phoenix and if it is really worthwhile missing Page/Zion (which i'm sure it isn't)


regards andy

I would ask THEM what they want to see or do in Phoenix, before making any final decisions. Also remember, when you go as a group, you should try to work something in for everybody so that all will enjoy it.

Phoenix has a few things going for it, especially in March when it isn't so blasted hot. You can explore the desert, perhaps at Superstition Mountain or one of the many desert parks in the area. There are a few lakes around, most of them are man-made however! The Heard Museum is very interesting if someone likes ancient history and anthropology. There is supposed to be a beautiful museum about music and musical instruments ... that's on my list of places to visit on one of my next trips to the Phoenix area. Of course Scottsdale has many fine shops, if somebody wants to go shopping. There are also two decent water parks....especially nice when visiting Phoenix area in the summer!!!!


Donna

Thanks for the info Donna, persuaded them Phoenix is for another trip sometime(thank god :-) )

Ok flight now confirmed from Las Vegas to Miami for the 30th March, so the trip looks like this so far

25th March

Day 1 Vegas to Williams/Flagstaff via Hoover dam and old route 66
Day 2 Williams/Flagstaff to Cameron, Day spent at south rim GC
Day 3 Cameron to Kayenta, Day spent exploring MV
Day 4 Kayenta to Page, Day spent around Lake Powell and surrounding area
Day 5 Page to Springland, Day in Zion NP
Day 6 Spingland to Vegas for flight to Miami


Any thoughts or input much appreciated, am i right in thinking with the reasearch i have done the driving time between point A to B each day is not too extreme


regards andy

Your driving points are just fine. Providing you are heading for Springdale in Utah. ;-)

Thanks Dave, yep defo Utah :-), Thanks to everyone on here for there Help and Knowledge, will report back nearer the time with a final itineary, take care and cheers again

Evening all, just wondered if anybody had stayed or knew a bit about the Gouldings lodge, MV, my wife and friend are both travel agents and we have been offered the 3 bedroomed house here for $123 for the night which seems really reasonable, only snag is it is 1/2 mile from the main motel (is this a bad thing?)

regards andy

I've eaten at the cafe a few times, and I like the location of the lodge. 1/2 mile from the main check-in desk? Is this the home up against the bluff? I think it is much closer to the 1000 yards -- it's a bit of climb -- if you're walking, but there are paved roads right up to it. Wow, no I think this sounds pretty good.

What is the address of the house? If it really is 1/2 mile from the main lodge, walking is probably going to see like a serious trek. It's reasonably vertical in all directions from the lodge!

If you go the RTA Map Center page and put in Goulding's Lodge as the Keyword search, you'll see a short write-up about this location

Mark

Goulding's Lodge is a nice tourist-oriented establishment. If you'd like to consider a much more unique lodging experience -- Try the FireTree B & B -- Guests stay in a native-American constructed hogan. I've stayed there -- Very peaceful and gives a different perspective about living there.

Mark

Thanks Mark.

Had a look at the fire tree which is something i personally would have gone for, but have been overruled on this one :-( .
Have booked two nights staying in the MV house (3bed/3 bathroom etc) for $123 per room per night, looks like we'll probably eat in the resteraunt but didn't realise it is a dry state so will have to purchase a few beverages somewhere en - route to sample in the evening.

Already booked accomodation in Springdale, so only somewhere en route from LV TO MV to book and somewhere en route from MV to Zion to book.

Oh and Vegas, stayed at PH. LUXOR and BALLY'S before, fancy maybe MGM (signature) or the Paris this time


regards Andy

The property away from the main lodge sounds like the accommodation we stayed in a year or two back. You leave reception in the main lodge, back down (2/3 hundred yards) to the T junction, left for about ½ mile along the good paved road.

On the right hand side, in a small cul-de-sac, are about half a dozen detached and attached flat like properties with kitchens, bathrooms bedrooms etc. Good for families.

The only downside is they are under a highish bluff which cuts out any views of the Valley.

Found no problem driving up to the main lodge for facilities and meals etc. The restaurant has good views across Monument Valley.

You should note that the alcohol issue isn't with Monument Valley being in a dry state (although Utah does have some interesting laws in regards to alcohol), the problem is that you are on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Alcohol is banned on the reservation, and if you spend a little time researching the impact of drinking on native american communities throughout the US you'll quickly understand why.

You won't be able to buy alcohol in Kayenta AZ for the same reason.

If you just want to bring a few drinks with you into your room, its unlikely that you'd have any problems, but at the very least you should be very discrete and I'd give at least some consideration to skipping drinks that night.

Had a read on this last night, and i think discrete goes without saying, Most likely will just be a couple of beers with the sunset, as we will be up early doors for the tour

regards andy

Evening all and happy new year to you all.

Trying to get the final bits and pieces of this trip finalised and would appreciate some advice.

We are leaving vegas on sunday 25th March and are booked in at the Gouldings Lodge MV on Monday 26th, thus needing somewhere convinient to stay on the night of the 25th, we will be driving down past the Hoover dam and picking up the old route 66 to Williams, then up through tusayan to south rim GC to catch the sunset, My initial thoughts are to spend the night in Tusayan thus giving us easy access to see the GC the following day before heading up to MV mid afternoon.

We plan to stop off at hoover dam for maybe 1/2 hr and a few little stops on 66 and Williams, does this seem like a sensible option or do any of you have other personal experiences/recommendations


regards andy