southern bc-yellowstone-utah

Hi I'm back again.... lol... hoping to head out on another road trip mid sept for 2 weeks

leave after work-southern bc>missoula-stay nite motel

missoula>gardinier>mamoth>northern part of yellowstone>cody wy-camp nite

cody>yellowstone>tentons>jackson- camp nite

jackson>rock spring>vernal>fruita co-camp nite(not sure about this-should we add another day to cody>jackson and then just drive to moab area via price. i read that the cisco>dead horse sp 128 route is very scenic???)

fruita>cisco>dead horse sp-camp 2 nites

dead horse sp>monticella>blanding>hovenweep nm>mesa verde-camp 2 nites

mesa verde>4 corners<blanding>natural bridge>hanksville-camp in area

escalante>capital reef area-camp 2 nites in area

bryce canyon-camp rubys inn

bryce canyon>zion-camp nite

zion>cedar city>ely nv-stay nite

ely>wendover>montello>idaho falls>missoula-stay nite

missoula>home to bc

I wanted to go back to monument valley(read a blog about tours and gouldings trading post) we did our own tour and did not go to gouldings for some reason-I think we missed out:( but not sure if I could fit it in. I thought about going thru bluff, gooseneck sp, monument valley after 4 corners but may need another day then and REALLY wanted to do page(antelope canyon)powell lake, but same thing would need prob another day added on also. I guess reasons to come back to this beautiful area.any suggestions you have to tweek my trip... i have been researching for a year and still read about hidden places that I'd like to see.I KNOW sometimes you need to edit things and can't do it all at once.

we have our own truck and will be tenting it

I've edited this part of trip abit- Torrey looks like great camping as does rubys inn so may as well just use these 2 places as bases(less packing,etc.. more time to see and relax) 5 days should do this area justice i think
took out monument valley idea just go staight to natural bridge nm from mesa verde
also will just do 4 corners as a day trip from mesa verde if we go check out the casino if not it will be next time we come this way
mesa verde<blanding>natural bridge>torrey-camp in area at thousand lakes resort

sight see capital reef area as far as boulder-camp 2 nites in area

bryce canyon-camp rubys inn
sightsee area-escalante kodachrome park & bryce canyon np & zion np as day trips from rubys inn- camp 3 nites in area

rubys inn>panquitch>ely nv-stay nite

ely>wendover>montello>idaho falls>missoula-stay nite

missoula>home to bc
that is 14 nites and possibly have 2 more days if we need them so should be good. seeing lots of things but not toooo much driving... really want to get out and walk around the areas and experience them this time... not just drive bys.

has anybody done the mesa verde balcony house. it looks awesome... i have a fear of heights but would love to conquer them and climb those ladders. that would be an experience for sure. i have looked at places to camp that all have showers this will be a must, and pools as that would be an added luxury after a hot day.
any tips that i may be missing... i know i seem quite organized... but always welcome help and info from people that have been there done that! I like the structure of knowing where scenic sites are but my schedule is not written in stone at all, we will be flexable and go with the flow... the only way to enjoy a road trip.

trip cancelled :( now need to wait until next fall... at least all the planning is done

Oh that's a shame, but hey at least you still have it to look forward too ! :-)

As you want to spend time out of the car and experience these places I would certainly try for an extra couple of days. Your trip is doable but still set at quite an aggressive pace in parts. You might be better off not going all the way to Cody and camp in Yellowstone, giving yourself more time to enjoy the park.

I would not explore Zion NP from Rubys Inn, it can take 2 hours or more to get into Zion and parked up whereas you can walk to the shuttle bus from the Watchman campground in a few minutes. The shuttle bus is the only way to the canyon area, unless you are in lodgings in that area. That's 4 hours both ways and it actually takes slightly longer to Ely from Bryce than it does from Zion according to my mapping program. Between the 2 parks you might want to stop at Red rock state park, Checkaboard Mesa and just before the Mt Carmel tunnel is a popular Zion Hike, the 'Canyon overlook Trail'.

Four corners would be an hour each way from Mesa Verde but only an extra hours detour between Mesa Verde and Torrey. There is not much there but it is the only place in the US to get that photo with each limb in 4 States at the same time ! If you were to take 160 you could continue to US191/163 and take UT261 past Goosenecks State Park and up the rather exciting 'Moki Dugway' to UT95. The thing is, this route would put you within 'touching distance' [well almost] of Monument valley and on it goes ! lol

Ely to Missoula is a very long day on the road and not we would recommend as part of a multi day trip. You could look for somewhere around Wells to stay instead of Ely, or look at stopping around Salmon ID rather than Missoula.

We didn't visit Balcony house, but we did visit Cliff Palace. This involves ladders but did not concern my wife who also has a slight fear of heights. As you have a fear of heights this might be the tour to go for although I am sure a park ranger will be able to talk you through your options. Make sure you buy your tour tickets at the Far View visitor centre as the dwellings are 20 mins further down the road and can't be purchased anywhere other than the visitor centre.

[Not sure how I previously missed this thread!]

I'd take a day and a half from Ely to Missoula, take US-93 all the way. There's plenty of lodging in Twin Falls and a few motels in Arco.

So the road trip bug has me ready to go.... this year for sure! Have a revised but more detailed trip planned... I have had 1.5 years to plan... so here goes

Aug 28,2013- leave BC for Butte Mt- stay in motel
Aug 29-30Butte-Cody via Yellowstone-tent camp at Buffalo Bill SP, or in town of Cody
Tour Cody
Aug 31-Cody-Yellowstone loop-Grand Tentons-Jackson-Rock Springs- stay in motel
Sept 1-Rock Springs Wy-Moab via Vernal-Rangley-Fruita Co ( check out Colorado NM)-cisco(scenic byway)-Moab- 500 kms camp in area( probably not in town)
Sept2-3- Moab area camp and sight see area( colorado river boat tour)
Sept 4-5- Moab-Mesa Verde- 2 nites Morefield campground in park or A & A campground just outside of park
Sept 6-7-8-MESA VERDE-HOVENWEEP NM-BLANDING-NATURAL BRIDGES NM-HANKSVILLE-TORREY (DRIVE DAY) ( STAY 3 NITES AT THOUSAND LAKE CAMPGROUND IN TORREY) TOUR THE AREA
Sept 9-10-Torrey-Bryce Canyon( stay in park or at Rubys Inn) do a day trip to Zion from here
Sept 11-14- Travel home( probably thru Ely NV)
WE ARE TENT CAMPING & WERE ABIT CONCERNED ABOUT BEARS IN YELLOWSTONE SO THAT IS WHY THE DRIVE TO ROCK SPRINGS- OR MAY SPEND NITE IN CAMPGROUND OUTSIDE OF JACKSON IF TOO LATE IN DAY TO TRAVEL

Whereas you need to follow a code of conduct when camping in Bear country, camping in Yellowstone should not over concern you. Tens of thousands of people do it every season without any problems whatsoever. Camp in a designated campground as you should and you will be fine ! With your current plan you will have little time for anything but a 'drive thru' Yellowstone to stop and take a photo [or 2[000] ]

As I mentioned previously, I would consider camping in Zion after Bryce or else 3 to 3.5 hours of your day will be spent in the car as ther main park area is to the west nearer to the town of Springdale. Watchman NP campground is good and you can get the free shuttle bus into the canyon from there.

I've got to say, I don't think I fully understand your plan for Yellowstone right now, but from the looks of it, you aren't going to have hardly any time in this amazing park.

It's not clear if you are planning to spend time exploring Yellowstone on your way to Cody, but I can assure you that you certainly wouldn't have time to see hardly anything in the park or in Grand Teton if you try to get from Cody to Rock Springs in a day. Even Cody to Jackson would mean you would really have to limit yourself to just one or maybe two of the many different areas within Yellowstone.

It is easy to underestimate just how big Yellowstone is, and how long it can take to get around the park with traffic and wildlife delays. I'm a believer that you need at least 2-3 full days in the park just to do a survey of all the park's major areas.

Tent camping shouldn't be a concern at all - as long as you are practicing safe food practices (storing all of your food, cooking supplies, and really anything that touches food either in provided bear boxes or in your vehicle). As Dave mentioned, thousands of people do it every day, and I've tent camped myself in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton. The park rangers are also very vigilant about making sure others follow food storage rules, and have no problem handing out fines to violators.

I'll also say that camping near Cody and Jackson would both still require bear safety, and I can't see how they would be significantly different from camping within Yellowstone/Tetons.

yes, I guess it does look like a "drive thru"... the plan is to leave Butte in am and drive part of Yellowstone loop on way to Cody(spend the whole day in Yellowstone)... get to Cody 6pm or so... spend next day sightseeing Cody...leave Cody on day 3 and drive part of loop that we had not taken...onto Grand Tenton( just driving and stopping for pics)... there is the option to stay in Jackson if it is too late in the day... if not will continue to drive into early evening if need be( that is reason for motel in Rock Springs, so no need to set up camp)We tent camped in Sequioa a few years ago and I was not comfortable at night worrying about bears( i know thousands do it and i'm being silly ... but lol)and we really want to sightsee in Cody so staying there makes more sense to us.
I will consider staying Watchman... just thought spend 2 nites in one place is nicer than moving every day( time you spend setting up, etc.. the hr drive isn't a big deal) but may reconsider and stay 1 nite Bryce and 2 nites at Zion or do 2 nites Bryce and 1 nite Zion.thanks for your input

You are really underestimating things - it can take hours just to get through Yellowstone, never mind stopping and seeing anything. This is due to traffic, low speed limits, and wildlife in the road. It's a HUGE park and the roads are a lot longer than you may think.

My reaction was the same as glc's. It took more than four hours from the north east entrance to the western entrance, via Mammoth Hot Springs, last time I was there. It is most unlikely you will see a great deal, let alone stop to take photos, and still get to your evening's destination at a reasonable time, on your present plan.

Lifey

I see that Yellowstone has soooo much to see... my plan was maybe stay in Butte but was looking and if could get to Bozeman or Livingstone that is an extra 1.5-2 hrs saved for next day.... from there Mammoth Hot springs area( 2 hrs spend in this area)...do part of the loop to Norris Juntion-Yellowstone falls artist point,etc(2hrs spend in this area)...Tower Junction..Cooke City-(hwy 296) to Cody ( this should be 4 hrs driving )
Then from Cody-Grant Village- Old faithful(backtrack to grant village) Jackson-Rock Springs( I have looked into Snake River KOA) in case this is too much of a day ( they are 15 min S of Jackson) this day makes 7 hrs driving and sightseeing 2 hrs... 670 kms seems doable with sight seeing- we really want to see the geysers mainly( we live in the Canadian Rockies so as much as we will love seeing the mountain scenery... I don't think we will be quite as in awe of it.. as somebody that doesn't live in mountains.
Does this still seem crazy?

... if like on one of my visits, you come to an area where cars are parked illegaly, all over the road, because the little parking area was full? Would you, as I did, get out to see what all the commotion is about, or just push on regardless to meet your time schedule. If the latter, you would have missed one of the greatest wonders I saw, a new born Moose calf, suckling, while the caring new mother kept looking and licking her newborn lovingly. It was a good hour later, before we all got moving again, cameras bulging with the unbelievable memories.

Such wonders of Yellowstone you cannot factor into an itenary. These are the wonders upon which you stumble. Furthermore, what are you going to do when you get to Old Faithful, and the geyser does not go off for another 45 mins (or more)? Nature is not on your schedule. You need to make your itenary flexible enough so that you can adjust to the many wonders of nature as can be seen in Yellowstone. And many other National Parks.

Lifey

The main area that this trip is focused on is the Utah area.... all the rest is just an added bonus on the way there... I was trying to find interesting things to see on the drive there.. that is why we added Yellowstone/Grand Tenton... I know we wont see alot but anything we do see will be much appreciated! We have grandchildren that I would love to take to yellowstone in maybe a few years... so we can always come back to that area! On a road trip that we did a few years ago... we did a loop thru California/Nevada/Utah... Utah was not researched much as we had never been there.. we did an unplanned drive thru Monument Valley/Moab on our way home instead of taking the interstate as we had planned. We were amazed and loved it! That is why this trip... to go back to see all the things we missed! And I think I am quite flexible... if we like something we will stop and check it out... it is not about the destination as much as the journey... a key thing in the success of a great road trip.... if we plan to stay 3 days someplace and see it all in 2 and are ready to move on.. we will. Thanks for your advice! :)

I think I am removing Zion NP from the itinerary... there is so much to see there that I don't think 1 day will do it justice, and I also want to do Page area one time and some other sites in area that would make a great trip! So I will add that extra day to the area from Boulder-Bryce canyon (looks like alot of interesting things to see) and 1 day for Bryce Canyon. I am also taking your advice and going from Cody-Jackson(stay there) and then head onto Fruita Co next day(spend nite there) and then continue to Moab area.

(spend nite in missoula/butte/bozeman) butte has motel 6, etc (motel 1 nite) or try for bozeman
day 1-butte/bozeman-yellowstone (tour part of yellowstone) from livingstone-cody- arrive late (sleep here)
day 2- tour cody (sleep here)
day 3-cody-yellowstone loop to old faithful/grand tenton-jackson (sleep here)
check out elk reserve at jackson(sleep here)
day 4- jackson-287 kms>rock springs-114 kms>dutch john (flaming gorge)-280kms>fruita co 682kms total (sleep here?)
day 5- fruita-moab (via scenic 128 via cisco)>145kms
stay in dead horse sp 3 nites (sleep here)
day 6-tour canyonlands in the sky np (near to dead horse sp) (sleep here)
day 7-pothash rd (native pictographs)-jet boat tour of colorado river? (sleep here)
day 8-9-moab-monticello-mesa verde np (2 nites)
day 8- tour needles np ( newspaper rock) pictographs on way to mesa verde np-hole in rock (sleep here)
day 9- tour mesa verde- (sleep here)
day 10-11-12-mesa verde-hovenweep nm-blanding-natural bridges nm-hanksville-torrey (drive day) (3 nites)
day 10-travel from mesa verde-hovenweep nm-bluff
(quick detour to check out old town of bluff)-natural bridges nm-hanksville-torrey (sleep here) arrive later
day 11-tour capital reef np-fruita (sleep here)
day 12-tour boulder/anasazi nm/burr trail (sleep here)
day 13-14-torrey-bryce canyon (2 nites)
day 13- sightsee from boulder to bryce canyon (sleep here)
day 14- sightsee bryce canyon (sleep here)
day 15-bryce canyon >35kms>panguitch>beaver>359kms> ely nv>
sightsee along way leeman caves in great basin np, migill drugstore museum, cave lake
day 16-ely nv>via wendover-montello- 93-30-15>604kms>pocotella id>409kms>butte mt>194kms>missoula mt long drive day! Or go ½ way and stay someplace

Well trip is booked this time- Think I have it all planned-Tent camping is all booked. I know the Yellowstone/Grand Tenton is a drive thru- but can always come back- the focus is on the Utah area-everything else is just extra icing on the cake! The nights that we are staying in motel is so we can arrive later and have a longer driving day with hopefully some sightseeing. Thanks for input from this site!

Aug 28,2013- leave BC for Butte or Bozeman Mt- stay in motel
Aug 29-30Butte-Cody via Yellowstone(sightsee-Gardiner-Norris-Tower Junction-Cooke City)
tent camp at Ponderosa campground in town of Cody(Booked 2 nites)
Aug 30-Tour Cody
Aug 31-Cody-Yellowstone(East Entrance-Fishing Bridge-West Thumb-Old Faithful)-Grand Tentons-Jackson-Rock Springs- stay in motel
Sept 1-Rock Springs Wy- Fruita Col. via Vernal-Rangley sightsee Colorado National Monument
(Booked 1 night at James Robb State Park)
Sept2-3-4 Fruita-Cisco(scenic byway)-Dead Horse State booked 3 nites
TOUR CANYONLANDS IN THE SKY NP-Potash Rd-swim Mills Creek Rd-Dead horse State park-Needles if time or maybe back into Arches
Sept 5-6 Moab-Mesa Verde- Booked 2 nites Morefield campground in park
Tour Mesa Verde and area
Sept 6-7-8-MESA VERDE-HOVENWEEP NM-BLANDING-NATURAL BRIDGES NM-HANKSVILLE-TORREY (DRIVE DAY)
(Booked 3 NITES AT THOUSAND LAKE CAMPGROUND IN TORREY)
TOUR CAPITAL REEF NP-FRUITA
IF GO TO GOBLIN SP CHECK OUT Little Wild Horse Canyon FOR EASY SLOT CANYON????
TOUR BOULDER/ANASAZI NM/BURR TRAIL
Sept 9-Torrey-Bryce Canyon(Booked 1 nite Sunset Campground in park) Tour Bryce Canyon
Sept 10-Bryce Canyon-Kodachrome SP-Booked 1 nite- Tour Park-Willis Creek Slot Canyon????
Sept 11-Kodachrome Sp-CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT-Cathedral Gorge Sp-WARD CHARCOAL OVENS-Ely NV-Spend nite in motel
Sept 12-13 Ely NV-BC ( Either via Missoula/Kalispell Montana or Twin Falls/Boise/Coure de Laine Washington)
Any suggestions for interesting sights along either route? Stop and spend nights in motel

I assume that this is the same trip you were planning last year, no?

One quick side trip suggestion for southeastern Utah: Goosenecks State Park is just a short drive up UT-261/UT-316 from US-191 just north of Medicine Hat.

AZBuck

Yes, it is! But with a few changes and all the wrinkles figured out I hope. Thought I would share the campgrounds, etc that are booked and some other interesting details that I have found to see along the way.We were going from Cortez-Hovenweep NM-Blanding-Natural Bridge NM-Hite-Hanskville-Torrey.... Is that not a good road from Cortez-near Blanding? I have seen the Goosenecks SP while researching and thought that would be for another trip if we ever go to Monument Valley or into that area.

Moderator Note: Please keep all questions about the same trip in the same thread.

From the NPS site:

Directions

Hovenweep National Monument is located along the border between southeast Utah and southwest Colorado, just north and west of Cortez, Colorado.

By Car

Paved roads lead to the visitor center and Square Tower Group from Cortez, Colorado (County Road G / McElmo Canyon Road), from Highway 191 south of Blanding, Utah, and from Pleasant View, Colorado. All roads into the outlying units are dirt and are not maintained regularly, making them impassable during inclement weather. High-clearance vehicles are recommended for visiting these sites.

Using GPS to find your way to Hovenweep is not recommended. Since Hovenweep has 6 different units with numerous paved and dirt roads intesecting each other, GPS will send visitors to unknown locations other than to the park. Using a map is recommended.

MAPS

There is nothing wrong with the route you have chosen and the road is paved and in reasonable shape. [Not including detour to Hovenweep of which I am unsure.] Continuing on 163 to 261 with a quick detour to Goosenecks SP is more of a pleasing drive in my opinion, especially when you add the 'excitement' of driving up the Moki Dugway on 261 and stop to take in the view from the top.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by bctraveler

Aug 29-30Butte-Cody via Yellowstone(sightsee-Gardiner-Norris-Tower Junction-Cooke City)
tent camp at Ponderosa campground in town of Cody(Booked 2 nites)
Aug 30-Tour Cody
Aug 31-Cody-Yellowstone(East Entrance-Fishing Bridge-West Thumb-Old Faithful)-Grand Tentons-Jackson-Rock Springs- stay in motel

---

I know you say that Yellowstone isn't your priority for this trip, and you say you know you're just going to drive through here, and this part of your trip has been discussed extensively already, but I still think you have just no appreciation at all for how miserable a plan like this is likely to be in the real world.

Both your Butte to Cody, and Cody to Rock Springs are both days where you'll need to cover 400 miles, going through large areas where you'll be lucky to average 25 mph. Even if you never get out of your car, it's very possible, in fact likely, that you would be on the road for more than 12 hours for each of those days. How do you think you'll get to Cody in time to set up camp at that pace?

I'll admit, based on my preferences, I don't really understand dedicating a full day to Cody, and all of about 4 minutes to both Yellowstone and the Tetons, but that's your call to make. But based on the plan you laid out for Yellowstone/Tetons, I would suggest you do yourself a favor and just completely skip it until you can actually enjoy it for a moment or two. I think, your current plan is likely to end up with you being very tired, frustrated, and frankly is going to leave you with a very bad impression of one of the most amazing places on the planet, and I think that's a pretty rotten way to start out a roadtrip.

I know you think I am crazy.... I am grateful for your opinion of my Yellowstone/grand tenton part of trip... but truly I think it will be awesome. We live in the Rocky Mountains and will love to see different Mountains, and animals... but really we do see them often. I will give you my feed back when I return on this part of trip. I would have liked more advice on the Utah part of trip instead of criticism of what I want me trip to be.
Sad to say we need to shorten our trip so this is our new itenirary:
spend nite in missoula/butte/bozeman) butte has motel 6, etc (motel 1 nite) or try for bozeman
day 1-butte/bozeman-yellowstone (tour part of yellowstone) from livingstone-cody- arrive late (sleep here)
day 2- tour cody (sleep here)
day 3-cody-yellowstone loop to old faithful/grand tenton-jackson -rock springs(sleep here)
day 4- >rock springs-114 kms>dutch john (flaming gorge)-280kms>fruita co (sleep here)
day 5- fruita-moab (via scenic 128 via cisco)>145kms
stay in dead horse sp 3 nites (sleep here)
day 6-tour canyonlands in the sky np (near to dead horse sp) (sleep here)
day 7-pothash rd (native pictographs)-jet boat tour of colorado river? (sleep here)
day 8-drive to torrey-stay at thousand island park outside of Capital Reef for 2 nights
stop at Goblin NP and maybe check out slot canyon near there.
day 9- tour capital reef national park
day 10-torrey-butte mt-motel stay
day 11-butte-BC
We are having to remove everything below Capitol Reef as holiday time has changed.
But I'm sure that Zion/Bryce/Kodachrome/Mesa Verde will make for a beautiful trip by itself.Thanks for all help and advice that this site gives... it really has helped a lot!

Well we are home from an amazing trip!
We stayed in Butte and then did Mammoth Springs-Norris Geyser-Northeast entrance. The roads were not busy at all... lots of parking at scenic sites. Did most of the short hikes, saw buffalo and lots of geyers. Loved Yellowstone Canyon!
Then over the Chief Joseph Scenic Hwy to Cody- great switchback road up to top of Dead Indian Pass. Cody was fun! Ponderosa Campground tent area was perfect didn't even know you were in town. Buffalo Bill Museum was great but the Old Frontier town was a real surprise. A must see if in Cody! Buffalo Bill dam and some great Chinese food were more highlights.
Back into Yellowstone via East entrance- Yellowstone Lake, Mud Volcano, Old Faithful( did most of the loop hike around old faithful to see pools and geysers but missed one part... guess next time) more buffalo! and out via Grand Tentons. Lewis Falls was a cool pic opportunity! Drove straight thru to Rock Springs.. Didn't feel too rushed at all.
On to Fruita Co. via Flaming Valley Gorge & Vernal... Scenic area. Loved Colorado NM ... windy drive up we started at Grand Junction ended in Fruita, so I (passenger) was on the cliff side for taking pics. I live in the mountains and this road had me clutching the door handle. Lots of little hikes and more pics taken. Did this after we got there and set up tent, etc. perfect time as got some sunset pics.
Took the Scenic 128 Cisco to Moab after Fruita. Very Scenic drive. Did short photo hike at Fisher Tower. Drove along the Colorado river before Moab... lots of campgrounds along the river there and river rafting.
Arrived at Dead horse sp... had site 4... massive site, actually has 2 tent pads and huge picnic table and bigger shade roof. Beautiful. Did Canyonlands and all the short hikes and scenic drive. Upheaval Dome and mesa arch, easy beautiful hikes.
Next day to Needles District, long drive 1.5 hrs to get from Dead Horse to the park there. Newspaper rock was neat to see. We did drive to end and then thought we would do short hikes on way back... end was a bit disappointing after we had drove all this way... hike to see where the green and Colorado rivers join was too long for us, so we thought drove all this way and didn't see much. Well, the best was yet to come! We stopped at Cave Spring, easy hike ... historic cowboy camp, native writings, ledges like caves, 2 ladders... felt like a little kid here! This was one of the highlights of my trip! I loved it! You need to see this for yourself though, it is amazing! the pot trail( "pots" are dry and when filled with rain the lavae hatch-tadpoles, beetles and shrimp were found in some of the bigger "pots") Kids would love this! and roadside ruin(granary) were interesting. Squaw flat campground had some amazing sites, some were under huge ledges... would be cool and dry.... maybe next time? Quick drive down pothash rd outside moab to see native writings, rock climbers on wall street and dinosaur tracks along with some great photos of the Colorado river. Back to Dead horse campsite in time to go do sunset photos at dead horse point. Got up early to do sunrise photos at dead horse point- there were storm clouds in the distance with a short rainbow, so I got some amazing photos!

Drove towards Goblin Sp- we didn't go in but turned off at wildhorse canyon road. We did the little wildhorse canyon trail- we didn't do the entire loop but went for an hr this took us through the first slot canyon- I loved this also! My first slot canyon- would love to come back again! When the canyon opened up we turned around(1 hr) and went back( another hr) There is Bell Canyon and Wild horse Canyon also here if you want to do it all. Drove onto Torrey via Capital Reef. We got to thousand lake campground, there were storm clouds brewing ... we saw they had tent cabins( turned out they had one available for 2 nites- $35... are tent site was $20) we were glad we got this cabin as there was a big storm during nite. Very nice campground little pool that we went for a swim in. next day did the capital reef scenic drive and hikes- saw the pioneer writings and lots of great scenery! drove to boulder to see anaggasi sp .... very disappointed ... $10 per person, drove 1 hr to get there and a small museum and replica house. would not do this again, waste of time and money. Capitol Reef was small and after all the amazing things we saw it was a bit of a let down. Great steak dinner at the Saddlery cowboy bar in Torrey. Left Utah via Great Basin Np. stopped and did the Lehman Caves. Another highlight as we had never been to a cave before. We got there 10 min before 60 min tour was starting and were able to go... there were only 6 in our group... afternoon had 90 min tour. Drove through Ely Nv onto Jackpot. Spent the nite at Cactus Petes , great room, food, and gambling! Left via Twin falls, Dillion, Missoula, Kalispell.... long 10 hour day of driving... only to get to Kalispell and be told there were no motels in any of the outlying areas as there were 3-4 events going on. No choice but to drive on home to BC another 3 hrs, that took 4 as it was very foggy. But arrived safe! Had a great road trip!