Phoenix to Portland

[jedimindtriks]

First off, I realize this isn't technically a Summer roadtrip (May 25-June 10) but it's close. I figured I would get more views here.

My longtime girlfriend and I have decided to take 17 days off for a road trip toward the end of May. Well, it's part road trip and we'll be flying in between certain areas. The reason for flying wasn't because there's nothing to see in those areas, it was mainly due to the rental car fees for returning to certain locations, and we also want to spend more time in the places we're most interested in.

Below is the tentative interary. The only part of this trip that cannot be changed is the last flight from Portland to back to San Jose. The areas we're most interested in are the Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion NP, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier NP and Portland. We're thinking about moving to Portland some time in the future and that was the original reason this trip came about, it's since evolved into something much larger :)

25-May - Fly San Jose to Phoenix, arrive in PHX at 10pm
26-May - Drive from Phoenix to Cameron (staying at Cameron Trading Post for 2 nights, less expensive than Flagstaff for Memorial Day weekend) Explore Sedona and Flagstaff along the way.
27-May - open day
28-May - Drive to Marble Canyon (staying 2 nights at Cliff Dwellers Lodge) the entire day is open (Lake Powell?)
29-May - Grand Canyon (North Rim)
30-May - Drive to Las Vegas, stop at Zion NP on the way
31-May - Fly from Vegas to Salt Lake City. Drive from SLC to Jackson Hole, WY. (2 nights in Jackson Hole)
1-Jun - Grand Teton
2-Jun - Drive to Yellowstone (2 nights at Cascade Lodge/Canyon Village)
3-Jun - Yellowstone
4-Jun - Stay the night in Helena, MT (or anywhere on the way to Glacier NP)
5-Jun - Glacier NP (East, West or Many Glaciers area?)
6-Jun - Glacier NP
7-Jun - Glacier NP
8-Jun - Drive to Spokane, WA for early morning flight
9-Jun - Fly to Portland, spend day exploring
10-Jun - Fly from Portland to back to San Jose

Scenery and nature are the main focus but we would let to get a little bit of each areas culture in as well.

Feel free to makes suggestions on changes to the plan and/or lodging recommendations.

Thanks!
Chris

[Mark Sedenquist]

My longtime girlfriend and I have decided to take 17 days off for a road trip toward the end of May.

Normally, we move any road trip starting in May to Spring RoadTrips, but I guess we will consider your trip to be a "kick-off to summer roadtrips" and Welcome to the RoadTrip Forum!

The areas we're most interested in are the Grand Canyon (North Rim),

I am not positive that the North Rim road will be open then -- Have you checked?

Zion NP, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Glacier NP

Zion's roads are open, but the other three still have major winter-season closures.

and Portland.

Portland is a great city -- great base for roadtrips!

I like your route and the lodging choices -- but I can guarantee that the Going-to-the-Sun Road will be closed. Too bad, it is gorgeous -- here is a field report I did last year.

Happy Planning!

Mark

[jedimindtriks]

I appreciate the quick reply!

I guess we were being a little too optimistic about the road conditions in early June. I'll check on the Grand Canyon. We could head out from Cameron to the South Rim but I'm not looking forward to the Memorial Day weekend crowds...I've never been but I can imagine the nightmare getting there.

We'll also need to check out the road conditions for the other 3 parks. Do you know of any online resources that show road conditions for the NP's?

Any suggestions on what to do in our one day in Portland would be much appreciated.

That really stinks about Going-to-the-Sun road. I have to say, that was the thing I was looking forward to most. I spoke to someone at one of the hotels up there a week ago and they mentioned the road usually opens around Memorial Day. With the heavy snow this year a delay makes sense I guess.

Thanks again for any planning suggestions.

[Mark Sedenquist]

We'll also need to check out the road conditions for the other 3 parks. Do you know of any online resources that show road conditions for the NP's?

I would keep checking the operations page for the Glacier NP -- they keep it updated. Each NP has its own road department and the morning report (road and weather conditions) can be viewed each day on the NPS home page.

[Mark Sedenquist]

Any suggestions on what to do in our one day in Portland would be much appreciated.

I am late to a charity-do, but a real quick idea -- yummy hot bread and coffee at my cousin's place in Portland.

Mark