Fall 2012 trip from Flagstaff to Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Bryce and Zion

[Micki Ginsberg]

Hi!

We're going to a wedding in Flagstaff September 29, 2012, and thought that would be a great time to see Lake Powell, Monument Valley, Bryce and Zion. (We've been to Grand Canyon.) We'd welcome some direction on the best order (in terms of driving time) to see them in. Also, what routes to take. Please note that we're not much on hairpin curves! We can spend 2-3 nights in each place.

Thanks a lot! Micki

[Lifemagician]

Hi Micki, and Welcome to the The Great American RoadTrip Forum.

It is not quite clear if you want to visit these sites on your way to / from the wedding, or if it is a loop trip from Flagstaff. I am assuming the latter.

To answer your specific question, 89 from Flagstaff to 160 and 163 to MV. At that point you have several options, and it really would pay you to get a good map of southern Utah, to see which suits you. (Not something you can see in the confines of a computer monitor.) There is 24 and 12 through Capital Reef NP to Bryce and Zion, or you may choose to back track to 89, through Vermillion Cliffs NM and Escalante NM, to Bryce and Zion. A greater loop would be to go up to Arches, via Canyonlands and across to Bryce and Zion. And of course, each of these scenic routes has many other attractions along the way.

There is so much to see, so many different routes to take in this little corner of the world. You could design a unique trip, just for you.

Lifey

[Micki Ginsberg]

I'm looking for some guidance on which roads are scenic and fairly easy to drive. Micki

[Lifemagician]

Micki, you will find that most maps have the scenic routes marked. However, having said that, I am yet to drive a road in that particular area that is not really scenic. On the map in front of me at the moment, the roads marked scenic in that area are: 64; 89; alt 89; 160; 163; 95; 24; 12; and 9 through Zion. And even though 191 is not a designated scenic route, it leads to some incredibly scenic NPs. In southern Utah, almost every road south of I-70 - which is also a scenic route - is a joy to travel. You just feel like stopping every mile to take yet, another photo.

Lifey

[Micki Ginsberg]

If we went to Lake Powell after Flagstaff, can you recommend a good route to Monument Valley? How long do you estimate the drive?

Micki

[Lifemagician]

You would take 89 to Lake Powell and then head south again on 98 to 160 and 163, and into MV.

When it comes to timing estimates... you've got the wrong person. On the road, times mean nothing to me. Wherever I happen to be when day is done, is where I am.

For example - from Flagstaff to Lake Powell you have Sunset Crater Volcano NM, Wupatki NM, the Navajo Bridge, and Horseshoe Bend (a great short hike to the Colorado River), among others. You may choose to bypass all these great attractions, in which case you would get to Lake Powell probably hours before someone who would choose to enjoy each and every attraction along the way. It really all depends on your style of travelling. There is no right or wrong way. It's all up to you. Just as it is whether you like to meander through the scenic beauty or whether you are the sort of traveller who likes to travel at the speed limit.... or above.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

Hi Micki.

As Lifey touched on in her first response, can you confirm whether this is a trip that starts and finishes in Flagstaff [the road trip part anyway] and confirm how long you have overall for this journey. It will help us to give you the best advice possible.

A nice loop could see you drive to Page [Lake Powell] passing Sunset Crater and Cameron Trading post and then on to Zion NP and Bryce canyon. From Bryce you could continue on scenic 12 and 24 to Torrey and to Capitol Reef NP. From this point you could head to Moab [Arches and Canyonlands NP] or down 95 to Natural Bridges NM and then to Monument valley. From MV you have the choice of heading back to Cameron and down 89 to Flagstaff or head back to 191 and down to I40 which puts you in the vicinity of Canyon De Chelley and the Petrified forest. As Lifey also mentioned, all roads around these parts that I have travelled I would describe as scenic. Utah scenic 12 is a little twisty and has one section where there is a drop either side, but the road is paved and in good condition and not narrow [2 lanes] and is one that I have driven in a 30ft RV, so it shouldn't be a problem unless you have a 'real' fear of mountain roads. If you went this way to Hanksville and down via Natural bridges on 95, you might want to continue on 95 towards Blanding and down through Bluff. The 'other' option is 261 which is a lovely drive, but you might want to search for 'Moki Dugway' before deciding, as it is shall we say, an interesting drive. [Cough] ,

If we went to Lake Powell after Flagstaff, can you recommend a good route to Monument Valley? How long do you estimate the drive?

To answer your question, from Flagstaff to Lake Powell and then to MV would be more or less 6 hours of driving and likely to be 'more'.

I would recommend looking at the map, researching and sharing your thoughts on suggestions already made and confirm the questions asked. For you to get the best possible out of this trip, your input is essential.