Grand Junction to Grand Canyon via Moab and Monument Valley

[echobeach]

Hello i need some advice.

I am travelling across the USA on the California Zephyr in late February and am considering a stopover and vehicle hire in Grand Junction. I would like to drive to the Grand Canyon visiting Arches, Monument valley, Lake Powell and the Grand Canyon.

I realise it will be cold, I don't mind, but have little experience driving in Snow and Ice.

Are there any particular things i should note, take care for and is heavy snow likely ?

Is a week enough for a relaxing circular tour and any particular places that you suggest stopping over and above those I have mentioned.

Thanks, Phil

[Southwest Dave]

Hello and welcome to the RTA forums !

With a week to do a loop from Grand Junction you certainly have time for a relaxing and enjoyable trip, but there is so much to see and do in the area. From Grand junction you have the Colorado National Monument nearby, where you could do the rim drive. If you are ending your trip back in Grand junction you could consider visiting Arches on the way back and take UT24 through Hanksville to Torrey [passing Capitol Reef NP] and then take scenic byway 12 to Bryce canyon. From Bryce head through Kanab to Page/Lake Powell and on to the south rim of the Grand canyon. Then from GC take 160/163 to Monument valley and 191 to Moab for Arches and possibly Canyonlands NP's. The route could be driven in 2 days at a push, so breaking it down into smaller sections and spending some time from the car sight seeing should give you chance to get a good overview of the area.

The weather will be what it will be when you travel and there is a chance you will see snow, particularly at higher elevations such as Bryce and the GC. All you can do is keep up to date with road and weather conditions as you go and if it's going to turn nasty, alter your plans to suit.

[echobeach]

Thanks for such a detailed reply.

I am a photographer and hiker/ mountain biker so the intention was to get away from the car as much as possible.

My planned month long trip on Amtrak heads out of Emeryville stopping in Reno, Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, then fly from Denver to Dallas, down to Austin for another weeks stop. On to Alpine, Tucson and finishing in LA ( horrible place ) for my return flight to the UK.

I have considered hiring the vehicle for a longer two week period from Grand Junction so any suggestions appreciated, especially if I could avoid the Denver to Dallas flight.

[Lifemagician]

Since you are making a stopover in Reno, have you considered visiting the Grand Canyon during that stop. It could also take you through Death Valley - a great time of the year to visit that National Park for someone who likes hiking and photography.

Lifey

[Southwest Dave]

I have considered hiring the vehicle for a longer two week period from Grand Junction so any suggestions appreciated, especially if I could avoid the Denver to Dallas flight.

Have you considered driving from Glenwood Springs to Austin and include it in your road trip ? Even if you went out to Southern Utah and the Grand canyon you could possibly drive it in 3 long days, so with 2 weeks you could make a nice trip out of it. One downside would be the one way drop off charge with the car rental, but some of that would be offset against the costs a flight.

[echobeach]

Thanks for the suggestions. I have been to Death Valley before, although that was over 20 years ago. Looking into the option of driving all the way to Austin as both Denver and Dallas were not a major part of the trip.

Thanks for the suggestions.