7 days SW Utah area?

Etherton

Etherton

Will Bang for Poof
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Aug 7, 2006
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I was hoping to get some planning advice for our upcoming southwest Utah trip- staying in Kanab, UT. We are driving in from KY passing through MO, OK, upper TX, NM & AZ (scenic route) and will have 7 days for our trip - with a travel day on each side. We are planning on visiting Zion NP, Bryce Canyon, Upper/Lower Antelope and the north rim of the Grand Canyon. My question is if you were planning on making these stops how would you go about it? Is Zion a sunrise or sunset trip and so on? I am sure it would be incredible both ways but I am likely going to get left hitchhiking if I wake everyone up for the sunrise and make them stay for the sunset everyday. I would love to also do some night astro photography! Are there pass requirements for pitching a tent? How would you plan out those 7 days? I am hoping to get some good shots and have a memorable trip with the family :D

Posted this on a couple forums trying to get several opinions if you see it elsewhere...
 
You gonna be cutting it close if you want to hit all those places, but here it goes. I'm only going to cover AZ and UT.

Since you're traveling from KY, you will probably start your tour by visiting Antelope Canyon first. Which means, your first stop will be in Page, AZ. The only way to hike Antelope Canyons is with a guided tour. It's part of a Navaho land, and you are not allowed to go there by yourself. Most tour guides will only take you to the Upper Antelope only (at at $30/person). The tour itself will last about 1.5h, with another 30 minutes each way. Now, I don't remember the tour company I went with, and there are a lot, but here's a number one tip for you when choosing a right tour. See what vehicles they got. If it's Chevy Suburban or the like, move on to the next. Getting to the Antelope Canyon isn't easy, and those Suburbans get stuck in the sand. Go in the morning, too if you can.

Next, is the norther rim of GC. Awesome. You can usually get a lodge there for about $120 a night, with a full day worth of hiking trails. You should be able to visit Antelope and GC in one day, but only if you don't intend to hike a whole lot at GC.

Once you get to Utah, Zion should be your first stop. I highly recommend you do the Narrows Hike, and you do it all the way. This is pretty much a full day worth of hiking. Now, here's the thing. It's not an easy trail, especially with camera gear, so be careful. Use your tripod as a walking stick if you've got one. It probably saved my butt a few times, not to mention the camera :D

The trail itself is only a few miles long, and at the end there is a camp ground for which you will need a permit if you want to pitch your tent, so make sure to visit the visiting center first. Once you have the pass, there are still a few miles left of the trail beyond the camp ground. It's a beautiful hike, and this is probably the most amazing place I've ever been to. Along with the Antelope Canyon :D

Day 3 or 4 (depending on however long you will take at the GC) is going to be Bryce Canyon. You can hit most of the major spots from the car with little to no hiking in less than half a day. Bring your rain coat! I can't stress this one enough! The day I was there, three thunderstorms passed by! Again, if you decide to hike a little further into the park, you will spend an entire day there as well, however, I strongly recommend that you will stay for the sunset at the "Rainbow Canyon".

Definitely call ahead to Zion and Bryce first, regarding the camping passes. Those places fill up quick.

I've got a few pics uploaded from each of those places on my site: www.photoacid.com You're more than welcome to look through them :D

And if you have any additional questions, let me know.
 
Good info! Thanks! I am not sure how I feel about the $30/hour and a half though - do not want the rushed experience. I know that there will be lots of other tourists there too and I would like to get shots without people in them. :|


ComputerGeek said:
Ahh, Darn I'll be there before you, too bad. We'll both have to throw some pictures up after. We can have a throw down!
Click to expand...

Challenge accepted :D
 
No way around it. Will there be other tourists? Yes. The place is especially popular among the older Japanese people for some reason. And it's not a rushed experience by any means. The Upper Antelope canyon is what.. 200ft long? Give or take. So it's not all that big. Again, most places won't take you to the Lower Antelope anyway, hence the 1.5h period. It's totally worth it though.

edit. Some places will offer 2.5hr photo tours too, at a higher price of course. This may or may not be a good idea. Again, ask if the guide will take you to the Lower Antelope, but also, it will be you vs. 20 other photographers trying to get the same shot. So just keep that in mind.
 
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I lived and or still live around there somewhere .. can not give you any advice since I see it all the time and I do not know what outside people call "impressive"


The fry sauce at dees and game exchange down there has an amazing pick of collector quailty games for sale.. I go often and take the 3 hour drive Its just past zion in st george.


http://www.videogameexchangeonline.com/about.php
 
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You have already gone but for anyone else that searches if you are going to the upper antelope canyon you need to be there at high noon to get the famous ray of light photo. On the lower canyon I don't think that the time is so important. I ended up going at two.
 
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