Western Scenic Parks Trip - Itinerary Suggestions?

[byarger]

I am trying to plan a western parks driving trip sometime in the next couple of years. The itinerary would probably include Palo Duro Canyon, Monument Valley, Canyonlands, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Zion, Antelope Canyon, etc. I'm wondering if any of you here have made such a trip and have any itinerary suggestions, trip sequences, that might make it easier to plan.
Thanks.

[Brady]

Personally, I have always wanted to go to Lake Powell, rent a small boat, and go shoot.

Not too far from the Grand Canyon...

[pcoursey]

If your into native American culture...Chaco Culture National Historic Park in Northwest New Mexico and Mesa Verde in SW Colorado.
Pat

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by pcoursey

If your into native American culture...Chaco Culture National Historic Park in Northwest New Mexico and Mesa Verde in SW Colorado.
Pat

IIRC, Chaco Canyon is serviced by a dirt road, that turns to extremely slick, impassable mud when it rains. My Mom pointed that out to me a few years ago, when I asked about driving through the area.

[Debbi]

I hope you are planning on taking lots of time for an itinerary like that. A couple of years ago, we took one similar:

Palo Duro Canyon, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Sedona, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Caprock Canyon. We spent a week and was "based" out of Lake Powell. Ran out of time and did not go to Zion as planned. Planned to go to the North Rim of the GC but the route was closed due to a wild fire. You get the idea. Plan for the unexpected. We definitely want to go back. Have fun!

[Imagebuffet]

Originally Posted by Debbi

I hope you are planning on taking lots of time for an itinerary like that. A couple of years ago, we took one similar:

Palo Duro Canyon, Painted Desert/Petrified Forest, Sedona, Lake Powell, Bryce Canyon, Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Caprock Canyon. We spent a week and was "based" out of Lake Powell. Ran out of time and did not go to Zion as planned. Planned to go to the North Rim of the GC but the route was closed due to a wild fire. You get the idea. Plan for the unexpected. We definitely want to go back. Have fun!

That's pretty much true of any road trip. I've driven a loop from Frisco to Albuqueque to Carlsbad and back to Frisco (and the reverse). I always try to stop by the Very Large Array when I'm passing by the area. I also always have to cut out stuff from my trip, because I'm exhausted before I can finish everything.

[studiocygnet]

I've been to all the places you mention, but if you're headed from the Palo Duro area up toward Utah, and go anywhere near south central Colorado, don't miss Great Sand Dunes National Monument. It's one of my favorite places. Once you're there, you can keep heading west to Mesa Verde and the parks in Utah.

[beard]

we went to palo duro canyon in canyon, texas this winter. Beautiful! we hiked down in the canyon and we were the first to make tracks besides the deer, rabbits, birds, and fox. there's a neat museum in that area too we visited.

a few years back we went to west texas - Terlingua and Study Butte. Awesome for a photographer! the chisos mountains were gorgeous. I liked it better that the canyon at palo duro.

[iCe]

Don't forget Big Bend. It's a trip in and of itself.

Yosemite.

Chaco has already been mentioned but it's worth the drive. Go through Aztec and see the Great Kiva while you're close.

[Dobick]

I took a road trip a few years back -- the two big parks were Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, but here was the loop I made:

Drove from Lubbock to South Dakota (Bad Lands, and Mt Rushmore as well as the town of Deadwood) across into Wyoming (Devils Tower) and then into Montana. Went into Yellowstone through the Main entrance from the north and spent a few days there. Drove out south through the Tetons, and spent the night in Jackson, WY. Drove from there and caught a mountain pass from Bear Lake, Idaho down to Provo (One of the prettiest drives of the trip) and from there went to Vegas. After Vegas, I took my time to get to the Grand Canyon. Briefly on the south rim, and then went to the North Rim. About that time I was completely worn out, so I made the final sprint back home.

There are a ton of other spots that I would love to see -- Glacier NP, Washington State, Yosemite, Zion, Rocky Mountain NP come to mind immediately. Not sure how to fit that all in one swing, so I may have to break it up into three or four trips, but you get the idea.

[Shadow]

Did it this summer....
Photos here....

http://www.flickr.com/photos/6442772...7605652981510/

[MicWayWal]

Bob,

I have tried to get some in my family interested in a photo safari trip just like this. But they know it means very early mornings and late evenings and days full of scouting locations and reviewing files. No interest from family.
So I thought I ought to try to plan a trip like this and get four or six photographers who are interested in doing this and go together splitting costs. What do you think? Would you be interested in planning a trip like this? I would be very interested in planning such a trip.

[xseption]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

Bob,

I have tried to get some in my family interested in a photo safari trip just like this. But they know it means very early mornings and late evenings and days full of scouting locations and reviewing files. No interest from family.
So I thought I ought to try to plan a trip like this and get four or six photographers who are interested in doing this and go together splitting costs. What do you think? Would you be interested in planning a trip like this? I would be very interested in planning such a trip.

I would be interested ...

[byarger]

These are great ideas, everyone. Thanks, this is the kind of info I wanted to get. MicWayWal, great offer. I hadn't thought about that aspect. I'll keep that in mind and discuss with my wife. You do offer a really good persepective on it. Thanks.

[iCe]

Originally Posted by MicWayWal

Bob,

I have tried to get some in my family interested in a photo safari trip just like this. But they know it means very early mornings and late evenings and days full of scouting locations and reviewing files. No interest from family.
So I thought I ought to try to plan a trip like this and get four or six photographers who are interested in doing this and go together splitting costs. What do you think? Would you be interested in planning a trip like this? I would be very interested in planning such a trip.

Probably. Timing is the only caveat