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07/28/2007 04:02:55 PM · #1 |
Hi,
A group of us are on a road trip, heading out from Vail Colorado tomorrow morning, and planning to arrive to the Grand Canyon 6 days later. We will be camping on the way...
We are torn between different potential routes, so i thought of seeking advice from dpcers on the subject. I'm obviously looking for the most photogenic route... but also culturally interesting.
A. South to Durango, through Ouray. then hit up Mesa Verde and Monument Valley... Grand Canyon
B. through Arches. through Canyonland National Park, and then Monument Valley... Grand Canyon
Any tips and suggestions would be appreciated...
Has anyone explored the ghost town i've been hearing about? are they worth visiting?
Thanks
Aleks. |
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07/28/2007 05:14:23 PM · #2 |
Both trips are very wonderful.
Personally, I know the Arches, Canyonlands version better. It's incredibly beautiful. It's important to catch the early morning light or late afternoon light at both places. The red rock lights up and saturates with the golden light. Check out the results from the 1st Annual Red Rock GTG to see some of what's available there. You can stay near Moab, and see both NPs. It will be hot and dry there. Moab is small but interesting and has an interesting culture.
The Durango area gives you much more of the green mountain sights. The train from Durango to Silverton is very scenic and worth the time and cost. Mesa Verde is wonderful and unique. Again, the lighting will make or break the shots.
Message edited by author 2007-07-28 17:20:24. |
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07/28/2007 05:15:53 PM · #3 |
You can't go wrong with Arches and Canyonlands!
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07/28/2007 05:41:59 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by NightShy:
You can't go wrong with Arches and Canyonlands! |
agree. I say plan B.
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07/28/2007 05:55:44 PM · #5 |
Durango...Mesa Verde...Monticello and down (or from Cortez on Hwy 160 to 41 to 262 to 163) to the Valley of the Gods...Up the Moki Dugway (Hwy 261) (Driving through the VOTG puts you on Hwy 261)...to Muley Point...to Natural Bridges Monument...to Hwy 191 (Monticello)...The Needles portion of Canyonlands (or up to Moab)...Arches Natl Park..Dead Horse Point Overlook of the Canyonlands...then wherever.
I drove from Greeley, CO down to VOTG, up the Moki Dugway to Muley Point, to Natural Bridges and the Needles, through Moab and to Dead Horse and back to Greeley, CO in a 36 hour straight marathon. I looked for camping all around Moab and could find none, so drove 8 hours home. NICE!!
Message edited by author 2007-07-28 17:56:12.
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07/28/2007 06:23:37 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by labuda:
A group of us are on a road trip, heading out from Vail Colorado tomorrow morning... |
Why would you want to leave there. I was stuck out there for 6 weeks for knee surgery (long story). It was the most beautiful place to be. (Which I'm sure the beauty was enhanced by all the pain killers I was on.)
Sorry, I can't help you with your actual question. Unless you keep on going to Southern California. |
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07/28/2007 06:33:55 PM · #7 |
Keep in mind where ever you decide to go that it is monsoon season here now. So you can get flash floods quickly in some areas.
Louddog would be a good one to ask about areas in AZ.
Message edited by author 2007-07-28 18:35:48. |
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07/28/2007 06:36:35 PM · #8 |
| I second the route through Arches and Canyonlands. In fact my personal preference is Canyonlands over the Grand Canyon. At the Grand Canyon you are restricted the the pull-outs along the rim. In Canyonlands you have much greater access to the rim for some great veiws. But if you have never been to the Grand Canyon then you should go. At least once. While in the area try to get to Monument Valley and/or Zion. A place that not to many people know about is Antelope Canyon. It is a slot canyon near Page Az. I'm planning a trip to that area in October and my route is through Arches, Canyonlands, Page, Monument Valley, Vegas and Death Valley. |
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07/28/2007 06:45:52 PM · #9 |
Didnt see Antelope Canyon on your list, if you come into the grand canyon from the north and have one or more SLRs in the car I belive it is a law that you have to shoot Antelope Canyon.
  ya, that place near Bisby Az |
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07/28/2007 07:32:38 PM · #10 |
I did that exact circuit a few months ago from Vail...(I live in Denver).
Get ready for opinions...
1. Honestly, Monument Valley sucks and is too cliche. There are other places around there that are much much better.
2. Durango is by far the most beautiful area in Colorado.
3. Mesa Verde was cool, but it is very much a "drive there, look, picture, leave" place.
4. Arches/Canyonlands is a can't miss...I did that drive, thru Moab, down to Monument, over to Page and Lake Powell, over to GC and circled back to Mesa Verde, Durango, and Great Sand Dunes.
Order of coolness was:
Lake Powell
Durango
Great Sand Dunes
Moab
Antelope Canyon
Grand Canyon
Mesa Verde
Don't have a direct recommendation, but those are my thoughts. Any way you choose will be great. The one reason to swing thru Durango and Ouray before, is because it will give you the most diversity of scenery along the way once you transition into Arizona/Utah. Otherwise all the rock, redrock, slickrock, open space, arches, etc...start to look the same.
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07/28/2007 08:46:27 PM · #11 |
Thanks for all the replies!
So Arches seems like a must, especially considering i'm use to green stuff, but red sand i haven't seen yet.
Any other recommendations?
Anyone knows about those ghost towns i've been hearing about?
Thanks again |
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08/15/2007 06:22:49 PM · #12 |
Thanks again for the replies!
The trip was awesome!
Here are my favorites from the trip: Southwest USA Trip 2007
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08/15/2007 06:58:25 PM · #13 |
| well, it looks like you had a fantastic trip.I would have recommended going to the North Rim of Grand Canyon too - it's less crowded there. ;-Þ |
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