14-21 day trip to the Rockies - Where should I go?

[Chaotic42]

Edit:

Okay, maybe this one is a winner.

Day 1:
Drive to Carlsbad

Day 2:
Explore Carlsbad

Day 3:
Drive to Santa Fe

Day 4:
Explore Santa Fe

Day 5:
Drive to Flagstaff

Day 6/7/8:
Grand Canyon and surrounding area

Day 9:
Drive to Zion

Day 10:
Explore Zion

Day 11:
Drive to Moab

Day 12:
Explore Arches

Day 13:
Drive to Denver

Days 14-17:
Denver stuff

Day 18:
Drive to Saint Louis

Day 19:
Look for apartments

Day 20:
Drive home

 

[IronWing]

First pass through Flagstaff see Lava River Cave.

I will be in the Canyon the self same time as yourself. I'll be wearing blue, the Germans will be in gray.

 

[GoSharks]

You're nuts trying to do all that driving. Seems like you are spending half your total trip time in the car.

 

[Brian Stirling]

I'd cut the number of stops in half or more and spend more time at each stop. Hell, a place like Yellowstone is worth 3 weeks by itself...


Brian

 

[Chaotic42]

Yeah, I've been leaning toward cutting out Yellowstone and Idaho and spending more time in each place. I kind of wanted to see what people said about the locations and catch recommendations.

 

[IronWing]

I spent two weeks in Stanley, ID. It's frickin' cold and very expensive. Pretty though. I guess rafting and fishing are the big draws. I was camping out mostly but spent one night at the Sawtooth Hotel which is a nice somewhat historic hotel. I was sick as a dog during my hotel stay so I didn't try the restaurant.

Also, Yellowstone to Phoenix in a day then Phoenix to Denver the next day would be brutal. Google says 15 hrs Yellowstone to Phoenix. That is with perfect traffic. Traffic on the Wasatch Front is never perfect and traffic in Yellowstone always sucks.

 

[Spydermag68]

You need to go to Casa Bonita while in Denver!

 

[pete6032]

Go hiking in the mountains and try and find the Coors light brewery.

 

[BoomerD]

I spent two weeks in Stanley, ID. It's frickin' cold and very expensive. Pretty though. I guess rafting and fishing are the big draws. I was camping out mostly but spent one night at the Sawtooth Hotel which is a nice somewhat historic hotel. I was sick as a dog during my hotel stay so I didn't try the restaurant.

Also, Yellowstone to Phoenix in a day then Phoenix to Denver the next day would be brutal. Google says 15 hrs Yellowstone to Phoenix. That is with perfect traffic. Traffic on the Wasatch Front is never perfect and traffic in Yellowstone always sucks.

We used to live about 30 miles down-river from Stanley. Yes, it gets COLD at night...but the area is surrounded by mountains that are usually snow-covered, even in summer...plus the elevation is around 6000 feet...

We liked our time there. GOOD hunting and fishing, decent people.


OP, IMO, your itinerary is a bit...ambitious and over-crowded with traveling.
Personally, I'd eliminate about half of the planned stops and spend a bit more time at the ones where you DO go.

 

[Chaotic42]

Updated

 

[MongGrel]

...

 

[MongGrel]

Yeah, I've been leaning toward cutting out Yellowstone and Idaho and spending more time in each place. I kind of wanted to see what people said about the locations and catch recommendations.

...

 

[GoSharks]

As much as I love Yosemite, I would skip it and go through Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, and Bryce Canyon instead.

 

[BoomerD]

IMO, you're still spending too much time driving...and not enough time enjoying the sights at the places you want to visit...plus, I think you're being too...ambitious about your driving times...

 

[herm0016]

i would skip yosemity / ely and hit up bryce/canyon lands/capital reef. you are going way too far west when you can see some of the best stuff in the country where you already are.

i know most of the main and back roads in utah. what are you driving? about a month ago we did arches, goblin valley state park, slot canyons in capital reef, the burr trail through escalantae/grand staircase and bryce canyon. comming up from flagstaff i would recomend the moki-dugway road and lookout as well. the lookout there is one of the best views in the country.

 

[Chaotic42]

As much as I love Yosemite, I would skip it and go through Grand Canyon North Rim, Zion, and Bryce Canyon instead.

You know I was looking at that today and I agree. Weird how that works out. I'm going to redo the trip tonight and see what I can get.

Unfortunately the 14 hour drive to New Mexico can't get cut short. I blame Texas

 

[Chaotic42]

...

What plagues you, sir?

 

[Thebobo]

Yellowstone is bleh unless you get into the backcountry.
Grand Tetons the same

If I were you I would see the SW and then next trip maybe the NW Glacier NP etc.

If you are hiking the best in Wyoming is the Wind River Range.

 

[Chaotic42]

Well, I went to Carlsbad yesterday. That was really cool. The Guadalupe Mountains were pretty too. Sucks that they're having record heat.

 

[herm0016]

keep us updated and ttiwwp.

 

[stormkroe]

OP is you be moving to St Louis?

 

[Chaotic42]

keep us updated and ttiwwp.

I'll post pics when I get back home and can get all of this processed. I have to say that I love Colorado. Fantastic state. The people are friendly and the place is beautiful.