Oct 4-16 We're On Our Way (Back)!
So, my friend Karen and I are making our return to southern Utah/Northern Arizona in early October. Unlike our first trip 2 years ago where we drove 2300 miles and did a huge loop that included Monument Valley, Moab, Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef, Bryce and a drive through Zion, we are keeping it to two areas, Zion-ish, and Page-ish. Our planning had to wait until we found out if we got permits for CBN/The Wave, which we were fortunate enough to get, for Fri, Oct 12. We traded our two extra permits (originally intended for Karen's aunt/uncle, but they can't make it) for a ride to White Pocket with someone with high clearance 4WD. Our other plans are very tentative, but my tentative outline that is starting to come together is:
Thurs, Oct 4 - Arrive in Vegas at 1:30p Visit with a friend and her family (possibly stay with them)
Fri, Oct 5 - Find a good day hike near Vegas. Karen Arrives in Vegas at 10:40p (yuk) (stay with Karen's friends in Vegas)
Sat, Oct 6 - Drive up to Hurricane - hotel for a few nights as our base - explore easy Zion stuff, intro to Narrows perhaps?
Sun, Oct 7 - Kanarra Creek more easy touristy Zion stuff?
Mon, Oct 8 -Observation Point/Hidden Canyon
Tues, Oct 9 - Head towards Page, maybe hike Willis Creek? Camp out at Alstrom Point for sunset? (is this do-able in a normal rental SUV or should we not dare?)
Weds, Oct 10 - Wahweap Hoodoos hike check into hotel in Page
Thurs, Oct 11 - Lower Antelope Canyon, maybe Upper? (I've been to Lower, Karen hasn't been to either), Horseshoe Bend Sunset, meet up with Wayne our awesome driver for Fri-Sun
Fri, Oct 12 - Coyote Buttes North/the wave, camp at/near State Line
Sat, Oct 13 - Drive to, explore, and camp at White Pocket
Sun, Oct 14 - Sunrise at White Pocket, drive back out, pick up our car (not sure where yet), head back towards vegas (maybe stop at Coral Pink Sand Dunes if we can get there in late afternoon/sunset?)
Mon, Oct 15 - Drop off Karen at McCarran by 1:00p Maybe re-visit Valley of Fire
Tues, Oct 16 - Get to Airport to fly home by 9:30a
So, that's just a basic outline off the top of my head. It'd be great to meet up with anyone who'd be around for some hiking/photos, etc, or whatever. If anyone has any more specific suggestions, warnings, etc, it'd be great to hear. I'll be posting more questions about specific things later. I got a lot of help on here for my last trip out (Jan 2011), and it was greatly appreciated!
We'll be looking for suggestions for good sunrise/sunset spots in/around these locations, and also must see spots along the way.