Montecfo
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Trip Report: Mighty5, May 2023.
We spent 20 days starting May 5. Flew in and out of Las Vegas, and went east into Arizona and proceeded clockwise through 7 national parks and 3 state parks in 4 states, plus Hoover and Glen Canyon dams, Lakes Mead and Powell, and Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon in the Navajo Nation.
First stop was St. George, Utah where we went to Gunlock State Park (cool waterfall right near road) and Snow Canyon State Park (Jenny's Canyon a highlight).
Then over the Glen Canyon Dam and past Lake Powell to Page, Arizona for the Navajo Nation highlights and the Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. Fabulous dam views. Stayed in Mexican Hat on the San Juan River.
Then into Colorado for Mesa Verde National Park (cliff dwellings), hobnobbing in Durango, then checking out Newspaper Rock en route to Moab, UT where we picked up both Canyonlands and Arches NPs.
Short jaunt to Torry, UT and Capitol Reef, then on to Panquitch UT and compact but visually amazing Bryce Canyon. A late detour took us back south to Jacob Lake, Az for an attempt to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Inn at Jacob Lake is very charming family owned spot with low-key rooms and rustic cabins. The North Rim was still closed due to historic snows, but we found a gravel side road. After rescuing some tourists stranded in a snowbank, we found a vantage point where we could see the Grand Canyon from the north.
Then we headed back north to Springdale, UT and Zion NP. Great views and hikes. "The Narrows" hike was closed due to high water but this did not diminish a great visit.
The final leg was back into Nevada, Valley of Fire State Park, Hoover Dam and then back to LV and home.
Highlights were Antelope Canyon which is just an amazing slot canyon which we have always wanted to visit. Monument Valley was also special. Among the Mighty Five we loved them all but we enjoyed Zion the most, then Bryce and Arches. I enjoyed the petroglyphs which we encountered at various points.
Many folks had great ideas earlier in the thread that helped to set the trip. Hat tip to Cocheesehead for restaurant suggestions including the amazing Xetava Gardens Cafe in Ivins, UT and memorable old school Milt's Stop & Eat in Moab. We enjoyed these greatly and would not have found otherwise.
Overall an epic trip that sounds hectic as a writeup but was not at all. We took our time and so many things are close together you can cover a lot without hurrying.
Several things we were unable to fit in but we were not trying to see everything. Definitely left some things for future trips.
Have hundreds of pics, will post a few. Many thanks to all!
ETA: Pics in order:
Zion near the "Narrows"
Bryce "Thor's Hammer"
Monument Valley "Forrest Gump Point"
Antelope Canyon-looking up View attachment 46562View attachment 46563View attachment 46564View attachment 46565
We spent 20 days starting May 5. Flew in and out of Las Vegas, and went east into Arizona and proceeded clockwise through 7 national parks and 3 state parks in 4 states, plus Hoover and Glen Canyon dams, Lakes Mead and Powell, and Monument Valley and Antelope Canyon in the Navajo Nation.
First stop was St. George, Utah where we went to Gunlock State Park (cool waterfall right near road) and Snow Canyon State Park (Jenny's Canyon a highlight).
Then over the Glen Canyon Dam and past Lake Powell to Page, Arizona for the Navajo Nation highlights and the Horseshoe Bend on the Colorado River. Fabulous dam views. Stayed in Mexican Hat on the San Juan River.
Then into Colorado for Mesa Verde National Park (cliff dwellings), hobnobbing in Durango, then checking out Newspaper Rock en route to Moab, UT where we picked up both Canyonlands and Arches NPs.
Short jaunt to Torry, UT and Capitol Reef, then on to Panquitch UT and compact but visually amazing Bryce Canyon. A late detour took us back south to Jacob Lake, Az for an attempt to see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The Inn at Jacob Lake is very charming family owned spot with low-key rooms and rustic cabins. The North Rim was still closed due to historic snows, but we found a gravel side road. After rescuing some tourists stranded in a snowbank, we found a vantage point where we could see the Grand Canyon from the north.
Then we headed back north to Springdale, UT and Zion NP. Great views and hikes. "The Narrows" hike was closed due to high water but this did not diminish a great visit.
The final leg was back into Nevada, Valley of Fire State Park, Hoover Dam and then back to LV and home.
Highlights were Antelope Canyon which is just an amazing slot canyon which we have always wanted to visit. Monument Valley was also special. Among the Mighty Five we loved them all but we enjoyed Zion the most, then Bryce and Arches. I enjoyed the petroglyphs which we encountered at various points.
Many folks had great ideas earlier in the thread that helped to set the trip. Hat tip to Cocheesehead for restaurant suggestions including the amazing Xetava Gardens Cafe in Ivins, UT and memorable old school Milt's Stop & Eat in Moab. We enjoyed these greatly and would not have found otherwise.
Overall an epic trip that sounds hectic as a writeup but was not at all. We took our time and so many things are close together you can cover a lot without hurrying.
Several things we were unable to fit in but we were not trying to see everything. Definitely left some things for future trips.
Have hundreds of pics, will post a few. Many thanks to all!
ETA: Pics in order:
Zion near the "Narrows"
Bryce "Thor's Hammer"
Monument Valley "Forrest Gump Point"
Antelope Canyon-looking up View attachment 46562View attachment 46563View attachment 46564View attachment 46565
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