Suggestions - What Not To Miss "Out West?"

[kudzu]

 

Leaving Charleston, SC in early May, my wife and I are driving to Nevada to do a defensive handgun course at Front Sight. After the Front Sight course, we plan to take two or three weeks to sightsee and find our way back to Charleston. This is Joyce's first trip west of the Mississippi!

 

What would be on your absolutely-do-not-miss list? Or, what would be your top two or three priorities?

 

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Selden]

Devil's Tower was one of the most impressive places I have visited in the USA, and I rate it above Mt. Rushmore. The latter is Disneyish, and the visitor's center is so far away from the monument that you can't really see it well without binoculars. Devil's Tower, on the other hand, has a walkway all the way around the base, with great roads in the surrounding area.

 

[Paul Mihalka]

Grand canyon. National Parks in Utah: Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonland. Mesa Verde National Park near Durango CO. You'll be short of time. Take lots of pictures. Mostly for yourself so you can go back in your mind. There is so much that in the end you will only have a mess of memories.

[mrduck]

Death Valley, EZ day trip outta Vegas, except in the wrong direction!

 

 

Don J

[Albert]

If you had to pin me down to 3 I'd go with Grand Canyon, Zion and Bryce. If you go to the north rim of the GC, the other two are easy.

[gottabmw]

Crater Lake, Central Oregon Coast, Puget Sound, Hwy 1-Carmel to San Luis Obispo, The Redwoods, Yosemite, Joshua Tree, Monument Valley, Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Arches, Colorado Rockies.....you don't have enough time.....oh, top three:

 

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Monument Valley

[hopz]

I think the Front Porch at Austin's Chuckwagon in Torrey is pretty good. Especially if you share it with 100 or so close friends.

[Twisties]

Where in Nevada? If L.V. try Valley of Fire State Park for a day trip.

 

What are your interests? Rock hounding, rafting, Ancient cultures/ruins/rock art, natural wonders/scenery, American West/ghost towns/mines, hiking, wildflowers? Are you more interested in red rock desert, Sonora Desert, Mohave Desert, Giant Seqouias, Coastal Redwoods, wine country/b&b's/art shops/fine dining, or mountain scenes?

 

If it were me with three weeks I would go for the coast and wine country (Sonoma) for a few days, then King's Canyon/Seqouia. Call that one week. The next week I would skip Death Valley due to heat at that time of year, and proceed back to north rim grand canyon, Zion and Bryce, call that week two. Maybe squeak in Moab/Arches/Island in the Sky too if you can, or instead. Week three Colorado: Mesa Verde NP, Ouray, Silverton, Telluride, and Rocky Mtn NP (Check if the road is open, going to be close).

 

You could also go north instead to Yellowstone/Teton/Devil's Tower instead of Colorado, but you'll have to choose. Roads in Yellowstone will be just opening. You would need to look into it. They usually post a schedule. I would pick Colorado in May.

[Matts_12GS]

Whip's house...

[VinnyR11]

Devil's Tower was one of the most impressive places I have visited in the USA, and I rate it above Mt. Rushmore. The latter is Disneyish, and the visitor's center is so far away from the monument that you can't really see it well without binoculars. Devil's Tower, on the other hand, has a walkway all the way around the base, with great roads in the surrounding area.

 

There's also a really nice relatively short hiking trail ~2-3 miles around Devil's Tower that is fun and beautiful. It's circumference is just outside the walkway. Devil's Tower is kind of far north though. If your going to go that far north, then the Badlands are not to be missed. You can hit Sturgis and sick roads in the Black Hills.

 

Of course, as others mentioned, the Grand Canyon is not to be missed.

 

+1 on Mesa Verde. Extraordinary place. In addition to the main community visited via their main tour, they have great trails that show you other habitats.

 

If you want to visit a city and enjoy the arts and hiking, Sedona is a city that is well worth a visit. Worth an overnight if you like hiking or long walks. Tremendous hiking opportunities, good restaurants, eclectic galleries, and a drop dead gorgeous view in every direction.

 

One suggested itinerary. Start around Vegas (if you like that stuff). While there, visit the red rock area for beautiful hiking and scenery. It's 20 minutes outside of the strip. Not "Vegas" at all as most people picture it. Then head east to Sedona, north to the Grand Canyon, continue north to a choice of fantastic parks in Utah (many mentioned above), then back east on the way home to Mesa Verde. Continue east to Durango, CO and take the train ride through the canyon. You can do the whole town in a few hours. Fun relaxing stop. Then pick your way back home.

 

If Vegas isn't your thing, then Sedona makes a good start point.

[Caddis]

There are so many great places to see, and it really depends on what type of thing you like, and how far north/south you want to travel. I am partial to mountians, more so than deserts. So my personal favorites are these national parks: Redwoods, Crater Lake, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier, Arches, Mesa Verde, Rocky Mountain.

 

Some of them get pretty crowded during the peak season, but will probably be reasonable during May. However, that is early enough that you will have to watch out for snow and cold in some of the higher elevation parks. In fact, Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain N.P. isn't usually even open until at least Memorial Day.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

Most folks have mentioned all the not-to-miss national parks, so I won't beat those to death.

 

If you like museums and happen to travel through Nebraska, I'd suggest the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, on I-80 near Kearney. Depending on your mood you may find it either profound, or cheesy. It tells an interesting story, and I liked it a lot when Shawn and I went there in '07. If nothing else, it'll break up the slab-droning.

 

You might also stop at the world's largest truckstop near Walcott, Iowa.

 

Coors brewery tour in Golden, Colorado was entertaining. Free Coors beer at the end of the tour - which is nice, if you happen to like Coors.

 

Pikes Peak. 10 miles of gravel road each way, (might be paved now), plus a toll, but it's an interesting voyage and view at the top.

 

Mount Evans. Paved all the way up.

 

Scenic roads to consider:

 

Utah:

UT12 from Bryce Canyon to Torrey

UT24 from Torrey to Hanksville

UT95 from Hanksville to Blanding

UT128 from Moab to I-70

 

US550 from Durango to Ouray

141 from Bedrock/Naturita to Delta

CO92 from Gunnison to Hotchkiss

Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park

 

For other entertaining diversions along the way, I recommend www.roadsideamerica.com.

 

[paul6585]

I dont think anyone mentioned Hoover dam which is about 1 hr from Vegas. South western Co is nice if you have time to drive through - Ouray and Telluride.

[beemerboy]

Devil's Tower was one of the most impressive places I have visited in the USA, and I rate it above Mt. Rushmore. The latter is Disneyish, and the visitor's center is so far away from the monument that you can't really see it well without binoculars. Devil's Tower, on the other hand, has a walkway all the way around the base, with great roads in the surrounding area.

 

Ditto:

[Twisties]

I dont think anyone mentioned Hoover dam which is about 1 hr from Vegas. South western Co is nice if you have time to drive through - Ouray and Telluride.

 

Inquire as to conditions and delays if going to Hoover Dam. Great art deco architecture, but we came through on Friday and headed south, as we were there weren't problems, but northbound traffic was backed up for nearly 20 miles. Signs indicated that Southbound traffic would get it's turn in a few days. This is due to construction.

 

We laughed at the two way traffic sign, they wanted us to know that northbound was not in fact a parking lot.

[Deadboy]

California could easily burn up a week alone....Death Valley, Yosemite, Tahoe, the coast, SF, Lassen etc etc.

 

Personally I would head west from Vegas (or are you staying in Pahrump?) early, see Death Valley and then head for Bakersfield via 178, dinner/hotel (Crystal Palace is my favorite for a meal) and then head for the coast via 166, lunch at Guadalupe (Far West Tavern) and then up the coast to San Francisco. An easy 2 days and you would really see a lot of different scenery.

 

http://www.mapquest.com/mq/9-hUjNdhmK

 

 

From there the options are endless.....east to Tahoe, north to 36 (best road in the state) or? Check the weather as the mid to late May snow can hit quickly in the Sierra, or it can be in the 70's. Then (I say) head for Utah and Colorado....Jan had some great suggestions in his list....I would think you are a bit early for Yellowstone but Grand Canyon could work...

 

Enjoy!!

 

 

[bobbybob]

I loved Yosemite! You need to stay at least a couple of nights. A "magical" place.

[Selden]

Collectively, I think we have suggested about 3 months of travel. Yosemite high country (esp. Tuolumne) is great; the valley tends to be a zoo during "the season". Lassen is great, especially if you hike to the top of Mt. Lassen. Crater Lake is great. It's all great.

 

As long as we're going ape, check out: 1000 Places to See Before You Die.

[kudzu]

 

Wow! Thanks all. Lot's of good info and suggestions. Even though I have traveled in that part of the country several times over the years, you have suggested much that I haven't seen. Will digest your input and make the best use of whatever time we have.

[gottabmw]

Grand Canyon

Yellowstone

Monument Valley

[elkroeger]

All those are indeed not-to-miss spots. I'd put Utah's parks at the top of my list. And if you're passing through Southern Idaho (on your way to all those fine destinations) Craters of the Moon N.M. makes a nice stop for a few hours. Pack a lunch.

[mbelectric]

Any time spent in Utah is time well spent. Southern Utah in May is wonderful, and put Torrey on your schedule if time permits.

 

Lots of stuff within striking distance:

 

Zion, Bryce, Grand Canyon North Rim.

 

Ride through Colorado on your way there.

 

On the way back, catch the WSB at Miller in Toele.

 

Have Fun!

 

MB>

[Danny caddyshack Noonan]

I lap, in the morning, of Lake Tahoe. Finish in S. Lake Tahoe with lunch at the Burger Lounge north of the Y.

[Whip]

http://www.crazyhorsememorial.org/

 

 

[AZJerry]

North Rim Grand Canyon Make your reservation now. The North Rim Lodge opens around May 15. Fewer tourist, higher elevations, more trees.

Go outdide after dark and find deer eating the grass. Sometimes there are deer on the lawns at the south rim.

I also like Mesa Verde for the knowledge of how the Native Americans adapted to the environment. At Mesa Verde you can go into some of the ruins. If you see an inside wall that is plastered with mud, look for the finger prints n the mud. I do not rember if the walls there were plastered but I have found other ruins where they were.

[Deadboy]

I lap, in the morning, of Lake Tahoe. Finish in S. Lake Tahoe with lunch at the Burger Lounge north of the Y.

 

It is the Burger Spa (unless there is another burger place) and it is excellent!

[Tank]

And we haven't gotten to "out west" yet... Oregon, Washinton and Idaho

 

Its Volcanic....................