Torrey: what/where for two days AFTER?

[markgoodrich]

Suzanne and I have reservations at the North Rim Lodge at the Grand Canyon on Tuesday, the 2nd. Any suggestions on where else to go for a couple days between Torrey and then? No camping. Never been to Zion or Bryce, but dunno about accommodations....

 

TIA

[Bob Palin]

Suzanne and I have reservations at the North Rim Lodge at the Grand Canyon on Tuesday, the 2nd. Any suggestions on where else to go for a couple days between Torrey and then? No camping. Never been to Zion or Bryce, but dunno about accommodations....

 

TIA

If you've never been to Bryce does that mean you haven't done UT12? Mandatory! You should be able to get accommodations there after Torrey.

[David13]

I say skip Bryce but go to Zion. And you can stay in the canyon just south of the park.

My plan after, or before Torrey includes the Durango Silverton train and Rocky Mtn Natl Park.

dc

[eddd]

You should have time to do both Bryce and Zion.

[Whip]

It is fall and we sometimes catch the leaves just right.

 

I would do Independence Pass or another colorful ride.

 

 

L

 

 

 

[markgoodrich]

Thanks, all, I figured Bryce and Zion were the answers. Larry, we'll probably try to catch some color on the way up...good suggestion...Suz is a fanatic for that stuff. I like it, too.

[Mrs. Caddis]

Grand Mesa was amazing last fall after Torrey.

[tgregg]

Thanks, all, I figured Bryce and Zion were the answers. Larry, we'll probably try to catch some color on the way up...good suggestion...Suz is a fanatic for that stuff. I like it, too.

 

Cedar City has good accommodations at reasonable rates. There are places right outside Bryce but they are kind of expensive. We just did Bryce and it is a pretty fast deal. Ride out to the point stop look around then on the way back stop at a few of the pull outs. Takes an hour max. Zion in my opinion will take longer. Ride through the park as the above the tunnel part is awesome. Park at visitors center and take the tram and get on and off as you feel led. If Cedar doesn't fit your schedule on the East end outside Zion Park is ZION PONDEROSA www.zionponderosa.com

where we stay a lot. They have lots of accommodations and it is a great multi day get away and Zion is easy from there. Springdale is right outside the West end of the park with lots of hotels. I live here and I'll be a Torrey on the Weds Thurs before the get together at the Trading Post cabins across the street if I can help.

[LeighAnderson]

I heartily endorse Zion. Especially the magical ride into the park from the east. I found Bryce pretty but monotonous after the first couple of view points.

[EffBee]

I agree with most. UT-12 is a must if you haven't been. A stop in Bryce is nice (located on 12), but once you've seen a valley full of hoodoos, you've seen 'em all (admitted oversimplification). Zion, however, is magnificent. But not so much on the surface. Zion is a 2-3-day experience. Take the buses. Take the hikes. Take the tours. What you see when you drive through the park is impressive, but only 10% of its beauty and 5% of its grandeur and majesty. The rest is behind the scenes and it's worth whatever effort it takes to experience it.

[LBump]

I say take Rt12 as others have mentioned and make sure you take the Burr Trail. You can pick it up at Boulder and do a 30 mile out and back. The road turs to unpaved gravel beyound that point. Many places to stop and enjoy the slot canyons and views.

 

http://www.utah.com/offroad/burr-trail.htm

[markgoodrich]

We know Rt 12, Burr Trail, the whole area of paved routes pretty well, having been to Torrey several times.

 

Given all the good advice here, we think we'll go from Torrey to Springdale, or failing that, Hurricane, on the 30th, and leave for Grand Canyon on the 2nd...however, we're having trouble with lodging in Springdale. Most places are booked; the ones that aren't mention bedbugs or gila monsters or some other nightmare like broken AC.

 

Lodging suggestions would be appreciated, especially with suggestions on, if we stay in Hurricane, what do we do, ride the bike to Springdale, leave it parked for the day, and take shuttles in for hiking?

 

TIA, again.

[David13]

Skip Bryce.

Spend a day in Zion. Stay anyplace in Springdale.

Take the bus to the park, and the park bus to the end of the road.

Walk to the end of the canyon (in the river). It's 16 miles to the end, you don't have to go all the way, but worth it if you do.

And this is possibly the best time of year to do it.

dc

[MikeRC]

Mark:

 

If your reservation is the North Rim Lodge, why not stay in Mt Carmel Junction or Kanab? Kanab has lots of Hollywood movie history, it's a nice 1 hour ride to get to the Zion Parking lot to hop on the shuttle, there are more hotels/B&Bs/motels at better prices and more eateries. Linda and I stayed there for a few days before Torrey one fall and really enjoyed ourselves.

 

Mike

[markgoodrich]

All set, thanks all for the advice.