The Big Adventure!

[ck_1]

I'm looking for some suggestions...at the end of June my wife Pat and our dog Buffett and I will begin THE BIG ADVENTURE!...we are driving back to Illinois to spend a few weeks with family...

Are planned route will head north thru NE AZ and into UTAH, then to Colorado...short jaunt to Durango, then back north to take the major highway thru the mountains...and then on thru the more insipid states of the midwest...


We have planned a few stops along the route...
Petrified Forest NP
Canyon de Chelly NM
Monument Valley
Natural Bridges NM
Moab - some mtn biking..
Canyonlands NP
Arches NP
Mesa Verde NP
Durango
Denver

This certainly isn't a complete list, but enough to solicit some suggestions from the collective knowledge here at HAZ

I'm looking for suggestions for:
Trails in or near these areas
Highlights or things not to be missed
Places to eat!
Campgrounds
Hotels
anything that we should see/do along the way

Any suggestions would be great!
Thanks all!

[Cakewalk]

Hey Colin....

There is a place in Colorado Springs called " The Garden of the Gods " that may be worth your time..

Instead of trying to discribe it, here is a link with pictures:

http://co-trading-post.com/tp_html/gar-hist.htm


Have fun!!

[ck_1]

Thanks Cakewalk! Pat and I visited Garden of the Gods a few years back on our Rocky Mtn National Park adventure...it is amazing!

[CindyC]

Colin, If your going into the Durango area and your looking for someplace to stay,Cascade Village resort is awsome, although a bit pricey. Sitting on the deck watching the sunset is incomparable to anywhere else. If the resort is of no interest you can camp at Cascade creek which is equally impressive. I think we have pretty sunsets here but the sunset over the Needles Mtns. is like unother. If your going soon I always think it's worth it to go to Telluride. The Bluegrass festival is always a good time. I believe it starts on the 16th of the month and runs for 6 days. Then there's Ouray. There is an interesting motel called Weisse Spatien (German, spellings probaly wrong) there are underground caves and springs, at least that's what I've been told, I've been to Ouray but never this place. Have a wonderful time :!:

[Peter Kosednar]

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[olesma]

Petrified Forest NP
Canyon de Chelly NM
Natural Bridges NM
Moab - some mtn biking..
Canyonlands NP
Arches NP
Mesa Verde NP

Well, I will add that these areas you already mentioned are definitely can't miss propositions. Now here are a couple of other suggestions:

DO NOT waste your time at the 4 corners monument. Quite possibly the biggest waste of time ever invented.

Make a quick call to the Hopi indian reservation up in the NE of AZ. See if there are any scheduled dances in the time you will be in that area. If they have a Rain Dance or a Mud Head (not likely as it is usually to give thanks for rain) dance those are not something to miss. The Mesa 3 area is actually quite interesting and can be quite educational. Worth a shot. Not much hiking there, but as a tourist spot it is not bad.

Don't plan on doing much more than driving through Monument Valley. And don't plan on too much time at Petrified Forest - kind of like the Grand Canyon - but less fun, not really any interesting hikes there. Plan on doing a little hiking in Canyon de Chelly and Mesa Verde. Stunning areas. Arches in UT is absolutely incredible. Some of the more impressive arches are accessible only thorough hiking - so plan on some time there. The walk to Delicate Arch is actually quite fun. While in the area, you have to pay Zion some time as well. You do have to get off road to see some of the best sites there.

We did a very similar trip as a family some 10 years ago or so. We had a fabulous time. The best part was that we were willing to stop and visit almost anything that looked interesting. And it usually was. Just amazing country. Take your time and be willing to sacrifice a complete trip that will finish your planned itenerary in favor of spending more time really exploring an area that you find particularly interesting. You can always go back and hit the rest next summer. It will still be there.

[Kim]

A couple of quick suggestions... Weminuche Wilderness in the San Juan Mountains. Approx. 30 miles North of Durango. Just Fabulous. Chicago Basin make for a fine overnight trip. Tons of water and an opportunity to ride an old coal fire engine train to the trailhead. Ice Lake Basin with its spectacular alpine lakes and waterfalls and volcanic and glacial geology is doable as a day hike, but heck, it is so wonderful, why not stay the night. Ahh, such good memories...

In the Natural Bridges area check out Dark Canyon and the Beef Basin area. Absolute must do. Talk about views. You will have great views of Canyonlands and Island in the Sky. Close by is Mule Canyon. A great little day hike. Anasazi ruins, up close and personal. Never have seen anyone down there!

Oh yeah, if you plan to drive through Nebraska on Interstate 80, there is a terrific little Bed and Breakfast in Paxton called the Gingerbread Inn. Stayed there about eight years ago with the family. Just kind of stumbled across it. Whenever we think about it, it still puts a big old smile on our faces.

No matter what the adventure has in store for you it will be first class. You are free and with the one you love. Have a great time!

[ck_1]

Thanks for the suggestions! These are exactly what we are looking for....

[MtnGeek]

If your going into Durango you might as well take the extra 45 minuts and go in to Silverton. There is alot of hiking there. You also could take a mine tour or something.