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Archive 2013 · Road trip ideas

1800Gambler
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Road trip ideas

Hey there boys and girls. I'm setting off with one of my mates to tour the Colorado Plateau/ American West on an abbreviated scheduled. Abbreviated because eight or nine days driving from Maryland isn't enough. We could certainly spend 8-9 days in many national parks. Our goal, is to take in variation in topography, terrain and climate. I'm looking for suggestions on what to actually do, since many of you have been to some or all of these destinations.

I'm interested in photography and going to take advantage of having a mate willing to drive countless hours, sleep in a car, tent, or wherever to take it all in. We're both capable of taking on significant hikes. There's many tradeoffs to consider, but looking to hear what say you.

We're setting out from Tenleytown, Washington D.C. and willing to get out west... Anything within the four corners area is within a stone throw away from the distance we're willing to drive. Here are our options:

Arches National Park, Utah
Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona
Canyonlands National Park, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah
Chaco Culture National Historic Park, New Mexico
Colorado National Monument, Colorado
Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, Utah
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Utah
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Navajo National Monument, Arizona
Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Parashant National Monument, Arizona
Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Yucca House National Monument, Colorado
Zion National Park, Utah

In some parks, we aren't allowed to have our cars in. That would significantly limit our mobility and ability to snap photos and set off to the next morning's destinations. Constraints on bringing our car into the park might preclude parks.

edit: I'm editing this progress as I post pictures, since this might take me a little while...

This gentleman seems to have had a good trip: My Colorado...

Jun 24, 2013 at 09:06 PM

1800Gambler
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Road trip ideas

Based on what some other threads suggest, I'll omit most of the deserts, this weather is quite harsh.

Jun 24, 2013 at 09:29 PM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Road trip ideas

I'd recommend Arches. I'd like to go to Goosenecks of the San Juan. Grand Canyon is probably a zoo but higher elevation and cooler. And most people don't hike. You might carry a few gallons or more of water if you are driving across hot areas in case of a breakdown.

Canyon de Chelly looks interesting. Once you see S Colo you might stay there.

Jun 24, 2013 at 10:12 PM

Sneakyracer
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Road trip ideas

This time of year I suggest heading north to Wyoming, Montana and BC, maybe Washington state. Spring is in full swing there, specially on the lower elevations since there is still some snow on the alpine making for some good images.

Colorado is mostly dry and almost melted out plus there is some haze from the fires in certain areas.

I would avoid the desert SW til october.

The California coast is drying out and transitioning to summer so the wildflowers are spotty in places.

I know the west is king but why not go to the Maine Coast?

Jun 24, 2013 at 10:21 PM

Greg Campbell
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Road trip ideas

I haven't had my morning coffee so am perhaps a tad grumpy, but I see several problems here.

First off, the whole 'Boys and Girls' is somewhat obnoxious.

Second, your Bucket List is ... just that. A big list of unfiltered junk. You haven't begun to explain your specific interests. "Varied topography"? You can get that ANYWHERE between Mexico and Canada....

Third, what the bleep is up with the car restriction? More to the point, WHICH parks are on the 'Do Not Drive' list? Zion and Bryce have a shuttle bus system. Other than that, you're walking...

Fourth, how willing + able are you to get out of the car and go for a short hike? This will make all the difference once you narrow down your Bucket List to something sensible.

Fifth, post #2 makes no sense. All but one or two of your destinations ARE in the desert. Maybe you should be aimed at Idaho/Wyoming/Montana instead?

Jun 25, 2013 at 11:01 AM

ckcarr
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Road trip ideas

^

That's pretty much why no one really responded. It doesn't have much to do with landscape photography, which is what this board is about. No goals, no nothing. So, when people from this board take the time to reply with thoughtful photography responses, they are generally talking to photographers, not road trippers. There's probably other boards for that, like the link you threw in.

And, is sort of unrealistic if it did have anything to do with photography. I've said it before, but coming from the east, people don't grasp how big the west is. Focus on a location is the best bet.

And yes, "boys and girls" is rather flippant and a turn off to those that may help.

Jun 25, 2013 at 11:30 AM

AmbientMike
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Road trip ideas

I don't see the harm in asking for advice on a road trip. Sounds like an adventure. High desert, like many of the places listed, might be OK in summer. I believe Grand Canyon's busiest season is summer. Op already stated willing to hike. A lot.

Jun 25, 2013 at 12:54 PM

trilce84
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Road trip ideas

Yeah might able to make a quick trip to white sands, new mexico

Jun 25, 2013 at 02:22 PM

daskibum
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Road trip ideas

Given the fires in Arizona, and southern Colorado I'd avoid that area. Its gonna be hazy/smokey. Might make for good sunrise and sunset with filtered sun, but that is about it.

Jun 25, 2013 at 03:13 PM

Greg Campbell
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Road trip ideas

AmbientMike wrote:
... Op already stated willing to hike. A lot.

Oops, missed that. (It was scrolled off the edge of the page.)

OK, so that actually makes the situation worse!

Now we're supposed select from literally thousands of possible destinations.

NEED MORE INFO!

Jun 25, 2013 at 05:42 PM

1800Gambler
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Road trip ideas

Greg Campbell wrote:
I haven't had my morning coffee so am perhaps a tad grumpy, but I see several problems here.

First off, the whole 'Boys and Girls' is somewhat obnoxious.

Second, your Bucket List is ... just that. A big list of unfiltered junk. You haven't begun to explain your specific interests. "Varied topography"? You can get that ANYWHERE between Mexico and Canada....

Third, what the bleep is up with the car restriction? More to the point, WHICH parks are on the 'Do Not Drive' list? Zion and Bryce have a shuttle bus system. Other than that, you're walking...

Fourth, how willing + able are...Show more →

First, my apologies to all. I didn't mean to be flippant. I was hoping to be polite and failed miserably.

I can hike 30 miles within a day.

We're going to start in Rocky Mountain NP and go from there. As many have said it might be best to avoid the desert. I think Arches and Canyonlands are a couple of parks that don't require countless days to get a feel of the vastness. In comparison, to my Yosemite or Yellowstone are parks you could explore for years and enjoy something new every day. We have our sights on Canyonland and Arches NP afterward for a 1/2 day each. That leaves us about 5 full days in Rocky Mountain NP.

I didn't see the harm in asking seasoned photographers for recommendations on sites many have seen. Sorry!

Jun 25, 2013 at 10:09 PM


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