OldYota
Observer
I have an oppertunity to take three to four weeks off from work. I was trying to come up with a memorable trip for the wife and four kids. We did a cross country trip in 06 and took an northern route ending in arches and the canyon lands. I was thinking of taking a southern route and trying to make it all the way to the coastal highway. As I'm planning it out it seems like there will be too many driving days in a row and not enough time to explore.
We'll be in a stock 4wd suburban so I dont plan on hitting any real trails, but it would be fun to hit some out of the way camping areas. The ages of the kids are 11,10,6,4. I'd like to so some hiking but were limited to about 2 to 3 miles per hike with the young kids.
I'm wondering if I sould skip California and spend all of the time in southern Utah, or maybe save the Grand Canyon for a time when we can explore it and just tour southern California? I could save some time if I push it the first couple days driving while everyone is still excited about heading out west. Maybe trying to cover 14 hours a day?
Were planning on leaving August 1st, I expect it wil be hot hot hot in the desert, but how hot? Maybe it would be much cooler further north like in yosemite??
Any ideas? comments??
heres my plan so far
Day 1: Drive to Fall Creek Falls, TN. (9 hours 45 min)
Day 2: Drive to Hot Springs AR (8 hours 21 min)
Day 3: Drive to Fitch, TX lake Meridith (9hours 49 min)
Day 4: Petrified forest Holebrook, AZ (8hrs 42 min)
Day 5: to Grand Canyon south rim (3 hours 42 min)
Day6: rest and explore
Day7: drive to la coast area
Day8: drive part way up coastal hwy
Day 11: beach day
Day 12: drive further up coastal hwy
Day 13: make way over to Yosemite
Day14: explore
Day15: explore
Day 16: drive to sequoia and camp
Day 17: drive to Death Valley and explore
Day 18: drive to red rock canyon
Day 19: drive to Zion national park
Day20: drive to Bryce
Day 21: explore grand staircase
Day22: explore
Day23: start heading home
Day 24 head home
Day 25 head home
We'll be in a stock 4wd suburban so I dont plan on hitting any real trails, but it would be fun to hit some out of the way camping areas. The ages of the kids are 11,10,6,4. I'd like to so some hiking but were limited to about 2 to 3 miles per hike with the young kids.
I'm wondering if I sould skip California and spend all of the time in southern Utah, or maybe save the Grand Canyon for a time when we can explore it and just tour southern California? I could save some time if I push it the first couple days driving while everyone is still excited about heading out west. Maybe trying to cover 14 hours a day?
Were planning on leaving August 1st, I expect it wil be hot hot hot in the desert, but how hot? Maybe it would be much cooler further north like in yosemite??
Any ideas? comments??
heres my plan so far
Day 1: Drive to Fall Creek Falls, TN. (9 hours 45 min)
Day 2: Drive to Hot Springs AR (8 hours 21 min)
Day 3: Drive to Fitch, TX lake Meridith (9hours 49 min)
Day 4: Petrified forest Holebrook, AZ (8hrs 42 min)
Day 5: to Grand Canyon south rim (3 hours 42 min)
Day6: rest and explore
Day7: drive to la coast area
Day8: drive part way up coastal hwy
Day 11: beach day
Day 12: drive further up coastal hwy
Day 13: make way over to Yosemite
Day14: explore
Day15: explore
Day 16: drive to sequoia and camp
Day 17: drive to Death Valley and explore
Day 18: drive to red rock canyon
Day 19: drive to Zion national park
Day20: drive to Bryce
Day 21: explore grand staircase
Day22: explore
Day23: start heading home
Day 24 head home
Day 25 head home