June Rockies/Great Plains Road Trip Advice???
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Johnny D
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Hey everyone!
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Kai and I are scrambling to plan a 10-day trip from Berkeley to the Salt Lake City area, starting as early as this Saturday. We've been thinking about exploring the northern areas, like Yellowstone, Glacier NP, Devil's Tower, Badlands NP,Mount Rushmore, Rocky Mountain NP, and perhaps a couple of stops in Utah (maybe Capitol Reef NP).
I know, it looks like an insane amount of driving, so I'm wondering if it would be better to check out Glacier NP during another trip. Or perhaps not going too deep into the Dakotas.
I'm also wondering if there are some lesser-known areas/attractions that may be more worthwhile than the "main events."
As always, we'll have our Toyota Prius, which has been a dependable road warrior, but not quite suitable for rough dirt roads.
Also, how's the weather up north at this time? Still pretty cold and snowy?
Thanks for any advice you may have,
Johnny D 
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Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: 19.5 Degrees
You might want to check on
You might want to check on the status of the main connector road at Glacier, since I believe it takes a while for them to open it up early season due to snow melt / removal. If its closed, you can still get to the East side, but it's a little bit more driving & you kind of lose out on one of the "heart of the bits" (at least from the perspective of one sticking to pavement). The Canadian "portion" of Glacier is spectactular as well -- was there two summers ago for the first time, and very well worth the trip. However, you can't go wrong with Yellowstone either. Maybe try and play it by ear re: weather in terms of hitting the higher elevations when the weather is nice there and visiting desert canyon areas when the it's raining / cooler in the higher elevations.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
There's plenty to do and see
There's plenty to do and see in the Utah to Yellowstone area - might be too much to fit in Glacier and Dakotas as well.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: My Name is
ZION
ZION
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
Thanks for the advice. We
Thanks for the advice. We may wish to skip Glacier NP so early in the year (I've heard that they have blizzards up there in August!)
Kai and I have visited Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, etc on previous trips.
I notice that there is a pretty good concentration of sites around the Badlands/Wind Cave/Mt. Rushmore area. We may take the long drive out there and make our way back to Utah via Rocky Mountain, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, etc.
Anyone been to Dinosaur National Monument?
Cheers,
JD
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lord Kalvert
Weather is finally warming up
Weather is finally warming up in Utah- just got back from the Grand Canyon and Monument Valley- twas spectacular- check other thread
Zion- very crowded
Bryce- - good choice- about 3 hours from SLC
Dinosaur- not too crowded - good choice
Don't forget the liquor stores in Evanston WY
have fun
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Highnote
Dinosaur is cool because you
Dinosaur is cool because you get to see bones that were uncovered but not removed.
Cool places to camp near there.
Steamboat Springs a couple of hours away - Strawberry Springs, Mt Zirkel Wilderness
Lake Granby and the western side of Rocky Mountain National Park
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
If you go to Yellowstone (you
If you go to Yellowstone (you could spend a week there) be sure to get into the back country a bit, even for a day hike. Amazing how the crowds thin out just a half mile down any trail.
Between Yellowstone and the Black Hills is the Bighorn Range. Good camping up there and you can check out the ancient and mysterious "medicine wheel":
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicine_Wheel/Medicine_Mountain_National_...
Little Bighorn Battlefield is not too far away from that just on the Montana side of the border. Great interpretive center and the graves of Custer's fallen army are scattered all about right where the Sioux left them.
As for the weather, I have seen it snow in every month of the year in Wyoming, but in general the roads should be snow free by June, except for some remote high up areas where you wouldn't want to take the Prius. Just bring layers.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GoneGoodbye
Salt Lake City = Red Iguana
Salt Lake City = Red Iguana Mexican Restaurant
http://www.rediguana.com
Do not miss it!
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Johnny D
^Yum!
^Yum!
I think that the last time I set foot in SLC was 1985 (drove through in '92).
Would be fun to check it out a little bit.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Sycamore Slough
I would say Glacier is a trip
I would say Glacier is a trip of its own, due to distance and logistics. Check the map. Idaho Panhandle driving Interstate hwy is extremely scenic. About the best I've seen; bring fishing gear, get a day license & kill Trout.
I visited Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments in a day, with a Local who knew the area. She drove to all the right places and did not get lost. She was living in Rapid City then, and had a Jeep. But Prius would be fine.
Adjacent to Rushmore paid tourist area is a State or Nat'l Park. So if you haven't the time or inclination to be on multi-hour paid guided tour, you can park there, hike, explore and still have a great view of the Mt. Rushmore all for free. Bring your rock-hound gear (hint-hint) the local rocks are full of surprises. At the very least you'll get some nice Mica.
Crazy Horse might be more of a bet to go in the AM and pay the admission price. There are many interesting attractions aside from the Humongous CH carving.
Tell you more later...
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: treat island
Oh boy! Another episode of
Oh boy! Another episode of Johnny and Kai go exploring! I'm really looking forward to it.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Lord Kalvert
there are two Red Iguanas -
there are two Red Iguanas - if the original is too packed go to the annex about 2 blocks to the south.
Get the flautas