After heading out there last year, I have been wanting to return and hit some of the best trails and try a few new ones in the process. I am eliminating Fruita Colorado from the itinerary this time, because it is a bit out of the way. I am doing the entire trip in reverse this time, with Moab being the last spot. Last year I missed some key points of interest, such as Monument Valley, which I am going to be taking in this year.
My itinerary takes me from Tampa to Lafayette, LA. the first day, then to Amarillo Texas the next. Third day arrival is in Sedona, where I plan on camping somewhere along Oak Creek Canyon. I am thinking of CAVE SPRINGS campground.
Sedona is a good place to start riding, since the lower elevations will help me acclimate for some of the other riding. Bell Rock Pathway is a good warmup ride, and I may try out some of the other trails out toward Flagstaff as well. I plan on being in Sedona for 3 days.
I'm then heading north on 89 toward Page, where I will be staying at Lees Ferry Campground. This is primitive camping at its best, and one of the few areas where you can actually access the Colorado River without climbing down a cliff. While in Page, I plan on hiking back out to Horseshoe Bend and taking some evening pictures, taking in another tour at Antelope Canyon, doing some kayaking on Lake Powell, and visitng "The Chains" area, which runs off 89 right before the Glen Canyon Dam. This is one of the only other places (aside from Lone Rock Beach) that you can actually access Lake Powell without a boat. It doesn't have a sandy beach, however- it's all sandstone, so I have to make sure I lug some chairs out there. Should be a good site to launch the kayaks from, too. One of the days I also plan on hitting the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I have usually just visited the south rim, but I have heard so many nice things about the North Rim I think I have to go see it. I plan on being in Page for 3 nights as well.
Going up into Utah, I am going to the "cannot miss" ride once again- Thunder Mountain. Camping at Red Canyon this time, which should make for a nice base camp. The tough part will be heading up to Coyote Hollow and THEN riding the whole trail. But at least I can just crash right at the campground at the base of the trail. You HAVE to ride Thunder Mountain clockwise... I only plan on being here for one night. Gonna try to squeeze in a hike on Navajo Loop to the bottom of Bryce again. I plan on leaving Page early on the first day, then doing the hike in the afternoon. The next day I plan on getting up early to ride Thunder, and then packing up and heading to Moab in the afternoon.
I've already booked the Devil's Garden Campground in Arches NP for my stay in Moab, but only for two nights. I want to spend the last night in a hotel just to enjoy the last night in comfort.
This campground is highly rated, and is also very picturesque. The next day I plan on exploring Canyonlands and Arches NP.
The following day I plan on taking a kick ass MTB ride with Utah Outventures ... this is a killer ride down the Schaffer Trail in Canyonlands, along some of the canyon rims down in the National Park, and then into a jet boat for a ride along the Colorado. This night I plan on resting in a comfy hotel room with a hot shower- I am gonna need it after this ride.
On my departure day from Moab, I plan on cruising right through Monument Valley on my way to Amarillo, TX. This will be a long day of driving, but the scenery will be incredible. I am NOT missing Monument Valley this time.
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