West - NV-AZ-NM-NV road trip thoughts

Hi all,

I have been thinking/planning to undertake a road trip in early October with a following itinerary:

Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Boulders resort - Santa Fe - Ship Rock - Page ( "the Wave") - Las Vegas.

Any guidelines/suggestions/things I should think of/book ahead?

Specifically I would appreciate any advise on visiting Shiprock and the Wave.

Thanks!

Shiprock lies in a fairly desolate area (desert, duh !) and the town of the same name is umm... unremarkable.

Use Farmington NM as your base and you can also do Aztec (http://www.aztecnm.com/) and Chaco Canyon (http://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm) but quite likely to still be blisteringly hot in early Oct. Bring LOTS of water.

If you have time take US84 from Farmington to Santa Fe, it's spectacular. The other option (US550) is incredibly boring, but you would be able to say you'd been to Cuba ;) .

Thanks! It seems that I will be able to take the nicer route. How close is it possible to get to the ship rock itself? Any specific permits required ? ( I am aware of the fact that one cannot climb it).

How close is it possible to get to the ship rock itself? Any specific permits required ? ( I am aware of the fact that one cannot climb it).Close enough. Too close and you can't see it anyway, it's too big. It is on private (Navajo) land but no permission is required if you stick to the single tourist route.

Las Vegas - Grand Canyon - Boulders resort - Santa Fe - Ship Rock - Page ( "the Wave") - Las Vegas.


Is this the Boulders Resort in North Scottsdale? Sounds a bit out of the way. And early October can still be quite warm.

Since you'll be so close, have you considered the ABQ Balloon Fiesta? It is typically in early October. Hotels can be a challenge, but I've found something even 2-3 weeks prior (just have to be a bit creative).

I've been in Farmington, Shiprock, and that area for work a few times, once in October. I don't remember it being warm; actually cool mornings, with pleasant afternoon temperatures. But then again, I live in the PHX area, so warmth is all relative. (I have been in Farmington in summer when it was warm--100ish as well as in winter when it was cold with snow).

I'd agree that the Boulders seems a bit inconguous with the rest of the trip unless you plan a longer stay there to make the detour worth your while.

How about something a bit closer to I-40 (Flagstaff, Sedona) to break up your march across N.Arizona?

Bring LOTS of water.
That bit of advice can't be stressed enough. If you're not used to being there, you'll be astonished at how quickly you can dehydrate in the desert even when it's not particularly hot outside. When I travel out west, my first stop after picking up my rental car is a local grocery store where I buy a case of bottled water to keep in the back seat within easy reach while I'm driving.

Thanks fro the replies!

I realize the Boulders is a detour - but as you have said I intend to spend 2-3 days there - as a destination of its own,while stopping in Jerome to refresh on the way. From Boulders I will probably go to the ABQ balloon fiesta, then stop over at Sanat Fe, and then to Shiprock and Page , before returning to LAS.

I think that I am OK with the desert climate ( done a similar trip in Namibia before). What weather should I expect in October? still in the 100s ? 90s?

What weather should I expect in October? still in the 100s ? 90s?Always possible but not usual. More like 80s dropping to 30-40s, but as noted above very dry so the heat isn't the only factor.