national parks in west...
Apr 2, 2013 | 9:52 am
#2
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Programs: AA 2MM - UA 1P / Hyatt Diamond - SPG Plat / Hertz 5* - Avis 1st
Posts: 3,933
Be sure to purchase an annual National Park pass, and then you can stop and visit any number of national parks and monuments as you travel.
Two astonishing visual treats in Utah are Zion and Bryce, and the Escalante and Cedar Breaks are fantastic drives, like something out of the beginning scenes of the original Planet of the Apes movie with Charlton Heston.
Arizona has the incredible Canyon de Chelly and the much better known Grand Canyon / Parashant, as well as Chiricahua, Petrified Forest and Sunset Crater Volcano for natural wonders. For Indian ruins, I recommend the Tuzigoot, Tonto and Wupatki pueblos and cliff dwellings.
Have a nice trip!
Two astonishing visual treats in Utah are Zion and Bryce, and the Escalante and Cedar Breaks are fantastic drives, like something out of the beginning scenes of the original Planet of the Apes movie with Charlton Heston.
Arizona has the incredible Canyon de Chelly and the much better known Grand Canyon / Parashant, as well as Chiricahua, Petrified Forest and Sunset Crater Volcano for natural wonders. For Indian ruins, I recommend the Tuzigoot, Tonto and Wupatki pueblos and cliff dwellings.
Have a nice trip!
Apr 4, 2013 | 3:15 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2012
Location: DCA, lived MCI, SEA/PDX,BUF (born/raised)
Programs: Marriott, IHG, Hyatt, Choice, AS, UA, WN
Posts: 10,707
What interests you? I have posted on other threads on here itineraries.
Cities to look at flying into....salt lake city, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, las Vegas.
The national parks pass covers all national parks, monuments, recreational areas. It does not cover state parks or tribal parks ( monument Vallley, canyon de chelly)
You can't do them all in one trip.
If I knew your days and where you want to fly into I could give you an itinerary.
Cities to look at flying into....salt lake city, Denver, Albuquerque, Phoenix, las Vegas.
The national parks pass covers all national parks, monuments, recreational areas. It does not cover state parks or tribal parks ( monument Vallley, canyon de chelly)
You can't do them all in one trip.
If I knew your days and where you want to fly into I could give you an itinerary.
Apr 4, 2013 | 7:15 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 10,978
I'm going to post about some national parks that I have been to that are often overlooked. First off is Great Basin National Park. It has some of the world's oldest trees (thousands of years old) that can be seen in a fairly easy hike. It is in Nevada but closer to SLC than to RNO or LAS.
http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisi...cone-pines.htm
This park is also noteworthy for its cave. The cave is not as big as is the cave system at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, but it is noteworthy in its own right for its "bacon." But being a national park, you can't bring it home.
http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisi...aves-tours.htm
Great Basin Bristlecone pines (Pinus longaeva) are remarkable for their great age and their ability to survive adverse growing conditions. In fact, it seems one secret to their longevity is the harsh environment in which most bristlecone pines grow.
Bristlecone pines in Great Basin National Park grow in isolated groves just below treeline. Conditions are harsh, with cold temperatures, a short growing season, and high winds. Bristlecone pines in these high-elevation environments grow very slowly, and in some years don't even add a ring of growth. This slow growth makes their wood very dense and resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and erosion....
The Wheeler Peak bristlecone pine grove, the most accessible grove in the park, is located on the northeast side of Wheeler Peak. It is unusual in that it grows on a glacial moraine consisting of quartzite boulders. Most groves grow on limestone or dolomite. The northeastern exposure of the Wheeler Peak grove is also unusual as most other groves have a generally southern or western exposure. The Wheeler Peak grove is reached by a 1.5 mile (3 miles round trip) trail from Wheeler Peak Campground. A short self-guided nature trail passes through a portion of the grove. During the summer, the park offers ranger-led interpretive walks in this grove. Check at the visitor center for a schedule.
Bristlecone pines in Great Basin National Park grow in isolated groves just below treeline. Conditions are harsh, with cold temperatures, a short growing season, and high winds. Bristlecone pines in these high-elevation environments grow very slowly, and in some years don't even add a ring of growth. This slow growth makes their wood very dense and resistant to insects, fungi, rot, and erosion....
The Wheeler Peak bristlecone pine grove, the most accessible grove in the park, is located on the northeast side of Wheeler Peak. It is unusual in that it grows on a glacial moraine consisting of quartzite boulders. Most groves grow on limestone or dolomite. The northeastern exposure of the Wheeler Peak grove is also unusual as most other groves have a generally southern or western exposure. The Wheeler Peak grove is reached by a 1.5 mile (3 miles round trip) trail from Wheeler Peak Campground. A short self-guided nature trail passes through a portion of the grove. During the summer, the park offers ranger-led interpretive walks in this grove. Check at the visitor center for a schedule.
This park is also noteworthy for its cave. The cave is not as big as is the cave system at Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota, but it is noteworthy in its own right for its "bacon." But being a national park, you can't bring it home.
http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisi...aves-tours.htm
Apr 5, 2013 | 8:21 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Posts: 10,978
Here is my next post about national parks in the west that often get overlooked: Lassen Volcanic National Park in California.
This park has extensive hiking trails. When I was a boy scout, we came here all the time to hike and camp. It also has the distinction of having been the most action volcano in the Lower-48 (prior to Mt. Saint Helen). In short, what you get here is a lot of the same stuff that you get at Yellowstone, without the crowds.
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
This park has extensive hiking trails. When I was a boy scout, we came here all the time to hike and camp. It also has the distinction of having been the most action volcano in the Lower-48 (prior to Mt. Saint Helen). In short, what you get here is a lot of the same stuff that you get at Yellowstone, without the crowds.
http://www.nps.gov/lavo/index.htm
Apr 7, 2013 | 1:48 pm
#6
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: Mileage Plus, Aadvantage, Skymiles, Marriott, Priority Club, SPG, Amtrak, Hertz
Posts: 834
I love the Ken Burns National Park documentary, I'd highly recommend seeing it before your trip. Also, a company called Green Tortoise runs bus trips to the National Parks out of SF. You might get some inspiration from their itineraries.