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Old 07-23-2014, 09:25 AM   #1
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ok, no camper yet, but…..

We are wanting to vacation either Utah National parks for a week (probably fly into Vegas) or Bend Oregon (fly into Portland). This will happen around the first of Sept. Which one should we do (weather wise, time wise, etc)? Just need some opinions from those of you that know way more than us on these areas of the country. Remember, we only have 1 week.
Thanks everyone!
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:39 AM   #2
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Are you renting a rig or buying a new/used rig or tenting or motel?
What do you like doing?
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Old 07-23-2014, 09:55 AM   #3
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The Bend area is nice, lot's to see and do but if you've never been to the Utah National Parks they are not to be missed - should be on everyone's bucket list. Have fun!
Safe travels and as always, Happy Trails!
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:02 AM   #4
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We did the Utah round (Zion, Bryce, and the GC) a couple years ago, flying in and out of Vegas. You can do it in a very busy week, we took 2 and included Sedona. I'd not do it in one but it can certainly be done.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:04 AM   #5
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We are wanting to vacation either Utah National parks for a week (probably fly into Vegas) or Bend Oregon (fly into Portland). This will happen around the first of Sept. Which one should we do (weather wise, time wise, etc)? Just need some opinions from those of you that know way more than us on these areas of the country. Remember, we only have 1 week.
Thanks everyone!
Big Lew, I was born in Utah and have visited every NP in the state many times. Everyone should visit these remarkable parks at least once in their life. Each Utah NP is different but they're all beautiful. The three I'd recommend as "not to be missed" are Zion, Arches and a much less visited one -- Bryce. Capital Reef is nice as well, but far less visited. Canyonlands is gorgeous, but again also less visited than Zion or Arches. One of my favorite vacations in southern Utah was spending a week exploring all the little canyons of Lake Powell on a houseboat. Of course you have to rent the boat, usually at some place like Bullfrog Basin, but its not as expensive as you think when you consider there are no restaurant or hotel bills.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:16 AM   #6
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Oh, and my second favorite was a whitewater rafting expedition down the Colorado. You'd fly into Moab. The trips are all inclusive and are reasonably affordable. They have short 1 or 2 day trips all the way up to a week or longer. You'll see beauty you will never forget, get your heart started, and yes, get wet a lot. They time it so at the end of each day you go ashore next to a roaring campfire and a home cooked meal. Fantastic.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:29 AM   #7
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Are you renting a rig or buying a new/used rig or tenting or motel?
What do you like doing?
We wish we had more time and if that was the case we would be renting, but we are using a motel.
I like biking, hiking, and just taking everything in, especially nature.
I just felt there would be no better place to get this info then from the folks here. You guys know EVERYTHING! We appreciate you too!
Lew
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:36 AM   #8
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We wish we had more time and if that was the case we would be renting, but we are using a motel.
I like biking, hiking, and just taking everything in, especially nature.
I just felt there would be no better place to get this info then from the folks here. You guys know EVERYTHING! We appreciate you too!
Lew
Well assuming its Utah (hint hint), there is great hiking in Zion and Bryce, and the Moab area (Arches area) is considered the mountain biking capital of the world.
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:42 AM   #9
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In October 2012 we camped at Tumalo State Park close to Bend Oregon. There are good motels in Bend, and lots of hiking around Smith Rock. Some photos here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/brian_...7631852421014/
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Old 07-23-2014, 10:59 AM   #10
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Would vote for Zion. 2 hour easy drive from Vegas. Check out Desert Pearl in Springdale for lodging- 2nd story room has big vaulted ceiling(get one on the river). It's on the Virgin River and close to everything. You take the free shuttle into the park. Easy.
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Old 07-23-2014, 12:23 PM   #11
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A view of Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing

Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing. It's a gook hike.
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Old 07-23-2014, 12:29 PM   #12
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Wow, that is beautiful, hope you do not mind, made it my computer screen display.
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Old 07-23-2014, 12:32 PM   #13
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Biglew, are you renting a vehicle at your final destination?
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Old 07-23-2014, 12:46 PM   #14
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This is a timely thread for us too. We're headed to Utah and Arizona in September, after a week in Yellowstone.
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Old 07-23-2014, 01:20 PM   #15
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Wow, that is beautiful, hope you do not mind, made it my computer screen display.
Of course not Jim. It's a stock photo. What I'd really like to see is Jon Vermilye's shots of the same place. His photos of Arches, Canyonlands, etc are superb.
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Old 07-23-2014, 05:02 PM   #16
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Biglew, are you renting a vehicle at your final destination?
yes, we are renting a vehicle. We are considering flying into Salt Lake City instead of Vegas. We think it might be a nice drive to the parks from there. Still undecided and need to get decided really quick! lol
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Old 07-23-2014, 06:08 PM   #17
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If you just have a week, I would recommend limiting what you try to see to one or two things, otherwise you will not get to see much of any area, and lots of the windshield.

The Oregon coast is beautiful, and lots to see and do in the Bend area. Utah offers lots of beautiful and diverse country. Zion would be an easy drive from Las Vegas, I have done it before. Lots of great hikes in Zion.

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Zion Canyon from Angel's Landing. It's a gook hike.
I did that hike solo a couple years ago. Nice view from up there.

When I did it, I left our campsite in Springdale at 7AM, took the bus up, blasted up taking photos along the way, took photos at the top, jogged down taking more photos, and was back at the campsite at 10:30. Felt great at the time, but afterwards......man, did my quads scream the next day though, and for a week afterward. Us older guys should take it easier, methinks.

Same view, wider angle, way earlier in the day with lots of shadow in the valley



Just to prove I was up there.



Some of the drops are straight down....... a long, long ways. LOL



And some of the route is quite narrow, and precipitous on both sides. Yes you have to keep going out to the top.

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Old 07-23-2014, 06:21 PM   #18
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I did that hike solo a couple years ago. Nice view from up there.

When I did it, I left our campsite in Springdale at 7AM, took the bus up, blasted up taking photos along the way, took photos at the top, jogged down, and was back at the campsite at 10;30. Felt great at the time, but afterwards......man, did my quads scream the next day though, and for a week afterward. Us older guys should take it easier, methinks.
I'm hurting just reading about it! Ditto on the age thing. Can't understand why my mind says yes and my body says forget about it....
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Old 07-23-2014, 07:04 PM   #19
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I'm hurting just reading about it! Ditto on the age thing. Can't understand why my mind says yes and my body says forget about it....
Psst. I added some photos to my post.
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Old 07-23-2014, 07:13 PM   #20
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Nice! I did it years ago, and I remember thinking "just how solid is this chain?"
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