Zion. Bryce. Canyonlands. These places have been a whisper in my ear since I moved back to the United States two years ago and realized how much of my own country I have yet to see. In one week, I’ll be visiting these bucket-list destinations in Southern Utah on an epic camping and hiking trip with my good friends Samira and Alex.
Every trip is actually three: the one we anticipate, the one we take, and the one we remember. Today I’m on that first trip. I’m all abuzz with excitement as I Google pieces of the itinerary (carefully hand-crafted by the amazing Alex) and find out a little more about the places we’ll be exploring.
The itinerary
Sat March 23: Leave Denver extra early to get to Zion National Park. Spend that day sightseeing and warm-up hiking in Zion Canyon.
Sun March 24: Hike the remote and spectacular Kolob Canyons portion of Zion.
Mon March 25: Hike to the Northgate Peaks and Wildcat Canyon Trail in Zion.
Tue March 26: Explore Bryce Canyon National Park.
Wed March 27: Explore the Kodachrome Basin area of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Thu March 28: Explore the Hole-in-the-Rock region of Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument
Fri March 29: Drive to Eagle and, on the way, hike to Hanging Lake
Sat March 30: Drive back to Denver, leaving early, 2 hour drive
Most looking forward to:
~ slot canyons
~ being remote, off the grid and offline for days on end
~ challenging hikes
~ the company of the two biggest National Parks fanatics I know
~ time in the desert
This post is February’s addition to my Ambassador series for VacationRoost.com
It all sounds like a lot of fun but I would have died on that itinerary. I’m gettin too old for that! I hope you had the time of your life.
I love the national parks in Southern Utah, especially Zion. I also love to visit Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in the area.