Quote:
Originally Posted by droopy0021
Life goals….did you do a TR? I will hopefully have time for such a trip in a few years and would be interested to know which parks you hit. My wife would love that too….not sure how dropping anchor in Vegas in June for a period to play (I’m a cash player) would go over, but I have time to figure that out.
On the way to the WSOP
Rocky MTN NP (Beautiful Early June still Snow at elevation and drove thru a Sleet Storm on the way to the Summit) Elevation change creates vastly different conditions in this park)
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP
Mesa Verde NP - Educational
CanyonLand NP (Mesa Arch alone makes this worth it)
Arches NP (Fantastic Can't miss Favorite)
Bryce Canyon NP (Fantastic Rim trail but I have a fear of heights so it's a love hate hike)
Zion NP (Beautiful but grossly over crowded never again in season)
North Rim of the Grand Canyon NP(Fantastic - drive to the Park and the forests are awesome)
LV: I did SHORT hikes a bit in Red Rock Canyon but didn't get to the Valley of Fire this year just too HOT.
South Rim of the Grand Canyon (Excellent great views -do Sunrise)
Petrified Forest (Neat and worth the heat 105 )
Walnut Canyon National Monument (lot of steps)
Petroglyph National Monument (Pass on this one literally surrounded by Albuquerque, NM )
Bandelier National Monument (smaller hidden gem definitely worth the drive)
Carlsbad Cavern NP (Well Worth the drive)
This year I am heading NORTH from LV July 11th
CanyonLand NP Repeat
Arches NP Repeat- Sunset at the Delicate Arch is bucket list
Grand Teton NP
Yellowstone NP 3 days
Glacier NP 3 days
Mount Rushmore on the way home to St Louis MO
Note: I am 70 but in decent shape but I am NOT a serious or true Hiker. Elevation doesn't affect me but I do have a fear of heights LOL. I limit my hikes to 5 - 7 miles a day unless they are very easy then Max 10. Hiking above 9,000 ft going up any hill is my max effort. Lower elevations I can manage inclines MUCH better unless steep slopes are involved. But almost all of the Parks have truly stunning drives so you don't HAVE to Hike much to see some terrific sites. I can pull these trips off for the MAYBE next couple of years so I am going to take maximum advantage of it.
Last edited by RealMcCoy; 01-08-2024 at 05:37 PM.