

| Subject: | Re: Southern Utah Advice? |
| From: | Bill Glenn |
| Date: | Thu, 26 Apr 2007 02:22:16 -0400 |
Jim, The month of May is an excellent time to visit southern Utah, and thereby avoid the heat of Summer; sixties and seventies during the day, but be prepared for cold nights. If you go to Bryce Canyon N.P. you'll be at 9000 feet, at which altitude you may experience sub-freezing temperatures overnight in May--nothing to be concerned about, just be prepared with the proper gear. Eight days may seem like a lot, especially if you've not had but a couple of days off for a number of years, but don't underestimate the distances traveling in the West; you didn't say how much traveling you've done in the West, but many Easterners and Europeans plan trips out here without understanding the size of the country. They try to see too much in too little time, and the vacation becomes more of a burden than a break. I'm guessing that Hollister to Zion National Park is about six hundred miles, and it will be easy to add another six hundred miles, and more, rather quickly in Utah. You could very easily spend half of your eight days sitting in the van, and as enjoyable as that may be in the rig you'll be driving, you won't really experience these special places in Utah unless you get out and hike. Get out early in the chill of the morning to enjoy the low-angle light and shadow on the red rock, when you will also experience some degree of solitude before most others are out and about. Similarly, evening, sundown, and the twilight afterward can be magical. These hikes will be what you remember, not the miles you drive to get to the next "attraction". Pick a couple of places, and spend the time to have a good look around, and save the rest for another day. Experience the magic, and you WILL be back. Bill
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