Road trip to UT/AZ (Antelope Canyon/Monument Valley) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MBeige · #1 06-02-2014, 11:52 PM

Hi folks,

My family is planning a road trip from southern CA to Antelope Canyon/Monument Valley in UT/AZ around last week of June.

What should I expect in terms of:

1. Road conditions
2. Weather conditions
3. Photography locations
4. Hiking conditions
5. Wildlife conditions

I ask because we'll be bringing my 7-month old son along. Is it practical to bring him along during the tours? We plan to go to the Slots and I hear it's a lot of steep climbing/hiking down into the slots themselves, very narrow spaces, etc. Probably not stroller-friendly.

However, the Monument Valley would be better it seems since it's above-ground.

We also plan to visit the Horseshoe Bend but I hear it's a 20-minute hike to get to the point. Is this one stroller-friendly?

From what I've been reading it seems weather will be in the 80's to 90's since it's high altitude desert and this time of year. So we'll be bringing lots of bottled water along. I will try to pack my camera gear light, maybe just slap on the 12-24mm to the D300 and leave it there. Then I can probably slap on the 10.5mm fisheye on the D90 to have something to play with.

Originally I wanted to bring the Subaru Forester but the total adults will be 5, plus 2 kids, so it seems a rental minivan would be better, both in fuel cost and practicality. I calculated the trip to be 1350 miles at least (we'll be driving the whole time), 21 hours minimum drive time, 4 full tanks at 20mpg average. Are there restrictions on where rental cars can be driven to? What's a good rental company that has no restrictions to UT, NV or AZ?

What should I worry about in terms of wildlife, aside from the fellow tourists? Considering we'll be bringing my son around I want to be sure he's safe.

Curious to get feedback from those who have trekked these locations before, and what to expect? Thanks!

pj67coll · #2 06-03-2014, 12:10 AM

I envy you your trip. Never managed to make it to those locations myself.

So I can't comment apart from saying that you are right to take a minivan at least. Suburban would be preferable in my opinion. Far to long a drive to be cramped in an inadequate vehicle. I would have my doubts about taking a stroller into any slot canyon. As for danger. I'd suspect nothing from nature except the possibility of flash floods which are something you need to be aware of and consider.

Others with more experience in these specific locations will be better able to comment. Would love to see the pic's when you're done.

- Peter.

pj67coll · #3 06-03-2014, 12:14 AM

From googling pics of Antelope Canyon it appears there is a very steep ladder down into it. So taking a stroller along may not be an option.

- Peter.

elchivito · #4 06-03-2014, 01:58 AM

I lived in that country for nearly a dozen years. Stick to Monument Valley. Taking a stroller into Antelope is NOT an option. Antelope is full of crowds nearly year round these days. It's been "discovered". I had - how to put it- "close" relations- back in the late 80s there, before anybody but the locals knew about it.
The weather will be dry, hot as the dickens and windy. Count on it.
Wildlife?
Plenty of sheep, ravens and vultures.

elchivito · #5 06-03-2014, 02:05 AM

Failed to mention. Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley aren't exactly next door to each other. Consider looking into a one day float trip on the Colorado from the dam to Lee's Ferry, with a shuttle back to Page, the nearest town to Antelope. No rapids on that piece. I suspect, but don't know for certain that they might allow infants. We did when I worked for one of the river companies back in the early 80s. Lots of photography ops in Glen Canyon. Again, it'll be hot and the river is too cold and too swift to do anything but stick your feet in.

Jim B. · #6 06-03-2014, 02:15 AM

Patrick your pictures from the Monument Valley would be EPIC, with your professional photographer's eye, great equipment and your highly astute sense of composition.

For safety and the comfort of your precious family, I'd suggest (if I may) perhaps rental of a really large SUV like a GMC Yukon Denali XL, Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition or a Toyota Sequoia.

I have nothing to do with those monster SUVs, but on a family (which I do not have) outing like this one, I think they are good vehicles *IF* you make full use of their carrying capacity. I'd add that the air conditioning on the American ones are pretty bulletproof, too!

It sounds like a good idea to me to rent - not own one - for occasional cases like this, they are a big waste to horse around in, with a single occupant driving them utterly unladen, which most owners tend to be.

Can't wait to see your photos and narrative! You never disappoint!

Stay safe and enjoy the road trip!

Jim B. · #7 06-03-2014, 02:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

Failed to mention. Antelope Canyon and Monument Valley aren't exactly next door to each other. Consider looking into a one day float trip on the Colorado from the dam to Lee's Ferry, with a shuttle back to Page, the nearest town to Antelope. No rapids on that piece. I suspect, but don't know for certain that they might allow infants. We did when I worked for one of the river companies back in the early 80s. Lots of photography ops in Glen Canyon. Again, it'll be hot and the river is too cold and too swift to do anything but stick your feet in.

My god that is majestic and beautiful. I'd love to go and see that area. My interest was really stoked after seeing the Monument Valley scenes in the movie "Thelma and Louise", and flying over the Grand Canyon in a small airplane (snow @ the North rim and sun on the south rim).

The Arches area in Utah isn't too far away either. They are on my list too.

Mölyapina · #8 06-03-2014, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Patrick your pictures from the Monument Valley would be EPIC, with your professional photographer's eye, great equipment and your highly astute sense of composition.

For safety and the comfort of your precious family, I'd suggest (if I may) perhaps rental of a really large SUV like a GMC Yukon Denali XL, Chevy Suburban, Ford Expedition or a Toyota Sequoia.

I would honestly get a minivan. It should have enough room for seven people and their luggage and get something in the 20s in terms of MPG while being (compared to a full-size SUV) easy to park & maneuver.

Stretch · #9 06-03-2014, 06:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBeige

...
I ask because we'll be bringing my 7-month old son along. Is it practical to bring him along during the tours?

... Probably not stroller-friendly...

...Is this one stroller-friendly?...

...Considering we'll be bringing my son around I want to be sure he's safe...

Stroller as in push chair? Push chair? You must be mad! I assume he has strong neck muscles by now - baby back pack is in my opinion the way forward - whilst some of them can get a bit uncomfortable for the adult donkey there are some really good ones out there much like decent rucksacks that allow your back (or your front) to breath. A decent backpack - is in my opinion the safest and friendliest way to transport a (one) baby.

My children liked the forward facing versions best as they could see what was coming rather than the back of my neck.

Take a long a small foldable light weight push chair but leave it in the car! Effing stoopid things...

...I hate traveling with push chairs even though with twins you have little choice.

Jim B. · #10 06-03-2014, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stretch

Stroller as in push chair? Push chair? You must be mad! I assume he has strong neck muscles by now - baby back pack is in my opinion the way forward - whilst some of them can get a bit uncomfortable for the adult donkey there are some really good ones out there much like decent rucksacks that allow your back (or your front) to breath. A decent backpack - is in my opinion the safest and friendliest way to transport a (one) baby.

My children liked the forward facing versions best as they could see what was coming rather than the back of my neck.

Take a long a small foldable light weight push chair but leave it in the car! Effing stoopid things...

...I hate traveling with push chairs even though with twins you have little choice.

Err, a Stroller is NOT a wheelchair.

A push chair is the British term for a wheelchair. ie:

<---- NOT the proper conveyance for a 7 month old child.

Patrick knows that. I don't think he has that in mind.

Stretch · #11 06-03-2014, 06:56 AM

Hee hee!

Push chair is for children - kind of like a pram (that thing Tom Walgamuth just bought) but for a child to sit up in a kind of reclined position...

MBeige · #12 06-04-2014, 12:43 AM

Thanks guys for the tips!

I too am leaning with the SUV especially if we can get a discount on the rental, the fuel expense might even it out.

My son currently uses this caddy, where the car seat is placed on top (locked in place). I just used the term stroller since I thought it was more appropriate. Seems like the baby back pack might be more appropriate in this case.

He is already 7 months old so he can now stand up on his own but still needs to lean on something to maintain upright position.

As for the photographs, I'll get my 12-24mm f/4 ready on the D300, and the 10.5mm f/2.8 fisheye on the D90. I hope to take just as good shots, if not better, as I did during our Yosemite trip a while back. Thanks for your vote of confidence, I'll try to meet your expectations Jim!

Doing my research, Monument Valley is at least an hour and a half away from Antelope Canyon. So it'll definitely allow us to spend a day there, so we won't waste too much time on the road. The plan is to head to Page, AZ on Day 1. Day 2 will be Antelope Canyon and Lake Powell, Day 3 will be Monument Valley, and Day 4 will be return trip home. It's an 8 hour drive going to and from Page, AZ from southern CA. With some breaks and my baby, that will easily be at least 10 hours.

t walgamuth · #13 06-04-2014, 06:47 AM

I am a bit concerned about hiking with a young child where dehydration might be an issue for him.

I endorse the backpack. I hiked with all my kids in them. They're wonderful.

I also would not take a youngster in a boat/ river trip. We did it with our three oldest once when the third daughter was still in diapers on a small creek near here and had two close calls. I had her right between my legs but she managed to go head first into the creek while we were moving along. Luckily I grabbed her pants with one hand and pulled her right back into the canoe. Within fifteen minutes we hit a hidden tree branch and tipped the canoe on its side.

Have fun but be careful!

elchivito · #14 06-04-2014, 08:21 AM

The boats used on the Glen Canyon floats are 22 ft. inflatable pontoon boats with 75 horse outboards. It's all flat water on that stretch. I see one of the companies operating those trips requires kids to be >4years old. They want them big enough to wear a PFD.

t walgamuth · #15 06-04-2014, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elchivito

The boats used on the Glen Canyon floats are 22 ft. inflatable pontoon boats with 75 horse outboards. It's all flat water on that stretch. I see one of the companies operating those trips requires kids to be >4years old. They want them big enough to wear a PFD.

That sounds pretty safe.