The route for circle tour lies in the Four Corners region of the US Southwest, comprising the state of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona and is also part of the Colorado Plateau. It has the highest concentration of National Parks, National Monuments and Scenic Byways in the US.
After actually looking at the map and consulting MapQuest, taking Las Vegas (LV) as a stepping off point for the combined Yosemite and Circle Tours can also be considered,
The following time and milage information to support that.
San Jose to Zion NP via Bakersfield and LV 10hr42/683miles
San Jose to Yosemite, 3hr49/193miles
Yosemite to Zion via Tioga Pass 9hr48/534miles
Las Vegas to Zion 2hr34/155miles
Las Vegas to Yosemite via Tioga 7hr34/414miles
Within the Grand Circle:
Zion NP to Bryce Canyon NP 2hr30/113miles
Bryce Canyon NP to Capitol Reef NP 2hr59/115miles
Capitol Reef to Canyonland NP (Moab) 2hr59/159miles
Canyonland NP to Arches NP (Moab) Just across the Rd
Arches NP to Monument Valley (Blanding) 1hr14/75miles
Monument Valley to Mesa Verde NP 2hr14/112miles
Mesa Verde to Canyon de Chelly NM 3hr54/178miles
Canyon de Chelly to North Rim (GrandCanyon) 6hr03/305miles
Canyon de Chelly to South Rim (GrandCanyon) 4hr28/236miles
North Rim to San Jose 13hr03/687miles
South Rim to San Jose 11hr26/706mile
North Rim to Yosemite (via Tioga) 13hr03/687miles
South Rim to Yosemite (via Bakersfield) 13hr52/823miles
Conclusion:
A long distance drive cannot be avoided disregard the point of departure, San Jose or LV. In both situation,it is at the end of the first leg.
Driving within the Circle is very easy comparatively, see above.
Suggestion:
That we should all fly into either LV or San Jose (SF). Rent a car. Do the trip and then take another flight to connect LV and San Jose (SF) to do the remaining trip with another rental car.
It is more expensive but it sure saves a lot of driving. The circle trip requires a duration of minimum of 10 days to an optional of 12 to 14 days. How it is done is up to you.
The purpose of this message is to help you to think about the possibility of the proposed trip. It is hard to do without the information. Now you have it. Think about it during the grey winter months and let us know in next spring. So unless there is something else. Have a good warm winter. |
發表於 2009-10-27 00:41:19
