Best of the West 8-Day Yellowstone to Las Vegas Tour Itinerary

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1 Map of the trip Best of the West 8-Day Yellowstone to Las Vegas Tour Itinerary Yellowstone National Park to Las Vegas, NV Day 1 ~ Yellowstone ~ World s First National Park ~ A Mega Volcano Included sites Grizzly Overlooks Norris Geyser Basin Upper & Lower Falls in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Optional hike to top of Lower Falls Views from Lookout, Grandview, Inspiration and Artist Points Optional Sites Mammoth Hot Springs Mammoth Hot Springs: An intricately tiered wedding cake etched in sedimentary rock and bathed in amber cascades, Mammoth Hot Springs is a vibrantly colorful feast for the eyes. Things to Do & Places to Visit Look for bears and wolves, elk and buffalo in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys. Discover Fort Yellowstone and learn about the park's history. Hiking, camping, fishing, enjoying exhibits and films, and attending Ranger-led programs are among the many ways you can enjoy Yellowstone National Park. Activities in or just outside the park includes hiking, ATV rides, horseback riding, fishing, photography, visits to history and animal museums, and air flights. 1

2 Day 2 ~ Iconic Yellowstone ~ Old Faithful Geyser Included sites Yellowstone Lake Continental Divide Crossings Old Faithful Geyser Upper, Midway, and Lower Geyser Basins Grand Prismatic Spring Optional sites Yellowstone River Firehole Lake Drive Firehole Canyon Great Fountain Geyser Fountain Paint Pot YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK As the world s oldest and one of its most famous National Parks, Yellowstone is an experience like none other. Featuring more geysers and thermal features than any other location on the planet, Yellowstone also lays claim to 3,468 square miles (8,980 km 2 ) of pristine mountain-range wilderness with over 290 waterfalls, the largest highaltitude lake in North America, the largest super volcano on the continent, and a delightful collection of American wildlife, including grizzly bears, wolves, and free ranging herds of elk, moose, pronghorn, and bison. When visiting Yellowstone National Park, you will have the opportunity to experience sites and activities such as these: Old Faithful: Possibly the world s most famous geyser, Old Faithful is legendary for its spectacular and regular eruptions, thrusting 3,700 to 8,400 U.S. gallons (14 32 liters) of scalding water to a dizzying height of 106 to185 feet (30 56 m). Yellowstone River: The north-flowing Yellowstone River takes two major plunges within a quarter mile (400 m) of each other, first in leaving the picturesque Hayden Valley, and then secondly when plummeting an awesome 308 feet (33 m) into the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Yellowstone Lake: At an elevation of 7,732 feet (2,376 m), Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-altitude lakes in North America. Its 136 square miles (352 km²) of pristine waters lay peacefully atop the Yellowstone Caldera, the biggest super volcano on the continent. 2

3 Day 3 ~ Jackson Hole & Grand Teton NP Included sites Lewis Lake Lewis Falls Lewis River Canyon Moose Falls Rockefeller Parkway drive Grand Teton National Park Jackson Lake and Lookout Grand Teton Mountain Range o Mt. Moran o Mt. Owen o The 3 Tetons Colter Bay GRAND TETON, WYOMING Formed and filled by glacial ice, picturesque Jenny Lake lies in the very heart of Grand Teton National Park at the base of the Cathedral Group, the Tetons foremost peaks. Jenny s sapphire waters beckon kayakers and canoeists, while her numerous hiking trails offer subtly changing vistas of her glorious surroundings to all who traverse them. The jawdropping grandeur of Grand Teton National Park s stunning landscape is enthralling, with jagged, snowcapped peaks jutting abruptly from the sagecovered valley floor below, where surging rivers and babbling brooks course through dense forests and wetlands into pristine glacial lakes. Extending across northwestern Wyoming in a majestic 484 square mile (1,250 km 2 ) swath, this geographical mosaic radiates the breathtaking splendor of nature, attracting nearly four million admirers every year. 3

4 Day 4 ~ JACKSON, WYOMING Fabulous Scenery & Wildlife in the Hole Included sites Optional sites Logan Canyon Bear Lake Snake River Cattleman s Bridge Site Oxbow Bend Jackson Lake Dam Signal Mtn. Jenny Lake including a scenic boat ride Jackson Hole Moose Junction Antelope Flats National Elk Refuge Teton Glacier Turnout Snake River National Museum of Wildlife Art Teton Raptor Center Scenic back-country drives A verdant alpine glen encircled by towering mountain ranges, Jackson Hole became the crossroads of the fur trade in the northern Rockies. It was given its name by the mountain men who trekked and trapped their way across the West in the early 1800 s. The name Hole is a local term referring to the feeling of sinking deep into the ground one gets when looking up at the encompassing peaks. Not only does Jackson Hole sit at the very base of the soaring Teton Range on the west, it is supplemented by the Gros Ventres Range to the east, the Wyoming Mountains to the south, and Yellowstone National Park to the north. This 48-mile-long (77 km) valley forms a large portion of Grand Teton National Park, and also contains the National Elk Refuge, home of the largest elk herd in the world. 4

5 Day 5 ~ Unusual Mountains, Rivers & Lakes ~ Park City, Utah Included sites Mountain Passes Spotted Wolf Canyon Park City, Utah Western Park City old town shopping & dining o Olympic Park PARK CITY, UTAH Park City is a city in Summit County, Utah, United States. It is considered to be part of the Wasatch Back. The population was 7,558 at the 2010 census. On average, the tourist population greatly exceeds the number of permanent residents. After a population decline following the shutdown of the area's mining industry, the city rebounded during the 1980s and 1990s through an expansion of its tourism business. The city currently brings in a yearly average of $529,800,000 to the Utah Economy as a tourist hot spot, $80,000,000 of which is attributed to the Sundance Film Festival. The ski resorts, Deer Valley and Park City Mountain were the major locations for ski and snowboarding events at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Outdoor-oriented businesses such as backcountry.com, Rossignol USA, and Skullcandy have their headquarters in Park City. GREAT BASIN What is the Great Basin? It is defined by the way the water flows or drains when there is something to drain. It is an area roughly 200,000 square miles (518,000 km2 ), or one-fifth of the Western US, where creeks and rivers flow inland to terminal lakes, marshes, salt flats and sinks, rather than to the sea. Geologically, the Great Basin is part of the larger Basin and Range province, a section of the earth that is inexorably being pulled apart. Reno and Salt Lake City move one human step farther apart each century. Geology more than anything else defines the Great Basin with its characteristic mountain ranges, tilted fault blocks that rise gradually on one side and drop precipitously off the other. It s geology determines it s hydrology. Nevada occupies most of this ragged heart-shaped Great Basin territory. The Great Basin also embraces western Utah, southeastern Oregon, and California east of the Sierra. 5

6 Day 6 ~ A Canyon Kaleidoscope, Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks Included sites at Bryce Canyon are: Red Canyon Hoodoos Natural Bridge Sunset Point Inspiration Point Yovimpa Point ACTIVITIES A short hike is planned within the hoodoos and canyons of Bryce Canyon BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK Located in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is a geologic masterpiece considered by many to be the most colorful of all the National Parks. Sometimes referred to as a forest of stone, Bryce is unique due to its thousands of delicately carved spires, called hoodoos, which rise in brilliant color from the canyon floor. Centuries of wind, water, and geologic mayhem have etched what was once mere sedimentary rock into towering pinnacles and immense amphitheaters. These superb formations stretch for miles along the eastern edge of the 9,000 foot high (2,743 meters) Paunsaugunt Plateau. Evening and early morning light bring the brilliant hues of these formations to life, giving them a lustrous transparent glow. It is just a quarter of the size of Zion National Park. With rim elevations that vary between 8,000 and 9,000 feet (2,400 to 2,700 meters), Bryce canyon transcends over 2,000 feet (650 meters) of elevation and three distinct climatic zones. This diversity of habitat provides for high biodiversity. Over 160 species of birds, dozens of mammals, and more than 1,000 plant species proliferate within the canyons and plateau that compose Bryce. While touring in the park one may see black bears, bobcats, coyotes, foxes, ground squirrels, marmots, mule deer, prairie dogs, pronghorn antelope, Rocky Mountain elk, and even possibly mountain lions. Should one care to search, one may find migratory hummingbirds, peregrine falcon, swifts, swallows, jays, nuthatches, ravens, eagles, owls, and California condors taking wing. Bordering the rim of the canyon are ponderosa pines, high elevation meadows and firspruce forests, beyond which spread panoramic views of three states, up to 160 miles 6

7 (260 km) distant. This area boasts some of the nation's best air quality, which, coupled with the lack of nearby large light sources, creates unparalleled opportunities for stargazing. Stargazers can see 7,500 stars with the naked eye, contrasted with the 2,000 or less that can be seen most other places. Bryce s namesake, Ebenezer Bryce, a Mormon pioneer who homesteaded in the area in the late 1800 s, described his namesake canyon as a "helluva place to lose a cow. This remains true today, as the throng of intertwining slot canyons, spires, and hoodoos define a labyrinthine web that is exhilarating to explore. Some of the many activities one can enjoy at Bryce Canyon National Park are hiking, horseback riding, ATV rides, wagon rides, rodeos, helicopter and airplane tours, auto tours, photography, camping, biking, off-roading, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as well as stargazing events and evening programs on astronomy, nocturnal animals, and night sky protection. Bryce also holds annual astronomy festivals and winter festivals. Reservations are required for most of these activities and they are not all available every day of the week. Explore Zion National Park What You Will Experience Enjoy a short drive to & through Zion National Park, with a few stops along the way. Included sites are: Checkerboard Mesa One-Mile Tunnel Zion Canyon Shuttle Tour Riverside Walk Emerald Pools The Virgin River Bridge ACTIVITIES A short hike is planned within Zion Canyon ZION NATIONAL PARK To experience Zion, you need to walk among the towering cliffs, or challenge your courage in a small narrow canyon. Massive canyon walls ascend toward a brilliant blue sky. These unique sandstone cliffs range in color from cream, to pink, and to red. They could be described as sand castles crowning desert canyons. As Utah's oldest and most visited national park, Zion s topography is an exquisite spectacle of canyon mesa country. Encompassing one of the most scenic cliff-andcanyon landscapes in the USA, Zion s 229 square miles (593 km) are internationally known for their dramatic canyons, towering rock faces, overhanging cliffs, sparkling waterfalls, hanging valleys, high plateaus, rock formations, dripping springs, shaded pools, and particularly for the Virgin River Narrows you ll take a short 20 minute walk each way down the Riverside Walk toward the Virgin River Narrows, one of the premier 7

8 hikes on the Colorado Plateau. The word Zion is from ancient Hebrew meaning a place of refuge or sanctuary, and Zion National Park is just that an exquisite respite from the surrounding world. The Virgin River winds its way through Zion Canyon s scenic 15-mile stretch, cutting through reddish and tan Navajo Sandstone, nourishing the landscape, and serving as a natural corridor for exploration. The Canyon is up to a half mile deep, serving as a haven for rock climbers with massive cliff faces radiant in the sunshine. Some of Zion s most noted geographical features include the Virgin River Narrows, a gorge as narrow as 20 feet (6 m) wide and up to 2,000 feet (610 m) deep; Angel's Landing; Emerald Pools; Hidden Canyon; The Great White Throne; Checkerboard Mesa; The Three Patriarchs; the Temple of Sinawava; and one of the world's longest arches, Kolob Arch. The Kolob Canyons region in the northwest of Zion National Park is little-traveled in comparison to the more popular Zion Canyon, but every bit as stunning. Home to Horse Ranch Mountain, Zion s tallest peak, as well as twisting slot canyons, sinuous arches, extravagantly streaked and colored rocks, hanging gardens, drifting streams, and picturesque gorges with sheer cliffs towering above emerald vegetation. The name Kolob comes from Mormonism, where it is considered the dwelling closest to the throne of God. Zion National Park encompasses 5,000 feet of elevation change. Such unique geography and resultant variety of microclimates allows for remarkable plant and animal diversity: Zion is home to over 78 species of mammals (including 19 species of bat), 291 species of birds, 44 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 8 species of fish. Visitors to Zion can spot badgers, bank beavers, bats, bighorn sheep, cougars, coyotes, desert cottontails, foxes, jackrabbits, Merriam's kangaroo rats, mule deer, porcupines, raccoons, rattlesnakes, ringtail cats, rock squirrels, skunks, and whiptail and collared lizards. Soaring over canyons or chasing one another through the trees can be found bald eagles, California condors, canyon wrens, dippers, gnatcatchers, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, pinyon jays, red-tailed hawks, and white-throated swifts. Plant species common to Zion include cottonwood, cactus, datura, juniper, pinyon pine, ponderosa pine, box elder, sagebrush, manzanita shrubs, cliffrose, serviceberry, scrub oak, yucca, gambel oak, aspen, and various willows. 8

9 Day 7 ~ Antelope Canyon, Page, Arizona Included sites Antelope Canyon Horseshoe Bend A highlight for the day will be a tour through Antelope Canyon with a Navajo guide. Casual tourists often overlook Antelope Canyon because it is not a national or state park. However, Antelope Canyon is instantly recognizable as one of the most-photographed slot canyons in the American Southwest. Its narrow passages, intricately carved sandstone, gently undulating curves and hollows varying from 3 to 9 feet (1 to 3 meters) wide, and occasional shafts of radiating sunlight piercing through the soft colors and shadows are unsurpassed in breathtaking tranquility. Traveling through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, which encloses one of nature's most inspirational settings, is stunning. Behind the Glen Canyon Dam, the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries are backed up into the ravines and gorges of Glen Canyon, forming Lake Powell. With nearly 2,000 miles (3,218K) of stunning red-rock shoreline, Lake Powell is not only one of the largest man-made lakes in the USA, but also one of the most scenic. This contrasting assortment of captivating, water-filled canyons has become one of America's premier destinations for outdoor water sports. Lake Powell and Glen Canyon, viewing the contrasting variety of narrow and water-filled canyons that result from a man-made monolith, Glen Canyon Dam. Lake Powell is one of the largest and definitely one of the most scenic man-made lakes in the world. Its coastline is longer than the entire west coast of the United States. A 30-minute walk to Horseshoe Bend reveals the only true gooseneck on the Colorado River within the area of the Grand Canyon. A very wide lens (16 mm in 35 mm equivalent) is required to cover the entire bend comfortably. Consider using a polarizer to remove haze and reflection. Any warming filter (or using cloudy WB on digital cameras) can provide dramatically different results. A walk around the area to photo some interesting rock formations is always a must for photographers. The hike to the bend has some ups and downs and is very sandy, making it a little harder than a simple flat trail. 9

10 Day 8 ~ Grand Canyon National Park, (South Rim) ~ The Seventh Wonder of the World Included sites are: The Grand Canyon south rim Mather Point Yavapai Point Grand Canyon Village Historic Grand Canyon Buildings Visitor Centers Worthy of its rank as one of the seven natural wonders of the world, the Grand Canyon overwhelms the senses and captivates the imagination with its spectacular combination of incredible scale, dramatic views, awe-inspiring rock formations, and untamed beauty. Over a mile deep (1.6 km) at its deepest point, 18 miles (29 km) across at its widest, and 277 river miles (446 km) long, the Grand Canyon is deemed to be one of the world s most visually commanding landscapes, an immensely majestic gorge with temple-like bluffs; plummeting depths; fiery chestnut cliffs, towering plateaus; and vibrant, labyrinthine topography dappled with deserts, plains, forests, mesas, lava flows, cinder cones, streams, waterfalls, and one of America s premier whitewater rivers. Not only is the Grand Canyon a crowning gem in America s national park system, but as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Canyon is considered of outstanding significance to the common heritage of the entire human race. John Wesley Powell, the one-armed Civil War veteran who took three months to explore the Grand Canyon by boat in 1869, described its stunning vastness as the most sublime spectacle in nature, saying of it that, the glories and the beauties of form, color, and sound unite in the Grand Canyon - forms unrivaled even by the mountains, colors that vie with sunsets, and sounds that span the diapason from tempest to tinkling raindrop, from cataract to bubbling fountain. Your tour will end on the evening of the eighth day in Las Vegas, NV. Called the city that never sleeps, you ll have the opportunity to walk the strip and take in a show or whatever you choose. Las Vegas, Nevada Optional Evening Destinations The Bellagio Hotel Las Vegas Downtown Walk Shows and entertainment LAS VEGAS Las Vegas, officially the City of Las Vegas, is the largest city by population in the state of Nevada. It is often simply referred to as Vegas and Sin City. Interestingly, the popular stretch of South Las Vegas Boulevard that is known as the Strip is NOT really part of the City of Las Vegas. It is in the unincorporated Clark County communities of Paradise, Winchester, and Enterprise. That means that most of the large numbers of people visiting the mega-casinos are not in the City of Las Vegas! 10

11 Vegas is an internationally renowned resort city that is a tourist destination for gambling, entertainment, international and national conventions, shopping, fine dining and nightlife. It is advertised as the Entertainment capital of the world. It is famous for its large hotel casinos associated with popular night shows and entertainment. Vegas is one of the top three destination in the United States for conventions and other business meetings. It is also a popular setting for films and television programs. In the US 2010 census, the City of Las Vegas had a population of about 584,000, and the entire Vegas metropolitan area had a population of about 2 million. Vegas was established in 1905 and incorporated as a city in Las Vegas Trivia Las Vegas began as a Mormon settlement that became a city in 1911 The Pair O Dice Club was the 1st casino built on the Strip in 1931 (the year gambling was legalized in NV) Early casinos were largely mob-run. Late 1960 s Howard Hughes and others bought the major casinos that are legitimate businesses now. There are more than 1700 licensed gambling places Population about 560k, 2 million including the whole metro area There are about 200k slot machines There are about 125k hotel rooms There are about 15k miles of neon lights downtown & on the Las Vegas Strip The Strip is not part of LV it s part of Clark County, but not part of the city There is an average of about 315 weddings per day in L.V. A few City of Las Vegas attractions & options Las Vegas Shows and Tickets Las Vegas Monorail o A taxi and shuttle alternative o Let the Las Vegas Monorail show you the best way to travel on the Strip. The trains provide fun, quick and convenient Vegas transportation to and from hotels, the convention center, and casinos. With trains arriving every 4 to 9 minutes at our seven stations along Las Vegas Boulevard, you can ride knowing you are using the fastest, cleanest, and most efficient Las Vegas public transportation system available, and this shuttle makes it even easier! The new Hershey s Chocolate World that features all things HERSHEY S o Guests can create their own Hershey s through a variety of interactive experiences such as personalizing Hershey s chocolate bar wrappers & finding their own Reese s perfect combination. o The HERSHEY S CHOCOLATE WORLD store also offers a variety of opportunities for guests to share their experience with friends and family via social media - just part of the immersive technology that will make the store a must see interactive chocolate experience. o The HERSHEY S CHOCOLATE WORLD Las Vegas store is a whimsical and imaginative taste-exploring experience where chocolate lovers from around the world can enjoy unique HERSHEY'S candy experiences, fresh made HERSHEY S sweets and a wide selection of gifts. Town Square Mall NEVADA Most of the state is part of the Great Basin and the Great Basin Desert, with the south dominated by the Mojave Desert. Both features are in the rain shadow of the Sierra Nevada to their west, leading to arid and barren conditions. The mountains receive from 20 to 80 inches (508 to 2032 mm) of precipitation per year. It drops to an average of 7 11

12 inches (177mm) across the state of Nevada. Many of the landforms in this part of the state are of the basin and range type represented by north-south mountain ranges separated by valleys with no external drainage. Nevada has more mountain ranges than any other state. Nevada is also the driest of all the 50 US states with an average of 7 inches (177mm) of precipitation per year. Given these very arid conditions, most of the streams are ephemeral and terminate in small dry, mostly salty lakes. 12

13 TOUR OVERVIEW The OVERVIEW section for each tour day lists everything in the order in which they will occur. A separate document contains the details about all accommodations. Lots of photographs can be enjoyed on our website at TourTheSouthwest.com Average Day A primary objective throughout the day is to accommodate your groups needs & interests All stops and activities are always optional, depending on timing, weather, interests, etc. We try to maintain a great deal of flexibility, not sticking to a tight schedule to accommodate for changing desires, needs and weather. We average stops about every 30 to 45 minutes for viewpoints and restrooms. The average touring day will begin between 7:30-8:00 a.m. Either during breakfast or right after loading up the vehicle we will review the day s plans and what can be expected through the day. During dinner we usually review how the day went, and review the next day s plans. We discuss what the weather may be like the next day and what type of clothing you should probably wear or keep handy. Each day will include short walks to and alongside different viewpoints and within sites. We will spend time enjoying and "exploring" all the different locations on your itinerary. We usually have a number of optional hikes to special sites planned for a tour. At mid-day we usually have a sit down restaurant lunch, but may have a box lunch if a special backcountry event or location is planned. If the entire group has a request for a site or activity not included on the regular itinerary, we will often try to include such a request when possible. We will help you to take some good memorable photographs from the best viewpoints We usually try to arrive at the evening accommodations in time to freshen up before the evening meal. General Information About the American West & Southwest: THE AMERICAN WEST - America s western states contain the largest number of scenic parks in the world. The National Parks of the west are America s Wonderlands and truly America s best idea. They beckon you to unspoiled nature rich in wildlife, desert wildflowers and a wonderland of alpine blossoms. You can explore the labyrinth of the many canyons in Utah and Arizona from Canyonlands National Park to the Antelope Slot Canyon and the Grand Canyon. You can revel in the warm sunshine along the pacific coastline in places like Monterey, Pebble Beach, and Laguna Beach. You can climb the alpine mountains in parks such as the Olympic, Rocky Mountain and Glacier National Parks. You can raft mighty rivers such as the Colorado, the Snake, and the Missouri. THE SOUTHWEST USA - The Southwest USA is the most geographically diverse region in the United States. Images of the Southwest include Alpine Mountains, 13

14 dramatic bluffs and cliffs, grand and colorful canyons, lakes and rivers, and impressive desserts. The American Southwest contains the largest collection of the world s natural wonders. Some of the most popular include the Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Zion National Park, Arches National Park, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park that draw people from all over the world. Popular cultural sites include Mesa Verde National Park, Monument Valley Navajo Nation Park, Canyon de Chelly, and Chaco Canyon National Historical Park. The human history of the Southwest dates back over 10,000 years and is preserved in unique cliff and pueblo dwellings, rock art, tools, and pottery. Today s Native Americans reflect much of the culture and arts of the past. The region experiences the full range of climate extremes from highs near 125 F (52 C) in the summer down to sub-zero temperatures in the winter alpine regions. The cold high mountainous regions also make for excellent skiing and summer sports. The winter desert warmth is perfect for those looking to escape the winter's extremes of the northern states. In general, the Southwest USA includes Colorado, western Oklahoma, western Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and parts of southeastern California. 14