Here's the first update ! NPUT [National Parks Ultimate Trip] 2010: Update #1, Glacier National Park!
Wow, nice! I missed going on the going to the sun highway when I was out there due to an avalance or something. I can say from the pics from the inside of the Prius that you're both obviously shorter than I am, lol.
Awesome pictures, Ian. I'd say you should take a little detour North while you're there, and add a few more National parks to your list.
Hey guys! Thanks so much for all the nice comments, it means a lot. @PaulRivers: I'm 6'2" and my buddy is 5'10" so we aren't too small. The 360 was done with a Nodal Ninja 5L, and the sunshades are by HeatShield, you can get em through the shop on priuschat. More updates to come!
Ian, You've got quite the trip ahead of you! We did Glacier-Yellowstone-Grand Teton in '07 and Zion-Bryce-Capitol Reef-North Rim-Arches-Canyonlands-Mesa Verde-South Rim last year. Both were absolutely amazing! A couple of suggestions for you: - if you are pressed for time, esp. during your Bryce-Zion-Capitol Reef portion of your trip: I would suggest minimizing your time at Capitol Reef. Although it was amazing in its own way, it wasn't as spectacular as the others. - watch out for potential construction delays if you are heading into Zion via the east entrance on the Zion - Mt. Carmel Highway; there is a lot of work planned for it. Enjoy and be safe!
I'm too late to be of any help and I apologize for that, but "next time", I'd definitely consider a small utilility trailer like the motorcycle campers use. At only a little over 200 lbs., one of the larger versions (e.g. 32 cubic feet) could hold all your gear and cost you very little in gas mileage. In my camping days I pulled a similar trailer with my GoldWing. My "little" trip to Colorado and Wyoming was only 3,500 miles, but the full-size cooler full of steaks and beer, an extra can of gas, and all the camping gear and clothes made for a very comfortable experience. Best of luck. I'm envious of all the sights you're seeing. Indy John
Sequoia - Kings Canyon National Parks are one and the same. Go to Kings Canyon (Middle Fork of the Kings River) to Cedar Grove to visit the deepest canyon in North America (from the top of Spanish Peak to the River). From the highway you can only see about one-half of the Canyon.
Update #3: Grand Tetons is online Thanks for all the input and advice guys. @Gak - We'll keep an eye out for construction in Zion. @Indy John - I thought about doing a trailer or roof rack. I kinda figured it would end up being too much expense/trouble since this trip is all about cheap and mobile. I do appreciate the thought though, and for another trip it would probably be a great idea! @Skruse- thanks for the heads up. I'll look up Cedar Grove in Kings Canyon and see if we can swing by.
Good stuff Ian ... Thanks. I'm also trying to rig up a Sleeping Pad in my Prius. I have a few questions if you don't mind. 1. Did you buy and install EV Mode? 2. What's your take on JuicedHydrid's Stiff Plate? 3. Can u give us more details on rigging up side and rear window curtains? Thanks again.
Yes, that is a cow elk. You saw only 2? You went in the wrong season. In September, there are many hundreds of them, some just a few yards away from the cars. Park staff get very cranky about visitors getting well within injury range, especially when the bulls are protecting their harems from intruders.
Great shots! I'm sorry you had to experience the rudeness that some folks just can't seem to repress. I'm a resident of southwest Utah (St. George) and have spent lots of time in the National Parks in Utah over many years. Fortunately, most visitors to the parks are well mannered but, as you noted, the exceptions always seem to be fellow citizens of the USA. They seem to believe that they have personal rights that other visitors don't have.
Ian, I'm really enjoying your photos and reports. I found out about your little trip a week after returning from an mini-tour of Grand Tetons, Yellowstone and Glacier. We were doing a trip of backpacking and car camping, 8 people, 2 cars in a little over 2 weeks. An amazing trip, just to rushed. Your photos are bringing back memories from that trip and others from years past. Enjoy the experience. Just to add a comment, since this is a Prius site, I was quite surprised to see the number of Prii (both Gen II and Gen III) visiting the National Parks. It is clear that these cars have no problem handling the mountain roads. It put a smile on my face every time I saw one.
Ian, thank you for maintaining your series of photos on your "Ultimate Prius Camping Trip." I thought I had seen just about every possible shot of Bryce Canyon but your moonlight shots top everything I've seen in photos or in person at Bryce. I can't wait to see what you capture in Zion.
Thanks Bikr! Glad to hear you had a fun trip, those are some GREAT parks. I, too, have been pleased to see so many Prii. I have even stopped to chat with a couple fellow prius owners, like back a few years ago when it was even more of a "club" almost. We've taken the trusty prius on some dirt roads even and, being careful not to bottom out, it has performed VERY well. Not that I recommend off-roading, but my prius has been able to handle it so far. Hope you get to visit more parks soon!
