USA: Wild West tour

Group gathering at a pre-agreed hotel. Arrival time not available has. If you want to see the city properly, then it makes sense to fly to the USA a day or two earlier. Then there will be time to walk along the beaches, go to Hollywood Walk of Fame. At Universal Studios Hollywood alone you can spend the whole day.

Well, today the evening will be devoted to more prosaic tasks - it is necessary recheck your equipment (tents, sleeping bags), go to the supermarket for food and gas for the next 4 days. Yes, by this time we will already be with by car and we will be able to move freely around Los Angeles. Therefore, before bed it will be possible to drop by the mountain to the Griffith Observatory - look at night city from above.

In the morning we have our first big drive - 223 miles to Sequoia National Park. We leave Los Angeles and head north towards Bakersfield. Behind this The town begins with colorful oil fields with endless rows of derricks, pumping "black gold". True, there are also green irrigated gardens. Approximately 3 hours after the start, the foothills of the Sierra Nevada will begin. Bye bye that these are dry and hot mountains - it’s hard to imagine that somewhere here they could Sequoias grow. But after another hour and a half of winding along mountain serpentines the world is changing radically - we find ourselves in a forest of giants. In this part Sequoia National Park has several key attractions that we will visit in random order. This tree-tunnel, tree-road, Moro rock (excellent observation deck with convenient trail) and of course the famous General Sherman sequoia, which is the largest tree on Earth in terms of wood volume. Running through the forest and while hugging the trees, don’t forget that there are a lot of bears here and you need to take some precautions.

It’s already dark when we return to the car and catch our breath. We have to go another 30 miles (about 1 hour) to Kings Canyon National Park. We settle down at the campsite (without a shower), hide the food in a bear-box.

Results of the day: car - 253 miles, walk - 3 km

Today we have a lot to do, so we get up at dawn. Contrary to the name national park, we won’t see any special canyons here (just be patient a week). We will continue our acquaintance with giant sequoiadendrons - very Let's quickly see Grant's grove, the General Grant tree itself, and learn distinguish 3-4 main types of conifers growing in this forest. Then quickly We drive to the observation deck at the top of the mountain and that’s it - we can move on.

The road to Yosemite will take approximately 4 hours - first we will descend briefly back to the scorched valley, we'll pass the town of Fresno and rise again to mountains a hundred miles to the north. So, we are in Yosemite, on the observation deck Tunnel View and at first glance it is clear that we are in a fairy tale... However less, first we go to the campsite, take a place for tents, and then jump into the car and along the serpentine road we climb up to the mountain ridge that borders Yosemite Valley from the South. On this ridge there are two fantastic observation decks. First we go radial (2 miles) to Taft point with dizzying cliffs which offer a magnificent view of the famous El Capitan rock. Then we move to Glacier Point from where it is accepted admire another Yosemite icon - Half Dome rock. Here we are We’ll wait until sunset and then drive back to the campsite in the dark (without a shower).

We warm ourselves up at dinner. Even though we are in California, the temperature in the mountains is At night it can drop to zero.

Results of the day: car - 200 miles, walk - 5 km.

By car we drive along the ring road at the bottom of Yosemite Valley and do numerous photo stops: at the Bridal Veil waterfall, at the foot El Capitan and the incredible meadows and beaches along the Merced River. So leisurely we get to the upper end of the valley, where we throw car in the parking lot and go on a long (6-7 hours) radial drive to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall waterfalls. This is the so-called Mist Trail which it goes around the famous Half Dome and its neighbor, the Liberty Cap rock, from the South. We we will gradually gain 700 meters of altitude, have lunch on the edge of the cliff and go back.

We return to the car. If you wish, then on the way back you can take a paid shower ($5, unlimited)

Results of the day: car - 48 miles, walk - 12 km.

Stop freezing - today we'll go to hell! Along the winding Tioga Road we We will cross the Sierra Nevada mountain range and descend into the depths of Death Valley. But first there will be a couple more hours of mountain freshness - we will make small excursions near the Olmsted Point lookout, Lake Tenaya and alpine meadows Taolumn Valley. And then we’ll cross the Tioga pass (3045 m) and begin the drop height.

Overboard is a hot desert, on the right are powerful mountain ranges, on the left are lowland formed hundreds of thousands of years ago as a result of an eruption supervolcano. This volcano then covered the earth with ash within a radius of 1000 miles. We will not wait for the continuation of the show, but will go to the town of Bishop, in supermarket. We'll have lunch there... somewhere under air conditioning. heat will be under 30.

7 hours after leaving Yosemite, we will cross the park border Death Valley. Stop at Father Crowley Point lookout. Temperature the air continues to rise, and we continue to descend. If there is time, then let's take a look at the Mosaic Canyon, although actually our main goal is to meet the sunset on the sand dunes is small, but very real (temperature +40) Mesquite Flat desert.

We will traditionally arrive at Furnace Creek campsite after dark. There is no soul but hot water flows from all taps. The unbearable heat will continue most of the night.

Results of the day: car - 280 miles, walk - 4 km.

Early in the morning, while there is still at least a little freshness, we go to Badwater - the most the lowest (-83 m) and hottest point in Death Valley. There we walk along snow-white salt fields and then move to the Zabriskie Point lookout (colorful mountains and a cult film from the hippie era).

Shortly after Zabriskie Point we cross the California-Nevada border. 3 more an hour's drive through the desert and we are in Red Rock National Park, where, strangely enough, really very red rocks. Literally around the corner from it is Las Vegas, so we quickly take pictures at the main observation points and go to city.  There, first of all, we stop at the supermarket for groceries, then we check into a hotel closer to the Strip, finally go to the shower and hand over our things to laundry. In the evening, when the heat subsides and the lights shine, we go for a walk along numerous Vegas casinos. Don't worry, there is no dress code here. - You can at least wear shorts in a casino.

Results of the day: car - 182 miles, walk - 7 km.

We make a short detour to the North to drop into the Valley of Fire park - a bizarre mixture of bright red rocks, ancient rock symbols (petroglyphs) and unbearable heat. We spend 4 hours in the park and then go to Hoover Dam. First we look at the dam from the neighboring bridge, and then we walk along the dam itself. The border between Nevada and Arizona runs along the river, so in the end we will find ourselves in a new state.

At sunset the dam will be closed, and we still have a little more driving to do. Our the goal is to get to one of the entrances to the Grand Canyon Park. This will take about 5 hours, so we will arrive at the campsite (without a shower) closer to midnight.

Results of the day: car - 390 miles, walk - 5 km.

Today we spend the whole day walking along the south rim of the Grand Canyon. We leave car in the parking lot at the Visitor Center and then move on foot or by car shuttle-bass. There are a huge number of observation platforms and you can easily spend the whole day taking pictures with them. And if there is a fighting mood, then you can go to the bottom of the Canyon. This is a very serious event - to to reach the Colorado River you need to drop 1200 meters of altitude and walk about 11 km. And then you still have to go back. And all this in terrible heat. Therefore, we will make such an important decision on the spot, based on the weather and moods. In the evening we return to the campsite.

Results of the day: by car - 10 miles, on foot - from 6 to 22 km.

We get up early, break up camp and first stop by for 15 minutes Desert View observation tower, from where you can really see the edge of the infinite the canyon and the desert that begins behind it. Saying goodbye to the Grand Canyon and We take a course to the northeast. In 2-3 hours we will find ourselves on the tribal lands The Navajos and the majority of the population here are truly Indians. Let's go to supermarket.

About 4 hours after leaving the Grand Canyon we will reach Monument Valley. These stunning rocks are so colorful that it is difficult take your eyes off them and get into the car. Along the valley a picturesque dirt road with a bunch of viewing platforms. Slowly creeping along this along the circular route and continuously take photographs. At the end, when to us the ability to think will return, it will be possible to look into the visitor center, next to which there are unusual dugout wigwams. Total for exploring the Valley It will take about 3 hours to complete the monuments. By the way, we move the clocks forward an hour - we moving from Arizona to Utah, where there is a different time zone.

The drive to the overnight stay is approximately 3 hours. We pass the “space” thermal power plant near Page and set up in a comfortable campsite (shower $2, washing machine, Wi-Fi) on the shore Glenn Canyon. Warm night.

Results of the day: car - 320 miles, walk - 3 km.

First of all, we go to the Antelope Canyon ticket office and buy tickets (about $60) for the next free "check-in". Most likely he will not be with us soon there will be a couple of free hours, which we will use to go to Horseshoe (horseshoe bend of the Colorado River) and to the supermarket. Then we return to the Antelope ticket office and prepare for the excursion. It's pretty here strict rules - you cannot take backpacks, purses, photo bags into the canyon, tripods, selfie sticks, drones and action cameras... We leave everything prohibited items in the car and go to board the excursion pickups. In the canyon Antelope (a narrow, deep and dusty crevice in the sandstone) we will only have 30-40 minutes. The accompanying person will not allow you to stay in the “halls” for a long time - You need to take photos quickly and without a tripod. If you want to do high-quality photographs with a tripod, then you can try to buy a photo tour in Antelope Canyon (approximately $125 for 2 hours). In that case it's better book it in advance (a month or earlier). Please note that in case heavy rain all tours are canceled :)

Upon completion of our acquaintance with Antelope, we go to the lookout with a wonderful view of the reservoir in Glenn Canyon.  Then the obligatory evening program - a three-hour drive towards Zion National Park. Let's stop in a commercial campsite with shower and washing machine. We're pretty high and it's night it will be cold.

Results of the day: car - 200 miles, walk - 4 km.

Today we will finally do without long journeys and collecting tents. On By car we get to the visitor center of the Zion National Park, where we transfer to shuttle bass to the beginning of the track. The first, relatively cool, half We will devote a day (about 4 hours) to climbing the Angels landing rock (elevation gain - 550 m, distance - 7 km one way). First we go along very comfortable, concrete mountain path. But after entering the narrow the ridge route becomes interesting - you have to climb the rocks while holding on for safety chains. If you are afraid of heights, you can wait for the group at the end of a good path.

We go back down to the bus stop and have lunch. Then we move (20 min) to the entrance to the Narrows canyon. It is quite narrow and its entire bottom is occupied by a river. The “fun” of this place is precisely that Wander around knee-deep in fairly cold water for a couple of hours. Those who are not will be interested in such extreme sports, they will be able to return to the city by bus and sit in the cafe for now. And the daredevils, together with the instructor, will go for a walk around water. You need to wear shoes (Crocs, sandals, sneakers). If you don't want wet your slippers, then in the city you can take boots and neoprene socks to rental Be sure to also take a warm jacket - it’s not hot in the canyon there will be.

Results of the day: car - 30 miles, walk - 25 km.

Сворачиваем палатки и переезжаем к каньону Брайс (2,5 часа). Он находится на высоте 2500 м и поначалу будет совсем нежарко. Действуем по стандартной схеме - бросаем машину на парковке и перемещаемся между смотровыми площадками на автобусе. Вид на Брайс сверху конечно прикольный, но конкретно в этом каньоне самое интересное - спуститься на дно через узкие улицы расселин Навахо трейла (2 часа).

Когда нагуляемся, возвращаемся к машине и еще 2 часа едем до городка Fillmore, где останавливаемся в хорошем кемпинге KOA (душ, вайфай, розетки).

Итоги дня: авто - 220 миль, пешком - от 5 до 12 км.

От кемпинга до столицы мормонов (и всего штата Юта) примерно 2,5 часа езды. Паркуемся в центре города и оперативно осматриваем основные достопримечательности: Храм Мормонов (только снаружи), Beehive House, Капитолий штата Юта. После этого заезжаем в супермаркет и покидаем город. Едем к Большому Соленому Озеру в заповедник Остров Антилоп. Там совершаем небольшую радиалку (1 час) к смотровой площадке Buffalo Point - шикарная панорама огромного озера в кружении горных хребтов. Ну и бизоны (те самые баффало) тут тоже порой встречаются. Как всегда, после заката еще час-полтора едем до ближайшего приличного кемпинга (т.е. с душем).

В Солт-Лейк-Сити есть аэропорт и если вы хотите (или должны) сойти с маршрута, то логично сделать это сегодня. Следующий нормальный аэропорт будет только в Денвере, в конце тура.

Итоги дня: авто - 230 миль, пешком - 7 км.

For a significant part of the day (about 6 hours) we just drive. And it's on the way the main magical transformation takes place - the scorched Utah desert first turns into Idaho potato fields, and then we pass through mountain range and literally find ourselves in another world (and at the same time in another state - Wyoming). On this side of the mountains there is not a trace of the reds that have set the teeth on edge. rocks and desert landscapes. There is a normal middle zone with birch trees, Christmas trees, bears, moose and incredibly beautiful mountains.

First of all, we go to the campsite (shower $6 for 7 minutes) on the shore of Lake Jackson and We take places for tents. Then we take a quick photo on the shore lakes (the mountains in the background are simply divine), we stop at the store for pepper spray against bears (calm!) and go to watch the sunset to the top of Signal Mountain. Another stunning view of the lake, mountains and wild valleys of the Grand Teton. We are at an altitude of over 2000 m - the night will be cold (down to zero).

Results of the day: car - 270 miles, walk - 1 km.

We break camp and head to Jenny Lake. We leave the car and take the boat We cross to the other side of the lake. We have a picturesque radial route ahead of us (8 km one way, 400 m elevation gain) along the Cascade Canyon. On each side of canyon with high snowy peaks, at the bottom there is a winding mountain river and grazing moose. We go up, focusing on the time (so as not to be late for last boat back). The trail is not difficult. We have lunch by the river.

At approximately 16:00 we return to the car and drive to Yellowstone (1 hour). Along the way we make stops at observation platforms of a large lake. We put camp in a campsite (no shower) on the border of the park. Cold night - height 2379 m.

Results of the day: by car - 60 miles, on foot - from 15 to 20 km.

Yellowstone is so huge that we will spend two whole days exploring it. Today we will go to the upper part of the national park, farthest from our campsite. We get up long before dawn, get warm and head out towards the Lamar Valley. There in the mornings it’s easy to meet herds of bison (right on the road!), and when With some luck, you can also spot wolves. Then we head to the town Mammoth, near which we can see the famous hot springs (Mammoth hot springs). Thanks to them, cascades were formed on the slope of a local hill multi-colored calcite travertine (bathtubs) very similar to the Turkish miracle light of Pamukkale. Then we go to the Boiling River. If you're lucky and the temperature If the water is suitable, you can swim. So just in case We take towels and swimming trunks.

The next item on the program is the geysers of the Norris Valley. They are not very big but they work very stably. Then we go to the multi-colored canyon Yellowstone, where we see several waterfalls. we return to the campsite.

Results of the day: car - 180 miles, walk - 3 km.

We continue to drive around the caldera of the giant Yellowstone volcano. Main The pearls of today's program are the Old Faithful geyser, height 40m) and the Great Prismatic Spring. In addition there will be a couple more waterfalls, mud volcanoes and a lot of wild animals.

Results of the day: car - 110 miles, walk - 4 km.

Today we have a very long journey ahead of us, so we get up as soon as possible earlier. The first half of the journey we drive mainly through the mountains - behind each around the corner there are stunning views and real golden autumn. Passing through Continental Divide, leaving protected lands. The edge begins real cowboys - they really raise cows, wear boots, hats and with neat revolvers on their belts. We pass the town of Douglas - the homeland of horned hares (hares). Finally restocking food in a normal supermarket (there are none in Yellowstone). By evening We arrive in the town of Estes Park at the very foot of the Rocky Mountains. Comfortable campsite with shower and washing machine.

Results of the day: car - 507 miles, walk - 1 km.

For the whole day we go on a radial trip to the mountains. We'll take a bus to Medvezhye lake and from there we will go through the pass to lakes Fern and Odessa. The path goes through the harsh northern forest and will eventually lead us to another stop a bus that will take you back to your car. Second option route (weather permitting and strength available) - climbing one of peaks of the Rocky Mountains. For example, on a relatively calm and uncomplicated Flattop (about 3800m). In the evening we return to Estes Park.

Results of the day: car - 30 miles, walk - 16 km.

Today we continue to explore the Rocky Mountains in a more automotive way. option - we stop at a couple of observation platforms at the bottom of the valley, and then along We climb the serpentine road into the mountains. If the weather does not let you down, then the pass Milner (3279 m) will be open and we will be allowed onto the high mountain part of the highway. We will definitely make a stop at the Alpine visitor center where only 600 meters to the observation point at an altitude of 3600 meters. We pass through again Continental Divide, going down to Big Lake and heading to Central City. This is a tiny and incredibly colorful gold mining town, the atmosphere is somewhat similar to Twin Peaks. All the mountains in the area are studded abandoned mines and when the fog falls on the city, then a fantasy game gets out of control.

We spend the night in a comfortable campsite on the edge of the forest (to make it scarier). Cold night.

Results of the day: car - 130 miles, walk - 5 km.

In the morning we take a short walk along the main street of Central City. Most of the houses are here converted into a retro casino, retro photo studio and retro shops. Around a bunch of antiquities (about 100 years old) and there is a complete feeling that he was on the set of a film about the Gold Rush. To develop On this topic, we first visit a small "ghost town" (completely extinct gold mining village), and then we move to Georgetown, where we can ride on a real steam locomotive (with clouds of smoke and a steam whistle) around a real gold-mining narrow-gauge railway.

In the evening we go down to Denver and check into an apartment. If you wish, you can will take a ride to the center, walk a little, look at the blue bear and other local attractions.

Results of the day: car - 70 miles, walk - 4 km.

The US tour is officially over, you can fly home. Rental the instructor will have a car at the airport, so if you take the same tickets, then you can get to the plane without additional costs. From Denver has no direct flights to Europe and you will be flying with a transfer (at New York, Philadelphia, Minneapolis). If you want to see these cities, plan a longer connection between flights.