Route Help??? Kanab, UT to Pinetop, AZ

[jemek]

We will actually be leaving Glendale UT

I notice in the map that there are two Hwy 89's once you get to Kanab..
I google map things and there is only about a 5 mile difference between the two routes/forks

Option 1..Stay on 89 Utah side...go through Big Water...drop down into Page and onto Flagstaff

Option 2: Take 89 to AZ and go through Jacob Lake and Marble Canyon.. (on some maps this is referred to 89A)

[sharon]

89A is a beautiful gorgeous drive, but kind of steep coming out of the mountains. I did it in a 34ft pusher towing a car and had no problems what so ever. If you don't mind a little twisty mountain road I would highly recommend it! The views were incredible and the road is good. Haven't been the other way, I was coming from North Rim.

You could always stop near the North Rim and visit with Sparkle and Echo, too! There's a cool CG right next to where they work, and if you haven't been to the North side of the Grand Canyon it's a sight to see.

Just noticed that you have a trailer, but I don't see any problems with that on 89A. I think Sparkle does it with her truck and trailer.

[Sparkle]

I'd go the 89A route. It is hilly, twisty, but if you go into low gear and don't speed you'll be fine. The Vermillion Cliffs are gorgeous. There is an viewpoint before you get to them, and I stop there almost everytime. Then there are Cliff Dwellers. Not much to look at, just some rocks standing on stems, but they built little houses under them. Then a side trip to Lee's Ferry would be good. It is famous, it used to be the only way to cross the Colorado. it is where the rafters start their trip on their three day excursions. Seeing the fully loaded rafts is neat. (Once they start there is no way out for three days) Then after that is the Navaho Bridge. There is a Visitors Center there, good parking. You can walk over the old bridge and maybe see Condors, which nest in the cliffs. Incidentely, I was talking to a woman who is part of the group wanting to introduce Mexican Gery Wolves into the Kaibab Forest. She will be coming to the Lodge at the end of June. I was talking to a Ranger and telling him about it. He hesitated, gave me a long look and then quietly said, they are already there. I replied, Oh really? and he walked away.

[Mollysmom]

This is off topic, but I love wolves !!!
I hope they're allowed to stay and do well - they're magnificent creatures and are an asset to the environment.

Back on topic - I don't have any route advise but I do hope you enjoy your trip !!!

[mtngal]

My vote goes to 89A too, I took it on a lark last fall not knowing the difference either, it was fantastic. The Navajo Bridge will be a great stop for kids, lots of room to run and play looking over the river in a safe place. Check out my blog last Oct for pics of the route.

[jemek]

Thanks....89A it is.

I also love wolves. I do a workshop with other homeschooled kids about every 3 years on wolves. We get this really neat educational box from a place in Minnesota. Then we end it with a field trip to Wolf Haven. It is a rescue and rehabilitation/breeding center for wolves. Or a retirement home for wolves that can not be released.

[islandmomma]

If 89a is the one that goes by the cliff-dwellers and Vermillion cliffs, that is a gorgeous road that I took last July. I could have sworn I went on 89 though as I went past Page but did pretty much skip Flagstaff (as I had been there before). Have a great trip! I must admit my memory is blurry as that was day 2 in my "new to me" rig and I was terrified LOL.

jan