Itinerary advice

Question

Good afternoon folks! Made a sudden decision to do a road trip next May and realized we need to snap up park lodgings and sort out details later. Could I get some feedback on the itinerary below? We are two 50ish hikers and two college students. We love hiking but are more casual/trail than back woods. When we were in Yellow Stone most of our hikes were 2-4 miles. Thanks so much!

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas, NV

Day 2: Drive to Death Valley National Park

Day 3: Death Valley National Park

Day 4: Death Valley National Park

Day 5 : Drive to Yosemite National Park

Day 6: Yosemite National Park

Day 7: Yosemite National Park

Day 8: Yosemite National Park

Day 9: drive to Sequoia National Park

Day 10: Sequoia National Park

Day 11: drive to Joshua tree

Day 12: Joshua tree

Day 13: Joshua tree

Day 14: drive to LA | Depart for home

Answer

Hi! Your itinerary looks ambitious and exciting, hitting some of the most iconic parks in the West. Here’s some feedback and suggestions to help maximize your experience while keeping hiking manageable and enjoyable.

General Observations:

Your plan balances driving and hiking fairly well, though some driving days are long (for example, Death Valley to Yosemite or Sequoia to Joshua Tree). Make sure you factor in fatigue from long drives, especially when arriving at a park and wanting to hike immediately.

Yosemite National Park (Days 5–8):

Four days in Yosemite gives you plenty of flexibility to enjoy the valley, waterfalls, and moderate hikes. Since you prefer 2–4 mile trails, focus on the following:

Yosemite Valley Floor: Easy hikes include Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (1 mile loop), Bridalveil Fall (0.5 mile round trip), and Cook’s Meadow Loop (1–2 miles, flat, great for views of El Capitan and Half Dome).
Vernal and Nevada Falls: Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is 3 miles round trip, strenuous but doable. Nevada Fall adds more distance if feeling ambitious.
Mirror Lake: 2–5 miles round trip depending on route, mostly flat and scenic.
Glacier Point: Drive up to Glacier Point for panoramic views, optional short walks along the rim.

Consider alternating full hiking days with lighter exploration days to avoid fatigue.

Death Valley (Days 2–4):

Plan for early morning hikes to avoid midday heat.
Short trails to consider: Golden Canyon, Mosaic Canyon, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, and Badwater Basin boardwalk (easy and iconic).
Evening stargazing is excellent if weather permits.

Sequoia National Park (Days 9–10):

Focus on Giant Forest trails like Big Trees Trail (1–2 miles, flat) and Congress Trail (~2 miles, moderate, loop among the largest trees).
Consider Moro Rock for a short but steep climb for views.

Joshua Tree National Park (Days 11–13):

Short and easy hikes: Hidden Valley (1 mile loop), Barker Dam (1.3 mile loop), Skull Rock (1.7 miles round trip), and Cap Rock (0.4 mile loop).
Drive between trailheads as needed; distances are longer in this park.
Sunset and stargazing opportunities are fantastic here.

Driving Considerations:

Death Valley to Yosemite: ~6–7 hours, depending on route.
Yosemite to Sequoia: ~4–5 hours via Highway 41 or 180.
Sequoia to Joshua Tree: ~6–7 hours.
Plan to break up long drives with scenic stops if possible.

Tips:

Book park lodgings as soon as possible, especially Yosemite and Sequoia. Consider staying inside or very near the parks for easy access to early morning hikes.
Carry plenty of water, sunscreen, and snacks for all hikes.
Weather in May is generally good, but check forecasts for high elevations (Yosemite and Sequoia) as there can still be snow patches.
Start hikes early to avoid crowds and heat in lower elevation parks like Joshua Tree.

Overall, your itinerary is well-paced for casual to moderate hiking, with a good mix of scenic drives and park exploration. With careful planning of hiking distances and drive times, this should be a memorable trip!

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