The hike out to Dark Angel is my favorite in Arches. We got stormed off of it
on my only attempt.

I'm back home in Mexico since a couple of days now and thought I'd reply to my own post.

This is where I went in 20 days in chronological order (I picked up my rental car in El Paso, Texas), not listing cities (I went backcountry in three NPs, camping overnight):

New Mexico:
- Mount Taylor
- Red Rock SP

Arizona:
- Petrified Forest NP (backcountry)
- Humphrey's Peak
- Grand Canyon NP (backcountry)
- Antelope Canyon
- Glen Canyon NRA

Utah:
- Coral Pink Sand Dunes SP
- Zion NP (backcountry)
- Bryce Canyon NP
- Goblin Valley SP
- Capital Reef NP
- Arches NP

Colorado:
- Mesa Verde NP

New Mexico:
- Wheeler Peak
- Sandia Crest Peak

(on my last day I drove to Capitan (Smokey the Bear town), Lincoln State Monument (Billy the Kid town) and Roswell (UFO town).

Looking back, I believe I made a good selection out of the broad offer. I hiked several trails in all parks except for Glen Canyon NRA and Capitol Reef. It was a great experience overall!

I hope to be back in the US soon, probably California...

nice circuit, what were your favorites? highlights?

Oh yes. I would consider as highlights the Grand Canyon NP and Zion NP, Humphrey's Peak, Wheelers Peak and Sandia Peak. I guess that's because these were the most intense hikes of this trip. I mean, Antelope Canyon, Bryce NP, etc. are all extraordinary places, but I guess I've gotten to point where I need something more challenging for it to become a highlight

Are you planning to write a trip report? I'd be interested in reading it.

Thanks for the interest! But I never thought of writing a trip report about it... As I kind of expected, it was so easy travelling in the US, driving around, I never got lost! And the National Parks, great! I just showed up and got my backcountry permits. Everything well organised, friendly people, nice camp sites. (well, maybe it just felt even greater after being in central america for nine months now

I have seen most of the southwest and Big Bend NP was one of my favorites. Great opportunities for extensive hikes and backpacking, cool formations, well worth a visit