PLANNING: JD's 4 Corners Area Overland Tour

[AlekG]

Just read somewhere that this year's snowpack is 150% of average in Colorado. Its good you are going later in the season ...


Here's the best site for trail and pass conditions (open or not):

http://bushducks.com/tripreps/passopen.htm


AG

[Trail X]

Slowly honing in on the plan... this is what it's looking like as of now:



Officially, we will be leaving Friday, September 9th.

B - Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
- Alpine Loop

C - Fruita, CO
- Upper Colorado River Scenic Byway

D - White Rim Trail, UT (Labrynth B Campsite)
- Explore Arches NP

E - Hanksville, UT

F - Waterpocket Fold, Capital Reef NP
- Burr Trail
- Bryce Canyon
- Hell's Backbone?

G - Escalante, UT
- Smoky Mountain Road

H - Alstrom Point, Lake Powell, UT
- Page, AZ

I - Cliff Dweller's Lodge?

J - Point Sublime, Grand Canyon, AZ
- Monument Valley?

K - Valley of the Gods

L - Orphir, CO
- Orphir Pass

M - Colorado Springs, CO

I partially post this here for my own record. My plan is forever changing it seems. Currently it's a bit Utah-heavy. I'm considering taking out a stop or two in Utah to make more room for time in Colorado... but at the same time, I don't want to! If anyone has any thoughts or opinions, please share!

[galacticfuzz]

James,

This trip of yours is coming along nicely. I've been looking at making a similar in the next couple of summers. The road that you are looking for in Estes Park is actually Old Fall River Rd. It's off of Fall River Rd. Fall River is all paved, where as Old Fall River is gravel/dirt. The trip I'm looking at is going through Estes Park and then down towards the Grand Canyon, then back. Just starting all the research to figure out the trip and routes.

[Trail X]

Thanks Drew, I actually saw my mistake when I posted on another forum, forgot to update it here. But thanks for the heads up!

It's not a difficult trail, infact people have said minivans have been seen on the trail. But I think it will be a good intro into the trip. My wife doesn't really like heights, so this should be a good way to get her more accustomed to shelf roads.

I'm hoping that by the end of the trip she will feel good enough to do Engineer Pass.

[galacticfuzz]

I hear ya on that one. The trip to the Grand Canyon I am actually looking at doing the summer of 2013, next summer is a trip up to Hiawatha National Forest in the Upper Peninsula. Being that I am a teacher with summers wide open, I would love to do more than one trip, but alas, it comes down to the time off for the girlfriend... anywho, the shelf driving will be interesting for sure, something that I look forward to doing as well as just getting out and wheeling more.

[galacticfuzz]

Don't know if you saw this James, but figured it was a good bit of info on some of the scenic drives and such in Colorado.

http://www.byways.org/explore/states/CO/

[Trail X]

Thanks for the link Drew!

[KE7WOX]

There's not much around the Grand Canyon Village in terms of stores and re-supplying locations, at least not that I remember of. I believe Tusayan is the closest place where you can find stuff; but it's been a while since I was last there.

If you plan on hiking down the Canyon, they strongly advise that you don't go all the way down and then up in one day, you risk death. The place is usually packed with tourists too, regardless of the season and the day of the week.

[Trail X]

There's not much around the Grand Canyon Village in terms of stores and re-supplying locations, at least not that I remember of. I believe Tusayan is the closest place where you can find stuff; but it's been a while since I was last there.

If you plan on hiking down the Canyon, they strongly advise that you don't go all the way down and then up in one day, you risk death. The place is usually packed with tourists too, regardless of the season and the day of the week.

Grand Canyon Village was actually one place I was deliberately avoiding. We'll be on the north rim. Right now it's looking like we'll either camp on Point Sublime, or Locust Point. In both cases, we'll probably be at least 15 miles from the closest person. Lots of solitude available on the N. Rim.

[bgwolfpack]

Getting close to updates for this.

Will you be carrying a SPOT with you? (I mean us)

[The Roadie]

I can priority mail you a SPOT if you don't have one. Let me know. Assuming you want us to be able to track your ass.

[Trail X]

I've got one. Don't you worry.

Getting into the nitty gritty of packing now. The truck is basically otherwise ready. Fridge mounted, systems tested, RTT has a clean bill of health. Just a damn vibration in the wheels.

[BSalty]

I take it you have to have a subscription to SPOT to be able to view it right?

JD you might catch the leaves turning in the higher elevation, they are just barely starting to turn above 9k' another week or two and it will be in full fall colors.

[Trail X]

The tracking map is public. Just don't come knocking on the tent uninvited.

Excellent to hear about the colors. Hoping to catch some in the Rocky Mountain NP, Dixie NF, and then when we cross back through the San Juans.

[BSalty]

The tracking map is public. Just don't come knocking on the tent uninvited.

No I wouldn't do that in the 1st place its your trip, and secondly I will miss you by a couple weeks anyway. I am going down there the 23rd-26th. Bummer as I would love to see your rig.

The White Rim Trail is fun though. Did it about 15 years ago.

[gotspeed1]

For what it's worth James, the Green River part of White Rim is closed due to flooding right now. May be something to look into before you get there.

[The Roadie]

Holy cow.

Since May:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/parknews/news051311.htm

Still closed now:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/parknews/news082311.htm

[Trail X]

Wow... That's where my campsite was reserved. Shit!

Going to have to call them tomorrow and find an alternative I guess. Thanks so much for the heads up!!

[Trail X]

I'm thinking I'm going to need to find an alternate campsite.

This is apparently very close to where my reserved campsite is... haha! That "bank" is the actual white rim road.

[Diacom]

I see no reason why your TB can't go anywhere that Case can go...