Going on a Road Trip!, What should I see in CO and UT??

[CRSmith]

The wife and I are driving from North Carolina to CO and UT in the middle of May. We're very excited. Right now we're planning on buying a camper shell to camp out of while on the road. We're young and willing to rough it (unless, of course we can find a killer deal on some kind of rv trailer or truck camper in two weeks ) I know there are lots of RVers on this site that have been all over the west. What are the "cant miss" sights? We're going to hit Moab, Zion, and Bryce. If there's any snow left in CO we'll ski a day. What else should we see? Thanks.

 

[illflem]

If you miss Utah Hwy 12 between Capitol Reef NP and Brice Cyn you are missing the most beautiful highway in the US. Try to spend a couple days on this stretch.

 

[me4osu]

Moab, UT and Arches National Park are both "must sees" in my book.

 

[BarryG]

Red:

Illflem is right that road is one of the best in the country.



We will be in Zion doing some canyoneering through Behunin Canyon, Pine Creek Slot, and the Subway then head to Bryce to camp the rest of the week where it is a little cooler and do some slot hiking near Escalante.



The ski resorts are closed except for Arapahoe Basin which will be open maybe until July.



In Moab (if you are coming in from I-70 make sure and take hwy 128 and the Cisco exit into Moab the road follows the Colorado river and is great) you can't miss Arches N. P. , Deadhorse Point, Do the Viewpoints at Canyonlands N. P Island in the Sky district (right next to Deadhorse point) take the Schafer trail back down to Moab. No 4x4 needed but a great road.



Head south on 191 to 95 and go west to Natural Bridges National Monument. Three very awesome Natural Bridges. Then either head up 95 to Hanksville and US24 and go west through Capitol Reef N. P. to HWY12 head toward Escalante (a good side trip off hwy 12 is take the Hells Backbone Road it will put you back on HWY 12 farther down) then onto Bryce.



Option 2: Take can't remember the name of the road but will find out if you need (it puts you on the east side of Lake Powell at Bullfrog Marina) and you can take the truck on the ferry across Lake Powell and go up the Burr Trail into and through the south end of Capitol Reef N. P. (nice side trip is to take the Wolverine loop) it will put you back on that same road farther down and dump you out on HWY 12 at Boulder Utah. That road is also incredible.



Option 3: Take the road off hwy 95 to the west side of Lake Powell to the Halls Crossing Marina (where the ferry lets you off) and go up the Burr Trail as above.



Once on HWY 12 another nice side trip is Calf Creek Recreation area 2 mile hike to a very nice waterfall in the middle of the desert and a decent campground as well.



Then on and through Escalante (another great side trip is down Hole in the Rock Road for hiking and views of Lake Powell but it is a 50 mile dirt road each way to the end no 4x4 needed but the farther you get the rougher/slower it gets)



Once you get closer to Bryce a few mile side trip is Kodachrome Basin a nice campground and scenic and it is not far from Bryce. Head to Bryce and camp where it will be cooler and enjoy. Make sure and do at least one of the hikes in Bryce down into the canyon.



Then head to Zion on 12 out to I think hwy 85 (could be way wrong on that one working off memory here) south to Zion. When in Zion make sure and hike the Virgin River Narrows - the trail is the river and sure is a nice hike in the heat of the summer, also try Angels Landing what a view, as well as every other viewpoint and hike you can while there. If you are into hiking at all shoot me a pm and I can give you some awesome hikes that are right on your way.

 

[fkovalski]

The only skiing that could be available is Arapahoe Basin (unless you want to hike a mountain to ski. ) With the snows that we have been getting lately with more still possible, we are hoping to be skiing on the 4th of July. Won’t be the best of conditions but it is do- able. Some info:

http://www.arapahoebasin.com/inside.php3

http://www.summitnet.com

http://www.nps.gov/romo

There are so many places to see in the Rockies, my recommendation would be Rocky Mountain National park. If your route takes you to the north end of the state, you could take the entrance in at Estes Park spend some time inside possibly camping then head out west through Granby.



http://www.arapahoebasin.com/inside.php3

http://www.summitnet.com

http://www.nps.gov/romo

 

[CRSmith]

Thanks for all the insider help. I'll print this thread when it stagnates and take it with me.

 

[klenger]

I've got pictures on my webstite of a lot of places we've been in Colorado. Many are along or near the I70 route to Utah.



http://www.klenger.net/photo_album/index.html

 

[JR2]

Being the BOMB freak that I am I would say don't miss Edge Products in Ogden and maybe ATS diesel in CO. I know there are a couple more places in CO and UT but I am at a loss right now... .

 

[Boomer II]

Moab is a good place to start with lots of National parks in the area, Arches, Canyonlands are just two. The other places mentioned above are must see's too if you have the time.

 

[KL]

I spent a few summers in the 70's in Moab. I used to have a Blazer then. One really neat road was the White Rim trail in the northern section of Canyonlands NP. But I don't know if you can still drive it or how much it has changed (back then the northern section of Canyonlands NP, did not have any paved roads). I agree with the other psosts that Bryce Canyon & Zion are also worth seeing. KL

 

[Okie-Go]

I spent a few hours at four corners a couple of years ago. Was kind of neat just to say I have been there.

 

[DHess]

Personally, I think some of the prettiest country is ILLFLEM's stomping grounds - unless of course you pop over the Skalkaho into the Anaconda area. I could sure use a trip up there.



Dave

 

[me4osu]

I forgot to mention

While you are going through Colorado, take county road 88 South of Cripple Creek to US hwy. 50. Make sure it is going to be good weather, and that you have about four to five hours of daylight left. I believe it is the road on which they used, in the old days, to haul the gold out of Cripple Creek.



Great sights, but not for the squeamish. All unpaved road with about 15 miles of cliffside one-lane road. The part I liked the best was two tunnels on the creekside. They looked like they were either blasted or hand chopped way back in the 1800s.

 

[Mtngoat]

me4osu- Thats the Old Gold Camp Road, comes out close to the Colorado Springs Zoo. Beautiful drive!!



If you can, check out Ouray, Colorado, and if you can, rent a Jeep and take some of the Jeep trails. None are really dangerous other than Black Bear and that is only if you are not paying attention or your vehicle choses to break. The visuals are awesome! Been there many summers. And the KOA outside of Ouray is a great place to stay.



Robin

 

[Champane Flight]

Phantom Canyon

No, the road is either Phantom Canyon or Eleven mile if it goes into highway 50. Grew up in that area. Highway 67 is Phantom Canyon, it was used originally as a railroad from Cripple Creek Victor gold mines to a smelter in Florence Colo. , many ghosts in that canyon. Give me your expected route and I can clue you in on the non tourist rap areas, give you a route away from the beaten path. I like the back country and the two lanes. Ill is on target with Brice and capitol reef NP. There are just too many sites to list in Colorado.

 

[Mtngoat]

Yep, your right, I didn't read close enough!! My bad!! But either one is a fun trip!



Robin

 

[MGordon]

Mtngoat is right about seeing the Ouray area. One route I like is to get off I-70 at exit 195 (After your ski trip to A-Basin). Take 24 south to Poncha Springs. From there head west on 50 to Montrose (stop and see The Black Canyon of the Gunnison). From Montrose take 550 south to Ouray. After Ouray, stay on 550 to Durango. This is probably one of the most scenic drives in the state. Once you get to Durango, you can take 160 and 666 west to get into Utah. There are plenty of camping spots so take your time.



There is alot to see and do in Colorado and Utah. Just writing this makes me want to load up the camper and go on a road trip! Have Fun.

 

[me4osu]

I work in Durango and Farmington, NM a lot. That drive to Ouray is nice. If you stay in Durango, stay at the Residence Inn by Marriott and tell them you work for BP and you are going to a meeting in the Durango Operations Center. They will give you a one bedroom with kitchen and living room for $75. 00 / night. Then go to the Steamworks for some great microbrewed beer.

 

[MGordon]

One other thing. It can get VERY cold in the mountains in May. It can also snow. Just be pepared and you'll have a great trip.

 

[CRSmith]

These are all good tips. I'll see how many I can work in and report back to you all.