Hey everyone! First thread here. I am new to the 4Runner game since May 2018. I have 2018 Silver SR5 with lots of modifications so far. I AM ADDICTED!

But modifications are not what I am in need help of today. I am planning on road-tripping from Pittsboro (Raleigh), North Carolina to the Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon as my end destination. I have two weeks for vacationing!

I am visiting Nebraska (to see a friend), then truly have no clue. Here is a list of places I'd like to visit but they are not set in stone:
- Denver, CO
- Moab, UT
- Hoover Dam, NV
- Grand Canyon, AZ

Where should I go and sight see? Also, where are some awesome basic to intermediate trails (only my puppy and I traveling) with some scenic views?

I want this to be a trip to remember. Thanks for your help in advance!

Just a couple of thoughts, on the way from Moab to Grand Canyon:
Kayenta, AZ - Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park
Page, AZ - Antelope Canyon and Horseshoe Bend

The whole Four Corner's area is full of places to go and things to see. Will you be camping?

Yes! I will be camping out of my car actually. Thank you for the recommendations!

That will be a great trip. Check out Home
For some great info on where you will be.

Moab
Durango - Silverton - Ouray - Mesa Verde - Monument Valley....

I’d add colosrado springs / Pikes Peak, Rocky Mtn National Park, to this route

I am in Prescott Valley, AZ. That is an excellent trip you have planned! I will have my 4Runner in June 2019. Feel free to contact me if you need advice on trails, camping, etc. Tom

If you have time, I would highly recommend a kayak trip down Glen Canyon. I spent a couple of days paddling/camping along the river from the dam down to the start of the Grand Canyon last year and it was a spectacular trip.

-Spotman

New to the 4 runner game?






What exactly is this 4 runner game?

Thank you so much! Holy smokes, that list is so great. I really appreciate all the suggestions. YOUR PICTURES ARE AWESOME.

I have heard a lot about Pikes Peak...I really want to go up there!

I appreciate the help. I can't wait, it needs to come faster!

Woah! Those are amazing pictures. The Hoover has always been on my list of places to go too, that picture proves it! Lots of pictures of me and the 4Runner out there I can see in my future for sure.

Oh, the 4Runner game is obsessively looking at this forum and deciding which mods should you get. Then, of course, you say you're done with mods and see someone with an awesome rig...

Thank you for everyone's help on this! I have finally nailed down my schedule and some camp sites. I am now looking for great places to eat or see to add to my list. If you are going to be in the area or live around there, hit me up in the private messages!

• Hoover Dam
• North Rim, Grand Canyon
• Lake Powell
• Moki Dugway Highway
• Telluride
• Silverton
• Ouray
• Denver

Click on link to see more in depth look.

Moshie Fall 19 Itinerary.pdf - Google Drive

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP!

The direction you are going on Moki dugway is up the mountain. You should go down it. Also right there you can hit monument valley. Also, the north rim is pretty spectacular and less crowded than the south, but the south rim is pretty spectacular. If you do go to the south rim you should go check out Sedona out side of Flagstaff. If you go to lake Powel there is a bunch of stuff to do. Antelope Canyon in Paige is a must do. If you have time White Pocket is pretty close as well. A stock 4runner should easily make it. If you go to white pocket then you have to check out Buckskiin Canyon and hike into the slot canyon. You also need to get across the Colorado, so do so through the Glen Canyon wilderness, rather than glen canyon.

there is so much stuff it is impossible to see everything, so my advice is to pick things and really check them out, or you will just sort of be skimming the surface.

Almost forgot. If you are in Moab you can go to Arches NP or Canyon Lands NP. Both are right that practically across from each other.

I think you've made a great choice going to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. The south rim is a total tour bus zoo. There are lots of easy 4wd roads off the North Rim with some spectacular camp sites along the rim and in the adjacent national forest. Definitely head out to Point Sublime. National Geographic has some really good Trails Illustrated maps available of the area.

^^^THIS...As a former Colorado resident, I can’t recommend Colorado enough... there’s sooo much in one place...

Pikes Peak for sure, ride the cog railroad! Mt. Evans is a must, and a cool drive...

The Durango to Silverton Railroad experience is amazing.

On 70 West, make sure to go over the continental divide, Loveland Pass, not through the Eisenhower tunnel...

Rocky Mountain Nat’l Park is a must...

I could go on and on...

I second the notion to go to Four Corners, NM... I mean, who doesn’t want to be in 4 states at the exact same time?

Have an amazing adventure....

Colorado will get its (amazing) hooks in you and you’ll be back...

I like it that you have tried to avoid overwhelming yourself. Let's face it, the area in question takes decades to fully explore (on vacations). So, you must be selective.

The part of the itinerary that I found worth critiquing is Aug 27-Sep 3. This is the time you have for the fun stuff in areas I know.

--I love the Point Sublime idea. Did not know you can camp there. Don't assume it will be a very fast ride. I think it is a low-end moderate trail, but I have not yet driven it. Sounds like the best north rim choice.

--North Rim to Lake Powell. You have MANY options. You could camp on the Alstrom Point trail off the Smoky Mountain Rd. The Kelly grade climb on the latter is one of the prettiest panoramas you will see, at least with the right light. Then you could either return to Page and continue to Kayenta and Monument Valley or you can continue on Smoky Mountain to Escalante on the boring and long section of Smoky Mountain Rd. Utah 12 from Escalante to Boulder is one of the prettiest paved roads one can drive. From Boulder you have even more options, including the stunning Burr Trail through Capitol Reef and then south on the Notom-Bullfrog road all the way to the ferry, which is great fun. Once on the other side, it is a few hours to Kayenta via the Mocky Dugway going down. Once atop the Mocky, there is a dirt road that goes to Mulley Point which is another phenomenal panorama. Just something to consider.

Your biggest decision though should be whether to go to Moab after Monument Valley or to go as planned to Ouray/Telluride.

--The section from Monument Valley to Dolores, CO is flat out boring. From Dolores to Telluride is a fun, pretty drive but 550, Durango-Ouray, is exponentially better. Like Utah 12, 550 it is one of the most scenic paved roads you can ever drive.

--You have Ophir Pass--Alta Lake wrong direction wise because Alta Lake is closer to Telluride than Ophir Pass. Alta Lakes are very nice but I would not spend any time there if coming from this far on a tight schedule.

--Ophir Pass, YES, it offers stunning views when driven east to west. Going West to East it won't be as panoramic. Bear in mind you do NOT want to pass on the extended shelf road section. Look for traffic and if needed, someone has to back up.

--Engineer Pass--Cinnamon Pass--Imogene Pass is a heck of a long day. I strongly recommend against it. You can do Engineer-Cinnamon as a loop in a day. But it may be a longer day than you think; traffic there can be the offroad version of Manhattan at times. Imogene is similarly overwhelmed and the Telluride side is very narrow. Being "new to the game" you should not drive such a tiresome route in one day. Even if you are experienced, it is just too much to enjoy. As for Imogene, don't underestimate it. Wells just re-rated it as difficult for a reason. Take your time and be careful.

--The most scenic route in the area is actually Corkscrew-Hurricane-California-Engineer Pass going from 550 to Lake City (or vice-versa). You don't want to be on the West side of Corkscrew in heavy rain.

For alternative to Alta Lakes, consider Clear Lake. It is an easy 4x4 trail with beautiful falls and a spectacular lake at the end. Also consider Porhypry Gulch. Short hike to superb lake at end. Supper panoramic, short, extended shelf road section, mild surface, normally.

The Silverton area is very high in elevation and you may or may not get dizzy for a day or two. I did on my first trip there. The trails in the area are amazing and not normally difficult in terms of surface but they can be extremely narrow with tremendous drop-offs so pay attention!

If you decide to go the route of Moab instead of Ouray, you will also have plenty of options. The White Rim Road is the most scenic Canyonlands trail by far and Tower Arch is the Arches trail worth driving.

You will want the new Charlie Wells guide for Colorado, if going there. Also join TrailDamage.com for 12$ and get coverage of all trails in the area, except North Rim. GPX included. TrailDamage is the best guide to CO and the Moab area you can find.

FInally, if in Telluride, must go to Brown Dog pizza and eat Detroit style pizza. You have to, you cannot not eat there, just no way

Have fun and be safe!