2014 Trail Edition going on a long road trip...

[uptheirons]

Ill be taking my first big road trip in my 4Runner in April. Driving from Calgary, Alberta down to Palm Springs via Vancouver and the Coastal Highway, which i believe is 101 and 1. Afterwards driving up through Las Vegas, Jackson, Yellowstone and Montana. Any areas along that route you guys suggest to go have some fun with my first 4Runner? or any good shops local to you guys that would be good to check out along the way?

I'm sick of paying exorbitant Canadian/shipping prices for stuff.

Thanks in Advance!

 

[DigableKid]

Ill be taking my first big road trip in my 4Runner in April. Driving from Calgary, Alberta down to Palm Springs via Vancouver and the Coastal Highway, which i believe is 101 and 1. Afterwards driving up through Las Vegas, Jackson, Yellowstone and Montana. Any areas along that route you guys suggest to go have some fun with my first 4Runner? or any good shops local to you guys that would be good to check out along the way?

I'm sick of paying exorbitant Canadian/shipping prices for stuff.

Thanks in Advance!

Since you'll be near Palm Springs, you might as well check out Anza Borrego. It's only an hour and a half away.

To calm winds and following seas!

 

[sandcrawler]

Ill be taking my first big road trip in my 4Runner in April. Driving from Calgary, Alberta down to Palm Springs via Vancouver and the Coastal Highway, which i believe is 101 and 1. Afterwards driving up through Las Vegas, Jackson, Yellowstone and Montana. Any areas along that route you guys suggest to go have some fun with my first 4Runner? or any good shops local to you guys that would be good to check out along the way?

I'm sick of paying exorbitant Canadian/shipping prices for stuff.

Thanks in Advance!

if you've ever considered an ICON suspension, maybe check out Outlaw Off-Road in Santa Ana, CA. i have no personal experience, but know that a number of members have purchased from them at very reasonable prices. they do professional installs too. they know what they're doing—so you're not paying someone for a "we drained your KDSS cylinders, now what?" or "we took a grinder to your sway bar" shit-show. Welcome to Outlaw Offroad

sounds like a great trip. have fun. :driving:

 

[AZrunner11]

National parks to see

Don't miss Grand Tetons while you at Yellowstone- they are amazing. There is also Glacier National Park which is an easy drive from when you exit Yellowstone in Montana. The Chief Mountain POE which allow you to enter the Canadian Waterton Park and then proceed back to Calgary.

 

[bernardmwrangle]

Should be no shortage of trails, here are some tips on cool spots:

Taqueria Cancun burrito San Francisco Mission & 19th
Smugglers Cove Pirate Bar San Francisco on Gough
Gayles Bakery in Capitola South of Santa Cruz amazing food of all kinds
Pappy and Harriets Pioneertown Palace Pioneertown

Have Fun!

 

[Gabex35]

Enjoy a few relaxation days in sunny San Diego!

 

[N2GLOCK]

San Diego is well worth going to. You can stop by Old Town, walk around and have some great Mexican food. The hotel Del Coronado is an awesome place as so is Coronado itself. San Juan Capistrano in Orange County is a cool little town too.You can drive the 101 N and then get hwy. 1 around San Luis Obispo. Lots of places to check out. Morro Bay, Cambria, Big Sur and Monterey are just a few names. Im in LA and just got back from a 3 day road trip to the bay area. Lots to see and do in Cali, and it's not just girls in bikinis, movie stars and Palm Trees like TV leads you to believe.

 

[4fun-ar]

I agree with N2GLOCK. I'm from LA too. Had a nice week long road trip in Big Sur and Carmel/Monterey areas last year ( however with my fj62). You can find really nice trails in big sur. While in big sur don't forget the Pfeiffer beach and Pfeiffer state park.

 

[4fun-ar]

Forgot to say don't forget to stop by at Del Norte. Its at border of California and Oregon at the Pacific ocean. Really beautiful county and if you're in river kayaking that's the place to go.

 

[GiGi's 1996]

From Palm Springs, you will only be less than 3 hours from the border and Gordons Well sand dunes. Google "Algodones Rd." and "Gordons Well sand dunes" Taking a day trip to across the border would be an adventure--not in the 4R, walk across. Then while you are so close to AZ, Sedona is up the road. Sedona has a lot of trails and is beautiful country. Happy traveling!

 

[eddiebx]

On your way between cali to vegas, maybe you can try to swing by death valley? Even just seeing the touristy scenic areas are worth the drive IMO. I forgot what all the lookout points are called, but it's all along the stretch heading towards bad water basin. PS: bring sunblock, lol.

 

[ChrisTheSwede]

On your way between cali to vegas, maybe you can try to swing by death valley? Even just seeing the touristy scenic areas are worth the drive IMO.

I second that. I just did Titus Canyon and Racetrack Valley. Two easy drives with amazing scenery. Pictures here and coordinates here.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

The drive out of Yellowstone's NE entrance on 212 to Red Lodge is absolutely gorgeous. We saw several moose hoofing it at high speed across the top of the pass at altitude. I did not expect to see moose that high.

 

[uptheirons]

Thanks everyone, that's a lot of suggestions to take in. Doubt I'll be able to fit all of those in, but I'll give a damn good effort.

 

[gm4life]

The drive out of Yellowstone's NE entrance on 212 to Red Lodge is absolutely gorgeous. We saw several moose hoofing it at high speed across the top of the pass at altitude. I did not expect to see moose that high.

I second this... One of the best scenic drives in the world. Make sure you spend a few days in the Tetons there are several nice trails. If you recall the red 2014 4Runner Trail marketing videos were made in Grand Teton National park. It is a real pretty trail right off of one of the main roads in the park. Not a hard trail all I did it in a 2012 SR5 4WD rental it was a blast you really don't need 4WD just the ground clearance. My advice start about 6:30 or 7pm at night watch the sunset and see great wildlife. I will post some pics I just wish I had the trail name for you. It is a pretty easy trail no major boulders or drop offs. I will say it this way I am as OCD as they come about my rides and would do it in my own 2013. In fact my family agreed off roading in the rental was the highlight of the trip. That is one of the many reasons a BP 2013 SR5 4WD is in my garage now. A second one is coming in the future as well!

Enjoy your trip I love the Tetons way more than Yellowstone. We typically spend 3/4 of are time in the Tetons the other quarter in Yellowstone.

 

[ToyotaDoodz]

I second this... One of the best scenic drives in the world. Make sure you spend a few days in the Tetons there are several nice trails. If you recall the red 2014 4Runner Trail marketing videos were made in Grand Teton National park. It is a real pretty trail right off of one of the main roads in the park. Not a hard trail all I did it in a 2012 SR5 4WD rental it was a blast you really don't need 4WD just the ground clearance. My advice start about 6:30 or 7pm at night watch the sunset and see great wildlife. I will post some pics I just wish I had the trail name for you. It is a pretty easy trail no major boulders or drop offs. I will say it this way I am as OCD as they come about my rides and would do it in my own 2013. In fact my family agreed off roading in the rental was the highlight of the trip. That is one of the many reasons a BP 2013 SR5 4WD is in my garage now. A second one is coming in the future as well!

Enjoy your trip I love the Tetons way more than Yellowstone. We typically spend 3/4 of are time in the Tetons the other quarter in Yellowstone.

I bet I know exactly which trail you're talking about. Was it along the Snake river out in the flats? I used to always carry a laptop running Street Atlas USA on trips and I've kept all my GPS logs since 1999 so I could look at them later for times like this. I now use A Garmin Nuvi 2757 with 7" display but I also keep its logs.

Coming back home from Jasper, AB in June 2005 we took a very cool trail, just north out of Jackson but south of Jenny Lake off of the Teton Park road. It was very cool and it followed the top of the bank of the Snake river. We watched a pack of wolves try to take down a bison for several hours until it was nearly dark. Very cool trail and it's called Cottonwood Creek road. The main highway between Jackson and Yellowstone is 191/189. If you're on that road and you're looking West at the Tetons like everyone else, there is a river bank trail on top of the opposite shore line of the Snake river.

This trail makes a loop from Jackson Lake to just south of Jenny lake and follows the Snake river. A stock 4Runner can do it. If there's snow or heavy rain, I'd probably stay off. It's about ~9 to 10 miles total length. It's not difficult at all. Note, I would recommend a 1/2 tank of gas before starting this trail.

(I strongly recommend having GPS when taking any first time trail)

To get there enter Cotton Creek Road at the south end of Jackson lake (N43.823, W110.61498) and you'll come out 1/2 way between Moose and Jenny lake (N43.69919, W110.72681).

If you have Garmin BaseCamp it's also shown as Bar B C Ranch road.

Ill be taking my first big road trip in my 4Runner in April . . . . .

[MENTION=105168]uptheirons[/MENTION], you have easy access to one of our favorite places in the world, Jasper, AB. We love it and have watched the Columbia Glacier recede dramatically in 25 years of visits.

One caution, the higher mountain passes around Yellowstone may still have some snow issues in April. Yellowstone averages 48° to 16° in April. Also check out the park facilities opening dates here. Opening & Closing Dates of Facilities - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Enjoy your trip!

 

[gm4life]

I bet I know exactly which trail you're talking about. Was it along the Snake river out in the flats? I used to always carry a laptop running Street Atlas USA on trips and I've kept all my GPS logs since 1999 so I could look at them later for times like this. I now use A Garmin Nuvi 2757 with 7" display but I also keep its logs.

Coming back home from Jasper, AB in June 2005 we took a very cool trail, just north out of Jackson but south of Jenny Lake off of the Teton Park road. It was very cool and it followed the top of the bank of the Snake river. We watched a pack of wolves try to take down a bison for several hours until it was nearly dark. Very cool trail and it's called Cottonwood Creek road. The main highway between Jackson and Yellowstone is 191/189. If you're on that road and you're looking West at the Tetons like everyone else, there is a river bank trail on top of the opposite shore line of the Snake river.

This trail makes a loop from Jackson Lake to just south of Jenny lake and follows the Snake river. A stock 4Runner can do it. If there's snow or heavy rain, I'd probably stay off. It's about ~9 to 10 miles total length. It's not difficult at all. Note, I would recommend a 1/2 tank of gas before starting this trail.

(I strongly recommend having GPS when taking any first time trail)

To get there enter Cotton Creek Road at the south end of Jackson lake (N43.823, W110.61498) and you'll come out 1/2 way between Moose and Jenny lake (N43.69919, W110.72681).

If you have Garmin BaseCamp it's also shown as Bar B C Ranch road.



[MENTION=105168]uptheirons[/MENTION], you have easy access to one of our favorite places in the world, Jasper, AB. We love it and have watched the Columbia Glacier recede dramatically in 25 years of visits.

One caution, the higher mountain passes around Yellowstone may still have some snow issues in April. Yellowstone averages 48° to 16° in April. Also check out the park facilities opening dates here. Opening & Closing Dates of Facilities - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Enjoy your trip!

That is it Bar B C road runs along the snake river in the flats. You can run on it all the way to cotton wood creek road. It is right off of Teton park road.

 

[Howard35]

If you have never seen the grand canyon, I suggest going to Tuweep / Toroweep overlook Toroweap/Tuweep Area - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service)


The 'main street route' (90miles) runs out from St. George UT which is about 120miles north of Las Vegas on the I-15.

Its mostly a graded gravel road except when passing thru Mt. Trumbull and also the last 2-3 miles within the park boundary to the overlook is a bit rough. The road is not as bad as depicted on the nps website, as long as it is dry. We had a pretty mild winter so by April you will probably be ok but should call and check road condition and weather report just to be safe. I did it easily when my 4runner was still stock (except for good AT tires which I would recommend if you plan on doing the last 2-3 miles).

What ever you decide Safe travels!

 

[sf jakey]

Not sure I'd take advice on where to go in San Francisco from a guy in Mill Valley. It may be close to SF, but it is not even remotely similar and only a true San Franciscan could give you advice on where to go in The City. I could name 50 burrito places which top the one mentioned.

 

[Mikefj40]

I second that. I just did Titus Canyon and Racetrack Valley. Two easy drives with amazing scenery. Pictures here and coordinates here.

Titus Canyon, Racetrack and Lippincott Road over to Saline Valley. Lippincott has a particularly high pucker factor. Don't look down.

Mikefj40
'14 TE "Bunky"