4233 miles of Rocky Mountains

[Catfish]

Austin, TX -> New Mexico -> Colorado -> Utah -> Wyoming -> Idaho -> Wyoming -> Montana -> Wyoming -> Montana -> Wyoming -> Colorado -> New Mexico -> Austin, TX...4233 miles in two weeks. The 4Runner performed like a champ. I had a quick flasher in Pinedale, WY...seemed like a burned-out blinker...took out the bulb, put it back in and it worked fine. The TPMS light came on in the morning after camping between Grand Teton & Yellowstone parks but went off after warming up a bit...it was in the 30s that night. Blew a 15amp fuse 300 miles from home (on my way home), but that was due to driver error...I forgot to turn off my power inverter before stopping for gas. When I started the truck back up, the fuse blew...no cig lighters/phone charger, amp or rear-view mirror navigation for the last 300 miles. Both my dog and I slept in the truck every night and it all worked out perfectly. Can't wait to go back! And now, some pics...

Storrie Lake State Park - outside of Las Vegas, NM

South Mineral camp - outside of Silverton, CO

Ophir Pass

Alta Lakes camp at night

Smoke on the water at Alta Lakes camp

Owl Creek Pass

Rainbow Lakes camp - outside of Gunnison, CO

Douglas Pass - between Grand Junction and Rangley, CO

Soda Lake camp - outside of Pinedale, WY

Grand Teton Brewing in Victor, ID

Flagg Ranch/Grassy Lake Road camp - between Grand Teton and Yellowstone Nat'l Parks

 

[Catfish]

And some more...

Old Faithful

Island Lake on the Beartooth Highway

Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park

Turquoise Lake - outside of Leadville, CO

Halfmoon Creek camp - outside of Leadville, CO

West Texas sunset

The sleeping arrangements...the dog slept next to my head in the passenger side rear seat area

Oh yeah, I came home with beer...lots and lots of beer...at least a six-pack of every beer in the pic. I can't get any of this stuff down here in Texas

The total miles

Thanks to all who helped me have a great trip...I couldn't have had such a great time without all the info/tips/tricks/encouragement/knowledge from this site. With only two weeks and so much ground to cover, I know I missed a lot. Then again, I now view this trip as a scouting mission. I'm already planning my return to the Rockies next summer...!

If you wanna check out the rest of the pics, here you go...>
4233 miles of Rocky Mountains Sept 2011 pictures by soonerphan - Photobucket

 

[4Runners]

Aww man i just went through all your pics on photobucket and now i wanna leave for another road trip so bad! You covered alot of ground by yourself in two weeks and took some very nice pics! What part of Utah did you cut through? Seems out of the way to go through utah...although southern utah is so awesome and has so many trails that i have to go back!

 

[Catfish]

I only hit the north-eastern corner of Utah...came up Highway 139 from Grand Junction, CO through Rangely and Dinosaur, CO to Vernal, UT. Camped at Red Fleet State Park just north of Vernal, then went through Flaming Gorge Rec Area on the Utah/Wyoming border the next day. We even went for a (very cold) morning swim at the lake at Red Fleet before hitting the road. What a gorgeous area! The reason for heading that way? Grand Teton Brewing Company in Victor, ID. It seemed like a nice scenic way to go...and heading into Utah helped us get on the west side of the storm that was passing though. Wet camping is no fun.

 

[Bigrupp]

Thanks for sharing, but it sucks looking at your pictures. It just reminds me that I won't be going until next summer and it blows that I've gotta wait that long. I like the picture of your dog squinting at the beginning. You can't beat a good dog for a travel buddy. We've got two labs that go everywhere with us and they sure add a lot of fun to our trips.

 

[smallfry]

Wow, you covered a lot of terrain

 

[leftyguns21]

awesome pics. digging the star trail shots (im still trying to pefect those what a PITA)
looks like a blast.

 

[permanentdetour]

Love the Odell 6 pack. That's some tasty barley water

 

[4Runners]

I only hit the north-eastern corner of Utah...came up Highway 139 from Grand Junction, CO through Rangely and Dinosaur, CO to Vernal, UT. Camped at Red Fleet State Park just north of Vernal, then went through Flaming Gorge Rec Area on the Utah/Wyoming border the next day. We even went for a (very cold) morning swim at the lake at Red Fleet before hitting the road. What a gorgeous area! The reason for heading that way? Grand Teton Brewing Company in Victor, ID. It seemed like a nice scenic way to go...and heading into Utah helped us get on the west side of the storm that was passing though. Wet camping is no fun.

Ok i get your route now. Very cool! I've been so close to Idaho so many times but always drove around it.

 

[JB.]

Great stuff!

I can't believe you did all that sleeping on the narrow side of the split seats. I've slept in my truck a lot but always with the double seat folded down. I assume it was to make a place for your dog. He scored big getting you as an owner. Thanks for the pics.

 

[Catfish]

Thanks!

Yeah, it was a little tight, but not too bad. Really, there's no way that the dog could sleep on the narrow side of the split seats...he's a solid 95lbs. Besides, I sleep on the couch a lot, so I'm used to sleeping in narrow spots like that. With a couple of egg-crate foam pieces under me and a mummy sleeping bag, it was quite comfortable.

 

[leftyguns21]

Thanks!

Besides, I sleep on the couch a lot

get in trouble with the wife a lot :naughty:

the road trips i take with my dog...im the same way. give him as much room as possible. he has the whole cargo area and i put the seat down. want him to be comfy on the long trips

 

[8086bruce]

Wow what a trip! Thanks for sharing the pics!!!

 

[snowbrdr033]

WOW!!!! Thanks for sharing the pics with the rest of us, absolutely gorgeous views and great picture taking skills, ha. Love it!!!