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!
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.
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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!
