leftyguns21
New member
i worry 2 weeks wont be enough time for you. i did 6 days over to San Diego and back to Denver...wasnt even close to enough time. i felt rushed. and if you plan on covering that many spots....
Help me have a great trip...
- Thread starter Catfish
- Start date
Texas4runnerguy
New member
OH, and dont forget to bring a first aid kit, never know when something will happen!
Catfish
Member
amccalla89 - Thanks! That road sounds perfect. I'll be checking that out for sure.
TX4runner - Oh yeah, I'll be traveling with plenty of liquids...water, gatorade, beer and tequila. Plus, I'm taking an empty growler along and will be filling it at various breweries along the way. Should make for some nice evenings around the campfire. And there's always a first-aid kit and book in the truck!
Leftyguns21 - I agree. I'm gonna try to get more time off, but my boss is weird about people taking off more than 2 weeks at a time. I can probably swing 2.5...maybe. But even if not, I'll do my best. Since I have no real itinerary, I can drop some spots if needed. But I sure don't want to....
TX4runner - Oh yeah, I'll be traveling with plenty of liquids...water, gatorade, beer and tequila. Plus, I'm taking an empty growler along and will be filling it at various breweries along the way. Should make for some nice evenings around the campfire. And there's always a first-aid kit and book in the truck!
Leftyguns21 - I agree. I'm gonna try to get more time off, but my boss is weird about people taking off more than 2 weeks at a time. I can probably swing 2.5...maybe. But even if not, I'll do my best. Since I have no real itinerary, I can drop some spots if needed. But I sure don't want to....
leftyguns21
New member
i like your style. if youre gonna be in estes, co hit up the estes brewery. got some good brews there
Texas05SE
New member
I have never been there, but I work with a guy who just got back from Durango. He said everyone in that town has a dog and everyplace he went (stores/bars/etc.) the owner/operators inside had their dog with them and even had water bowls in front of their stores for people with dogs. Just thought I'd pass that along. Maybe someday I'll get my two labs there...
Texas4runnerguy
New member
So I just saw on fox news that exxon pipe bursted in yellowstone and dumped 1000 gallons into it :jaw drop:. Might suck I'm sure people will be out there trying to "clean" it up.
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4Runners
New member
I'm pretty sure that by the time he gets there it will be cleaned up, i hope!
Reata
New member
Sounds awesome!! Subscribed. Wish I could go with you. Sounds great.
Not as sexy, but still cool to see on your way to CO:
http://http://www.palodurocanyon.com/
http://http://www.nps.gov/cavo/index.htm
You can even drive your truck across this one, really, really cool, but also scary.
http://http://royalgorgebridge.com/
Not as sexy, but still cool to see on your way to CO:
http://http://www.palodurocanyon.com/
http://http://www.nps.gov/cavo/index.htm
You can even drive your truck across this one, really, really cool, but also scary.
http://http://royalgorgebridge.com/
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Just drove from Milwaukee to Yellowstone and back. Left Wed before July 4th and got back Tuesday after.
Took along a First Aid Kit, lots of water (Arizona Ice Tea in my case). Some essentials (Camera, knife, multi tool, GPS, lots of insect repellant and sunscreen).
Drove alone 14 hrs the first day (would not advise). Reached Custer State Park. Slept at a gas station since I couldnt find the cabin my family had rented at 3AM (they left a day earlier).
Didnt get to see the badlands since I drove there at night. Would recommend driving only about 8 hrs max if you are short for time. Stop often and take a break. Yellowstone was great the Thursday-Friday we got there. Saturday through Sunday it was super packed. Got to see some Grizzlies, quiet a few Black Bears, and more bison then I care for. Ate some buffalo burgers (Rapid City) and quite liked them. Drove back via North Dakota (pretty bland compared to the other route). Everything West of the river to badlands boring countryside. Once you hit the badlands, it gets a lot more scenic.
Didnt get to drive my 4Runner for the trip, but got a Jeep GC from Enterprise. Must say, it is more comfortable to drive long distances in the JGC. The seat is longer and supports the legs better. Something I've found lacking in almost all Toyota's except for the Tundra. Gave me an approximate 23-24.5 MPG for the whole trip. 3450 miles total driven over 7 days. I need a vacation.
Took along a First Aid Kit, lots of water (Arizona Ice Tea in my case). Some essentials (Camera, knife, multi tool, GPS, lots of insect repellant and sunscreen).
Drove alone 14 hrs the first day (would not advise). Reached Custer State Park. Slept at a gas station since I couldnt find the cabin my family had rented at 3AM (they left a day earlier).
Didnt get to see the badlands since I drove there at night. Would recommend driving only about 8 hrs max if you are short for time. Stop often and take a break. Yellowstone was great the Thursday-Friday we got there. Saturday through Sunday it was super packed. Got to see some Grizzlies, quiet a few Black Bears, and more bison then I care for. Ate some buffalo burgers (Rapid City) and quite liked them. Drove back via North Dakota (pretty bland compared to the other route). Everything West of the river to badlands boring countryside. Once you hit the badlands, it gets a lot more scenic.
Didnt get to drive my 4Runner for the trip, but got a Jeep GC from Enterprise. Must say, it is more comfortable to drive long distances in the JGC. The seat is longer and supports the legs better. Something I've found lacking in almost all Toyota's except for the Tundra. Gave me an approximate 23-24.5 MPG for the whole trip. 3450 miles total driven over 7 days. I need a vacation.
4Runners
New member
That seemed like a nice, short trip Giskarded. So why didn't you want to take the 4runner? I've actually heard quite a few people complain about the seats, but i've never thought they were uncomfortable, unless you're really tall or something.
Another thing about yellowstone is that the bears seem active this season. Look at this: Man killed by grizzly bear at Yellowstone National Park - CNN.com It's the first person killed by a bear since 1986 and they closed all the trails and backcountry in the park (most likely the NPS is gonna hunt down the bear and kill it)
Another thing about yellowstone is that the bears seem active this season. Look at this: Man killed by grizzly bear at Yellowstone National Park - CNN.com It's the first person killed by a bear since 1986 and they closed all the trails and backcountry in the park (most likely the NPS is gonna hunt down the bear and kill it)
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We had a great time in northern New Mexico:
Hiking in northern New Mexico
We had an amazing time in southern Colorado as well.
Hiking in northern New Mexico
We had an amazing time in southern Colorado as well.
I have had a tendency to rent vehicles for most long trips since I'm always thinking about quitting work and going back to school. Dont want to put miles on the Runner if I have to sell it.
I'm about 6'4 but have really long legs from ankle-knee causing my knees to come well over my hips when seated in most cars. The 4Runner just makes it more evident. The JGC is a bit better in this regard. While sitting a Tundra at the dealers, some have the extending thigh support portion to the seat and that really helps.
As for bears, we didnt do any trails (had 2 kids under 4 with us). Was at Artist Point (near where this happened) and we didnt have any bear spray with us. Glad we didnt have any close encounters. Would have liked to have some from the vehicle though for photographic purposes.
Catfish
Member
Reata - Palo Duro Canyon is awesome! I camped there a few years ago between Christmas and NYE...fantastic and cold!
Capulin Volcano and Royal Gorge Bridge look very cool as well. I'll add those to the list. I haven't spent much time in northern New Mexico...
Whitey13 - I hear you about Yellowstone. I know about the lack of dog-friendliness, but I figure as long as I've driven that far, I really should see it...even if it's nothing more than a day drive through the park en route to somewhere where I can let the pooch off the leash. Also, great pics. As I said, I haven't spent much time in northern New Mexico, but that's about to change. I camped at City of Rocks and Organ Mountains Nat'l Rec Area for New Years 2009/10...very cold, yet very awesome.
And yeah, I saw that article about the guy getting killed by a bear in Yellowstone. Scary! Not sure I'll be taking too many long hikes away from civilization (not sure how many parks will even allow dogs on trails...definitely not Yellowstone)...but that got me thinking...what about sleeping in the truck with the windows open at night? Bears? Food? I'd certainly be safer sleeping in the truck rather than a tent if a bear was gonna pay me a visit, but...? Outside of sealing up any food, or storing it in a bear-proof container...any other bear-safety tips? I reckon I should get some pepper spray, just in case.
Capulin Volcano and Royal Gorge Bridge look very cool as well. I'll add those to the list. I haven't spent much time in northern New Mexico...
Whitey13 - I hear you about Yellowstone. I know about the lack of dog-friendliness, but I figure as long as I've driven that far, I really should see it...even if it's nothing more than a day drive through the park en route to somewhere where I can let the pooch off the leash. Also, great pics. As I said, I haven't spent much time in northern New Mexico, but that's about to change. I camped at City of Rocks and Organ Mountains Nat'l Rec Area for New Years 2009/10...very cold, yet very awesome.
And yeah, I saw that article about the guy getting killed by a bear in Yellowstone. Scary! Not sure I'll be taking too many long hikes away from civilization (not sure how many parks will even allow dogs on trails...definitely not Yellowstone)...but that got me thinking...what about sleeping in the truck with the windows open at night? Bears? Food? I'd certainly be safer sleeping in the truck rather than a tent if a bear was gonna pay me a visit, but...? Outside of sealing up any food, or storing it in a bear-proof container...any other bear-safety tips? I reckon I should get some pepper spray, just in case.
4Runners
New member
You'll most likely be fine (especially with your dog!) Just get yourself a nice led flashlight and some bear spray if your going into the backcountry. If not you'll be fine.
4Runners
New member
Hey those are some nice pics whitey13! where in colorado were the sand pictures taken? Kinda reminds me of white sands, NM but with yellow sand!
Reata
New member
Did you take pavement to the Great Sand Dunes? 2 years ago, I started in Walsenberg and drove over the mountain through the pass and down into the Great Sand Dunes Park. Camped in the mountains. Tons of fun, very secluded. Deer, bear, fox, the whole area was teaming with wildlife through the night.
We had a great time in northern New Mexico:
Hiking in northern New Mexico
We had an amazing time in southern Colorado as well.
I stayed in Walsenberg as well. We hiked the Lily Lake Trail which I think was at about 12,000ft.
We drove to the dunes the next day. Snow one day, sand the next. I took the sand road around the back.
I should note that I made considerable effort to find places that were incredibly senic, but also convenient for the dogs as well.
As someone mentioned earlier, I don't know if 2 weeks in enough time considering all the driving you're looking at. From Austin to Yellowstone has got to be 25 hours of straight driving alone.
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Catfish
Member
Yeah, I agree...not sure if 2 weeks will be enough time, but it's all I can get. But that's part of the beauty of having no itinerary...if I don't make it all the way to Montana...oh well. Hell, I may not even make it out of Colorado. 
But I'm sure I'll have a blast wherever I end up...
But I'm sure I'll have a blast wherever I end up...
