Northern Nevada, Utah, Colorado people--trip planning advice

[Stick Figure]

because I'm lazy here's my copy and past from Expedition Portal

I'm originally from Nebraska, and been on the west coast for a while now. Previous drives have always been from LA-ish area and most of the drives have been about 98% interstate and usually involved a short time frame and dragging a trailer back with spare cars, and or parts, or tools. This time it is different. We are heading back over the holidays but have about a 2.5 week window, and I want to see some things that I haven't had time to actually stop and see before. The other change is that we are leaving from San Jose this time.

I have figured we would head out on hwy 50 through Nevada, and have found a few things of interest that I am going to want to do, and quite a few others to have on the MAP as backup for being ahead of schedule for some reason. Utah is where I'm really starting to have some difficulty. There seems to be so much to see and from looking at maps entering in at hwy 50 leaves you with the option of taking 50/70 or heading more north to 40. The other thing to consider is where which route puts us into Colorado, and what there is to do/see and explore there.

So what would you do or see? Yes we can potentially take different routes to and from, but I am guessing we will be stuck there until the absolute last minute and not have near as much fun time for the drive home, so I'm not counting on that, but will have a back up plan if I am pleasantly surprised.

So to keep this 3rd gen related ... where do you want to see pics of my 4Runner in front of/on top of/camped out in?

 

[farmerjon]

Some good attractions in Northern Wyoming & Southern Montana... If you want advice for that area, just let me know!

Some really helpful advice here: Thinking about a road trip out West - The Great Outdoors Beta - Stack Exchange

Only issue is that there is snow in that area and much of Yellowstone is closed to vehicle traffic - but you can ride snowmobiles and snowcoaches, as well as cross-country ski.

 

[Stick Figure]

We probably won't make it that far north on this trip. If we do it wouldn't be much farther north than the 80 which we've done a few times already. At some point I would like to take a more northern route and hit up South Dakota again as well though. I haven't been there since I was young and on a family vacation.

 

[Gerdo]

Our mountains are starting to get snow now so trails could be difficult. Of course, Moab should be on your must see list.

Here is a great trail guide TrailDamage.com - All Trails

 

[Stick Figure]

Our mountains are starting to get snow now so trails could be difficult. Of course, Moab should be on your must see list.

Here is a great trail guide TrailDamage.com - All Trails

Snow is why I'm trying to find a good variety of options. I'm not trying to be those missing people on the late night news.

thanks for the links guys .. gives me more to read in between catching up on maintenance and mods.

 

[Gerdo]

Our winter runs are usually:
TrailDamage.com - China Wall
TrailDamage.com - Yankee Hill

Give us a call when you get something planed and maybe some of us could do a run with you

Moab camping

 

[OU4x4]

once in utah take I70 across and hit the moab area.
it's a must for any off roader. you could spend years here and not see everything.
it's beautiful and has trails of all difficulty levels so you won't be bored.

the trouble with coming across colorado is the snow, as mentioned by gerdo
while we are way behind in snow totals, it doesn't take much to turn trails into trouble.
and if you hit vail pass or the eisenhower tunnel in a storm it will be slow going.
you won't have problems in the 4runner but semis and minivans are trouble

 

[Stick Figure]

Our winter runs are usually:
TrailDamage.com - China Wall
TrailDamage.com - Yankee Hill

Give us a call when you get something planed and maybe some of us could do a run with you

Moab camping

once in utah take I70 across and hit the moab area.
it's a must for any off roader. you could spend years here and not see everything.
it's beautiful and has trails of all difficulty levels so you won't be bored.

the trouble with coming across colorado is the snow, as mentioned by gerdo
while we are way behind in snow totals, it doesn't take much to turn trails into trouble.
and if you hit vail pass or the eisenhower tunnel in a storm it will be slow going.
you won't have problems in the 4runner but semis and minivans are trouble

Trust me i've made the I70 drive too many times in the past, only time I've had problems was some unexpected ice on an otherwise dry road in my MR2 when I first brought it out. That resulted in me dropping my phone and suddenly driving in a very sideways drift around a mountain that I was probably glad was in the dark so I couldn't see how far down I could have gone.

One winter we gave some poor truck driver a ride back to his truck because he was walking out of a gas station having just been bent over once by the state patrol for not having chains, and once by the gas station selling chains in an ideal location for a not very ideal price. I figured the poor guy had suffered enough.

Gerdo, I'll post up a bit more as I get some more planned out or PM you with some contact info.

We've been by Moab on one previous trip, but didn't have time or a vehicle ready to do any real exploring. The only down side I see to it would be how popular it really is. Especially after doing a little bit of shopping today, I'm really looking forward to getting away from people for a while.

 

[OU4x4]

Is moab popular....sure. but unless you're there during a jamboree, there are enough trails for everyone to have plenty of solitude.
Last time I was in moab there were more motorcycles than 4x4s and they stick to different trails.
We're just suggesting it since it's an amazing place to wheel.

 

[5280nrg]

I pulled this from one of the Moab sites... because I'm lazy and it was just about the same list I would come up with:

"What to see in Moab, Utah

When coming to Moab, the most popular things to see are it’s natural wonders that are highlighted in it’s two National Parks. Arches National Park is an excellent place to explore, hike and take photographs. Canyonlands National Park is such a large park, that it would take many years to see the entire park. Canyonlands National Park is divided into three sections by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The most popular section is Island in the Sky, it was given it’s unique name due to the fact that you sit high on a mesa and look down into the many wonderful geological features. The second most popular section is The Needles and it is a great place 4x4 as you are down in the canyons looking at the tremendous spires above. The last section of Canyonlands is called the Maze. The Maze is a remote area that offers back country access only. (Check out our Photo Library for wonderful pictures of the area!)

Dead Horse State Park is on the way to the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park and is not to be missed! Many refer to it as the “little Grand Canyon” for it’s beautiful view of the Colorado River below it’s dramatic 2,000ft. cliffs.

The Manti-La Sal National Forest is a great way to cool-off during the hot summer days. Spending an afternoon at one of the many lakes or taking a drive is a great way to enjoy the mountain. Try the La Sal Mountain Loop road for a easy side trip into the mountains (takes 2.5hrs).

The Colorado River Scenic Byway 128 was named one of the top 10 short scenic byways in all of America by Reader’s Digest. This 35 mile trip is an excellent place for photography and sightseeing. Don’t forget to see the famous Fisher Towers along the way. Or take a side trip to the quaint town of Castle Valley. (Download our Online Brochure for a map.)

The Potash Scenic Byway 279 affords guests with wonderful views of Indian Petroglyphs, as well as rock climbing areas. Potash also provides BLM regulated camping areas along the river. Drive a little further and a sign indicating Dinosaur Tracks is a great place to let the kids explore. (Download our Online Brochure for a map.)"

Good luck, bring a really good camera, and share the pics with us!! I personally love living vicariously thru other's adventures, as I sit in my studio throughout the winter trying hard not to buy a plane ticket to the Bahamas.

 

[theizzardking]

i'll be in S.utah from the 21st~23rd and vegas for a few days around christmas if you want to meet up for a beer.

i'll be cruising around zion,snow creek, and bryce for a few days, i know of a few good routes through some of the parks in that area, can't help with maps really as i just cruise, cool little trail that links the three parks, my parents live just down the road from zion so my experience is just exploring as opposed to navigating with a group or looking at maps....if your in the area drop me a line and i can probably show you a few good places to eat and explore.

have fun man, be safe, nothing like a few thousand miles in a rig for the holidays eh? :girl: