SoCal to Denver and back. What should I do on the way?

4rcybr

4rcybr

New member
Turns out I need to be in Denver Monday night 2 weeks from now. I could fly, but I'm thinking I could have some fun driving instead. I can take off work as soon as Thursday, which gives me 5 days to drive out, probably can take a similar time to get back. I've done the drive in two days before, so I know that leaves a little time to explore along the way.

I'm not likely to get to run anything that needs advance booking, and I'll be solo-so nothing too difficult.

Any thoughts or recommendations on things that are great to do on the way through-rather than as a destination?

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Moab is on the way, there are tons of trails off I70 near Denver. One of my brothers lives there, member Spungus, hit him up.





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phqduphead said:
Moab is on the way, there are tons of trails off I70 near Denver. One of my brothers lives there, member Spungus, hit him up.

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I was wondering about Moab-it's actually something I haven't done yet. Most of the trips I hear about are going out there and spending several days there, or doing trails that shouldn't be attempted solo. Probably worth picking up a guide book and looking for some easier solo-able trails...

Thanks!
 
I only spent two days there, but I think fins n things is a good trail that is not to difficult and gives you an idea of the area. Moab is about 30 min south of I70
 
Valley of Fire State Park just past Vegas. Can make it a quick drive through with some cool spots to get out and explore for a few hours.
Utah: Get off the 15 and take scenic routes 12 to Bryce Canyon, Escalante and Boulder. Continue north to route 25/Fish Lake Loop if you can. So awesome back there. From Boulder, you can even drive through Capital Reef in a few hours on some dirt which is fun: Burr Trail. Make sure to take the side trail to Strike Valley Overlook. You'll have to get back on the 70 the rest of the way, but make sure to stop in Moab since you have never been as previously stated. Outdoor playground with so much to do. There are some easier trails that solo-ing will be fine, just do a little research.
 
phqduphead said:
I only spent two days there, but I think fins n things is a good trail that is not to difficult and gives you an idea of the area. Moab is about 30 min south of I70
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I've seen some cool pictures from that trail. I'll take a look.

tay4R said:
Valley of Fire State Park just past Vegas. Can make it a quick drive through with some cool spots to get out and explore for a few hours.
Utah: Get off the 15 and take scenic routes 12 to Bryce Canyon, Escalante and Boulder. Continue north to route 25/Fish Lake Loop if you can. So awesome back there. From Boulder, you can even drive through Capital Reef in a few hours on some dirt which is fun: Burr Trail. Make sure to take the side trail to Strike Valley Overlook. You'll have to get back on the 70 the rest of the way, but make sure to stop in Moab since you have never been as previously stated. Outdoor playground with so much to do. There are some easier trails that solo-ing will be fine, just do a little research.
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I like the sound of a lot of that. Scenic routes are wonderful.

Is the FunTreks book the best for that area or is there another guide you'd recommend?
 
We were in this situation last summer with roughly the same timeline. We decided to drive through Sedona and onward to Four Corners. From there you can drive northeast to Frisco by driving the first few segments of the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route. It is a non-technical route with incredible views, interesting history, and took us through areas of Southwestern Colorado that we likely would not have ever visited since most people seem to focus on Ouray and Silverton. We were solo, as in just me, my wife, and my two kids and I never felt like we were in a situation that was sketchy. June might be a little early for some of the higher passes, but there are optional ways through those sections. A lot of the sections (trails) are in the CO Funtreks book.

Just another option for you...
 
4rcybr said:
I've seen some cool pictures from that trail. I'll take a look.



I like the sound of a lot of that. Scenic routes are wonderful.

Is the FunTreks book the best for that area or is there another guide you'd recommend?
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Don't know what trail guides/books are out there for that area. Funtreks would have some great stuff I'm sure so probably not a bad idea to pick up a book. I just used google maps and whatever dirt roads were listed in the parks to hit up and explored from there.
 
Offcamber said:
We were in this situation last summer with roughly the same timeline. We decided to drive through Sedona and onward to Four Corners. From there you can drive northeast to Frisco by driving the first few segments of the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route. It is a non-technical route with incredible views, interesting history, and took us through areas of Southwestern Colorado that we likely would not have ever visited since most people seem to focus on Ouray and Silverton. We were solo, as in just me, my wife, and my two kids and I never felt like we were in a situation that was sketchy. June might be a little early for some of the higher passes, but there are optional ways through those sections. A lot of the sections (trails) are in the CO Funtreks book.

Just another option for you...
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That sounds nice. I'll look at the CBDR and see what comes up-definitely looking more for scenic than technical since I'll be alone (I'll have my satellite communicator, but I'd rather not need it).

tay4R said:
Don't know what trail guides/books are out there for that area. Funtreks would have some great stuff I'm sure so probably not a bad idea to pick up a book. I just used google maps and whatever dirt roads were listed in the parks to hit up and explored from there.
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I like having physical books for when I'm out-I'll also download the available Google maps and OpenStreetMaps for the areas, but I like knowing I have paper maps available if all the electronics go (I also have a printed US atlas in any vehicle I own, despite the fact that I almost never use them).

Anyways, thanks for the input-I'll see what I find.
 
4rcybr said:
That sounds nice. I'll look at the CBDR and see what comes up-definitely looking more for scenic than technical since I'll be alone (I'll have my satellite communicator, but I'd rather not need it).
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This is a good place to start if you want to check it out: ridebdr.com/COBDR. The BDRs seem to be popular with the dual sport crowd, so a lot of the info is on moto websites and most of the YouTube videos were taken by guys on two wheels. That being said, none of the route (at least the segments we were on) is single track. I'd be happy to share all of the info I accumulated while researching the route if you decide to give it a go.
 
I will be road tripping from San Diego to Wisconsin from June 16th-June 20th. I'll be at Bryce Canyon on June 16th, Moab June 17th, RMNP June 18th, Topeka June 19th, and Wisconsin June 20th. If you're still on the road during that time line we could meet up! I've done Fins and Things once before, it's great!!! Not difficult at all.
 
Offcamber said:
Scratch my suggestion. It doesn't look like SW Colorado is even an option right now. I randomly came across this story a few minutes ago: https://www.denverpost.com/2018/06/11/416-wildfire-update-monday/

And...https://www.fs.usda.gov/sanjuan
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Huh. Well, that makes that decision easy.

DeepSea88 said:
I will be road tripping from San Diego to Wisconsin from June 16th-June 20th. I'll be at Bryce Canyon on June 16th, Moab June 17th, RMNP June 18th, Topeka June 19th, and Wisconsin June 20th. If you're still on the road during that time line we could meet up! I've done Fins and Things once before, it's great!!! Not difficult at all.
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Dude. That could work. My initial thought was to make it to outside Zion Thursday evening, spend the 15th doing some stuff around there and getting to moab by night and have two days there. Seems pretty straightforward to make it to do bryce the 16th, moab the 17th and then I can get to Denver on the 18th. So yeah, I'd be down to meet up and do stuff with someone-always a bit safer and a bit more fun to not be entirely alone out there. I'll PM you my cell.
 
4rcybr said:
Huh. Well, that makes that decision easy.



Dude. That could work. My initial thought was to make it to outside Zion Thursday evening, spend the 15th doing some stuff around there and getting to moab by night and have two days there. Seems pretty straightforward to make it to do bryce the 16th, moab the 17th and then I can get to Denver on the 18th. So yeah, I'd be down to meet up and do stuff with someone-always a bit safer and a bit more fun to not be entirely alone out there. I'll PM you my cell.
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I'll be leaving SD June 16th and arriving in Bryce Canyon the same day. Moab the next day. I will be staying at the Archview campground near Archs NP. Leaving the next day. I'll text you today.
 
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