Stockwell45's Adventure Thread
- Thread starter Stockwell45
- Start date
SantaCruzRunner
Senior Member
so awesome man!!!!!!
Big D's 4Runner
New member
Man those are some awesome pics and a great story to tell about your trip. Sorry about the phone but enjoy your trip and keep up the pics and stories!
01KY4R
New member
Thank you for my new desktop background. I'm enjoying reading about your trip probably as much as you're enjoying experiencing it!
TRDteen
New member
3,905 miles into trip
BEAUTIFUL! This thread is amazing. This makes me want to cruise the country and enjoy what mother nature has to offer. :driving:
Stockwell45
New member
Glad you guys are liking the pics, I'm definitely no photographer and my camera isn't the best, but at least they are better than nothing!
4,368 miles into trip
After leaving Moab, I headed south and checked out the southern most entrance to Canyonlands National park. The scenery was just as spectacular as Moab.
...but the real amazing thing was finding this at the very back of the park. Totally not expecting it at all.
There was no way I could pass this up, so up the trail I go.
The sign may have been exaggerating a bit about being one of the toughest trails in Utah, but still was pretty challenging and I had a blast. Many of the larger ledges on the trail had been filled in with concrete by the NPS, probably to keep people from taking smaller rocks from off the trail use as steps to get over the ledges. But there are still many tippy sections and switchbacks to make it plenty of a challenge.
The trail ended by turning into this dirt road, which led to a small campground and a couple trailheads. I didn't end up staying here, although it would have been nice since the only way to access it is by completing the trail.
Back down the switchbacks
From Canyonlands, I made it as far as Lake Powell near the inlet of the Colorado before camping. Another gorgeous red rock camp, and finally a night of peace and quiet.
The next morning I was in Capital Reef National Park, and by the end of the day I was back in St. George. Just another beautiful day in Utah.
The empty Lake Powell inlet, Colorado River flowing in its original channel
For now I think I'll stay around the St. George area, do some maintenance on the 4Runner and spend some time with family and a few friends that have moved here from California. After new years, I think I'll head east again, but this time through the southern states. I'm planning on Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and maybe Arkansas. For the next month It'll be part time staying in the tent, part time at my parents house and part time at friends houses. It'll be nice having a real bed for a little bit, and a shower that's not at a truck stop!
4,368 miles into trip
After leaving Moab, I headed south and checked out the southern most entrance to Canyonlands National park. The scenery was just as spectacular as Moab.
...but the real amazing thing was finding this at the very back of the park. Totally not expecting it at all.
There was no way I could pass this up, so up the trail I go.
The sign may have been exaggerating a bit about being one of the toughest trails in Utah, but still was pretty challenging and I had a blast. Many of the larger ledges on the trail had been filled in with concrete by the NPS, probably to keep people from taking smaller rocks from off the trail use as steps to get over the ledges. But there are still many tippy sections and switchbacks to make it plenty of a challenge.
The trail ended by turning into this dirt road, which led to a small campground and a couple trailheads. I didn't end up staying here, although it would have been nice since the only way to access it is by completing the trail.
Back down the switchbacks
From Canyonlands, I made it as far as Lake Powell near the inlet of the Colorado before camping. Another gorgeous red rock camp, and finally a night of peace and quiet.
The next morning I was in Capital Reef National Park, and by the end of the day I was back in St. George. Just another beautiful day in Utah.
The empty Lake Powell inlet, Colorado River flowing in its original channel
For now I think I'll stay around the St. George area, do some maintenance on the 4Runner and spend some time with family and a few friends that have moved here from California. After new years, I think I'll head east again, but this time through the southern states. I'm planning on Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and maybe Arkansas. For the next month It'll be part time staying in the tent, part time at my parents house and part time at friends houses. It'll be nice having a real bed for a little bit, and a shower that's not at a truck stop!
Last edited:
Stockwell45
New member
I'll definitely let you know, a meetup sounds great!
Stockwell45
New member
Not a whole lot to report lately, I’ve been spending most of my time exploring southern Utah and the Arizona strip area. I definitely love this type of country, there’s just something about the red rock.
Obviously if I’m going to be exploring the Arizona strip, I’ve gotta go camp out at the Grand Canyon. So I headed out to Tuweap on the north rim, the only access is from the north (obviously) on a super washboardy road 95 miles long. If you go slow over the washboards, it’s going to take you all day to do those 95 miles, but too fast and you feel like every nut and bolt is going to come lose. The rattling and the bumping caused the Trasharoo to slide off the spare tire and drag on the ground twice, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be coughing up dust for a week.
Funny thing, I was at Tuweap exactly a year ago, and again 7 months ago. I don’t miss that road though.
Pics are terrible because of the lighting, but you get the idea.
Back in Williston I managed to get some tent material caught up in the zipper for the cover. Neither the zipper or the canvas wanted to give, and the zipper handle broke right off. I’ve also had some problems with my ladder, it loves to collapse on me at random times once I get my full weight inside the tent. No questions asked, Tepui sent me out a whole new zipper assembly and new ladder. Big props to them for their customer service. I had it shipped to my parents, and I picked it up yesterday. Brown santa is great!
Tomorrow I am off to eastern Nevada, near the town of Rachel, Area 51 an hundreds of miles of trails. I have heard there is a mountain you can drive up to the top of and look down upon Area 51, and legally. So hopefully I’ll find that. Stay tuned!
Obviously if I’m going to be exploring the Arizona strip, I’ve gotta go camp out at the Grand Canyon. So I headed out to Tuweap on the north rim, the only access is from the north (obviously) on a super washboardy road 95 miles long. If you go slow over the washboards, it’s going to take you all day to do those 95 miles, but too fast and you feel like every nut and bolt is going to come lose. The rattling and the bumping caused the Trasharoo to slide off the spare tire and drag on the ground twice, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be coughing up dust for a week.
Funny thing, I was at Tuweap exactly a year ago, and again 7 months ago. I don’t miss that road though.
Pics are terrible because of the lighting, but you get the idea.
Back in Williston I managed to get some tent material caught up in the zipper for the cover. Neither the zipper or the canvas wanted to give, and the zipper handle broke right off. I’ve also had some problems with my ladder, it loves to collapse on me at random times once I get my full weight inside the tent. No questions asked, Tepui sent me out a whole new zipper assembly and new ladder. Big props to them for their customer service. I had it shipped to my parents, and I picked it up yesterday. Brown santa is great!
Tomorrow I am off to eastern Nevada, near the town of Rachel, Area 51 an hundreds of miles of trails. I have heard there is a mountain you can drive up to the top of and look down upon Area 51, and legally. So hopefully I’ll find that. Stay tuned!
Stockwell45
New member
Well, he hasn't made one since mine. But he is just itching to make more. Just don't have the business being way out in the sticks and not enough advertisement.
So Many Roads
New member
Awesome trip, thanks for sharing. Escalante is a great area to explore, and I always wanted to drive down into the Maze in Canyonlands. One of these days...
crazydubman
New member
Amazing trip so far. I need to get out to Utah soon for some wheelin. My dad has a cabin in Duck Creek in the south eastern corner between Bryce canyon and Zion. Hopefully when you get back we can set up a wheelin trip at slick rock and deer valley. I really want to hear more about your trip and check out what you have done with your runner in person. :bigok:
Enjoy your trip and be safe. :driving:
Enjoy your trip and be safe. :driving:
downpour11
New member
I was just thinking of this thread.... updates???
@crazydubman - my family has a house in Kanab right by Zion too I've been wanting to get out there for a while now!
@crazydubman - my family has a house in Kanab right by Zion too I've been wanting to get out there for a while now!
