Tips for Big Road Trip

IdRatherBe

IdRatherBe

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First off, let me say this forum is excellent and I have been using the hell out of it for research and advice long before I actually joined. There are some mods on here that have kept me up at night working on spreadsheets to figure out how and when I'll make them happen to my T4R.

That said, I am planning a pretty long and excellent road trip from Houston to Utah for my 5 year wedding anniversary/Zion half marathon in mid-March. I have a completely stock '14 Toyota 4runner Trail Premium (sadly, no KDSS). Any thoughts on places I can take this thing without tearing it up before the long drive home? I am not looking to do Hell's Revenge or anything, but I want to take advantage of the 4x4 where I can to get to the cooler places I might otherwise miss. Think Yankee Boy if it wouldn't be covered in snow at that time.

Right now I am definitely locked in to be in the southwest Utah area for a few days and would rather not head too far north for the sake of avoiding snow and additional drive time on return. I'm looking for southern Utah, northern Arizona, or possibly southern Colorado and any New Mexico spots worth checking out.

I am also open to an experienced driver saying it would be smarter to stay clear until I at least upgrade the tires.

I'm looking forward to hearing what you guys have to say.
 
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Based on your timing Colorado/New Mexico is pretty much out of the question, maybe of of the guys more familiar with Utah or Arizona could chime in.
 
Escalante is on your way to/from. Take Cottonwood Canyon north from Hwy89, check out Kodachrome Basin (Great camping spot), which is at the end of Cottonwood Canyon. You can check out nearby Bryce Canyon. Take Hwy12 east to the "town" of Boulder, UT, and take the Burr Trail. Depending on how far out of your way you want to go, you can head north to Capitol Reef, and head towards Canyon Lands and Moab. If you take the Burr Trail, you won't be able to get across the lake on 276, as the ferry doesn't run until May or June (IIRC).

Southern Colorado isn't going to have many/any trails that are open at that time. Pretty much everything closes by 12/1 and doesn't open until May-July.

Monument Valley is pretty close to your route, though I think it is way overrated. Valley of the Gods is not too far north of there, and shouldn't be missed. If you go there, make sure to take Hwy261 north to go up some amazing switchbacks on the huge ridge to the north.

ETA: Bring a decent portable compressor so you can air down, and a tire plug kit. You'll be fine bone stock, unless you go looking for trouble.
 
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Thanks for that. That is pretty much exactly what I had in mind when I asked. I would not have found those roads on my own. My biggest decision has been whether to head south after Bryce Canyon to the Grand Canyon and catch trails on the way (thinking Havasu Falls or just some spots on the north rim if time is a problem) or head east to Moab/Canyonlands. I had a great time in Arches a couple of years ago. Southern Utah is an awesome place.

Thanks for the tips/thoughts on the stock situation. I rarely take a trip without my compressor, but right on on the plugs.

I'm still all ears to any other suggestions.
 
North Rim will still be snowy in March. Even South Rim will be cold. A few years ago I visited south rim in April and it was around 30F and very windy.
 
I am a big backpacker, hiker, and mountain biker. I definitely don't want to see everything from the car. I plan on staying in a cabin for a day or two after the race for my wife's sake, but thats about it. I even geared up with a brand new two person down bag setup to help the wife be ok with the cold out there (her feet are freaking icicles in her solo so my calf gets to act as a heater in the double).
 
March in southern UT can be chilly or not. Moab area might be nicer than around Monument Valley. There is an amazing camping spot about 1/2 way back in Valley of the Gods (17 miles from start to end) and I agree with Jeremy---I never understood why Monument Valley was a bigger deal to people. I'll post a pic. tomorrow of that spot if I remember. You probably wont see a soul in Valley of the Gods. If you want to go a lodge, go to Gouldings in Monument Valley, which my brother goes to every year from LA. Lots of film history--so many of the old Westerns were shot there.

Right in the same neighborhood is Cedar Mesa, and we have hiked some great, unmarked trails there out of see ruins and petroglyphs. Might be snowed in up there in March tho. You could stay lower and drive along Comb Wash if that's doable in March. Nice camping down there too in the cottonwoods, or there is camping in campgrounds around there too if backcountry roughing it is not your thing.

There is so much to see down that way. Research San Juan County and you'll want to spend your whole trip there.

Horseshoe Canyon is in a little tract of Canyonlands that is removed from the rest of the park and has a terrific 8 mile hike down to see some incredible rock art. I think the road in is pretty sandy but it was years ago when I was there.

Have a wonderful trip and enjoy it.

Then post pics. for us Easterners to drool over.
 
Also-----I suffer from cold feet too. Get her some of those hot pouches that you shake and then toss in bottom of sleeping bag. They have saved me camping in 0 degree weather. And a good sleeping pad that is made for winter camping. Sleeping bag liner is a good idea. Adds a few degrees worth of heat retention.
 
Thanks for the tips! Short of heavy snow, I'm not fretting tooooo much about the cold. We'll take the backpacks out if it is reasonable or car camp and do day hikes if it is well below freezing. God knows the T4R has the trunk room to pack a nice range of gear. There will be lots and lots of down and polyester. The little foot warmers are great calls. When we were first getting in to camping a few years back we toughed out an upper 20s night in some 45+ box bags we bought at Target and a massive Coleman 6 person tent my dad negotiated into a truck he bought back in 2000. It sucked and we vowed to invest in quality gear from then on... and that we have.

I just need to make sure I have reasonable destinations on the itinerary for that time of year. Cedar Meza looks like another good one and that Horseshoe Canyon rock art is excellent. Thanks for the tips. I am now leaning 70% toward canyon lands area on the way back given mother nature's blessing.

I'll have the go pro on the T4R and my Nikon on my shoulder strap... lots of pictures and maybe some videos will happen. I live in east Texas... how else am I supposed to remember there are beautiful places out there? I'll be sure to share.
 
@OP, best of luck on your trip, I'll be heading that way in summer 2015, so I'd love to hear some reviews about your trip.

My wife and I will be sleeping in the Runner and spending some nights at lodges and my concern is security of the vehicle. I know to lock it up, stow away any electronics and to park in well lit areas, but are you taking any other precautions regarding break-ins? That's the one thing I'm worried about since we'll have a lot of gear with us.
 
Thanks! I'll be sure to update.

Frankly, I don't have a great solution for you on the break ins. I have been on several trips where the car just sits in a lot for a week and it is just fine when I return. My biggest security blanket is that, although people often suck, they tend to suck just a little less in the great outdoors. I've backpacked Big Bend and left a Forester cargo space half full with gear simply because I didn't have a place to put it. It sat in the basin parking lot for 3 days (Saturday, Sunday, and a Monday so crowded days and empty days) and wasn't touched... and that's that Big Bend apparently has a fair number of break ins closer to the border.

It is just one of those things that I try to put out of my mind and trust that I pay my insurance company for good reason. I have read about break ins in lonely lots, so I try to avoid those where I can, but there really isn't a safe solution. Here in Houston, I've had my car broken into while I was sitting on the restaurant patio 25 yards away. Life is too short.

Now that I have a whole load of room (upgraded from a little Subaru last year), I am contemplating getting a locker for the trunk to at least lock up the most valuable items that have to stay. I haven't looked into what is out there yet, though. I also don't really love the idea of spending a few hundred dollars to possibly protect a few hundred dollars while losing usable space. I'd be interested to hear from other users that might have something installed.
 
Here is a link to the North Rim road closures. Road Closures - Grand Canyon National Park (U.S. National Park Service) It looks like the main road in is closed for winter unless you know a back way in on dirt roads.

Personally I would hold off on this trip till the weather warms up in the areas you are going. But then again I hate cold weather where some people like it. It is not just the cold but some of the roads are impassable due to deep snow.
 
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Well, another location bites the dust. Thanks for the heads up.

This is more of a trip of opportunity rather than we chose this time because it is ideal. We are definitely there for mid March for a half marathon at Zion so we are going to try and make the most of it. Cold isn't the end all for us. It is more of a matter of being able to get around without road closures. I'm prepared to do a little figure it out as we go as the weather the week of the trip will be the wild card. Therefore, the more destinations I know of, the better I feel about the trip.
 
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If you want to bike around Moab, I'd visit Coyote Shuttle's website. They have been doing our river shuttles for years and they do bike shuttles. So they can recommend good trips, drop you off and either leave the 4runner for you where you want it or pick you up. Very dependable and I think their rates are reasonable.

As far as safety goes, if you know where you'll be staying, google the locations. I have avoided places because of what I've learned about them online. I have noticed that the worst places are very close to major roads or highways. Makes sense. However, every town in UT is safer than Houston. I think I'm willing to bet on that. And you are right; the further you get into the backcountry the less you have to worry. Most folks are there for the same reason. We have never had an issue in 10+ trips, and much of the time consisted of the truck sitting somewhere lonely for 4 or 5 days at a time.
 
So, I spent the entire day planning this trip. Here is my bind... how dumb would I have to be to run out of gas going from Escalante to Hanksville using 12 -> Burr Trail -> Upper Muley Twist (there and back)-> Notom - Bullfrog Road -> 24? Google maps is telling me it will be 123 mile trip and my guess using google maps/satellite is that I'm looking at about 28 miles of dirt and ~ 10-15 smallish rock and wash road that I might air down for. Are the Escalante gas stations dependable (open normal hours with gas aplenty)? I'm looking to you experienced guys to tell me it won't be a problem or that it would be smarter to do what I have to do to rig a gas can somewhere on the 4runner. The more I write this the more I imagine the 23 gallon tank will be plenty, but I yield to the experienced 4runner off road driver.

Worst case is I'll try to get a hold of a ranger familiar with the drive, but that can be a hell of a thing to accomplish sometimes especially in a huge chunk of national forest like this.

Also, is it a bad idea to air down with the stock tires? It crossed my mind that those dainty sidewalls might not like it so much.

Finally, has anyone been up to Strike Valley Overlook or down Upper Muley Twist Canyon? Worth it?
 
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Little experience w/gas in area you're asking about but do know that anytime you travel off beaten path at night or Sundays in these low population areas you need to be a little more mindful of next station - just don't forget to fill when planned. Sounds like you may think your mileage will really shrink off-road - bet you will use under 1/2 tank in 123 miles. Doubt you will need to air down but depends on conditions. I'd be more concerned about taking stock P tires off the pavement than anything else you may be concerned about - getting a tire fixed or replacing a tire may be difficult in small towns other than 9-5 weekdays.
 
I air down on P rated tires all the time.

This is kind of the same question when people ask, "Can I take a stock 4runner on (insert name) trail?" Well.... yes if you know what you are doing. So yes, you can air down on P rated tires if you know what you are doing. There is a list of tire poppers you will need to avoid though.

From what I have read you are doing a lot of overlanding without any support. I hope your water, fuel, recovery, tool and first aid kits are stocked and your Sat. phone charged....
 
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st8rocks said:
I air down on P rated tires all the time.

This is kind of the same question when people ask, "Can I take a stock 4runner on (insert name) trail?" Well.... yes if you know what you are doing. So yes, you can air down on P rated tires if you know what you are doing. There is a list of tire poppers you will need to avoid though.

From what I have read you are doing a lot of overlanding without any support. I hope your water, fuel, recovery, tool and first aid kits are stocked and your Sat. phone charged....
Click to expand...

Well, as far as knowing what I am doing, that pretty much stops at I know what a pointy rock looks like. I have loads of outdoor, camping, mountain biking, backpacking experience, but most of it is by way of pavement. Most of my 4x4 experience has been from the passenger seat of a decked out RZR and a fair amount of ranch roads in stock f-150s (so... not a whole lot applicable to this vehicle). My last trip off road was in a Forester and we did manage a nice slit in the sidewall on a drop into a wash. Good times. Air down if you are going to be rolling over a lot of rocks. Slow down on rocks. Don't put your sidewalls near jagged objects. I'll take any other tips you have.

I'll have my compressor and plugs, but I have not bought in to the high lift jack for this particular trip. I don't really have a place to put it right now (why the hell doesn't the trail come with crossbars?). I suppose I COULD rig it up going perpendicular to the roof rails, but I wonder what that looks like as far as wind noise over 3,300 miles of road.

Never fear on the first aid and provisions. My kit is loaded with everything from hydrocodone to Quick Clot.

When it comes to the vehicle, I will err on the side of caution on this trip. I do not plan on pushing the tires any further than common sense would suggest. These trails are not very intimidating, but puncture risk is always there. Recent snow will quickly shut down this portion and leave me to the highway route instead.

Thanks for the note on your experience airing down.
 
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