Travels in a NV SMB

[KDS]

Great write ups!  Thanks for sharing!

[radin2son]

KDS Thanks.

 

I don't claim exclusive use of this thread, but it is geographically based out of Tucson. Separate thread from other locales makes sense.

 

I like that you started a fish thread... another great reason to own a NV.

[radin2son]

CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK and SAN RAFAEL SWELL, UTAH

 

We were not expecting the number of people camping at this time of year. Campgrounds, first come first served, were full by 10:30 am or earlier. Even dispersed camping areas were overpopulated. Don't be surprised if you are asked to share your site by Canadians and Europeans (for whatever reason, US campers don't ask) when campgrounds are full. This is common in Europe and the expectation is they will pay 1/2 the camping fee. This is a great way to meet if you are comfortable with this. The 2 times we shared, they insisted on paying the full fee.

 

We stayed at the Cedar Mesa campground for 2 nights. 5 sites, no water and a pit toilet. Beautiful area right in he middle of the Water Pocket Fold. We spent 3 nights at the Fruita campground, the main campground. Odd setup in that almost every site has a paved parking area that can hold 3 large vehicles/campers. There is a warning sign not to be pressured in to sharing your site, but it seemed selfish to have so much space. Rangers and camphosts only require that vehicles fit in the parking area. They don't mind that your friends from Canada just arrived... Great hiking.

 

San Rafael Swell north of I-70 is a off road area, designated trails, lots of them. The main roads are dirt but well maintained. Watch out for rain as the dips will fill. If you are towing a travel trailer, leave it at the 2 state parks on state route 10. We basically drove through looking at 2000 year old "rock art." There is BLM designated camping at the Wedge overlook.

 

Had to cut trip short...

[radin2son]

I mentioned we have used the REI Screen House on several trips. It generally received bad reviews that we didn't see as issues. Adventure Journal also did a review that agrees with our experience.

 

This 10'x10' room has multiple uses. Since our dogs don't know how to work zippers and haven't figured out they can crawl out (no floor) under the sides, it is a great off leash place for them to hang out. So far it is ranger and camp host approved. Before you think that is a very pricey dog house, it is big enough for adults to flee bugs or for families to keep wander prone children where you can find them.

 

This was taken at the Fruita campground, Capitol Reef NP. We shared our sites huge paved parking area with a couple from Canada. Sorta looks like socal beach camping...

Edited June 6, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

adventure-journal.com out of Dana Point, CA just posted a link for Colorado trails. Given what is going on in Utah, the move of the outdoor recreation trade show from Utah to Colorado in 2018 and Colorado governor's "Colorado the Beautiful," cts.state.co.us looks like a pretty good smart phone resource. Still a work in progress...

[radin2son]

SAN JUAN SKYWAY COLORADO

 

We just completed an 18 day van camping trip in this area. We started in Cortez and took CO 145 to Woods Lake campground. The 10 mile drive in to the campground is paved for 2 miles, then well maintained dirt. Narrow in places but you can tow your rv easily. Light use and no reservations. This was our destination because of all the trail heads from the campground; this trip was for our 12 and 14 year old dogs. Lots of biting bugs so bring a screened shelter or bug repellent. Also lots of rain.

 

Woods Lake is off the grid. No hookups, but there is water and 3 two seater pit toilets with solar lighting. Bring drinking water as the potable water is heavily chlorinated. Dogs are "on leash" in the campground but on their own on the trails. If our dogs could talk, they would say it was paradise. They did wear bear bells.

 

We had no intention of going to Telluride other than to be able to say "Yes, we went." There is a campground in the town park that is first come first serve. We were very lucky, got a site and stayed the maximum 7 days. Very close to town and free gondola. Map scale is 600'/inch Again, lots of access to trail heads. We are not into this, but bring a jeep or you can rent one. Lots of biking as well.

 

Back to the highway. Return to CO 145 and head to Ridgway via CO 62 and pick up US 550 to Ouray and Durango. On US 550, there are 3 passes (11,075 10,910 10640). If drop offs bother you, drive this going north. Campgrounds are mostly reservation and heavy use. We camped 1 night at Sig Creek campground. 4x4 almost needed to get into the campground; the 8 mile road in was in ok shape. I two seater pit toilet. The men's side should have had a sign saying "If you can't aim, sit." I used the womens' side and... No water, but there was this fantastic pump almost as tall as me that should have produced water. Not a drop. One couple chose to camp just outside the campground. It was open range and they had a heard of cows near them in the morning.

Edited August 21, 2017 by radin2son

[ASD Dad]

Beautiful photos, thanks for posting them!  I've never been to CO in the summer, only winter.

[radin2son]

Thanks.

 

I haven't figured out mpg for the trip but it will be low. Spent a lot of time in manual mode on the dirt roads and long ascents as well as tow mode on the steep, long descents. One tank was under 11 mpg. That was right after our battery died and long idling didn't charge it. As I told you, we were able to use the "house" batteries to jump it and drive 60 miles to the nearest auto parts store in Montrose.

 

Your entire family will love this area. Bring every toy you have... and dogs.

Edited August 22, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

MPG wasn't as low as feared. 14.2 mpg for an almost 1600 mile trip in the mountains.

 

For those interested: 85 octane in the high country. One 86 and low country was 87. 85 and 87 are the norm. MPG by the tank came out .2 mpg less than figuring it on total miles and gallons used.

 

This van was outside the ACE Hardware store in Telluride, the only store you could afford to walk into. It may a cooler? The dog is a mailbox.

Edited August 23, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

BIG SUR, CA

 

There seems to be a correlation between not posting and traveling, or we seem to travel in "no service areas."

 

We have had our NV Sportsmobile for 5 years and decided to take an anniversary trip. Although we had no plans to return to Big Sur, we ended up doing just that. Coincidently, it has been almost 50 years since we drove our '67 VW Beetle and camped in a much too large canvas tent with "sleepover" bags and some sort of stove. We must have had cooler as well. We camped at Kirk Creek many times, '80s through early '90s in our 83 VW, last of the air cooled, camper. Big Sur became much too crowded... Also, teenage daughters were less interested in camping to put it mildly.

 

Still crowded, but less so due Highway 1 being closed at both ends, landslide to the south and washed out bridge to the north. This meant having to cross the coastal mountains via the 24.2 mile Nacimiento-Fergusson Rd. (Google this to see the 3 minute video from 4/17 and read the write-up on Dangerous Roads.) It takes over an hour to drive this. No problem for NVs; put it in manual mode 3. The problem was close calls with other vehicles taking up too much road and driving too fast around the many blind corners. (Locals said they have never seen so many convertibles, as in rentals.) 2 serious accidents while we there. This road will be used less by tourists as the north section should open this Friday.

 

Big Sur is wild and unkept. Trails along the bluffs and down to the beaches are only as wide as the number of people using them. Watch out for poison oak; it's everywhere. Kirk Creek CG is on a bluff on the ocean. No water, pit toilet and lots of sun. We stayed at Plaskett Creek CG which is on the other side of Highway 1. It has water and regular bathrooms. Easy walk to Sand Dollar Beach. Surfing, kayaking, diving, fishing and swimming, if you dare. Water is too cold for me.

 

Our trip included Joshua Tree, last site out of 99, Big Sur, reservation required, Carrizo Plain National Monument and dispersed camping outside of the "campgrounds full" Joshua Tree NP.

Edited October 10, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

Forgot to mention that jade is a big reason to come to Plaskett Creek. This past weekend was supposed to be the jade festival but it was cancelled due to the road closures. Last year it was cancelled due to fires. You can find pieces jade along the cliff walls at sand dollar beach, but you mostly find serpentine (if metal scratches this lookalike stone it is serpentine. This is what locals say). Divers are looking for jade boulders. The 5th photo is jade cove. Very difficult to get down there. We never found the trail.

 

This topic never went the way I hoped, other NV owners sharing travel info. Not that it matters, but I changed it to reflect what it is...

Edited October 12, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

So, what does it cost to have a “dedicated” 2012 NV campervan?

$29,635 (MSRP $31,605)

+35,582 (conversion)

+ 1,168 (modifications at SMB factory before delivery)

$66,385. (Does not include taxes and registration.)

 

Then add $51,005 for 28 trips (longest was 60 days) over the course of 5 years and almost 68,000 miles.

 

Here are photos of some of the many places we’ve parked our NV for the night or several days...

Edited December 4, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

I read somewhere you should take fewer photos and rely on your memory. Another was take only 1 photo, not a to be edited photo. So here a few from the past 5 years of NV travel.

[ASD Dad]

Those are great photos!  Thanks for sharing.  

 

For some reason I dont take nearly as many photos on trips these days.  I used to carry around my DSLR or at least a nice P&S camera with me but now I just dont care as much.  I still take cell phone photos but that's about it.  

[radin2son]

You just have a better memory... long before we had our NV, I’ve only used our phone. 2200 NV travel photos saved; many deleted. Many only good enough to document where we have been.

 

Vertical photos now post correctly.

Edited December 15, 2017 by radin2son

[radin2son]

WHITEWATER DRAW WILDLIFE AREA and DRAGOON MOUNTAINS

 

We put off this trip many times since this fall, when the Sandhill Cranes (30,000) start arriving to over-winter in the Willcox Playa south to McNeal Playa in Cochise County, AZ. Whitewater Draw campground is a 5 to 6 “big” rig, fenced in corral with 2 picnic tables and a 2 seater pit toilet for campers and the many day users. Very clean, managed by AZ Game and Fish, no fee. The night we stayed there were 5 big rigs, 6 campervans/truck campers and 1 tent camper. Even if you are not a birder or photographer, this is an impressive sight. The cranes feed in the surrounding farm fields during the day and return mid afternoon to sunset. They leave again at first light. Many other birds as well...

 

No NV camper conversions. There were 2 4x4 MB conversions and a Transit conversion in the making. The tenter from BC, Canada was interested in our NV so I told him about the used one for sale. His comment was he couldn’t bring it into Canada due to regulations. We got to listen to various furnaces cycling on and off. Sandhill cranes are very vocal all night as well. 50* temperature swing; very cold.

 

We next camped on the west side of the Dragoons and crossed over from Tombstone to Pearce via Middlemarch Rd. Roughly 40 miles of very dusty dirt roads. (Check engine light will come on, code P0448.) We camped off Coronado Forest Servive Road 687. Dispersed camping and free. Narrow road and your NV will tangle with the mesquite trees. No need for 4x4 but clearance can be an issue. We opted not to take a washed out portion to get to a better camp site. Most are accessible. As you get farther in on FS 687, the rigs get smaller. This primarily is a beautiful area to hang out or hunt. Climbers love the rock and there is some hiking.

 

New to us was taking a Thetford 260. The collapsible toilet with bags ($$) was not a good option. We plan to do more dispersed camping rather than national parks or monuments. Way too crowded. Why the 260? Low height, as we only had 13” to work with. Just fits and I can slide it back under the lower bed. 2.5 gallon water tank for flushing, so it is heavy as well as low to the ground. Seek your own privacy... No odor if you empty it before driving off. We are using vinegar rather than chemicals so it can be dumped in a hole we dig.

 

Middlemarch Rd is a former cavalry supply route between Fort Bowie in the Chiricahua Mountains and the San Pedro Valley. Now it primarily is used by ranchers. Only oncoming traffic were cattle. Anything else would have been a problem.

 

2/12 Grass fires on 2/10 caused the evacuation of the area where we were camping. On 2/8 just south of Tombstone, there were 2 just ignited grass fires on the left side of the road. The heat was intense as we drove by. ADOT was calling in the second unaware there was another. All 3 were most likely human caused.

Edited February 12, 2018 by radin2son

[radin2son]

When looking for info on Whitewater Draw and Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, I came across this site. www.wheelingit.us

It provides state by state info (not on the mobile site) on boondooking, federal, state, county etc campgrounds and private campgrounds and RV resorts.

Their information seems to be accurate based on places we know.

Kofa is next on the list if the weather holds. Soon it will be too hot, as in Yuma heat...

Edited February 12, 2018 by radin2son

[radin2son]

KOFA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

 

Quick trip to the mountains between Yuma and Quartzsite, AZ. This is a remote area you see on a map off I-8 or I-10 and drive on, unless you have a way to camp. No water, pit toilets, tables or place to get gas. All camping is dispersed and you have to cart out all trash.  For us, it was a go see it and camp off the main, dirt roads. For others, it is all about 4x4. 14 day stay in the refuge per year, but it is surrounded by BLM land.

 

On the way home, we stopped at Naked Dates, an organic date farm in Wellton, to get a date shake. If you have never had one, you have to... 

 

 

 

[andy_george]

I love Rads photo posts. They make me laugh.... just like me, he loves scenery shots and an occasional vehicle pic. But my wife always insists that a human must be in every picture. We give each other crap all the time for that!:)

 

Thanks for the pics!

[radin2son]

You’re welcome. Fortunately, my wife hates having her photo taken and I’m at the wrong end of the camera. I have to catch her unaware. Even she agrees one of the best photos was of her looking at a glacier from the seaward side in AK.

 

Our NV is less reluctant...

[radin2son]

Portal, AZ, EASTERN ENTRANCE TO THE CHIRICAHUA MOUNTAINS

 

Very easy to get here when traveling west on I-10 from New Mexico. Take the Road Fork, NM exit, route 80 and drive south. Driving east from Tucson, you can stay on I-10 to Road Fork, no services, just deserted buildings. You also can drive south on route 191 to Douglas, AZ and take route 80 north. Or you can take the 31 mile, dirt mountain road from the monument on the west side to Portal. If you are towing, stay on the pavement.

 

Beautiful area, perhaps more so than the monument. Cave Creek than runs by the 3 campgrounds usually has water. During monsoon season, July through September, the campgrounds will be evacuated if 1and1/2” of rain is forecast. Bears also in the area. Nearby trailheads and popular with birders.

 

All sites are first come first served. No hookups. Water available and pit toilets. Sunny Flat campground is the most popular and developed. 13 sites with room for 28’ trailers and tow vehicle. Steward has 6 sites and Idlewilde has 9. “Pull-in” sites with 16’ trailer limit. In Idlewilde, where we camped, it was “pull of the road” sites in the campground. Lots of shade.

[andy_george]

Love your trip notes, Rad. It’s a dream of ours to take a trip from Michigan to the west coast and stop and see many of the places you recommend along the way. Work is very busy during the summer and with the kids in school the other 10 months, I’m afraid it will be a long time before we get the opportunity. But when we do, your posts will be the main advice we take along! Keep traveling!!

[radin2son]

Thanks.

 

We have changed the focus of trips to less developed, crowded areas, however, we still want to travel to Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Not sure when...

 

Part of the fun is planning. So when work, kids and school permit, you’ll be ready.

[radin2son]

ROCK CROSSING CAMPGROUND, MOGOLLON RIM, AZ

 

Last July/August, we stayed overnight here and nearby Blue Ridge campground on our trip to the mountains near Telluride, CO. We planed to return earlier but our trip was delayed by the Tinder Fire and closure of both campgrounds. Both reopened, but were day to day given extreme fire conditions "No fires, no charcoal and no shooting." On 5/23, the entire Coconino Forest closed until significant monsoon rain. We never really set up camp during the 5 days we were there. What came out of our NV went right back into our NV.

 

This campground is at 7200' off route 87 between Payson and Winslow. A 3+ mile well maintained gravel road takes you to the campground with 33 sites. Anything a NV can tow will fit with the exception of site 35 (2 sites are double). Blue Ridge Reservoir is down a 2 mile road from the campground entrance and is very popular with Kayakers. Section 27 of the Arizona Trail (Mexico to Utah) goes by the campground. We were there to walk our elder dogs on the trail and to hike a portion by ourselves.

 

There is water by the "vault" toilets, which I guess is more sophisticated sounding than pit toilets. Elk and deer will sometimes wander through the campground in the early morning and there are coyotes and black bear in the area.

 

This is a heavy use campground, but there is dispersed camping from route 87 for 2+ miles on the road to Rock Crossing.

Edited May 26, 2018 by radin2son

[radin2son]

WOODS LAKE CAMPGROUND, CO

 

Actually this is the return to Woods Lake, a much delayed return trip due to heat, fires etc. We kept monitoring InciWeb for forest fires and closures as well as weather reports. We finally decided to just take our chances, ignoring that it was 111* in Tucson and trying to pack for the Rockies. We gave up and got up the next morning at 0200 to pack. We headed toward El Morrow National Monument (9 free campsites that rarely fill, but are less than level) in New Mexico. 84* when we arrived and 57* in the morning. From here it is a relatively straight route, all excellent state roads, to Gallup, Shiprock, NM, Cortez, Dolores, CO, to Woods Lake campground (9470'). This is a beautiful area for camping, hiking, biking, fishing and kayaking. Rain and hail from Rico (CO 145) most of the way to our campsite. Temp dropped to 45*. Welcome to the Rockies. We had several nights that dropped to 41*.

 

Lots of sun until our last day. High altitude sun can be brutal. We set up our screen room for shade and for relief from flies. Very few mosquitoes. This past winter was warm and there was very little snow. Great for ticks. Protect your dogs. Speaking of dogs, this will be the last trip for our 15 year old Siberian Husky mix, mostly mix. Lots of slow walks along the irrigation ditch (dry).

 

Return route was through Norwood (7000’) a very much alive ranching/farming town. Bar, bank, post office, Ace hardware, Happy Belly Deli (deli?, good coffee and breakfast for locals' place), grocery store, motel, hotel with restaurant, laundry mat, gas station ($3+ a gallon) car parts store and most important for me, 3 bakeries. Also a new library and regional school. Too close to Telluride so home prices reflect this. We avoided Telluride and used Norwood for resupplies etc. On a map, Norwood looks like it is on the San Miguel River. From San Miguel Canyon, you climb up Norwood hill. Water is scarce and depends on part on the irrigation ditches, many dug by Basque sheepherders.

 

Took the Old Norwood to Dolores Rd. to head home. Paved on both ends with 36 miles of maintained dirt/gravel roads in between. Dusty but the check engine light did not come on.

 

We spent our last night at El Morro National Monument. 3 sites plus the handicapped open. 1 and 2 are unusable for NVs. Site 3 was ok. It was 94* with the sun setting. The other problem was ants, everywhere. Because it was so hot, we opened up all 5 "penthouse" windows, put the skeeter beater screens on the front door windows and attached the screen we made for the side door. At 0500, it was 55*. Ants must be late risers but soon found me at the picnic table boiling water for coffee. They even climbed up to the flame of our backpacking stove. Didn't even consider setting up our Coleman 2 burner...

 

Life in the desert vs life in the mountains. Extremes...

Edited August 12, 2018 by radin2son