60 replies to this topic

[radin2son]

CORONADO NATIONAL MEMORIAL and the "WALL"

 

Just south of Sierra Vista/Fort Huachuca is the entrance to Coronado National Memorial. Beautiful country. When the ranger was telling us about the history and trails in the area, she mentioned the view into Mexico and the "wall" from Montezuma overlook. We skipped this 2+ mile drive up a dirt road with switch backs due to the weather; we plan to return. But it made us wonder why we didn't notice the "wall" on the drive in.

 

Essentially the "wall" is an 18' steel vehicle barrier with a parallel drag (Border Patrol trucks drag tires behind) road to help detect foot traffic. Drag roads are along many rural, east/west roads near the border. The "wall" does not cover the entire border, so there will be 52 high tech surveillance towers as well.

 

I took the second photo on the way out of Coronado NM. We were about 2 miles or so away, so it looked more imposing to the eye as it stretched east. The "wall" is part of our environment, but draw your own conclusions.

 

 

 IMG_0072.JPG   141.01KB   1 downloads  IMG_0074.JPG   198.04KB   0 downloads 

[radin2son]

ORGAN PIPE CACTUS NATIONAL MONUMENT

 

Just back from a 5 day, 400 mile "short" trip in the Sonoran desert. We never left Pima County, Arizona. In the summer, the temperature can get to 119*, but this time of year it is mid-70s and low 40s. Too early for spring flowers.

 

Although isolated, this is a good park to visit to get a better understanding of this part of the country. The no hookup campground has 208 sites. If you are in a camperized NV ask for the tent sites, when assigned a site. There is no shade to speak of, and even in the 70s, the sun is brutal and heats up NVs quickly. So bring your own shade to spent time outside. We have a "bug" screen room from REI with a rain fly and awning that became our "shade shack." (Poor reviews on this product, but it worked fine for us.) At sunset, we rolled up the awning. 

 

There are lots of Ranger programs during the day and one at night. Most dirt roads can be driven in a car. A Ranger van (Transit) tour is also available.

 

This park is right on the border with Mexico. In 2005, a Law Enforcement Ranger was killed when he intercepted drug smugglers. The park shut down for awhile, and at one point only Ranger led tours with additional armed Rangers were permitted. Today, the park is heavily patrolled by Border Patrol as is most of southern Arizona. There are warnings to pickup no one, even in distress. The gravel road to QuitoBaquito is right on the border, separated by a fence of concrete filled posts set in concrete. On the other side is a major highway, Mexico route 2. A lot of foot traffic here. There also are emergency beacons and water barrels as you go farther into the park.

 

  

Attached Files

•  IMG_0086.JPG   263.15KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0088.JPG   146.72KB   0 downloads
•  fullsizeoutput_14e.jpeg   495.24KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0090.JPG   177.26KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0103.JPG   222.15KB   2 downloads
•  IMG_0143.JPG   280.04KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0113.JPG   248.82KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 06 February 2017 - 03:28 PM.

[radin2son]

White House is a great BLM campground and trailhead off route 89 between Kanab, UT and Page, AZ. We tried to stay here last spring, but it was a 103* so we continued on to another BLM campground north of Kanab. This time it was 73* and got down to 34*.

Originally it had 5 tent walkin sites and a parking lot for backpackers hiking to or from Lee's Ferry on the Colorado River. It was under construction, more sites and a bigger parking lot. 2 seater pit toilet may have been there before. No water, none at all.

Our site was graded for campervans, as not too many RVs would try the 2 mile graded road. They could but... Our site had no table so we got out our portable table and outdoor kitchen. REi outlet sold the table. No instructions so we may not have it set up as intended. Poor reviews but it works fine.

Only 2 other campers and the parked cars were very quiet.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0320.JPG   305.57KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0322.JPG   228.33KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0325.JPG   145.23KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 25 March 2017 - 04:35 PM.

[radin2son]

Psyched, When you mentioned San Raphael Swell, I thought that sounds familiar. Except for staying at Goblin Valley SP (profile photo), we've just driven around it and through it on our way to someplace else. Lots of paved roads to get into this 2000 sq mile public land. For anyone interested www.castlecounty.com is a good place to start.

We're planning a trip to the Water Pocket Fold in Capital Reef NP in the next couple of weeks. We should add San Raphael.

We like your diy camping trailer and how you set up the kitchen. Everything has its place. Same concept for our NV. When I look at the above post and photo, I think what a mess. The campstove, pots and pans, utensils and fuel canisters fit in the gray duffle bag to the right, which slides under the rear platform/bed. The folding table fits into the black case and fits upright next to the rear passenger window. Water hose and power cord fit into gray water pan that slides into place behind the gray duffle bag. Take in the laundry, pull down the bungee cord and... good to go.

Edited by radin2son, 31 March 2017 - 01:40 PM.

[radin2son]

Anyone have a trip planned for next weekend and beyond to national parks or monuments? Another government shutdown is looming... Last time AZ paid to keep the Grand Canyon open, but it did mess up a few rafting trips.

We have/had a trip planned to Southern Utah, Capitol Reef NP and San Rafael Swell and other places in the area. Rain and overnight temps (28-35*) didn't look that inviting since it is 95* and sunny in Tucson. Mentally, we had already put our warmer bags and puffys away, but they will stay with us...

Edited by radin2son, 22 April 2017 - 05:33 PM.

[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...

Attached Files

•  IMG_0415.JPG   174.43KB   1 downloads
•  IMG_0417.JPG   209.93KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0488.JPG   217.95KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0494.JPG   293.1KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0497.JPG   169.1KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0501.JPG   266.19KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0513.JPG   321.77KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0537.JPG   138.84KB   0 downloads

[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...

Attached Files

•  IMG_0460.JPG   107.92KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 06 June 2017 - 10:33 AM.

[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.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0594.JPG   396.35KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0597.JPG   377.31KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0611.JPG   308.17KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0760.JPG   370.41KB   1 downloads
•  IMG_0752.JPG   243.11KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0663.JPG   240.91KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0745.JPG   282.69KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 20 August 2017 - 09:21 PM.

[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.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0622.JPG   347.37KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 22 August 2017 - 03:31 PM.

[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.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0650.JPG   132.56KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 22 August 2017 - 09:04 PM.

[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.

Attached Files

•  IMG_0795.JPG   139.01KB   1 downloads
•  IMG_0798.JPG   227.07KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0799.JPG   177.71KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0805.JPG   237.61KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0817.JPG   280.7KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0814.JPG   148.98KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0832.JPG   118.46KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0837.JPG   159.8KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0841.JPG   144.91KB   0 downloads
•  IMG_0845.JPG   163.03KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 10 October 2017 - 05:33 PM.

[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 by radin2son, 11 October 2017 - 07:54 PM.

[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...

Attached Files

•  EF79C7B4-6F5F-4B27-BE36-D4CF896C1D30.jpeg   279.42KB   0 downloads
•  6923A3AB-C59E-46CF-912B-A685081578CF.jpeg   89.1KB   0 downloads
•  B9053793-2741-42C7-86C7-1DAB45C3EED9.jpeg   163.32KB   0 downloads
•  06CD5706-5E93-4F2D-A4B2-CCC343A54F6A.jpeg   156.95KB   0 downloads
•  55B29C7A-6633-42E6-A9A5-44377979708B.jpeg   345.83KB   0 downloads
•  35A3CB8D-65D4-493E-AB4F-C4D6AD05F205.jpeg   231.41KB   0 downloads
•  AA2D1E99-BE24-4541-895A-6DB50C747821.jpeg   240.42KB   0 downloads
•  74ABD9F2-1FFD-478E-8E3C-B280ED0FEF95.jpeg   65.11KB   0 downloads

Edited by radin2son, 04 December 2017 - 02:53 PM.

[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.

Attached Files

•  E927E4F8-69FC-4497-A4D9-EDA00C9A075A.jpeg   444.86KB   0 downloads
•  B74D4FE5-9112-4B72-9ED5-AB8E75443AA6.jpeg   278.03KB   0 downloads
•  87D12BB6-0A38-4410-B605-2AB73B991D0E.jpeg   251.08KB   0 downloads
•  83EE75E6-835B-44F2-B7EF-155921645556.jpeg   195.59KB   0 downloads
•  9B1EDA09-29AB-4555-AF65-50B6F068A2BC.jpeg   234.22KB   0 downloads
•  D06FAF4C-B77D-42B7-9B83-B3BC67994830.jpeg   148.87KB   0 downloads
•  71BDEA86-BDEE-409B-9B63-9FF5C6F1E490.jpeg   201.22KB   0 downloads
•  6CF0A0D5-93D4-4C1A-B38F-22920F0BF863.jpeg   290.87KB   0 downloads
•  D1539953-B603-4152-AEE9-2FAA91A22B18.jpeg   229.57KB   0 downloads
•  191186CC-76E8-4A35-A33A-3E49D56422C9.jpeg   301.2KB   0 downloads
•  AD93802A-7B96-48E4-A961-846B923F867A.jpeg   268.8KB   0 downloads
•  A1E72B8F-CCBB-4D97-9ECD-04E498FCB7BE.jpeg   281.55KB   0 downloads
•  CE6F5982-E297-4860-A48B-DE9513E91703.jpeg   340.84KB   0 downloads
•  D595D571-578E-40E4-9BF9-C6B0F326B643.jpeg   351.6KB   0 downloads
•  23C52D50-A04B-4C9E-8065-BE9744316754.jpeg   251.1KB   0 downloads
•  F633DE9F-691A-4DCE-BA5C-93484430DD86.jpeg   178.38KB   0 downloads
•  ED9538D6-9AA3-482B-BF21-C9954A9D61E0.jpeg   320.19KB   0 downloads
•  9CECCC41-5D1B-473D-A5C7-81349343A00F.jpeg   143.81KB   0 downloads
•  22D26583-E3F0-47C7-B5C6-3266572ECDE7.jpeg   232.36KB   0 downloads
•  088E2F0A-F66A-47A2-99F7-3C3B41C070B5.jpeg   147.35KB   0 downloads
•  232E2E94-5384-4857-BAA3-10EB8F14EAF4.jpeg   184.42KB   0 downloads
•  E8CC2131-9DC2-465D-A6FD-1DFB98244C91.jpeg   213.49KB   0 downloads
•  B7285349-637C-4840-8811-2FFADCFB2451.jpeg   117.97KB   0 downloads

[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 by radin2son, 14 December 2017 - 08:09 PM.