Travels in a NV SMB

[radin2son]

While we were at Woods Lake a fire northwest of Dolores, CO closed the San Juan forest. When we drove through the area the road was open, but everything west was closed. The road may be closed but you can get road info from the ranger stations in Dolores and Norwood.

 

A new fire started since then northwest of Nucla, CO about 15 miles west of Norwood.

 

I tried checking inciweb but it wouldn’t let me in. For anyone traveling and/or camping in the west you can pull up the forest or campground to see what fire restrictions and closures exist. You can also google “fires in (pick the state)” and get similar info.

[radin2son]

EL MORRO NATIONAL MONUMENT, NM, WOODS LAKE, CO, DINOSAUR NATIONAL MONUMENT, UT, 9 MILE CANYON, UT, LA SAL MOUNTAINS, UT, VALLEY OF THE GODS, UT and GOOSENECKS STATE PARK, UT

 

We made an unplanned, but expected return trip to disperse our dog's ashes at Woods Lake. Emotions aside, there had already been 2 dustings of snow and the low was 37. No rain or bugs.

 

Since we were already 600 miles from home, we decided to drive the 300 miles to Dinosaur NM. There is no direct way to get there. Lots of 2 lane roads through some interesting areas, some beautiful, some bleak. Our NV picked up another souvenir, a cracked windshield. A large semi with hay came around a blind corner, forcing a toy hauler to put 2 wheels onto the dirt. Voila! Green River is the main campground on the Green River. Loop B can be reserved, while A and C are first come, first served. Very little difference between loops. Loop A has less shade. Strict gray water rules.

 

9 Mile Canyon, known for its petroglyphs, west of Vernal and south to Wellington, is well signed, and now paved, from the south. Coming from the north gave us problems as we missed a sign and ended up on some very rough dirt roads in natural gas country. There is BLM dispersed camping in the high desert before you get to the canyon. Much nicer here than in the south, San Rafael Swell area, this time of year. 

 

It was in the 90s and windy all around Moab, so we took the Castle Valley-La Sal Mountains loop (43 miles) to get out of the heat. Mason Draw campground (8240') has 5 sites, only one flat enough for an NV. We were the only ones there. MTB heaven. 

 

Valley of the Gods, near Bluff, UT is a narrow 2 way dirt road with many wash crossing and places where you can not see the road over the hood. Tourists drive their rental cars here, but don't tow here. BLM dispersed camping. Too hot to camp this time.

 

We waited too long to go to Goose Necks SP. It was free dispersed camping with 1 pit toilet, maybe. Now it is $5 to enter and there are 2 vault toilets, ramadas and picnic tables. Camping is dispersed but will cost you... 1,000' down to the San Juan river.

 

1,935 mile trip, which put us over our 6 year goal of 72,000 miles. 

Edited September 18, 2018 by radin2son

[radin2son]

GRAND CANYON, NORTH AND SOUTH RIMS

 

The weather was warm in late September, and we decided to go to the north rim before it shut down on 11/1 for the winter. Since we would be in the area, we added the south rim as well. Both require reservations, but in reality you can just show up as there were plenty of empty sites in November. Pay attention to site size and direction of the one way loop roads to get the passenger side facing the picnic table and fire ring. Eyebrow sites generally are for RVs and back-ins for tents. No hook ups unless you want to pay $51 a night at Trailer Village on the south rim.

 

Getting to the north rim involves getting to US 89A whether coming from the I-40 or I-15 and taking AZ 67 for 45 miles to the north rim. On 10/21, a week before our trip, we were told second hand that there had been 5’ of snow on the north rim (source was a seasonal lodge worker) so I called and spoke to someone on the south rim. No number for the north rim. Could not confirm there was snow but there “would be snow in the campground. Trails were open but winter boots and crampons were recommended.” Cape Royal Road closed on 10/17 and it was unknown when it would reopen. With this information, we cancelled 2 days and added them to our reservation on the south rim.

 

As it turned out, it had snowed 5-6” on 10/15 and there was no snow left. Cape Royal Road was only closed a few days. So, we made the best of it. We were in site 7 which is basically flat and there was a ravine between us and the tent sites, which are on Transept Canyon. Absolutely beautiful. Trail heads are near by and dogs are welcome on the Bridal trail and Arizona Trail, the through trail from Mexico to Utah. Temps were supposed to drop into the 20s but the lowest was 32*.

 

It is 210 road miles from the north to south rim. It rained hard on our way. Travel day, so not a big deal. It stopped by the time we got to the entrance station ($35).

 

The south rim is easier to get to from Willams or Flagstaff off I-40. Take AZ 64 or the train from Williams or US 180 to AZ 64 from Flagstaff. If you are coming from I-15, you have a long way to go via I-40 or take US 89 or 89A to get to AZ 64 at Cameron. All nice drives.

 

Site 112 in Juniper loop was park it once, perfectly flat. Mather campground is 1+ mile to the rim, which was a great walk and dog friendly. A shuttle bus at the campground entrance will take you there as well. The shuttle bus system is excellent.

 

No photos do justice to what you see.

Edited November 7, 2018 by radin2son

[ASD Dad]

We LOVED visiting the canyon on our big summer trip we just took.  You are 100% correct that photos do no justice.  It is just jaw droppingly beautiful.  

[radin2son]

You don’t have to hike into the canyon to enjoy it. We hiked trails on the rim and played tourist on off days. Hermits Rest rim trail is 7.5 miles, but you only have to do it one way or parts of it. The shuttle will take you up, back or pick you up at the many stops. We chose to hike up, ride back. No crowds.

 

The train from Williams used to be steam with a few passenger cars. Now it is diesel with many vintage cars. El Tovar Lodge in the background.

 

Better to stay in the campground for $18 a night or $9 if you have a pass. If you plan to go during the summer, you will need to make reservations now, north and south rims.

 

Another great side trip is to go though the Navajo Nation, Monument Valley or Hopi Tribal area (AZ 264) via Tuba City on US 160. Not sure which route ASD Dad took to Hubbell Trading post in Ganado.

Edited November 8, 2018 by radin2son

[radin2son]

It has been awhile since we last ventured out, in part due to cold/wet weather elsewhere and we had to put our second dog down in January. Since we had family business (find 2 misplaced headstones) to take care of in southern AZ, we decided to make it a camping trip rather than a day trip. So we returned to Chiricahua National Monument via Fort Bowie Historical Site.

 

Fort Bowie is on the Butterfield Overland Mail route between St Louis/Memphis and San Francisco. The fort was built to control Apache Pass and Spring. No camping and it is a 3 mile round trip hike to the fort. Little remains unlike Fort Davis, also on this route in west Texas. Dogs are welcome on the trail. 6 miles of maintained dirt road off 181 from Willcox or 12 miles of partly paved road from Bowie on I-10.

 

We camped at Bonita Canyon campground for the only 3 nights we could reserve. Reservations are a must for the 24 sites. Maximum trailer length is 26’. We had site 5, 22’, but actually more like 25’+. Back in and it was level. We were there to hike and weather was perfect. There also is a morning shuttle 0900 and 0945 to take hikers to the top to hike down. Have to sign up for the 14 passenger van, which we missed. We hiked to the top and intended to hike back down. About half way up, we met our camping neighbors who left one of their trucks on top. They gave us the keys and drive their new GMC pickup down the mountain. Great ride but way too fancy...

 

Although this trip was bittersweet, we did get to use the back seat and not have to pack up dog food etc. More room, and we had to reconfigure packing. Still working on this in preparation for some longer trips this spring and summer.

[andy_george]

Always love the writeups and pics.

[radin2son]

PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

 

Normally we don’t start a trip on a Saturday on a holiday weekend or expect to find a campsite in Joshua Tree National Park any day of the week. So, we skipped Joshua Tree and used Campendium to find an alternative site, Sawtooth Canyon campground (BLM), 20 miles south of Barstow. It also was full, but directly across CA 247 was dispersed camping in an OHV area. Not a problem as we left early the next morning for Pinnacles.

 

About 25 years ago, we camped on the west side of Pinnacles, near Soledad on US 101. Only day use now. The only campground is on the east side. South of King City on US 101, take G 15 or CA 198 to CA 25 and go north to Pinnacles. From I-5, take CA 198 toward Coalinga and CA 25. We picked up CA 198 from I-5. Scenic twisty road could be a problem for towing but plenty of RVs in campground. There are a total of 134 sites, 29 with electric. Reservations are a must, unless you can do a tent only walk up site. (We had to schedule our trip around the only 4 days we could get.)

 

First, the negatives: Concessionaire run campground. RV sites are full sun arranged in an open field with no rest room and dump site closed. All rest rooms in the campground were barely functional and came with 2 porta-toilets in front. Cleaned only once a week during peak use time. Many tent/camper van sites are full sun in the afternoon, so pay attention to site orientation. Our site (#40) had afternoon sun (90*+) on our van but a huge shade tree that shaded the site. We had to make our own van shade. The popular hiking trails are 2.3 miles away. Parking lots fill quickly.

 

Plus: The concessionaire is changing. Great hiking, moderate to strenuous. There is a shuttle that runs every 20 minutes on weekends, but for whatever reason, it also ran on Monday and Tuesday. We used it to get back to our site on Monday and both ways on Tuesday. We hiked the nearby 6 mile Wilderness trail on Wednesday. You can watch the condors soar over the hills from your campsite. Days are hot but there was a 40* temperature swing by morning.

 

The hiking, wild flowers and birds make this a worthwhile destination.

 

On our return, we camped at Owl Canyon campground (BLM) about 10 miles north of Barstow. More heat (95*) in full sun so it again was use/make shade. We drove through Joshua Tree the next day.

Edited April 28, 2019 by radin2son

[radin2son]

It didn’t take long for the ramada shade to disappear, so we pointed our NV into the sun and waited for it to set behind the nearby hills. The insulation panels work well on the windshield and side windows. I cut some to fit all windows, but the poptop roof and canvas really absorb the heat. We used a 9x9 tarp on the sunny side in Pinnacles but it was much to windy to use in Owl Canyon.

Edited December 24, 2019 by radin2son

[Bamps]

You got an incredible thread going on here. Excellent pics and write ups

[radin2son]

Thanks. I wish more people would post NV travels. Maybe they do on Instagram etc.

[Chris J. Dempsey]

It has been awhile since we last ventured out, in part due to cold/wet weather elsewhere and we had to put our second dog down in January. Since we had family business (find 2 misplaced headstones) to take care of in southern AZ, we decided to make it a camping trip rather than a day trip. So we returned to Chiricahua National Monument via Fort Bowie Historical Site.

 

Fort Bowie is on the Butterfield Overland Mail route between St Louis/Memphis and San Francisco. The fort was built to control Apache Pass and Spring. No camping and it is a 3 mile round trip hike to the fort. Little remains unlike Fort Davis, also on this route in west Texas. Dogs are welcome on the trail. 6 miles of maintained dirt road off 181 from Willcox or 12 miles of partly paved road from Bowie on I-10.

 

We camped at Bonita Canyon campground for the only 3 nights we could reserve. Reservations are a must for the 24 sites. Maximum trailer length is 26’. We had site 5, 22’, but actually more like 25’+. Back in and it was level. We were there to hike and weather was perfect. There also is a morning shuttle 0900 and 0945 to take hikers to the top to hike down. Have to sign up for the 14 passenger van, which we missed. We hiked to the top and intended to hike back down. About half way up, we met our camping neighbors who left one of their trucks on top. They gave us the keys and drive their new GMC pickup down the mountain. Great ride but way too fancy...

 

Although this trip was bittersweet, we did get to use the back seat and not have to pack up dog food etc. More room, and we had to reconfigure packing. Still working on this in preparation for some longer trips this spring and summer.

 

Sorry for the loss of your travel mates, Rad.

[radin2son]

Thank you. I think it was you who said we would be

[radin2son]

ROAD WORK AHEAD and HEAD FOR THE MOUNTAINS

 

We just returned from a 3700 mile drive and camp trip to Libby, MT for a family memorial/reunion. Add to this, a newly adopted dog who never travelled or camped before, daily, lengthy road work delays, and high temperatures. We avoided interstates as much as possible. Our NV handled the 80 mph interstate speed limit well in Utah, Idaho and Montana. In Montana, it was 70 mph on secondary roads. US 89 and 93 are worth the drive.

 

We used the Campendium app, internet search (both when service available) and paper maps to find campgrounds. Basically, on Campendium pick a city where you

Edited December 22, 2019 by radin2son
Add photos.

[radin2son]

Gas pump calculations,15.2 mpg average, were lower than expected but this varies with each pump shut off. Lowest was 14.0 mpg, while the highest, 18.4 mpg, was a not to be believed. Usually I glance at the gauge to make sure the tank is "full," but I must not have. Total gallons consumed vs mileage is a little more accurate; it was 16.2 mpg. Our converted NV weighs the same as a NVP, so the mileage for NVPs with the older V8 should be about the same. A camper in Idaho speculated that vehicles in the west get better mpg due to long, steady speed distances. ASD Dad, move west...

 

We have never seen so many cargo and passenger NVs on a previous trip. We saw at least 12 NVPs in Utah and Idaho.

Edited August 2, 2019 by radin2son

[andy_george]

I was waiting for the next edition, Rad. Well done, once again!

[radin2son]

Thanks. We have another trip in the works, Oregon coast. Looking at maps and trying to figure out how to get there by the most indirect route possible. Easy to do when you look for those tree/tent symbols on maps.

[radin2son]

Just back from our Oregon trip. More about that later.

 

Saw fewer NVs, but did see an Above and Beyond

Edited September 1, 2019 by radin2son

[radin2son]

THE VOLCANIC WEST

 

Between Tucson and Joshua Tree NP, we drove through 117* HEAT in the Sonoran desert. Temp gauge never budged from just below midpoint. AC not set at max mode and interior air temp was tolerable. You could feel the radiant heat on the floor. In Joshua Tree the temp dropped below 100* in places, but we continued on to the Mohave desert where it was 104*. In the Ord mountains just south of Barstow, it was 95*. With shade, cool enough to camp. By morning, it was 75*.

 

From Barstow, we took CA 58 to Kramer Junction and headed up US 395. (If towing, stay on 58 to CA 14 at Mohave. Go north on 14 to 395.) Stay on 395 through some spectacular country. We been in this area many times and drove through to get out of the heat. Just south of the CA-NV Border is CA route 108. (You will see signs if it and the other passes are open.) About a mile in, there is Sonora Bridge (6000

Edited December 20, 2019 by radin2son
Added photos.

[Firefight100]

I was out in Taos in June of this year.  There are a lot of neat places to visit out there.  The gorge is just one of them.  We spent a week out there and didnt see everything.  Plan for a long stay.  My pics of the gorge, a few anyway.  https://sites.google.com/view/firefight100/travels

[radin2son]

Thanks. We

Edited September 2, 2019 by radin2son

[radin2son]

84,000 MILES WITH 6 Days to SPARE

 

What a reason for a trip! As it turned out, this was our 40th NV trip in 7 years. Not once did it let us down.

 

Although this is a great time of year to travel, the Forest Service shuts down campgrounds based on the date not the weather. It is imperative to check each forest

Edited December 24, 2019 by radin2son

[radin2son]

PICACHO STATE RECREATION AREA and MOHAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, CA

 

Just back from a 6 day mostly off the grid. Only important because this forum took a nap...

 

Picacho SRA is 24 miles north of Winterhaven, just across the Colorado River from Yuma. 18 of those miles (2nd photo) are dirt, sand and gravel with a few rock ledges thrown in. Took over an hour to drive the 18 miles to the campground. $20 a night but there are solar showers and pit toilets. Temperature extremes are 20-120* and we experienced 39-81*. Start of wild flower season. 

 

Mohave NP lies mostly between

1-40 and I-15. Lots of mountains and colder 34-66* and plants were still dormant. Also lots of dirt roads (1st photo) to enjoy...

 

Last night was spent boondocking off Palm Canyon Road in the Kofa Mountains north of Yuma. Not our idea of great camping. 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 29, 2020 by radin2son

[radin2son]

Some more photos. 

 

Picacho SRA

Colorado River at campground. Hiking trail.

Narrow gauge railroad bed from gold mines to stamp mill and paddle wheel boats. Ended in 1910 when dams were built down stream. Didn’t drive it; tight to no turn around warning. 

 

Mohave NP

Hole in the wall campground.

Joshua Tree. 

Kelso Depot. Crew quarters for Union Pacific. 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 2, 2020 by radin2son

[radin2son]

It’s been awhile since I posted anything here. Partly Covid and fires in the west. 

 

We had to put off a planned trip to western NM due to fires.  Same for Northern AZ. 

 

Rock Crossing CG, southeast of Flagstaff, AZ finally opened and we spend 4 days there hiking parts of the AZ Trail. (For those with kayaks, there is Blue Ridge Reservoir 2 miles away. Apparently 20’ down from high water mark.)  Weather was 10 degrees warmer than expected, plus really dry. Sites around the outside perimeter of the cg are best and many can be reserved ($8 fee). Most are fcfs. 

 

Decided to take our chances and drive down route 180 in NM. New fires to the east so we modified our route. Driving near the Gila Wilderness to Silver City is worth the drive. 

 

Camped overnight in Big Horn CG. 5 other cgs to chose from, but most are best avoided. Cosmic CG is better, but exposed to high winds and all day sun. Set up for star gazers. All are free and have vault toilets. Have to carry out all of your garbage. 

 

90* in the shade at Big Horn. Other choice on our route was City of Rocks SP southeast of Silver City. High winds made that a poor choice.

 

Interested in mpg?  2012 NVs show mpg and in this case it was 15.8. Actual mpg was less, 15.2. Surprised it wasn’t lower, as we ended up on long shortcut of washboard dirt roads where the rear wants to lead on turns. 

 

Gas ranged from $4.49 to $4.89 per gallon. 

 

 

Edited May 21, 2022 by radin2son