The Big Meander, Summer 2011
- Thread starter scarysharkface
- Start date
scarysharkface
Explorer
It's not a long drive or technical, but has pretty much all the things that make me want to have a Jeep and dual-sport motorcycle.
And before very long at all we're at the top and with a little imagination we might be back in Kansas..
But we're not, and Colin, being ever the kid, wants to climb that big sand hill across the highway from Arches..
If it still hadn't been 100 degrees, I might be tempted to give it a go..
Completely fried from the heat and fun, we got a a couple of pizzas at Paradox Pizza (next to the brewery) and called it a night.
John
And before very long at all we're at the top and with a little imagination we might be back in Kansas..
But we're not, and Colin, being ever the kid, wants to climb that big sand hill across the highway from Arches..
If it still hadn't been 100 degrees, I might be tempted to give it a go..
Completely fried from the heat and fun, we got a a couple of pizzas at Paradox Pizza (next to the brewery) and called it a night.
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
We were looking forward to a nice breeze overnight to dissipate the heat a bit. What we weren't expecting were high winds and sand being blown into the tent everywhere. It was a very long, sleepless night, and we were all somewhat miserable by daybreak.
At this point, Colin has pretty much sworn-off camping forever. He does however expect us to spend a hundred bucks on a motel so we can run more 4x4 roads.
Tracy forces a smile for the camera..
Tracy and I decide to head North. Colin isn't happy about this. Neither of them wanted to move into the nearby mountains, so instead we jump on I-70 and head West for reasons I can't recall..
After lunch in Green River, we stop at a scenic pullout and enjoy the 108-degree dry heat..
It was breezy like a blow dryer..
We decide to head toward the Little Grand Canyon..
There are so many tracks heading off into the unknown. I'd love to explore them all, but today is not the day for that.
There is weather ahead. We've got food and water, and really could wait a couple of days if we became stranded somewhere. The road is exceptional though, so we'll go until it seems like a bad idea to continue. We've got plenty of fuel.
And it rains..
No worries though, and it's beautiful..
One day I'll understand how to take rain pictures that show the rain..
We stop along the San Rafael River and walk around a bit, but don't take any pictures apparently..
The river is high and flowing fast. There is a campground where Buckhorn Draw Road crosses the river, and it's about 1/3 flooded..
John
At this point, Colin has pretty much sworn-off camping forever. He does however expect us to spend a hundred bucks on a motel so we can run more 4x4 roads.
Tracy forces a smile for the camera..
Tracy and I decide to head North. Colin isn't happy about this. Neither of them wanted to move into the nearby mountains, so instead we jump on I-70 and head West for reasons I can't recall..
After lunch in Green River, we stop at a scenic pullout and enjoy the 108-degree dry heat..
It was breezy like a blow dryer..
We decide to head toward the Little Grand Canyon..
There are so many tracks heading off into the unknown. I'd love to explore them all, but today is not the day for that.
There is weather ahead. We've got food and water, and really could wait a couple of days if we became stranded somewhere. The road is exceptional though, so we'll go until it seems like a bad idea to continue. We've got plenty of fuel.
And it rains..
No worries though, and it's beautiful..
One day I'll understand how to take rain pictures that show the rain..
We stop along the San Rafael River and walk around a bit, but don't take any pictures apparently..
The river is high and flowing fast. There is a campground where Buckhorn Draw Road crosses the river, and it's about 1/3 flooded..
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
Not too much farther and there is a marked pull-off for ancient artwork..
It's amazing that this stuff has survived..
We're here for literally just a few minutes enjoying the windbreak along with the art when the gusts pickup enough to start rolling baby-head-sized rocks and larger from the plateau above. Looking up, we make a mad-dash for the Jeep and get away from the wall..
Next stop is a campsite just around the bend and up-slope from the road a bit..
We get out and grab some snacks. Colin explores a wee bit..
Out in the middle of nowhere, Tracy's phone rings and she chats with a sister while we hang out..
Even with today's rain, there just isn't a lot of moisture to hold the dirt together..
It would be a great spot to stop for the night, but I don't get the hint(s) and we move along. It's still quite early..
John
It's amazing that this stuff has survived..
We're here for literally just a few minutes enjoying the windbreak along with the art when the gusts pickup enough to start rolling baby-head-sized rocks and larger from the plateau above. Looking up, we make a mad-dash for the Jeep and get away from the wall..
Next stop is a campsite just around the bend and up-slope from the road a bit..
We get out and grab some snacks. Colin explores a wee bit..
Out in the middle of nowhere, Tracy's phone rings and she chats with a sister while we hang out..
Even with today's rain, there just isn't a lot of moisture to hold the dirt together..
It would be a great spot to stop for the night, but I don't get the hint(s) and we move along. It's still quite early..
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
Whew. It's been a month, and I'm back from this and can get going on this trip report again without so many distractions..
We move along and the sun weaves in and out of the clouds.. Beautiful day, really, now that it's quit raining and the wind has abated, especially with the mild temperatures..
The Wedge Overlook seemed like something worth seeing..
It's terrifically difficult to express relationships and scale in a single photograph. Much easier to capture joy of the moment..
The road we came in on follows the rim to the right (you drive up to the rim and make a hard left - there is no guardrail and precious little warning). There's nothing much different than everywhere else around to see and then BANG there it is right in front of you. Worth the trip out here, and I bet there's some incredible hiking..
Perhaps the best part (for us family campers) is that there is a rather nice pit-toilet on-site..
John
We move along and the sun weaves in and out of the clouds.. Beautiful day, really, now that it's quit raining and the wind has abated, especially with the mild temperatures..
The Wedge Overlook seemed like something worth seeing..
It's terrifically difficult to express relationships and scale in a single photograph. Much easier to capture joy of the moment..
The road we came in on follows the rim to the right (you drive up to the rim and make a hard left - there is no guardrail and precious little warning). There's nothing much different than everywhere else around to see and then BANG there it is right in front of you. Worth the trip out here, and I bet there's some incredible hiking..
Perhaps the best part (for us family campers) is that there is a rather nice pit-toilet on-site..
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
Within a few miles we're back in the weather..
I don't like the looks of that sky..
Being from Indiana, I find it odd when the presence of cattle indicates we're nearing civilization..
I can't get my head into camping tonight. Last night was just miserable, I'm tired and the prospect of enduring another sleepless night is utterly demoralizing. A couple of "Bates Motel" places we check out want upwards of $75 per night, and they look bad. We head for a road that will take us through the mountains..
Temps come down considerably...
And there's a hint of sunlight ahead..
I can almost feel it..
Dropping down into Provo..
I don't recall what motel we stayed in, but they had plenty of hot water and a full continental breakfast the next morning. It was cheap, too.
Where to go now?
John
I don't like the looks of that sky..
Being from Indiana, I find it odd when the presence of cattle indicates we're nearing civilization..
I can't get my head into camping tonight. Last night was just miserable, I'm tired and the prospect of enduring another sleepless night is utterly demoralizing. A couple of "Bates Motel" places we check out want upwards of $75 per night, and they look bad. We head for a road that will take us through the mountains..
Temps come down considerably...
And there's a hint of sunlight ahead..
I can almost feel it..
Dropping down into Provo..
I don't recall what motel we stayed in, but they had plenty of hot water and a full continental breakfast the next morning. It was cheap, too.
Where to go now?
John
suntinez
Explorer
I'm really enjoying this, thanks! "Honest fences" - love it.
The colors and perspective you're getting on these pics is awesome. I must say I was surprised to see snow in the last set given the previous temps, what time of year were you traveling?
Colin climbed that hill barefoot? :Wow1:
The colors and perspective you're getting on these pics is awesome. I must say I was surprised to see snow in the last set given the previous temps, what time of year were you traveling?
Colin climbed that hill barefoot? :Wow1:
scarysharkface
Explorer
June 30th, and we drive up into the hills..
Wet sticky mud, just like home..
Let's keep going. See what we can find..
Climbing up into the Uintas..
Someone has a sense of humor..
Sign said the road was closed, but we headed up into the mountains anyway. Encountered this guy coming back down from clearing the pass. Timing is everything..
Lovely country..
But they've had a bug problem..
John
Wet sticky mud, just like home..
Let's keep going. See what we can find..
Climbing up into the Uintas..
Someone has a sense of humor..
Sign said the road was closed, but we headed up into the mountains anyway. Encountered this guy coming back down from clearing the pass. Timing is everything..
Lovely country..
But they've had a bug problem..
John
JamesDowning
Explorer
Really enjoying the trip John! It's interesting to see the different perspectives of a fellow traveler visiting a similar area. Utah seems to offer so much, I think I could spend a month meandering around and not get bored. If only. Looking forward to more!
scarysharkface
Explorer
Understatement of the year. I think one could spend a lifetime there and still not see half the good stuff!
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
Still not up into the pass yet, but we pull off looking for a spot to grab a snack..
Pic-a-nic tables come with advice..
It's wet everywhere from the snow-melt..
The streams are flowing heavily..
We play a bit in the snow, and take pictures..
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
Back at it...
Some laughter about how it was 108 degrees just yesterday, not too far South of here at Green River..
Picnic time..
Back on the road. We looped up into Wyoming, then East..
We do a little bit of exploring/poking-around to find a place to end the day..
We found a place..
Great campground..
And we were fortunate to find an open spot very near the Flaming Gorge itself. Sometimes it really does pay off to not plan..
Good times..
John
Some laughter about how it was 108 degrees just yesterday, not too far South of here at Green River..
Picnic time..
Back on the road. We looped up into Wyoming, then East..
We do a little bit of exploring/poking-around to find a place to end the day..
We found a place..
Great campground..
And we were fortunate to find an open spot very near the Flaming Gorge itself. Sometimes it really does pay off to not plan..
Good times..
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
We had some fun with the camera..
Up late, but we slept really well..
Colin had setup *his* tent, but since we'd been told there had been a bear in the campground several evenings recently we all stayed in the one large tent. The only animal troubles we had were with the curious ground squirrels. They wanted to be into everything...
We need to come here again..
Breakfast... and COFFEE! :coffeedrink:
John
Up late, but we slept really well..
Colin had setup *his* tent, but since we'd been told there had been a bear in the campground several evenings recently we all stayed in the one large tent. The only animal troubles we had were with the curious ground squirrels. They wanted to be into everything...
We need to come here again..
Breakfast... and COFFEE! :coffeedrink:
John
scarysharkface
Explorer
The wildlife here are quite habituated to people..
Our campsite and those around were reserved for the remainder of the weekend, so we got our stuff packed, hit the Flaming Gorge Visitor Center for a map then ambled on down the road again..
Mooving right along through the open-range..
We thought the Dinosaur National Monument looked interesting, so that way we went. Checking out the campground, we figured maybe we don't really want to camp here after all. It seemed dirty and mostly under-maintained. If we were going to sleep somewhere like that, we'd prefer to do it not adjacent to a generator..
So we checked out some maps and did some strategerizing..
Interesting area, but we just couldn't get into it after last night's Flaming Gorge..
The map suggested we could easily make Grand Junction for the night, then tomorrow have a ton of options and lots of time to run them. So we headed East...
And then South...
I'd been noticing as the trip progressed that something metallic up under the hood would rattle noticeably when I'd be climbing hills on the highway in lower gears. By now it was bad enough that I decided to poke around and see what was loose. I still don't know for sure, but it seems the metallic wrap on some of the hoses gets just loose enough to make a lot of noise. Crimping those down a bit with my hands seems to have made a difference. Of course, that lasted about a day. Still, though, I can't find anything loose other than those..
Night finds us at a KOA in Grand Junction. There is one other tent and the rest are RV's and camper trailers. It's okay, reasonably quiet and the shower feels fantastic..
John
Our campsite and those around were reserved for the remainder of the weekend, so we got our stuff packed, hit the Flaming Gorge Visitor Center for a map then ambled on down the road again..
Mooving right along through the open-range..
We thought the Dinosaur National Monument looked interesting, so that way we went. Checking out the campground, we figured maybe we don't really want to camp here after all. It seemed dirty and mostly under-maintained. If we were going to sleep somewhere like that, we'd prefer to do it not adjacent to a generator..
So we checked out some maps and did some strategerizing..
Interesting area, but we just couldn't get into it after last night's Flaming Gorge..
The map suggested we could easily make Grand Junction for the night, then tomorrow have a ton of options and lots of time to run them. So we headed East...
And then South...
I'd been noticing as the trip progressed that something metallic up under the hood would rattle noticeably when I'd be climbing hills on the highway in lower gears. By now it was bad enough that I decided to poke around and see what was loose. I still don't know for sure, but it seems the metallic wrap on some of the hoses gets just loose enough to make a lot of noise. Crimping those down a bit with my hands seems to have made a difference. Of course, that lasted about a day. Still, though, I can't find anything loose other than those..
Night finds us at a KOA in Grand Junction. There is one other tent and the rest are RV's and camper trailers. It's okay, reasonably quiet and the shower feels fantastic..
John