Looking For Advice For Our June Trip AZ-CO-SD-UT

[philanderer]

i have been all over se utah numerous times, but one of the more interesting drives is one i found that enters capitol reef park from the north off I70 until it joins highway 24 just west of cainville after fjording the frement river (easy unless they have had recent heavy rains). the scenery is phenomenal and the terrain is varied and stark, and the roads are pretty easy. and if you head west on 24 you can take highway 12 south toward zion and bryce canyon parks. it is an amazing drive. heres a few pics for your viewing pleasure. if interested i can provide more info.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOEvjWqpcWUass_g0RuMmamhVojoAx8CLk1LTrw

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[AzScorpion]

i have been all over se utah numerous times, but one of the more interesting drives is one i found that enters capitol reef park from the north off I70 until it joins highway 24 just west of cainville after fjording the frement river (easy unless they have had recent heavy rains). the scenery is phenomenal and the terrain is varied and stark, and the roads are pretty easy. and if you head west on 24 you can take highway 12 south toward zion and bryce canyon parks. it is an amazing drive. heres a few pics for your viewing pleasure. if interested i can provide more info.

https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipOEvjWqpcWUass_g0RuMmamhVojoAx8CLk1LTrw

Thanks those are great pictures! After Moab we're heading down to Hurricane which is just west of Zion. I was going to head west then take 15 south but this sounds like much more fun. We were at Bryce in the fall of 2020 and loved it there so I'll most definitely be taking this route. When you have time any info would be helpful. Thx!

 

[WV_Ranger]

Here is the best Mt. Rushmore advise you will get...approach from the SE via 16A from Custer SP. It's an incredible road. Several tunnels that frame Rushmore through the openings in the distance, a wooden spiraling bridge that helps you down a canyon wall. Amazing. And not too far out of the way from Custer, seems tough to convince folks staying in Rapid City to take this road.

We'll be in Moab next week and might have more current advice after that. But check out Gemini Bridges Road, we hope to camp there. And the route to Canyon Lands into the Isle in the Sky and down into Shafers Canyon to Potash Road (Thelma & Louise Point). You will see the start of the White Rim Trail there also. In June it will be pretty warm, head into the Manti-La Sal Mountians SE of Moab to cool off (Porcupine Ridge).

Sounds like a great trip!

Im adding that to my notes!

 

[WV_Ranger]

That sounds like a great trip! We should be in SD towards the end of your trip. We will be in SD on 6/10-6/16. We're staying in Custer, SD, I figured it was central and could get to most areas from there.

Awesome! Last year we did 8 days in lousiana. I always like to pick a state, some parks and attractions and then see what I can find along the way! Sounds like we both will have awesome trips!!

 

[Utah_Bound]

Gemini Bridges is a great place to start in Moab, it is easy with a few steps a just a couple of challenging areas, it also has amazing views. Fins and Things is also a lot of fun and has bypasses if needed. Other trails I would suggest for an easy to moderate challenge are; Book cliffs/Sego Canyon, Rainbow Terrace, Hidden canyon Overlook, Spring Canyon bottom, Bull Canyon, Moab Rim and Onion Creek! There are amazing trail guides that I highly suggest, they show you obstacles down to the mile marker, bypasses, and even tips on proper lines, how long they take, etc etc. Can not suggest them enough!! They make them for all of the states and areas you are going to. They are an amazing tool to have! Get the physical book, kindle version sucks!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/193483825X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[AzScorpion]

Gemini Bridges is a great place to start in Moab, it is easy with a few steps a just a couple of challenging areas, it also has amazing views. Fins and Things is also a lot of fun and has bypasses if needed. Other trails I would suggest for an easy to moderate challenge are; Book cliffs/Sego Canyon, Rainbow Terrace, Hidden canyon Overlook, Spring Canyon bottom, Bull Canyon, Moab Rim and Onion Creek! There are amazing trail guides that I highly suggest, they show you obstacles down to the mile marker, bypasses, and even tips on proper lines, how long they take, etc etc. Can not suggest them enough!! They make them for all of the states and areas you are going to. They are an amazing tool to have! Get the physical book, kindle version sucks!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/193483825X?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

Great info Scott, Thx! I'm really excited to go to Moab and I'm sure I'll wish I booked it longer. But that's the great thing about being out here, it's not that far a drive at all. I'll check out these trails and I'm sure there are videos on YouTube. Also thanks for the trail guides link, it'll be very helpful.

 

[Utah_Bound]

Great info Scott, Thx! I'm really excited to go to Moab and I'm sure I'll wish I booked it longer. But that's the great thing about being out here, it's not that far a drive at all. I'll check out these trails and I'm sure there are videos on YouTube. Also thanks for the trail guides link, it'll be very helpful.

I am sure you will still have so much fun! You are going to some amazing places, please take pictures for us! You can always go back if you liked a place more than the others

 

[Bob902]

I was going to suggest that same book. It breaks all the trails down by difficulty and gives sightseeing and hiking tips too. Moab is at the top of my bucket list but looks like we are doing Mt Rushmore and Devils Tower this summer instead. Have a great trip!

 

[dtech]

This list is decent for Durango dining, the derailed pour house draws crowds, if you like breweries that serve food ska brewing makes decent beer, carver's is a long time eating establishment, I took the train 2x to Silverton but didn't hang in Silverton , if you are into river rafting June is usually peak for the arkansas and the animas, if you want some real excitement - do a raft trip on the upper animas, it's unforgettable and a real a*s kicker. I'll be doing the blues train in August which should be fun , I prefer stuff along hwy 160 - mesa verde, sand dunes . I've seen a lot of colorado over the yrs, rank snowmass valley and the valley of the cimarron rivers - where true grit was filmed as the best, some nice rock formations in the valley, you can bypass Montrose (I would) and take the road outside of Ridgway over to hwy 50 . I like Telluride and the Imogene Pass road for 4wd that has a few abandoned mining towns along the route. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not real exciting but you can give your brakes a good test driving to the bottom - where the fishin can be real good.

https://familydestinationsguide.com/best-restaurants-in-durango-co/

 

[P. A. Schilke]

I guess I'll be the first to use this new section. We're headed out on a month long road trip in June. I have the hotels booked and a few of these areas we've been to but I'm looking for some insight on what to do in several others we've never been to. I'm open for suggestion on anything from good places to eat, off roading spots, sight seeing (especially if it's off the beaten path) and any other ideas you have if you've been to these areas. Mark @txquailguy has already been a HUGE help this past week helping me plan this out through CO but I'm always looking for others opinions. Mark, we're looking forward to meet up with you and your wife and I appreciate all the time you've spent on the phone helping me plan this!

Sorry but this is a long post due to the length of the trip.

1st stop is Durango, CO - We'll be here for 6 days and were here in 2019 and really like the area. We're going to take the train this time up to Silverton and on another day drive back up there and do some off roading.

I'm still undecided on whether I'm taking the Ranger or the Jeep so what are some good trails up in Silverton to take? We did this last time in a side x side and the Alpine Loop was only partially open due to avalanches, it was July 3rd too.

Any other good spots to off road in that area I should look out for?

What about restaurants or other things to do or see in either Durango or Silverton?

Leaving here we're heading up 550 through Silverton to Montrose then to 50 over to Salida where we'll spend the night. Any places of interest along this route?

From here we'll head north up to WY and stay over in Torrington, WY then on to Custer, SD the next day. We'll spend 7 days there so I'm looking for places to go/see along with any advice on restaurants. We'll be doing the usual going to Mt Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Badlands, but any suggestions on other stuff to do would help.

Now we'll head back south to CO to meet up with Mark and explore his area for the day. After that we're going down to 70 and staying at a casino in Central City overnight. The next day we'll head west through Breckenridge and Aspen then north up to Parachute, CO to rest for the night. The next day we'll head up towards Rangely, CO where we'll stay in a cabin overnight but we're thinking of going to the Dinosaur National Monument for the day. If anyone's been there is this worth going to?

We're heading to Moab, UT now for 7 days and will do Arches NP and of course out through Moab off roading. What are some good trails out in Moab that aren't to crazy? I'd like a mix of medium trails to rock crawling but nothing to extreme because it'll only be the two of us. I'm sure I can find a group to hook up with but I'm not looking to climb a vertical wall. lol As with any of these places we're looking for other cool stuff to do and restaurants to go to.

From Moab we're heading south down towards Zion and will be staying in another cabin in Hurricane, UT for 7n days. We were also here back in the fall of 2020 but could use a few suggestions from those who know the area. We had someone give us some really cool places to check out the last time that only locals really know about so stuff like that would be great.

Last but not least we'll hit Flagstaff, AZ for the 4th Of July weekend. I know this area like the back of my hand as we go there every summer to escape the heat. But there's always that one place someone knows about that's not all that well known to others so please chime in here too.

If you made it this far you really need to find something better to occupy your time. lol ? Seriously any help/suggestions would be appreciated!

Out of Montrose is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National park. In Utah, Cedar Breaks is equal to Bryce... They also have the Bristlecone Pines, some of which are over 4000 years old...

2500 year old Bristlecone Pine

Margie's painting of my photograph

Best,
Phil

 

[Bob902]

Since Phil @P. A. Schilke mentioned Cedar Breaks, we went hiking there two summers ago. Absolutely beautiful. If you are at the main parking lot and go to your left, past where the trail ends you will find a double arch.

 

[Radioman]

Sounds like a great trip planned.
If you have the time on your way to Durango, I would spend some time in Monument Valley (great hotel there) and trip through the Valley of the Gods (dirt road) and Goosenecks State Park.

 

[AzScorpion]

This list is decent for Durango dining, the derailed pour house draws crowds, if you like breweries that serve food ska brewing makes decent beer, carver's is a long time eating establishment, I took the train 2x to Silverton but didn't hang in Silverton , if you are into river rafting June is usually peak for the arkansas and the animas, if you want some real excitement - do a raft trip on the upper animas, it's unforgettable and a real a*s kicker. I'll be doing the blues train in August which should be fun , I prefer stuff along hwy 160 - mesa verde, sand dunes . I've seen a lot of colorado over the yrs, rank snowmass valley and the valley of the cimarron rivers - where true grit was filmed as the best, some nice rock formations in the valley, you can bypass Montrose (I would) and take the road outside of Ridgway over to hwy 50 . I like Telluride and the Imogene Pass road for 4wd that has a few abandoned mining towns along the route. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is not real exciting but you can give your brakes a good test driving to the bottom - where the fishin can be real good.

https://familydestinationsguide.com/best-restaurants-in-durango-co/

Thanks! We went to Mesa Verde the last time we were there and that was a good time. There's not much time when you're in Silverton before the return train back so we'll just get a quick burger there. Those other restaurants we will check out as I like trying different ones. The rafting sounds fun too and will check that out too. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[AzScorpion]

Out of Montrose is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National park. In Utah, Cedar Breaks is equal to Bryce... They also have the Bristlecone Pines, some of which are over 4000 years old...

2500 year old Bristlecone Pine

Margie's painting of my photograph

Best,
Phil

Thanks Phil! Mark @txquailguy was telling about Gunnison NP and those pictures look great! We'll definitely stop there as we're staying over in Salida which isn't far from there. There's so much to do and see I'll be needing a vacation to recover form this vacation. ?

 

[AzScorpion]

Since Phil @P. A. Schilke mentioned Cedar Breaks, we went hiking there two summers ago. Absolutely beautiful. If you are at the main parking lot and go to your left, past where the trail ends you will find a double arch.

Thanks Bob! We loved going to Bryce Canyon and will defiantly stop at Cedar Breaks, those pictures are great!! Is it as large as Bryce and should we plan on spending a whole day there?

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