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

philanderer

Well-Known Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Feb 7, 2022
Threads
12
Messages
1,087
Reaction score
5,817
Location
land of oz
Vehicle(s)
'22 ford ranger
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!
the views from the overlooks on highway 12 are phenomenal. it was pretty early and somewhat hazy but you get the idea. in the middle of the first pic you can see the highway
snaking thru, gives you an idea of what you would be driving in. the last 3 are stock photos i threw in with better lighting

1649876037301.png


1649876072532.png

1649876135579.png

1649876223887.png

1649876278935.png

1649876581969.png

1649876704290.png

1649876747626.png

https://capitolreef.org/scenic-byway-12/
Sponsored

 

halligan1201

Well-Known Member
First Name
John
Joined
Jan 23, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
1,567
Reaction score
3,557
Location
Byron, IL
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger
Occupation
Emergency Management
Vehicle Showcase
1
I don't know how much into hiking you are but the Black Elk Peak is the highest point in SD and is about 8 miles round trip. It's in Custer SP and the views of the Black Hills cannot be topped. There's an old cement fire tower at the top. It'll kill a full day for sure. Pack a lunch and have a great picnic at the top.

One pic of the sheep on the Castle Trail at Badlands, two of Black Elk at Custer.

SAM_1503.JPG


SAM_1651.JPG


SAM_1643 3.JPG
 
OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
280
Messages
21,289
Reaction score
101,269
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
CEO of DeeZee
the views from the overlooks on highway 12 are phenomenal. it was pretty early and somewhat hazy but you get the idea. in the middle of the first pic you can see the highway
snaking thru, gives you an idea of what you would be driving in. the last 3 are stock photos i threw in with better lighting

1649876037301.png


1649876072532.png

1649876135579.png

1649876223887.png

1649876278935.png

1649876581969.png

1649876704290.png

1649876747626.png

https://capitolreef.org/scenic-byway-12/
I don't know how much into hiking you are but the Black Elk Peak is the highest point in SD and is about 8 miles round trip. It's in Custer SP and the views of the Black Hills cannot be topped. There's an old cement fire tower at the top. It'll kill a full day for sure. Pack a lunch and have a great picnic at the top.

One pic of the sheep on the Castle Trail at Badlands, two of Black Elk at Custer.

SAM_1503.JPG


SAM_1651.JPG


SAM_1643 3.JPG
Thanks for the suggestions and the pictures! These are great suggestions, there's so much to see in this country and the views are amazing.
 

canyonslicker

Well-Known Member
First Name
Andy
Joined
Jun 13, 2021
Threads
39
Messages
1,293
Reaction score
4,803
Location
California
Vehicle(s)
2021 Ranger Lariat
Occupation
65 YO Juvenile Delinquent
Dave, check the web sites of the places, and areas you will visit. Many will send out free brochures with a ton of good suggestions. Most have maps of the area also. Also, if possible buy any tickets that are needed early. I've found that popular sites sell out early. Sounds like a great trip.

Here's a pic just to get you in the mood.

214.JPG
CFA74A41-8B14-4855-A76E-ECD5854597F0.jpeg
CFA74A41-8B14-4855-A76E-ECD5854597F0.jpeg
 


philanderer

Well-Known Member
First Name
Phil
Joined
Feb 7, 2022
Threads
12
Messages
1,087
Reaction score
5,817
Location
land of oz
Vehicle(s)
'22 ford ranger
if you decide to take highway 12 in utah and have plenty of time, the burr trail east out of boulder is a nice drive. all paved until you get to the switchbacks. 35 miles will take you to the upper muley twist canyon road north ending at the strike valley overlook trailhead. high clearance for most of it but very doable in a ranger. a short easy hike (10 minutes?) to the overlook. views are absolutely amazing. been there twice and second time was just as rewarding. about a mile further east on the burr trail are switchbacks that are pretty cool. views from the overlook.....
1650379433351.png


1650379491111.png

1650379540032.png

the switchbacks
1650381390386.png
 
Last edited:
OP
OP
AzScorpion

AzScorpion

Moderator
First Name
Dave
Joined
Jul 25, 2019
Threads
280
Messages
21,289
Reaction score
101,269
Location
Arizona
Vehicle(s)
2023 Ford Ranger Tremor
Occupation
CEO of DeeZee
if you decide to take highway 12 in utah and have plenty of time, the burr trail east out of boulder is a nice drive. all paved until you get to the switchbacks. 35 miles will take you to the upper muley twist canyon road north ending at the strike valley overlook trailhead. high clearance for most of it but very doable in a ranger. a short easy hike (10 minutes?) to the overlook. views are absolutely amazing. been there twice and second time was just as rewarding. about a mile further east on the burr trail are switchbacks that are pretty cool. views from the overlook.....
1650379433351.png


1650379491111.png

1650379540032.png
Thanks, I'll definitely add this to the list!
 

JACKSMYDOG

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jay
Joined
May 8, 2021
Threads
35
Messages
1,995
Reaction score
6,115
Location
Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger Lariat FX4 Black
Occupation
Retired
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
Hell's Revenge, or more specifically First Fin, is an absolute must IMO, even if you take the first exit after. If you continue, there are alternates to all the hardest obstacles (The Escalator, Hot Tubs, & Hell's Gate).

Even in a TGD Ranger should be able to do it, if a Kia Sorento can ;)

 

Msfitoy

Well-Known Member
First Name
Sid
Joined
Mar 5, 2019
Threads
60
Messages
7,702
Reaction score
22,453
Location
North Carolina
Vehicle(s)
2019 Ranger, 2003 MINI Cooper S, 2021 Honda CT125
Occupation
Automotive, Industrial Designer
Vehicle Showcase
1
Dave...you'll be in the high mileage club after this trip... ?
 

dtech

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Threads
33
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
5,235
Location
colorado
Vehicle(s)
Ranger Lariat FX4, chromed and forever damperless
Even in a TGD Ranger should be able to do it, if a Kia Sorento can ;)

This ad is a better depiction of the Telluride's capabilities, especially if you are planning to do some serious touring of muddy cow pastures, eliminates the need to travel to Pamplona to run with the bulls. Like the cow pasture KIA is essentially full of sh*t. BTW I am elderly but have an acquaintance around my age whose bucket list included running the bulls at Pamplona and I'll be damned but he did it. But that Telluride Nightfall edition with those yellow running lights - makes the Bronco look like an also ran (Ranger as well), why bother with a G.O.A.T when the Telluride can run with the bulls.

 

JACKSMYDOG

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jay
Joined
May 8, 2021
Threads
35
Messages
1,995
Reaction score
6,115
Location
Ontario
Vehicle(s)
2020 Ranger Lariat FX4 Black
Occupation
Retired
This ad is a better depiction of the Telluride's capabilities, especially if you are planning to do some serious touring of muddy cow pastures, eliminates the need to travel to Pamplona to run with the bulls. Like the cow pasture KIA is essentially full of sh*t. BTW I am elderly but have an acquaintance around my age whose bucket list included running the bulls at Pamplona and I'll be damned but he did it. But that Telluride Nightfall edition with those yellow running lights - makes the Bronco look like an also ran (Ranger as well), why bother with a G.O.A.T when the Telluride can run with the bulls.

Ya, I was really just making a damper joke.

You're not suggesting a commercial is exaggerated or not really real are you? C'mon man! Have you seen the Ranger commercials? The one in a ghost town outrunning some ATV and dirt bikes before the dynamite goes boom? Betcha that's real ;)



Or this load of manure? LOL

 

dtech

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 10, 2020
Threads
33
Messages
2,363
Reaction score
5,235
Location
colorado
Vehicle(s)
Ranger Lariat FX4, chromed and forever damperless
Ya, I was really just making a damper joke.

You're not suggesting a commercial is exaggerated or not really real are you? C'mon man! Have you seen the Ranger commercials? The one in a ghost town outrunning some ATV and dirt bikes before the dynamite goes boom? Betcha that's real ;)



Or this load of manure? LOL

at least the Ranger is a bona fide off vehicle - Hyundai/KIA - not really, I have a Hyundai Sante Fe that some yrs back took up a 10 mile long rocky back country road with several high clearance spots where it got hung up, would never do it again and had several people at North Fork Reservoir near Monarch CO approach and ask me how in the devil I made it there, I was lucky I guess.

But every mfg nowadays is touting their off road capabilities - and most show turing that little dial which magically enables the vehicle to seemingly handle any terrain. Hyundai/KIAs don't have high clearance for starters.
Sponsored

 
 



Top