We should hopefully be in Amarillo around 8 or 9. I am thinking we will be eating at the Big Texan on the outbound trip, mainly because I think it will be too rushed if we do this on this day. I want to spend the extra time in Monument Valley.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
DAY 13- MOAB TO AMARILLO VIA MONUMENT VALLEY
We should hopefully be in Amarillo around 8 or 9. I am thinking we will be eating at the Big Texan on the outbound trip, mainly because I think it will be too rushed if we do this on this day. I want to spend the extra time in Monument Valley.
DAY 12-MOAB
This is a day that will be spent enjoying whatever tour we decide to take. Since the tour might not take all day, we can do some more hiking or even take in some biking depending on how we feel. Packing up camp this evening after dinner, to stay in a hotel for our last night in Moab. Since there are no showers in our campground, I am sure we will be quite funky, unless we take a little jaunt down to the river and rinse off!
DAY 11
We should be settled into our campsite as of the previous day, Devil's Garden CG in Arches National Park!
This campsite is at the far end of Arches, NP, and it should be a quiet and beautiful camping area. On this day, we are going to be exploring Arches, with a hike up to Delicate Arch in the morning, and then another hike out to the Windows section and maybe some of the other arches in the area. After a quick lunch, we head out to Canyonlands National Park, out to the overview for some incredible pictures.
We will then head into town in order to make our decision on what to do the next day: either horseback riding or take on Slickrock/ Amasa Back bike trail. My gal wants to take a horseback ride, which should actually be pretty cool, so I think we will focus on that for the next day's activities.
We will then head into town in order to make our decision on what to do the next day: either horseback riding or take on Slickrock/ Amasa Back bike trail. My gal wants to take a horseback ride, which should actually be pretty cool, so I think we will focus on that for the next day's activities.
DAY 10
Prior to packing up camp, I am planning taking a quick run up to Bryce Canyon NP, and doing a quick hike on Navajo Loop down to the canyon floor. This needs to be done before packing up camp, because I don't want to have all the camping gear exposed in the bed of the truck. Once the hike is done, a quick jaunt back down to the campsite and load the gear, then heading out to MOAB!
Above: Navajo Loop switchbacks on the way back up the canyon.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Day 9
If I followed the previous post's directions, we will be in Red Canyon this day...home of Thunder Mountain and close to Bryce Canyon. Thunder Mountain trail is a pretty rough ride, with amazing scenery and some lung sucking climbs. At one point, the trail tops out at just over 8000 feet, making it slow going for us sea-level based creatures.
The hardest part will probably be the initial ride from the Red Canyon campsite, up the paved trail to Coyote Hollow, and then to the TM trailhead itself. Although paved, the climb is slow, gradual, and definitely going to zap a lot out of you. My hope is we can find some other bikers with whom to share a shuttle with- in other words, have someone drive up to the CH trailhead, and then once the ride is done, drive that person back to their car. We shall see. Otherwise, it will be a rough ride. It's only a total of 14.7 miles, so if the girlfriend is in shape, we shall be able to do it without any major issues! The unpaved portion of the trail is only about 8 miles, so it isn't all that crazy.
After riding Thunder, we may not have much gas to do anything else, so I figure this would be a nice quiet evening by the campfire.
After riding Thunder, we may not have much gas to do anything else, so I figure this would be a nice quiet evening by the campfire.
ROAD TRIP 2010- Day 8
This is a "tossup" day. This is either going to be a day to rent some kayaks, head out to either the Chains or to Lone Rock, and paddle out onto the lake. If we don't manage to squeeze in a hike to horseshoe bend, then this would be a good time to do it. It all depends on the money situation at this time in the trip. I figure a kayak rental will run us both around $80 for the whole day. Not too shabby.
Otherwise, we may be looking at skipping out a bit early and heading to Red Canyon. I kind of time pressured Red Canyon, since I wanted extra time in Page to look around at real estate and kick it in Lees Ferry...kind of what I did in Sedona. If we departed this day to Red Canyon, then we could have one full day there to ride Thunder Mountain, so this would be the most likely scenario. Running it the other way I had planned, there isn't a full day at Red Canyon...only a partial arrival day (not enough time to set up camp and then go ride), and then a departure day (squeeze in the ride real quick, then zip out to Moab). Problem is, Thunder is a rough ride, and resting after a ride like that is definitely a plus.
So, let us say that I would like to break down camp, squeeze in a hike out to Horseshoe Bend, then bail out to Red Canyon on this day. Probably would be the best idea.
Otherwise, we may be looking at skipping out a bit early and heading to Red Canyon. I kind of time pressured Red Canyon, since I wanted extra time in Page to look around at real estate and kick it in Lees Ferry...kind of what I did in Sedona. If we departed this day to Red Canyon, then we could have one full day there to ride Thunder Mountain, so this would be the most likely scenario. Running it the other way I had planned, there isn't a full day at Red Canyon...only a partial arrival day (not enough time to set up camp and then go ride), and then a departure day (squeeze in the ride real quick, then zip out to Moab). Problem is, Thunder is a rough ride, and resting after a ride like that is definitely a plus.
So, let us say that I would like to break down camp, squeeze in a hike out to Horseshoe Bend, then bail out to Red Canyon on this day. Probably would be the best idea.
ROAD TRIP 2010- Day 7
Planning on taking a tour of Antelope Canyon. In the afternoon, heading off to the Chains for some time by the water relaxing.
The slot canyon tours are best taken in the morning going into lunchtime, as the sun is overhead and casts the sunbeams down the canyon like the above picture shows. An absolutely amazing place for sure.
"The Chains" is located just off 89 once you cross over the bridge going into Page. It's one of the few places you can actually access Lake Powell without a boat (aside from Lone Rock and of course the marinas). There isn't a sandy beach here, and it requires a bit of effort to get to. But I have heard some good reviews about this spot, and I'd like to check it out.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
ROAD TRIP 2010- Day 6
Today, we leave Sedona and head north to Lees Ferry, which is an area near Marble Canyon along the Colorado River near Page and Lake Powell. This is one of the few areas along the Colorado where you can have access right down to the river itself, just downstream from Glen Canyon Dam. I am planning on camping right in the area, and there are campgrounds right along the river.
This is a nice area, and we plan on doing some tours in Page during our stay here. On our way to this area, I am planning a side drive to the Grand Canyon South Rim. My girlfriend has never seen teh Grand Canyon before, and I figure a stop along the rim and Desert View watchtower would be a nice addition for her. I want to leave early in the morning from Sedona in order to make this drive and arrive in Lees Ferry before the campsites fill up. If we cannot find a campsite here, then I will be heading over to Wahweap marina CG (where I stayed last year), and we will set up shop there. It's not as rustic and quiet, but it will have to do if that is the case.
ROAD TRIP 2010- Day 4 and 5
Day FOUR:
We plan on hitting the Sedona Bike and Bean to fuel up with some java before the day's ride. Today should be a very moderate ride along the Bell Rock Pathway. Planning on hitting Courthouse Loop and some of the other trails close by. Depending on stamina, we may head out and try some of the other rides like Submarine Rock and Llama.
above: Sedona Bike and Bean. Trailheads right across the street, Courthouse Towers in background.
Day FIVE:
We should be feeling good after not busting our butts the previous day, so the choice here is to try out more rides locally or head out to some more technical riding in Flagstaff. I am leaning toward staying in Sedona and taking on some more challenging routes with some nice views, like near Chicken Point. I have Cosmic Ray's Arizona Bike Trails book, and I plan on bringing that as a reference. After riding today, we will go out and check out some of the scenic spots in Sedona around sunset. Should make for some nice pictures.
We plan on hitting the Sedona Bike and Bean to fuel up with some java before the day's ride. Today should be a very moderate ride along the Bell Rock Pathway. Planning on hitting Courthouse Loop and some of the other trails close by. Depending on stamina, we may head out and try some of the other rides like Submarine Rock and Llama.
Day FIVE:
We should be feeling good after not busting our butts the previous day, so the choice here is to try out more rides locally or head out to some more technical riding in Flagstaff. I am leaning toward staying in Sedona and taking on some more challenging routes with some nice views, like near Chicken Point. I have Cosmic Ray's Arizona Bike Trails book, and I plan on bringing that as a reference. After riding today, we will go out and check out some of the scenic spots in Sedona around sunset. Should make for some nice pictures.
ROAD TRIP 2010- Day 1-3
Day ONE:
Depart from Tampa area en route to Lafayette, LA. This should be about a 12 hour drive. Last year, I stayed at a lousy KOA right next to a freeway and slept HORRIBLY. This year, I am staying at a Travelodge.
Day TWO:
Lafayette, LA. to Amarillo, TX. This is a fairly long and boring leg, but should also be right around 12 hours to 13 hours of drive time. Staying in the 'ol Travelodge in Amarillo, where I spent last year's stay. Convenient, comfortable, and free breakfast!
Day THREE:
Amarillo, TX to Sedona, AZ. Not too bad of a drive, should be right around 10 hours. I plan on taking the scenic Oak Creek Canyon road into Sedona, and staying at Cave Springs Campground. I chose this campground because it has shower facilities, and is right next to Oak Creek. Looks like a very nice setting. I also chose to hit Sedona first, because I want to get my girlfriend (who is accompanying me this year) acclimated to riding at a higher altitude. Some of Sedona's trails are easier, so this is a good warmup ride. Also very scenic.
Depart from Tampa area en route to Lafayette, LA. This should be about a 12 hour drive. Last year, I stayed at a lousy KOA right next to a freeway and slept HORRIBLY. This year, I am staying at a Travelodge.
Day TWO:
Lafayette, LA. to Amarillo, TX. This is a fairly long and boring leg, but should also be right around 12 hours to 13 hours of drive time. Staying in the 'ol Travelodge in Amarillo, where I spent last year's stay. Convenient, comfortable, and free breakfast!
Day THREE:
Amarillo, TX to Sedona, AZ. Not too bad of a drive, should be right around 10 hours. I plan on taking the scenic Oak Creek Canyon road into Sedona, and staying at Cave Springs Campground. I chose this campground because it has shower facilities, and is right next to Oak Creek. Looks like a very nice setting. I also chose to hit Sedona first, because I want to get my girlfriend (who is accompanying me this year) acclimated to riding at a higher altitude. Some of Sedona's trails are easier, so this is a good warmup ride. Also very scenic.
above: Cave Springs Capground scenery
ROAD TRIP 2010 ITINERARY
I have been planning this year's road trip for a while, and its finally ready to go. Hotel reservations are made, some campground reservations are as well, and the travel money is all saved up. I am doing this year's trip in reverse from what I did last year...and eliminating Colorado from the loop. I'll be posting up the itinerary later today, so stay tuned!
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