I am taking my family on a cross country trek soon and I need some advice on routes to take through the grand canyon. Is anyone going in mid-may? I am hoping to take the dirt roads in my restored 97 disco. I have replaced all old parts and I am also taking extras like driveshafts, battery, alternator, belt,etc. I am afraid that some of the more extreme routes have been closed. any help would be appreciated.
need grand canyon and arches advice
- Thread starter 96discoI
- Start date
You should really look into going to Dark Canyon. It's in between the Abajo Mountains (Monticello, UT) and Natural Bridges Nat'l Park.
Dark Canyon area is unbelievable and unspoiled and almost no people. Wife and I were out there for three days and saw 2 cars. Bring plenty of water and food.
It's on the way you are looking to travel.
Dark Canyon area is unbelievable and unspoiled and almost no people. Wife and I were out there for three days and saw 2 cars. Bring plenty of water and food.
It's on the way you are looking to travel.
I know of some places along the south rim of the Grand Canyon where you can camp right up on the rim, in the middle of nowhere, miles away from anyone else. I'll have to dig through my topos and/or get the GPS coordinates, but it's basically about 20 or 30 miles on dirt roads west of the main park entrance.
Wasatch Disco said:
That it is!!
x2
If you are in the area and want a day trip, this is awesome. You can also get a permit and camp out there on the trail in a few spots. Did it on a mtn bike a few years ago with a chase car over a couple of days.
Some pix from the bike trip last year.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newsrover/sets/72157604402799420/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/newsrover/sets/72157604402799420/
Just N of Flagstaff, I would recommend taking the loop thru Sunset Crater and Wupatki Natl. Monuments. Sunset is a fascinating volcanic area that used to have some 4wd trails in years past and Wupatki has numerous ancient ruins one should not miss. Walnut Canyon just east of Flagstaff also has a beautiful trail thru ancient ruins. Navajo Natl. Monument along Hy 160 east of the Grand Canyon has a great ruins N of Kayenta, AZ lies Monument Valley with an easy but beautiful loop thru the Navajo Tribal Park within. Along this Hy 163 N of Kayyenta lie lots of old volcanic spires. Just N of Mexican Hat, UT lies Valley of the Gods with a very scenic easy loop road that you could take from either the E or W sides. Great loop with some great camping spots. The Goosenecks Of the San Juan state park is nearby too. There is a scenic 4wd trail that leaves off the Highway leading into the Goosenecks park that goes for miles to the west along the N rim of the San Juan River that is scenic, remote, and has good camping spots. I also recommend Elephant Hill in the Needles area of Canyonlands. Great trail leading S off the Elephant Hill main trail that you can take all the way into Beef Basin where there are numerous Anasazi ruins. Very remote with good camping. You really can't go wrong anywhere in S. Utah. As others stated, the White Rim is great but long but you need campsite reservations which are hard to come by this time of year. The Dark Canyon area is great as other have stated.
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Twilsey said:
AHHHHHH Dark Canyon Lake Utah, where I had my first "stuck in Park" episode...and NO access to D-WEB for 40 miles in any direction.:smilelol:
96discoI said:
Really?? - for gravel roads?? I'd install the driveshaft and alternator if you don't trust yours and save the extra weight for beer. You will be in Utah.
Give it up on the White Rim. You'll never get camping spots this late in the game. There's plenty of great places to go though. Try looking up the San Rafael Swell. Huge scenery, very remote, tons of driving for all abilities.