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04-15-2010, 08:57 PM
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#1
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,971
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Chaco Canyon road report?
Has anyone been on the road into Chaco recently? I am thinking I may visit in about a week. I know its usually awful but hope springs eternal....
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04-15-2010, 10:07 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Commercial Member
1968 17' Caravel
2005 30' Safari
Somewhere
, roaming America
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,095
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If you go, please post a report here. We're planning on a visit in about three weeks.
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04-18-2010, 01:07 PM
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#3
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,168
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We visited there (day-trippers) about 18 months ago. As I sit here now, I'm still on the fence about whether I'd want to take my trailer there. The road was very rough - worse than anything we found going to Alaska and back.
But, then again - it was not very satisfying to just drive in without camping. I think it is one of those places that requires investing the effort to go. I can only imagine the dark night skies. OK - I've decided: I'm taking the camper next time.
The road is rough, so you need to go very slowly to keep from beating your rig to death. But the only thing that will prevent you from getting there is if the road is blocked by water. So a call or email to the NP site should tell you that.
Man- I wish I was on the road.
Pat
__________________
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Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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04-18-2010, 01:15 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
1984 31' Airstream310
Ajo
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 7,649
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I've researched the road because we love that area and history. The conventional wisdom is to not take a mo/ho in, and we've been on some pretty funky roads, too. I'd find a spot to unhook and take the TV in first.
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04-18-2010, 01:39 PM
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#5
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3 Rivet Member
1994 21' Sovereign
Tucson
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 175
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Is your trailer a single or tandem axel? Rough roads are harder on single axel units.
If you carry a portable compressor you might think about lowering your tire pressure to about 50%, if your tires are not too old it won't hurt them at low speeds.
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04-18-2010, 02:41 PM
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#6
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,156
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It's always rough. A constant washboard. But I have done it with the trailer...you just need to plan on driving at about 10mph for most of the dirt portion. But it was worth it to be able to have the time to hike out to the remote ruins and look at the night sky through their large telescope on site. Call to check to make sure all the CG facilities are operational and ask for a road report.
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04-18-2010, 03:35 PM
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#7
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Contributing Member
2018 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Austin (Hays County)
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 7,164
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When it rains, the road turns to axle-deep muck. We went in over the washboard and came out in muck. I didn't have 4WD, and I really sweated the trip out.
A later owner took my trailer in a year later (22' dual axle) and had substantial interior damage on arrival.
It is worth the trip, but drive slowly. School busses use that road, so there is road maintenance.
__________________
John W. Irwin
2018 Interstate GT, "Sabre-Dog V"
WBCCI #9632
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04-24-2010, 03:38 PM
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#8
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,971
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Road report
I just visited Chaco. They have recently graded parts of the dirt road section and the road is in good condition (in Chaco terms) at the moment. There are still ruts and some sections of wash-boarding. I was able to go between 15-20 MPH much of the way. My eggs all survived going in, but alas, most did not make it out. You will be all be missed guys, good eggs each and every one of you. I suppose that was a bad yoke......
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04-25-2010, 10:00 AM
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#9
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Ready-to-Travel
2012 30' International
Walkerton
, Virginia
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,168
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Good for you, Rodney. How was Chaco (not the road?) Good weather, good views, etc?
Pat
__________________
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Somebody, please, point me to the road.
AIR 3987
TAC VA-2
WBCCI 4596
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04-25-2010, 10:13 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
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Rodney, when you were there, did you notice the large terrain-unusual piles of rock/dirt on the opposite side of the canyon from the excavated ruins?
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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04-27-2010, 10:57 AM
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#11
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Naysayer
1968 24' Tradewind
Russellville
, earth
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,971
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pmclemore
Good for you, Rodney. How was Chaco (not the road?) Good weather, good views, etc?
Pat
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Chaco, was wonderful as always. Having said that, it was kind of crappy weather for a visit. Cold and windy; took some of the zest out of hiking in among the ruins. I think if I were to do some volenteer work at a NP, Chaco would be high on my list. More on the visit here
Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
Rodney, when you were there, did you notice the large terrain-unusual piles of rock/dirt on the opposite side of the canyon from the excavated ruins?
Lynn
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I have to confess I did not notice that. What are they?
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04-27-2010, 03:24 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,030
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Ah, I'm wondering if they are unexcavated ruins. It stands to reason at a place as large as Chaco that there would be plenty more places.
If you've been up to Aztec Ruins National Monument in NM, they have all the excavated (and reconstructed) stuff, but there's a little sign off to the side pointing to unexcavated ruins, which you're also not allowed to walk on. It looks like a big pile of dirt and rock, albeit out of place, given the local terrain.
Pretty much the same story over at Homolovi Ruins State Park outside of Winslow, AZ (now closed, I think). The unexcavated stuff is pretty unremarkable at far glance, though at Homolovi you get (or got) to walk up close to them. And then things were interesting: Pottery shards all over creation.
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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05-07-2010, 09:05 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
2007 19' Safari SE
Seal Beach
, California
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 220
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Leary
I've researched the road because we love that area and history. The conventional wisdom is to not take a mo/ho in, and we've been on some pretty funky roads, too. I'd find a spot to unhook and take the TV in first.
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We have a good TV, and it sounds like we might follow this advice. Are there any BLM lands or state/NP campgrounds near Chaco that we could use as a basecamp for our Bambi?
__________________
"I have found through trial and error that I work best under duress. In fact, I work only under duress." -Ed Abbey
Jerry & Susan
2007 19' Bambi SE; 2018 Ford F-350 5.4L SuperCrew 4x4
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05-07-2010, 09:42 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1978 28' Ambassador
Morada
, California
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,584
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Looks like there's the Gallo campground, not far from the visitor center...looks kind of open from the pic, but only $5 with a US senior pass...lots to see in that area....
Chaco Culture National Historical Park - Campgrounds (U.S. National Park Service)
I noticed this disclaimer on one of the maps...
"Warning: Numerous visitors have reported that GPS devices are not accurate in the Chaco area. Please use our written directions to avoid getting lost."
Native American spirits may not be in tune with our 21st century ways, perhaps...
Ray
__________________
Ray & Pat; Morada, CA
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