I'm putting together my summer plan. Departing Oklahoma around May 10, returning around August 10. The basic plan at this juncture is outlined on the attached map. If you know cool things to see, do, ect near this route I would love to hear them. I want to be in Idaho by early July and back down toward Colorado for early August.
I am especially interested in boondocking spots, cool national forest, hot springs and such. This will also be my first real trip into Nevada, Idaho, and Wyoming above Yellowstone, so any insight into those areas is appreciated. I haven't decided much about the Colorado section of the trip at this point either except that I am mostly thinking about hitting the central to south west portion of the state.
Thanks!
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Rodney
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
Bonneville campground (USFS) in the Boise NF. Natural Hot spring on site.
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Michelle
If you think you are having a bad day go to the hospital and visit the children.
Sarah
Ruby, (05 BMW R1200RT)
Daisy, (06 Turbo Diesel F-250 w/Tow Command, the perfect TV)
Butter Cup, (06 Classic 31 w/dinette, solar)
45,000 miles in two years! http://Michelles-Adventures.US
No doubt, however, even though I have the summer, there is only so much time. As it is, I expect to miss a lot of neat stuff along the way. Some other year perhaps.
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Rodney
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
I would really love to go back to Cimarron again. I understand there are many more things to see and do there now than the last time I was there 35 years ago (other than the obvious Sangre de Christo range). It's not too far from ABQ and we have a member here that owns a camp ground near there. I suspect that you could could stay on the reservation, but that's just a guess. Late spring, before the crowds get there, is great. Plenty of wildlife for the new camera of yours.
We'll make it back some day...some day.
Jim
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What is that line from "Miracle on 34th Street"? Something like "Maybe he's only a little crazy, like those men in Washington."
Mom and her husband have decided they can't do the Grand Canyon in May like we had planned. Maybe I should just do the loop backwards instead. That would put me at the canyon in August, but I'm thinking that would mean more crowds and hotter temps. Does that sound right to everyone?
The reverse route ought to be ok, but I wonder if it wont be a bit chilly to be in Colorado and Wyoming at high elevations in June. Comments?
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Rodney
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
Looks like a good trip to me. I have been in Colorado in June, and I think you will be ok. Near Denver, the sun made our tents hot almost immediately in the morning. Nights were no problem. The only problem we had was going up the mountain outside Aspen. We had planned to hike up to a hot spring and “hot tub” like my friend had done in the past. We only got half way because the path was covered in deep snow and we only had running shoes (in my case) and sandals (in hers.)
Mom and her husband have decided they can't do the Grand Canyon in May like we had planned. Maybe I should just do the loop backwards instead. That would put me at the canyon in August, but I'm thinking that would mean more crowds and hotter temps. Does that sound right to everyone?
The reverse route ought to be ok, but I wonder if it wont be a bit chilly to be in Colorado and Wyoming at high elevations in June. Comments?
Wow, what a trip Rodney,
Colorado high country in June and July can be warm or snowing and everything in between, I live at 7,850 feet, summer temps range from high's in the low 80's, 60's after the afternoon showers. Lows at night in the high 30 or 40's,,, Cool and brisk.
I've seen snow showers numerous times at the higher elevations, 9,000 - 10,000, it doesn't last long and melts almost immediately, but the wind at the highest elevations can have a lot of chill factor.
Don
As you are coming up, ( or down) in Idaho, stop at Swan Valley. Excellent fishing in the Snake with a guide. Its a one day float trip that is spectacular. Located southeast Idaho right near the Wyoming border south of Yellowstone.
Also, there is a State Park called Three Island Crossing just off 84 in Idaho. If you go near there, it is a great place to stop. You can still see the wagon tracks from the westward migration across the Snake River as they came down to forge the river at that point.
We will be there either the last weekend in May or early June.
John
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"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results."
Wow, Rodney... I really jealous! Nice trip. Wish we could take off 3 months...
I can see it now...
Its a burden I must bear . Its been a long time coming too.
Hey Don, I will be passing right through your neck of the woods. I spent several summers at Philmont Scout Ranch in northern NM and I recall early June as being chilly at times. I interviewed for a position at Adams State a couple years ago, but didn't get it. But I did decide I wanted to see your area in depth, I expect to spend a couple weeks in south west Colorado.
Great tip John, I am excited about getting into Idaho this summer, thats all new country to me. No doubt there will be plenty to entertain my history buff side there. I'm still debating if I want to get into fly fishing, I don't know beans about it, but it looks fun. I doubt there will be much in the way of guided days though, on a poor profs pay you have to watch the pennies.
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Rodney
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
Looks like you're planning to go up Hwy 550 from Albuquerque to Durango. It's ok if you want to make miles, but I'd recommend a different route for scenery:
North on I25 to Santa Fe
North out of Santa Fe on 68 to Espanola
From Espanola, you have two really nice choices:
a. North on 84/285 through Abiquiu to Tierra Amarilla
b. North on 68 to Taos and then 64 to Tierra Amarilla
At Tierra Amarilla, you just get/stay on 64 and head to Chama and then over to Bloomfield, where you can pick up the last stretch of 550 into Durango.
Looks like you're planning to go up Hwy 550 from Albuquerque to Durango. It's ok if you want to make miles, but I'd recommend a different route for scenery
Lynn
Right you are! I will probably ease up from Taos, still debating where all I will visit in your area.
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Rodney
Experience hath shewn, that even under the best forms of government those entrusted with power have, in time, and by slow operations, perverted it into tyranny. - Thomas Jefferson
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. Its been a long time coming too.
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