Headed West From NC

Okay I tried to post more than one photo and I only got one in two formats. I'll contact the Admin for more instructions. More to come later.

Sorry

Other than to say you have mapped out a very exciting and demanding trip, there is only one suggestion for a POI. The POI is Antelope Canyon outside of Page AZ. The Canyon is quite long and there are two main spots to see each about 3/4 of a mile walk, the Upper Slot and the Lower Slot. We have visited both, the lower part just last week with the DGS, I would say that the lower slot is more interesting and has better photo ops.

As you leave Page on the road East toward Monument Valley, just before the very clean coal fired power plant, the off ramp will take you to both parts of the canyon. At the end of the off ramp, turn LEFT over the highway to the lower slot. Ahead on the left you will see two outfits to book with. All visitors are guided by Navajo Guides. The first outfit is the one we used last week, they do take reservations but walkups are welcome and we only had a 20 minute wait as walkups. I DO recommend this outfit.

We have seen the Upper Slot and it is fantastic(lower is better)but it is more expensive and has groups of up to 75 tourists at one time and is reservations only. The first outfit on the left side limits groups to 12 or 14 and as I said walkups are welcomed. I think we paid $28 per person.

I will try and post a picture in a follow up post but I have to read the instructions again.

Busskipper wrote:

CowFam wrote:
We plan to get started in mid-May, and the trip will be about 5 weeks, which will include the leg from SD to NC.

It is a pretty aggressive schedule, but we are going with two other families, and with that dynamic, there is always different "must sees," time considerations with additional families members flying in/out of big cities in the middle of the trip, and other details that needed to be worked around.

Two families will be pulling travel trailers behind trucks, and one will have a van pulling a pop-up.

We plan to stay two nights in most locations,
with Lake Powell and Yellowstone being exceptions to that, staying 4 and 3 nights respectively.
All of the reservations have been made through the Yellowstone leg with the exception of Salt Lake City since I haven't found "just the right spot" there.



In terms of roads, we are open to either interstates or more scenic routes, but with the time schedule, interstates may make the most sense.
Our biggest concern with roads is really staying away from narrow, windy, no-guardrail mountain roads, although fewer trucks would be a bonus, so thank you RoyF for that suggestion.

Thanks for your help!

Looks well planned Lake Jordanelle over by Park City might be an option for Salt Lake not in the city but Park City is a great Summer Early Spring location.

Only real suggestion would be to try to add a couple more days to Yellowstone - It is BIG and it is one of the BEST.

As for the run home - we will plot our milage and look for water close to the end of the day - lot of CG's on the Rivers and Reservoirs as you head home - just hard to suggest without a specific location or route.

Sounds like a well planned Adventure that will rank way up there in Epic Adventures.

Click on these links;

Stan Parker Photo Album

Cross Country trips

These are just a couple who will provide insight as you begin your adventure.

BOL,

Just ran across THIS It's a similar trip by a couple who took GREAT Photo's to document the adventure.

Every little bit helps,

Busskipper

CowFam wrote:
We plan to get started in mid-May, and the trip will be about 5 weeks, which will include the leg from SD to NC.

It is a pretty aggressive schedule, but we are going with two other families, and with that dynamic, there is always different "must sees," time considerations with additional families members flying in/out of big cities in the middle of the trip, and other details that needed to be worked around.

Two families will be pulling travel trailers behind trucks, and one will have a van pulling a pop-up.

We plan to stay two nights in most locations,
with Lake Powell and Yellowstone being exceptions to that, staying 4 and 3 nights respectively.
All of the reservations have been made through the Yellowstone leg with the exception of Salt Lake City since I haven't found "just the right spot" there.



In terms of roads, we are open to either interstates or more scenic routes, but with the time schedule, interstates may make the most sense.
Our biggest concern with roads is really staying away from narrow, windy, no-guardrail mountain roads, although fewer trucks would be a bonus, so thank you RoyF for that suggestion.

Thanks for your help!

Looks well planned Lake Jordanelle over by Park City might be an option for Salt Lake not in the city but Park City is a great Summer Early Spring location.

Only real suggestion would be to try to add a couple more days to Yellowstone - It is BIG and it is one of the BEST.

As for the run home - we will plot our milage and look for water close to the end of the day - lot of CG's on the Rivers and Reservoirs as you head home - just hard to suggest without a specific location or route.

Sounds like a well planned Adventure that will rank way up there in Epic Adventures.

Click on these links;

Stan Parker Photo Album

Cross Country trips

These are just a couple who will provide insight as you begin your adventure.

BOL,

At Mesa Verde, I much prefer staying in the park campground. Its a long drive into the park from the RV parks outside. Also the roads inside the park a long. Many of the dwellings are fairly far apart. Much more convenient and less drive time staying in the park. Make reservations in advance, its not a huge campground. Also the food at the National Park Lodge is terrific and very reasonable.

CowFam wrote:
We are headed out west from the Piedmont area of NC. Our current plan is to stop in the following places: Nashville TN, Hot Springs AR, San Antonio TX, Carlsbad Caverns NM, Albuquerque NM, Flagstaff AZ, Lake Powell UT, Mesa Verde CO, Moab UT, Salt Lake City UT, and then on to Yellowstone and work our way through the Badlands and take the northerly route back east.

Based on this order, and sticking to interstates and US or state highways, I don't think you'll encounter any roads that would be shelf roads, or steep twisty roads...except within Mesa Verde NP itself. There's a climb from the entrance up to the area of the Ranger Station and the Morefield CG, and twisties as you navigate roads from one cliff dwelling site to another. And then there's an upper portion that again has a bit of a climb. Not talking about huge elevation gains here, no passes or anything like that. If you're staying outside the park, this won't be an issue, if you're staying at Morefield, as stated, there's a climb but it's not difficult -- folks do it all the time with a variety of trailers/motorhomes.

We plan to get started in mid-May, and the trip will be about 5 weeks, which will include the leg from SD to NC. It is a pretty aggressive schedule, but we are going with two other families, and with that dynamic, there is always different "must sees," time considerations with additional families members flying in/out of big cities in the middle of the trip, and other details that needed to be worked around. Two families will be pulling travel trailers behind trucks, and one will have a van pulling a pop-up.

We plan to stay two nights in most locations, with Lake Powell and Yellowstone being exceptions to that, staying 4 and 3 nights respectively. All of the reservations have been made through the Yellowstone leg with the exception of Salt Lake City since I haven't found "just the right spot" there.

In terms of roads, we are open to either interstates or more scenic routes, but with the time schedule, interstates may make the most sense. Our biggest concern with roads is really staying away from narrow, windy, no-guardrail mountain roads, although fewer trucks would be a bonus, so thank you RoyF for that suggestion.

Thanks for your help!

The stretch of I-40 between Memphis and Little Rock, AR, is notorious for its heavy truck traffic. I avoid it like the plague. After Memphis, AR, I would take US. 79 and US 270 to Hot Springs unless you are determind to stay on the interstate.

I have been on the Mesa Verde - Moab route recently and recall good highway and good scenery.

Like Thom02099, I wonder about doing all of this in five weeks. But enjoy the trip one day at a time. If you get it all in, fine. If not, you will still have had a great trip.

CowFam wrote:
We are headed out west from the Piedmont area of NC. Our current plan is to stop in the following places: Nashville TN, Hot Springs AR, San Antonio TX, Carlsbad Caverns NM, Albuquerque NM, Flagstaff AZ, Lake Powell UT, Mesa Verde CO, Moab UT, Salt Lake City UT, and then on to Yellowstone and work our way through the Badlands and take the northerly route back east.

A few families are traveling together, each pulling a travel trailer. None of us has ever driven the route that we are planning, and are wondering if there are any roads/routes that we might want to steer clear of with the campers. We'd like to avoid white-knuckle driving conditions, if possible. I am particularly concerned with the roads between Mesa Verde and Moab, but really would love to hear about any treacherous roads we may encounter.

Also, the trip is fairly well planned up until the Badlands, and that's where we are stuck. Any suggestions for places to see between there and North Carolina? We'd like to avoid Chicago, and St. Louis. The trip will be about 5 weeks in total, with about a week available from SD to NC - although, that is somewhat flexible.

Thanks for any suggestions/help!

You'll likely get responses that 5 weeks isn't enough time to do all of that. That's a lot to see/do/drive in 5 weeks; is that week from SD back to NC included in your 5 week plan, or is that in addition, for a total of 6 weeks? If that week from SD back to NC is included in your 5 week plan, in reality, you have only 4 weeks to do all of that trip, ending in SD and then returning to NC.

Actually, we need a bit more specific information, such as things like how many folks are traveling and how many TV/Trailer combos? Do you already have reservations at destinations for your group? Do you prefer Interstates, or the roads less traveled? Regarding your destination points indicated, how much time do you have allotted for each one, ie, how much time were you planning to spend in Hot Springs AR? How much time in Mesa Verde and Moab? How much time for Yellowstone? A more detailed itinerary would be helpful for more detailed advice.

ETA: Also, when are you planning to do this? That's an important question because weather can be a factor depending on how soon you plan to be in specific areas, and whether facilities/CG/parks will even be open.