Southern New Mexico to southern Utah

Keep in mind that at the No Rim you see only about 10% of the Grand Canyon. And we much prefer Bryce to Zion where you get a real stiff neck looking up; not so at Bryce and much more interesting. We were just there again.

Hwy 12 is debated a lot; just like Red Mountain Pass. Bottom line is that you may be well experienced but you have no control over the inexperienced guy coming against you taking his half out of the middle and you have no shoulder and next stop over the side is hundreds of feet down.

Thanks all. Currently in Page. May skip Bryce and Escalante this time and go down and see the North Rim of the GC then head to Zion. Can't decide which route to take from Page 89 Alt or just 89.

Some places in the Bluff/Blanding area that I don't think were mentioned are: Muley Point and UT-261 the Moki Dugway, Bluff Fort, South Fork of Mule Canyon and House on Fire, Sand Island Petroglyphs, and the Blanding Dinosaur Museum.

In the area between Torrey and Bryce Canyon there are a lot of great places along the Ut-12 Scenic Byway. We enjoyed the Burr Trail, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Anasazi State Park, Calf Creek Falls, Hells Backbone Scenic Backway. The Fishlake Scenic Byway off of UT-24 West of Torrey is worth a drive.

If it is still open when you are in the area, Cedar Breaks National Monument is worth a visit in my opinion. As is Goblin Valley State Park.

NMDriver wrote:
Go to Quemado, NM via NM 187 (the road that you get on at the Caballo Gate) through Arrey to 26 in Hatch, instead of using I-25 S to 26, then use 180 to 12 to 32 to 60

or I-25 N to NM52 (exit 83) to US60 to Quemado

OR I-25 to US 60 in Socorro

THEN 36 to 602 to 491 to Utah

or 36 to 117 to I-40 to 491

All are off the beaten track routes and you need to plan your fuel stops but each route goes through interesting country with sights most people do not see.
DO NOT try using 152 to get to 180. I know it is tempting since it looks like a straight shot west from where you are at.

If you use 52 you may be the only vehicle on the road between I-25 and US60 but do not worry the road is patrolled and there are people that live out there, just not along the road :)

Stop at the food store in Quemado, it is like the one your grand parents went in 1926, also the churchs in that area are older then the poeple who live there.

Go to Quemado, NM via NM 187 (the road that you get on at the Caballo Gate) through Arrey to 26 in Hatch, instead of using I-25 S to 26, then use 180 to 12 to 32 to 60

or I-25 N to NM52 (exit 83) to US60 to Quemado

OR I-25 to US 60 in Socorro

THEN 36 to 602 to 491 to Utah

or 36 to 117 to I-40 to 491

All are off the beaten track routes and you need to plan your fuel stops but each route goes through interesting country with sights most people do not see.

DO NOT try using 152 to get to 180. I know it is tempting since it looks like a straight shot west from where you are at.

If you use 52 you may be the only vehicle on the road between I-25 and US60 but do not worry the road is patrolled and there are people that live out there, just not along the road :)

Supercharged wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
Stay off of Hwy 12 from Capitol Reef to Escalante, there is a 14% grade.

Did that a few years back, but had my supercharged chev. and out 5th wheel, so easy I could have pulled two unit up it.

Oh we have done it a couple of times pulling our rig. I did discover that if you pull out at that scenic view parking lot after the grade you need to let the truck (diesel) run for a few minutes and not shut it right off to let it cool down a bit.

DouglasC wrote:
Spectacular views along UT 12 if you don't mind the steep grade going down into Calf Creek and back up again - - or the 1/2 mile narrow section just north of Calf Creek. We did it with a 39' DP with toad and had no problem. I'd love to do it again! Most any rig in decent shape should be able to handle that grade. Just gear down and take your time.

Thanks! If you did it with your rig we should be ashamed if we can't do it in ours.:E

Spectacular views along UT 12 if you don't mind the steep grade going down into Calf Creek and back up again - - or the 1/2 mile narrow section just north of Calf Creek. We did it with a 39' DP with toad and had no problem. I'd love to do it again! Most any rig in decent shape should be able to handle that grade. Just gear down and take your time.

agesilaus wrote:
Stay off of Hwy 12 from Capitol Reef to Escalante, there is a 14% grade.

Did that a few years back, but had my supercharged chev. and out 5th wheel, so easy I could have pulled two unit up it.

Agesilaus,

No I haven't been to any of those but awesome list! Thanks. I'll probably stick with just Bryce and Zion and maybe North rim of the GC this time. Just want to make sure I'm not caught in any "winter weather".

Gypsies,
Thanks for link to HWY 152. Makes me want to go that way. LOL.

DH drove a tractor trailer for many years and is not afraid of mountain driving in the motorhome. We have been to Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and NM many times but this is the first time we have towed with a MH. We have towed 5th wheels before with large diesel truck. Our MH is small and, although rated to tow our small truck, it struggles in the mountains and the winds have been the worst problem. I will just follow him over this pass in the truck. I will have to check but I think our MH is 12' so will have to verify that to make sure we can clear the overpass that is low.
I would take your advice and go back to Socorro but would like to explore the Silver City/Gila wilderness area for a day or two since we haven't been there before.
When we get to the southern Utah area will definitely look back on your info.

And thanks for your best wishes, I am definitely having the time of my life.
This has been a dream long time coming!