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EDIT 12-27-2016: I'm reviving this thread to continue my 2017 planning, so please jump to my new questions on Page 3: Clicky
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I'm looking ahead to our 2017 Summer Trip, and considering a loop through Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and even a small touch into Colorado.
Something like this:
1. Yellowstone
2. Big Sky, MT
3. Red Lodge (Bear Tooth Hwy / Chief Joseph Hwy)
4. Rapid City, SD
- Mt. Rushmore
- Minuteman Missle Silo
- Badlands NP
5. Devil's Tower
6. Flaming Gorge
7. Dinosaur National Monument
8. Zion - Hiking the Narrows
I'm still early in the planning, but have a few questions I'd like to throw out to the community.
1. Anything spectacular that I've overlooked on this loop?
2. Any good Jeep trails along this loop?
3. Looking for suggestions around Flaming Gorge - not that familiar with the area
4. Where to camp near Dinosaur, CO. The one park in town looks pretty rundown.
5. Which route from Dinosaur, CO to Zion NP?
- Option 1 - Through Rangely, then 139 South to Grand Junction, and I-70 West, I-15 South:
-
- Option 2 - Backtrack to Vernal & Provo, then South on I-15:
-
Happy to hear your thoughts on my questions, and any other suggestions.
Thanks!
EDIT 12-27-2016: I'm reviving this thread to continue my 2017 planning, so please jump to my new questions on Page 3: Clicky
-----------------------------------------------------
I'm looking ahead to our 2017 Summer Trip, and considering a loop through Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, and even a small touch into Colorado.
Something like this:
1. Yellowstone
2. Big Sky, MT
3. Red Lodge (Bear Tooth Hwy / Chief Joseph Hwy)
4. Rapid City, SD
- Mt. Rushmore
- Minuteman Missle Silo
- Badlands NP
5. Devil's Tower
6. Flaming Gorge
7. Dinosaur National Monument
8. Zion - Hiking the Narrows
I'm still early in the planning, but have a few questions I'd like to throw out to the community.
1. Anything spectacular that I've overlooked on this loop?
2. Any good Jeep trails along this loop?
3. Looking for suggestions around Flaming Gorge - not that familiar with the area
4. Where to camp near Dinosaur, CO. The one park in town looks pretty rundown.
5. Which route from Dinosaur, CO to Zion NP?
- Option 1 - Through Rangely, then 139 South to Grand Junction, and I-70 West, I-15 South:
-
- Option 2 - Backtrack to Vernal & Provo, then South on I-15:
-
Happy to hear your thoughts on my questions, and any other suggestions.
Thanks!
MPond wrote:
I'm reviving this thread, as I'm finally back to planning our 2017 summer trip.
From what I've read over the last few months, I'm not jazzed about the areas I'm finding around Flaming Gorge & Dinosaur, and wondering if I'd be happier heading back toward Colorado and hitting some of our favorites instead. But I could be convinced either way - that's why I'm here looking for ideas and opinions.
Cody to Wind River Canyon - Flaming Gorge is big water and High Banks on one end and wide open spaces on the other - Dino NM, Green River and Bones in the Ground ...... the kids will never forget - Craig and Steamboat will offer you a lot of the wild spaces you love in the San Juan's Check into Yampa SP - Steamboat Lake SP - Stagecoach SP then on down to Buena Vista via Rt 91 and Leadville - Collegiates - Great Sand Dune NP - Pagosa Springs.................
Sorry just no wrong choices, just keep heading down the road and all these places will surprise you.
Hope all the/your projects have gone well - thought you might be at the Show in Vegas next week.
I'll enjoy following your next adventure.
Matt - Happy New Year and safe Travels in 2017,
Bill
I'm reviving this thread, as I'm finally back to planning our 2017 summer trip.
As it stands, I'm currently struggling with the 2nd-half of the loop - whether to head South-west from Devil's Tower through Wyoming, or straight South toward Denver, then West through Colorado:
From what I've read over the last few months, I'm not jazzed about the areas I'm finding around Flaming Gorge & Dinosaur, and wondering if I'd be happier heading back toward Colorado and hitting some of our favorites instead. But I could be convinced either way - that's why I'm here looking for ideas and opinions.
As it stands, I'm currently struggling with the 2nd-half of the loop - whether to head South-west from Devil's Tower through Wyoming, or straight South toward Denver, then West through Colorado:
From what I've read over the last few months, I'm not jazzed about the areas I'm finding around Flaming Gorge & Dinosaur, and wondering if I'd be happier heading back toward Colorado and hitting some of our favorites instead. But I could be convinced either way - that's why I'm here looking for ideas and opinions.
Matt,
1. Anything spectacular that I've overlooked on this loop?
Because Iโve followed you before Iโll concentrate on a few Locations and the 4X4 trails โ Just do a search on Black Hills โ and Wyoming (4X4) and I think you will find a number of the sorts of adventure you enjoy. Spectacular is Personal, so Wind River Canyon between Thermopolis (Soak in the hot springs) and Shoshoni is one of my personal wonders of the world โ short story โ first cross country trip with my wife in the early 70โs we drove this route and had picked up a lone hitch hiker (first and last) just outside of Thermopolis and delivered him to Shoshoni โ he had been smoking and exhaled in the cab when he got in (think it might have been the Colorado State Weed!) that night when we stopped I had this dream about the river flowing UP HILL (Wind River) and the dream continued over 35 years, till I returned , just by chance and drove the road โ heading South โ the river is heading North โ and it feels like you are going downhill and the river is flowing Uphill! Crazy I know but in my mindโs eye I finally solved the mystery of the dream that I had had for 35 years of water flowing uphill. So the suggestion is to see if you could get that in your route.
Thatโs the story and the thing is it is a beautiful drive and there is a Camp Ground right on the river that is one of the few I remember over the last 40 years. (Never have gone anywhere to SEE a CG โso I seldom remember any)
Next take the time to Do the Caves in and Around the Black Hills โ Be sure to bring your own flash light so as to be able to see things and if you can buddy up to the Ranger the insight is well worth the effort. Good camera and really good flash is needed here.
2. Any good Jeep trails along this loop?
Yes โ but you will need to reach out to the locals to get any maps โ seems as if they are closely guarded.
3. Looking for suggestions around Flaming Gorge - not that familiar with the area.
We have found that we enjoy the West side of the Lake and suggest you look into the Marina CG and see if you can catch dinner. Then you will need to drive in from the South to get to the top of the Gorge to look down at the lake. Think there are also trails here โ as it was hunting season last couple times we were there and the hunters were everywhere, so we needed to feel a little safer and stayed close to the hard roads.
4. Where to camp near Dinosaur, CO. The one park in town looks pretty rundown. Think there is a no reservation CG in the Park right on the Green River โ Beautiful but usually FULL. If you check with the rangers they may suggest other Boon docking Spots within the park.
5. Which route from Dinosaur, CO to Zion NP?
Utah 4X4 trails
Sorry but no way I could drive the Iโs - 4X4 trails to die for โ just some special places to walk or drive โ just look at all the state parks along the route! Plus Rt 12 ! Rt 128 ! Rt 95 across Lake Powell !
IMHO I would skip Devils Tower and Badlands and Bump and Grind in Utah โ try to find the elevation where it is cooler but still this is what you are towing that JEEP for.
As most who have followed your trips know you will pack more into the three weeks than anyone would even dream of. And the Kids will love it, but seriously save the Badlands and Devil's Tower for a drive by on a trip to the East. Have more Fun and enjoy the Wild areas while they are still Wild.
Will follow and enjoy,
1. Anything spectacular that I've overlooked on this loop?
Because Iโve followed you before Iโll concentrate on a few Locations and the 4X4 trails โ Just do a search on Black Hills โ and Wyoming (4X4) and I think you will find a number of the sorts of adventure you enjoy. Spectacular is Personal, so Wind River Canyon between Thermopolis (Soak in the hot springs) and Shoshoni is one of my personal wonders of the world โ short story โ first cross country trip with my wife in the early 70โs we drove this route and had picked up a lone hitch hiker (first and last) just outside of Thermopolis and delivered him to Shoshoni โ he had been smoking and exhaled in the cab when he got in (think it might have been the Colorado State Weed!) that night when we stopped I had this dream about the river flowing UP HILL (Wind River) and the dream continued over 35 years, till I returned , just by chance and drove the road โ heading South โ the river is heading North โ and it feels like you are going downhill and the river is flowing Uphill! Crazy I know but in my mindโs eye I finally solved the mystery of the dream that I had had for 35 years of water flowing uphill. So the suggestion is to see if you could get that in your route.
Thatโs the story and the thing is it is a beautiful drive and there is a Camp Ground right on the river that is one of the few I remember over the last 40 years. (Never have gone anywhere to SEE a CG โso I seldom remember any)
Next take the time to Do the Caves in and Around the Black Hills โ Be sure to bring your own flash light so as to be able to see things and if you can buddy up to the Ranger the insight is well worth the effort. Good camera and really good flash is needed here.
2. Any good Jeep trails along this loop?
Yes โ but you will need to reach out to the locals to get any maps โ seems as if they are closely guarded.
3. Looking for suggestions around Flaming Gorge - not that familiar with the area.
We have found that we enjoy the West side of the Lake and suggest you look into the Marina CG and see if you can catch dinner. Then you will need to drive in from the South to get to the top of the Gorge to look down at the lake. Think there are also trails here โ as it was hunting season last couple times we were there and the hunters were everywhere, so we needed to feel a little safer and stayed close to the hard roads.
4. Where to camp near Dinosaur, CO. The one park in town looks pretty rundown. Think there is a no reservation CG in the Park right on the Green River โ Beautiful but usually FULL. If you check with the rangers they may suggest other Boon docking Spots within the park.
5. Which route from Dinosaur, CO to Zion NP?
Utah 4X4 trails
Sorry but no way I could drive the Iโs - 4X4 trails to die for โ just some special places to walk or drive โ just look at all the state parks along the route! Plus Rt 12 ! Rt 128 ! Rt 95 across Lake Powell !
IMHO I would skip Devils Tower and Badlands and Bump and Grind in Utah โ try to find the elevation where it is cooler but still this is what you are towing that JEEP for.
As most who have followed your trips know you will pack more into the three weeks than anyone would even dream of. And the Kids will love it, but seriously save the Badlands and Devil's Tower for a drive by on a trip to the East. Have more Fun and enjoy the Wild areas while they are still Wild.
Will follow and enjoy,
