Dec-09-2013 02:02 PM
Jan-10-2014 11:46 AM
scottz wrote:
pezvela, thank you for your advice. The heat in Death Valley is well understood thanks to this thread. We will likely be leaving for this trip in early to mid may, North Rim doesn't open until May 15th, so that is kind of dictating how early we can start our trip
I haven't been to Canyonland but your strong recommendation just got it on our map. When traveling from Denver to Needles Outlook to the North Rim, what route do you recommend between Needles Outlook and the North Rim?
Jan-09-2014 01:44 PM
Jan-09-2014 09:36 AM
Jan-08-2014 08:52 PM
scottz wrote:
I am in the early stages of planning a family trip West for June 2014. We will have 30 travels days. It will be my wife, two sons (7/11) and our dog.
It would be nice to camp as we travel so we can set our own schedule. Camp as we travel means not making prior reservations; dry camp, stealth camp, or find a campground is all in play. I would really appreciate everyones opinion if we could reasonably get away with camping as we travel to the below list of destinations without making reservations.
Please share any specific advise as it relates to camping in these areas:
Day1 - Leave home in Minnesota
- Denver, CO
- North Rim Grand Canyon
- Hoover Dam
- Las Vegas (Casino Campground?)
- Death Valley
- Sequoia National Forest
- Yosemite
- San Francisco
- Lake Tahoe
- Sparks, NV (stay with Family)
Day 30 - Return home, MN
Jan-08-2014 04:47 PM
Jan-08-2014 11:58 AM
Dec-17-2013 04:06 PM
Dec-17-2013 11:17 AM
Dec-13-2013 02:38 PM
Dec-13-2013 02:33 PM
Dec-13-2013 01:33 PM
Dec-13-2013 01:03 PM
Dec-13-2013 06:37 AM
bmanning wrote:
This thread highlights the best reason (IMO) to own a truck camper: versatility.
I couldn't even imagine someone asking "Hey, I'm going to tow my TT (or 5er) on a 30-day-trip across the country...do you think I'd be OK without campground reservations?"
Not saying that'd be impossible, but 1000x more feasible in a TC.
Dec-13-2013 06:34 AM
pezvela wrote:
Death Valley is doable in June, no sweat. Well, not actually NO sweat.........
Experiencing 110 degrees for a day or two is part of the whole Death Valley aura. You can do it for a day or two!!! The main issue with DV in June isnt the daytime highs, it's the hot overnight lows that make it uncomfortable, unless you love your TC air conditioner. Few of us do; it's a loud, necessary evil.
Many of the attractions of DV are attractions where you drive through interesting areas or drive to an area with a short walk. Hey, it's a gas to walk around at Badwater, The Racetrack or Devil's Golf Course for 15 minutes in that kind of heat. You'll get the pics you need; hopefully some with heat waves rising around you. You're air conditioned truck is just a short walk away. Dante's View, Artist's palette are easily done in the heat of June. And it's generally a DRY heat; nothing like the humid heat of Minnesota.
You could also do the dunes at Stovepipe Wells before dawn when the temps are great and the creatures are venturing out. Great time for photos, too.
There are high elevation campgrounds where the daytime highs will be below 90 like Mahogany Flat and Thorndike. Wildrose, while not a very good campground, is another but it will be above 90. Homestead Dry Camp could also be below 100 and it's near one of the premier attractions; The Racetrack.
The DV website does mention that Mahogany, Wildrose and Thorndike are closed right now, due to a road washout. So, check back in May if you are seriously considering camping at one of them.
Just avoid camping at Furnace Creek, Texas Spring and Sunset and Stovepipe Wells and you can do DV in June, especially early June.
Just be sure you're vehicle's cooling system is in top condition and carry plenty of water. That's easy for a TC!! But water is available in enough places that you dont have to use it that sparingly.