cewillis
Apr 06, 2019Explorer
VTR - virtual trip report, my last one
I've had some great trips and it's been a lot of fun, but now my truck and camper are sold, and I'm out of the T and TR business. Though I still feel great, at 75 it's probably time for me to stop being out in the wilderness 50 - 100 miles from any 'civilization'. (even with a personal locator device) Really not interested in touring campgrounds.
Thanks again to Steve_in_29 and the late, great Don Curley for helping me get the camper setup right (for me) the first time. (equipment) Also thanks to everyone's offroad camping inspiration, Dave Rogers (Whazoo).
(btw, he'll never admit it, but Whazoo copied my rig. My truck was 2006, his 2007 - you figure it out)
So here's a 'highlight' reel for anyone interested. All real TRs are on my web site -- www.ctwillis.com
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Initial%20pickup/photos/100_0059.JPG)
Initial checkout -- on the Poudre River, not far from Outfitter, and much better that a freeway campground.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Initial%20pickup/photos/100_0077.JPG)
Salt River canyon, Az
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/capesolitude.JPG)
1st real trip, Cape Solitude, overlooking the Colorado, Little Colorado confluence. One of my favorite places.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0459.JPG)
My 'younger' daze.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0445.JPG)
The LCR. I razzed Whazoo for hiking 2 days to get here, when I could drive - but did he really? I took a similar picture at max resolution and max telephoto to see for sure --
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/donuts4.jpg)
-- and there it is. Proof positive that Whazoo was there!
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0496.JPG)
Another fantastic spot on the north rim -- suggested by Eric seldomseen Smith.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/North%20Rim/photos/100_0551.JPG)
The Toroweap overlook.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/CoronadoTrail/photos/100_0804.JPG)
San Pedro river valley, near my home.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/CoronadoTrail/photos/100_0823.JPG)
Monument Valley in winter
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SanRafaelSwell/photos/DSC02626.jpg)
Seeing double with Whazoo
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0106.JPG)
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0346.JPG)
Alexandia Falls, Hay River, Northwest Territory
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0413.JPG)
Bear Flat, British Columbia
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/2010trip/photos/IMG_0566.JPG)
Big Sur, California coast
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/NorthRim2010/photos/IMG_0609.JPG)
Steamboat Mountain, CG north rim
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/NorthRim2010/photos/IMG_0665.JPG)
Sunset on the north rim
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_0964.JPG)
On the rim of Dark Canyon -- only tracks are mine. Another of my favorite places.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_0958.JPG)
Dark Canyon
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1029.JPG)
Near the Burr Trail, overlooking Bullfrog marina.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1052.JPG)
Hole-in-the-rock
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1102.JPG)
Left Hand Collet Canyon Road
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1119.JPG)
Smokey Mountain Road
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/DarkCanyon/photos/IMG_1141.JPG)
North side, Lake Powell
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/052013/photos/124_1659.JPG)
Best spot on the Mogollon Rim
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1773.JPG)
Mt Doom -- Grand Tetons
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1813.JPG)
Dempster Highway, Yukon
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1804.JPG)
Klondike River
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1831.JPG)
2nd time at the Arctic Circle
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/Alaska/all_photos/112_1237.JPG)
1st time, Dalton Highway, Alaska, 2005
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/bear%203.JPG)
Camp visitor
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Dempster%200913/photos/127_1934.JPG)
Saddlebag Lake, Tioga Pass
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2156.JPG)
Near Twin Point, Grand Canyon Parashant
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/whitmore.jpg)
Full size image - worth a look.
Whitmore Canyon Overlook, GC Parashant -- yet another of my favorite places, and likely the best spot on the north rim.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2216.JPG)
'Lake Colorado' have been something to see.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/photos/138_2201.JPG)
Near the bottom of the Overlook 'trail'.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2301.JPG)
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2308.JPG)
The real Salt River, before being tamed for Phoenix.
The most free flowing water in Az (other than the Colorado)
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2384.JPG)
High in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2425.JPG)
East (more difficult) side, Sheep Bridge on the Verde River
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/TontoNF/photos/144_2442.JPG)
The Verde River
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2535.JPG)
Bottom of the Shafer Trail, starting on the While Rim
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2576.JPG)
The infamous, but trivial, hogback
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2621.JPG)
Very scenic camping
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2640.JPG)
Labyrinth camp - best spot on the WRT, imo.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2654.JPG)
10000+ feet in the Manti-La Sal NF. -- 25 degrees cooler thatn on the WRT
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/WRT/photos/144_2658.JPG)
Muley Point
Muley Point panorama here
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Ca%20Mountains/photos/146_2703.JPG)
Central coast mountains, near Big Sur, overlooking the Pacific
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Ca%20Mountains/photos/0921151444-00.jpg)
Leavitt Lake, off the Sonora Pass in the Sierra Mountains
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/E%20Az/photos/149_2992.JPG)
Origin of the Little Colorado River, 10000 ft on the slope of Mt Baldy
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/E%20Az/photos/149_2943.JPG)
Gila River - still free flowing,a little NE of Tucson
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3223.JPG)
Dragoon Mountains, SE Az, location of the Cochise Stronghold
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3247.JPG)
'The Gate', near the top of China Peak
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SkyIslands/photos/IMG_3258.JPG)
A fun drive - to a great place to camp
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0216a.JPG)
Top of Bobby's Hole -- back door access to Needle District, Canyonlands
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0218a.jpg)
Somewhat difficult coming back up -- often much worse.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0227a.JPG)
And the end of the trial for me, and as it turned out -- that top part could lay the camper right on the rocks. Looking forward to jefe4x4 making this trip.
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0238a.JPG)
Back at one of my 3 favorite places -- rim of Dark Canyon
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0239a.JPG)
Thanks again to Steve_in_29 and the late, great Don Curley for helping me get the camper setup right (for me) the first time. (equipment) Also thanks to everyone's offroad camping inspiration, Dave Rogers (Whazoo).
(btw, he'll never admit it, but Whazoo copied my rig. My truck was 2006, his 2007 - you figure it out)
So here's a 'highlight' reel for anyone interested. All real TRs are on my web site -- www.ctwillis.com
Initial checkout -- on the Poudre River, not far from Outfitter, and much better that a freeway campground.
Salt River canyon, Az
1st real trip, Cape Solitude, overlooking the Colorado, Little Colorado confluence. One of my favorite places.
My 'younger' daze.
The LCR. I razzed Whazoo for hiking 2 days to get here, when I could drive - but did he really? I took a similar picture at max resolution and max telephoto to see for sure --
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/donuts4.jpg)
-- and there it is. Proof positive that Whazoo was there!
Another fantastic spot on the north rim -- suggested by Eric seldomseen Smith.
The Toroweap overlook.
San Pedro river valley, near my home.
Monument Valley in winter
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/SanRafaelSwell/photos/DSC02626.jpg)
Seeing double with Whazoo
Alexandia Falls, Hay River, Northwest Territory
Bear Flat, British Columbia
Big Sur, California coast
Steamboat Mountain, CG north rim
Sunset on the north rim
On the rim of Dark Canyon -- only tracks are mine. Another of my favorite places.
Dark Canyon
Near the Burr Trail, overlooking Bullfrog marina.
Hole-in-the-rock
Left Hand Collet Canyon Road
Smokey Mountain Road
North side, Lake Powell
Best spot on the Mogollon Rim
Mt Doom -- Grand Tetons
Dempster Highway, Yukon
Klondike River
2nd time at the Arctic Circle
1st time, Dalton Highway, Alaska, 2005
Camp visitor
Saddlebag Lake, Tioga Pass
Near Twin Point, Grand Canyon Parashant
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Parashant/whitmore.jpg)
Full size image - worth a look.
Whitmore Canyon Overlook, GC Parashant -- yet another of my favorite places, and likely the best spot on the north rim.
'Lake Colorado' have been something to see.
Near the bottom of the Overlook 'trail'.
Salt River Canyon Wilderness
The real Salt River, before being tamed for Phoenix.
The most free flowing water in Az (other than the Colorado)
High in the Sierra Ancha Wilderness
East (more difficult) side, Sheep Bridge on the Verde River
The Verde River
Bottom of the Shafer Trail, starting on the While Rim
The infamous, but trivial, hogback
Very scenic camping
Labyrinth camp - best spot on the WRT, imo.
10000+ feet in the Manti-La Sal NF. -- 25 degrees cooler thatn on the WRT
Muley Point
Muley Point panorama here
Central coast mountains, near Big Sur, overlooking the Pacific
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Ca%20Mountains/photos/0921151444-00.jpg)
Leavitt Lake, off the Sonora Pass in the Sierra Mountains
Origin of the Little Colorado River, 10000 ft on the slope of Mt Baldy
Gila River - still free flowing,a little NE of Tucson
Dragoon Mountains, SE Az, location of the Cochise Stronghold
'The Gate', near the top of China Peak
A fun drive - to a great place to camp
Top of Bobby's Hole -- back door access to Needle District, Canyonlands
![](http://www.ctwillis.com/CamperTrips/Needles%202018/photos/DSCN0218a.jpg)
Somewhat difficult coming back up -- often much worse.
And the end of the trial for me, and as it turned out -- that top part could lay the camper right on the rocks. Looking forward to jefe4x4 making this trip.
Back at one of my 3 favorite places -- rim of Dark Canyon