Moab/Colorado! September 8-18 2023

I've been meaning to create this thread for awhile, so here goes. I'm turning 40 in September and finally planning a trip to Moab and CO. As said in the title, the dates are September 8-18ish. Timeline will definitely be adjusted as we go.

Friday 9/8-Leave Norcal 2-3 PM for most likely Ely NV, stop in a cheap hotel or quick camp that night.

Saturday 9/9-Drive to Moab find somewhere to set up camp, probably another 6 or 7 hour drive.

Sunday 9/10-Moab

Monday 9/11-Moab

Tuesday 9/12- Moab, possible hotel night/grocery shopping/prep for CO

Wednesday 9/13-Leave Moab for CO

Thursday 9/14-CO, probably Black Bear

Friday 9/15-CO, my bday, Imogene, party in town, I'm getting a hotel for the dog to stay in so I can go out.

Saturday 9/16-Pack up and start heading back, make camp wherever.

Sunday 9/17-Continue heading back home, possibly detour to more national park(s)

Monday 9/18-Finish the drive home from wherever we end up?

Tuesday 9/19-I can take off if needed for extra day to explore.

So far we have @71tattooguy @SwagThor @silvertep @TacoEspecial and my buddy Fred in his first gen. Open invite, unless you're a dick, then it's a case by case basis. As this is my first time to Moab and I won't be trailering there, we won't be doing Hell's Revenge.
This will primarily be a sight seeing trip with some light wheeling and fuckery. Top of the World is on the list in Moab, but the list is very open to discussion. Also, any of you local Moab gurus that want to chime in please do!


That's the (rough) plan!

 

Fuck yeah!!!

 

hmm. I was just thinking if I wanted to head out to Ouray this year. This trip is temping.

For the section from Moab to CO, its only a 3hr drive on pavement. I'd suggest taking look at the rim rocker trail --> https://rimrockertrail.org/detailed-directions-montrose-to-moab/. It's a nice dirt trail that takes you through some nice scenery and its less time on pavement. If you wanted to leave in midday/early afternoon on 9/12, you could make it about half way and camp on the trail. When we did the trail from Ouray to Moab, we camped at the buckeye reservoir which was right off of the trail
https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234724?tab=campsites. We were there in August 2018 and I think we camped at the group site but we didn't see any camp hosts when we were there. To play it safe, you could book sites through the website.

I've stayed at the KOA in Ouray twice now and its been great both times. Staff was super friendly and nice and the bathrooms were clean and the hot showers felt great at the end of a long day on the trails. Our group always booked one of the tent sites in the back. They do have small cabins available for rent. Just throwing out the another option if you havent gotten a hotel yet.

Moab to Ouray is pretty close so even if you leave 9/13, if you guys leave early enough, you can hit a trail in the Ouray area after lunch time

If you plan to make the drive in 3 days, you guys could go the south route and hit up several spots on the way home, depending on how long you guys are willing to drive between the spots:

• Bryce Canyon
• Canyon Lands
• Lake Powell (Alstrom Point)
• Toquerville Falls

When we did the trip, we went towards Vegas, St George Utah, then into Ouray. Eventually into Moab and then the northern route home. If you want some suggestions, send me a message. Did this trip twice and you guys are going to love it.

 

I’m on vacation 9/11 to 9/17. Put me down tentatively for 9/12 and 9/13. I’ll hang out with you guys at Moab, and stay around that area and pass on CO.

 

For camping in the Ely area, check out the Schell Creek mountain range off State Route 486. Or get further down 50 and camp in Great Basin National Park (west of Baker). If you've got time, the tour of Lehman Caves is absolutely worth it, and, from what I remember, the hike to the top of Wheeler Peak isn't the least bit challenging.

I've got a trip already planned in Utah for the following week, but I'm in if that gets rescheduled or cancelled. Depending on where you're at on the 16th and 17th, I might be able to link up with you for a bit, too.

 

Zion National Park is just right there. If you have time, there's a lot of good hikes in Zion. Feel Love coffee is Great, get there early for a late and the sunrise. Or hit the lookout point after the runnel for sunset.

If you do top of the world, set aside a whole day and take your time and enjoy the trail.

Between Telluride and Ouray, I enjoyed Ouray more. Telluride is a little more steezy with a Patagonia store downtown and not much camping. Ouray is a little more towny and def had more camping spots. I did laundry at the KOA in Ouray and can contest to a very clean facility. There's also a water park close by as well.

 

+1 Ouray > Telluride. Ouray has a more small town vibe where as , Telluride while still beautiful and great to stop by in and still smalltown-ish, you can tell corporate America came in and invested in the downtown area.

 

If you have time stop in Durango and ride the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge train.

https://www.durangotrain.com/

 

Here's the page I've been looking for: https://www.rr4w.com/Trails-Home.cfm

 

Sounds fun Adam but I won’t be able to make it this time Sorry!!!!

 

Subbed.
Happy almost "40"!

I may have a need / availability for such an outing!
I'd catch-up and join at some point in the itinerary...

Happy to help out with the festivities!

Any MTB riding in the plan - by chance?

 

I may be the only RSVP’d participant that rides (and not enough to be in shape). But if you bring your bike, I’m sure you could ride instead of drive some of the trails we plan.

 

Looking forward to our trip!! I don’t plan on bringing my beach cruiser

 

Awesome!! Thank you

 

We are all looking forward to this trip!!

 

Thank you for the offer! There's a place in eastern Oregon I was thinking about stopping on the way home, this might actually be right along the way.


Haven't been around here much lately. But now the trip is getting close!!!!
Less than a month away gentlemen!!!

 

I just stumbled across this thread. My son and I will be in the area around the 11th or 12th for a couple days. This will be my 3rd time doing the trails around there, and a first for my son. I'll firm up my dates when I'm on the road, but I wouldn't mind joining you if I'm able.

 

Man!
Time flies!
Sept is almost here!

 

I've got reservations in Ouray for 11-15. Keep an eye out for me, and don't be shy. Hopefully I'll have my RTT repaired and have that instead of the Softopper, but either way I'll probably be the only 2014 RC in the area.