My 4 Years Of Slowly Planning Road Trip!

Day 6-

Woke up to my aunt telling me there were 2 moose in the back yard! So, I went out back and there were 2 fully grown male moose laying around their back yard! While I was back there, ANOTHER moose showed up! We probably watched them for an hour! Now before anyone gets all crazy about animals and messing with them, I kept that in mind when I got close to him. I did not touch him and neither me or any of the moose were bothered. I know they were dangerous and was ready leave whenever they stood up. I got about 2 feet away from the biggest one. Slowly inching towards him, and every step he would look up at me and then continue eating grass. Once I got about 2 feet away he stood up, then I got out of there and let him have his space. Other than that they were really chill and let them just lay around.










After the moose left, my aunt and I went for a ride around Lake Dillon.


Later that night we went to a Lobster Fest and had bunch of lobster! When we got home my aunt wanted to take my truck up to her old cabin she lived in for 5 years with no running water and an out house. We got up to the cabin and it was still in decent shape. The person who owns it now had a bunch of energy efficient upgrades. It also had a bunch of old MGs in the back yard!

 

Day 7-

My aunt and uncle both had to work so I headed on over to Rocky Mountain National Park! Started at Grand Lake. Drove most of Trail Ridge road and made plenty of stops around the park! RNP was awesome! Made it all the way to Estes Park then turned around and went up Old River Falls Road! Unfortunately, I didn't see any mountain goats or anything. Had a great time regardless with amazing views!

 

Day 8-

Left Breckenridge and started heading south. I stopped at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park along the way! I didn't plan on stopping there but 100% glad I did! It was actually really cool seeing all the canyons and how they were carved and corroded. Parked next to a pretty sweet 4Runner too! If you're ever around the area and thinking whether or not to go, go! Completely worth it!

















After visiting the park, I made it to Ouray for the night! I have been wanting to go to this area and explore the Alpine Loop forever! Found a camp that was right next to the main street and the hot springs! Ate an amazing steak dinner then went to the hot springs right before bed. I thoroughly enjoyed Ouray!

 

I was just in Ouray last weekend. Every time I'm there it amazes me even more. One of my favorite parts of Colorado without a doubt.

 

We have friends in family in Colorado (Denver) and Utah (SLC). So we couldn't just stay in one spot for most of our trip. Next time, we will just focus on one place. I'm leaning towards CO, as we want to really explore that state more. My wife loved that state. If she had her way, we would be packing up and moving there.

 

Day 9-

The day iv'e been looking forward to for a very long time. The Alpine Loop! Woke up in Ouray and started the day off by going up to Engineer Pass at 12,800 ft! After Engineer, I went to Animas Forks which was an awesome little town. From there, I went to California Pass, then to Hurricane Pass. Passed by Red Mountain on my way to Black Bear Pass! Black Bear was the trail I was looking forward to the most! Getting up to the top was rather easy but the decent was the more difficult part. It was an awesome trail but the steps and the switchbacks were the hardest parts. Even with the steps and switchbacks the truck had no issues! Once I got to Telluride I was going to do Imogene, but I was exhausted and decided to try and find a camp spot. Telluride was packed and I just wasn't really feeling the town so I went south and found a decent campground for the night. Awesome wheeling and views up there!

 

Man I'd love to do this. Good for you!

 

When I lived there I could see the tips of the chapel from my bedroom window. Wish we never moved, but I'll be back there soon

for more

 

Thanks man! The whole trip was like living a dream!

 

That's awesome man! I loved it out there!

 

Day 10-

Stayed the night at some campground somewhere between Telluride and Cortez. Woke up and went over to Mesa Verde National Park! I toured Balcony House and Cliff Palace! Both were crazy to see and from what I learned from the rangers was, that no one really knows much about the history, which is cool!

Cliff Palace







Balcony House





This guy was on my tour. He was like the classy adventurer!



After Mesa Verde, I went over to Phils World Mountain Bike Park! My aunt told me that I needed to try it out since it was right down the road of Mesa Verde. Man was she right! Phils World was AWESOME! The park flowed so well and was just a all around fun ride! Definitely go here if your in the area!



Stayed the night at KOA in Cortrez. It was OK. Pic of the camping setup!

 

wow! this trip looks awesome! I hope to get out west next summer! This year, I camped all of New England. That 4runner looks like @Blackdawg 's friend

 

Day 11-

This was probably the best day of the trip! I saw SO MUCH that day! I left Cortez and headed to the 4 corners monument! I'll be honest it was cool to see but I don't think i'd go back. You had to pay $5 per person and then you get to their terrible parking lot and there's vendors all around the 4 corners. It was cool regardless though.







From there, I went to Monument Valley! Monument Valley was really cool. Once again the Natives got there money from you and collect a toll before you get to the valley. Drove around the whole park of where I could go and it was awesome! Finally made it into Utah too!















After Monument Valley, I went to Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona! Always wanted to see it and it didn't disappoint!



Now... now this was probably the coolest thing I saw the whole trip and didn't even think about going there until my aunt said that I NEEDED to! I went to Upper Antelope Canyons! It was one of the coolest things iv'e ever seen and was 100% worth it! If anyone is in the area, GO! You won't regret it!











All the tour trucks outside the canyons!



Once I was done with the tour, I decided it was time to find camp. I went right over the boarder to Utah and camped at the primitive sites right on the beach of Lake Powell! This was probably the coolest camp spot I had! You get to the gate and say just pick a spot anywhere on the beach! There were so many campers, big trucks, jet skis, side by sides, boats and just bad ass stuff there. It was so cool!

Pulling up to the camp on Lake Powell



Lake Powell!



THE CAMPSITE!

 

Thanks man! The whole trip was like living a dream!

 

I realized on my trip, the north is trees. I get the feeling that everything blended together around Vermont/NH/Massachusetts. I do want to get more north of Portland Maine, and see some of the rocky coast.

Not to take over your trip report, but this is at the top of Whiteface Mountain in upstate NY. I was inside of a cloud. Incredible views. But Im sure Colorado and Utah has me beat..

 

No worries man! I love seeing all the bad ass places everyone on here goes to!

 

Day 12-

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise and drove over to Zion National Park! Zion was one of my favorite parks in Utah! I also did the best hike of my life, Angels Landing! I loved everything about that hike, all uphill the whole way, the chain on the side of the mountain, and just feeling accomplished when you got to the top! After Angels Landing, I went to the Narrows and went back a little ways, then turned back since I was pretty tires from Angels Landing. Forgot it was Labor day weekend so the park camping was full so I found a place right outside the park for the night.

The sunrise on Lake Powell



ZION!



Zion had the most wildlife out of all the parks I saw.





Angels Landing!



















The Narrows

 

Great trip. That's broken down @RedRunner87 LOL.

 

That's too bad! It looked like a well built runner!

 

This is sic! I hope to do something like this with my family one day in the 4Runner. Thanks for posting up all of these great pics!