The DeTour Trip Report-As told by Blackdawg

Not enough chit chat in here.

 

S'ok.

 

I got this

 

so close

 

Here we go New page!

 

Chapter 11: Moab Mod Day​

It rained hard a few times in the night, but overall. We slept good.


Dan as usual was first up and I can imagine almost peed his pants with joy for the area in which to explore in the large swollen Moab slickrock during the early morning.


2017-09-28 - 00001 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00002 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00003 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00004 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00005 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00006 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


The La Sals looked a bit snowy..


2017-09-28 - 00007 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00008 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00009 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00010 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00011 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Not a bad way to spend your morning really!


2017-09-28 - 00012 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


This is the remains of Arrowhead Arch. Im not sure when it collapsed, but Id guess within the last 5 years.


2017-09-28 - 00013 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00014 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


And the cool bathtub on top too!


2017-09-28 - 00015 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


By this time. The rest of us were getting up and taking in the lovely sights as well.


IMG_3929 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3931 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3932 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Dan came back to eat breakfast and I set off for my taste of the slickrock.


IMG_3933 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3934 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Such a cool campsite.


The DeTour-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Would have been cool if the arch was still there. Oh well.


The DeTour-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


My walk around done I returned to camp. Soon after we got buzzed by what I’d assume is a tour helicopter.


2017-09-28 - 00016 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00017 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00018 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Yep. Plain as day. And they seemed pretty interested in us too!


The DeTour-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00019 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


The sun was out full blast by now and the day was warm. We were excited to keep going and take the long way into Moab. Finally. The scenery was fabulous as well with Utah showing her full colors and we couldn’t help but stop and take photos.


2017-09-28 - 00020 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00021 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3944 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00022 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3936 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3947 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3951 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3943 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3937 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3938 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3939 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Not sure this guy has a name, but Id go for maybe “Grinning Arch”? Yeah? No?


The DeTour-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00025 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


We were totally enjoying our time and also not regreting coming this far with only a few more days left for some warm wheeling. Was totally worth it.


The DeTour-2.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-3.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00023 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3940 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00024 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3941 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3942 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-4.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00026 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3952 by mike digirat, on Flickr



This next section is one of my favorites. Im not sure why, but the cliffs are great to look at and the road is very just simple fun to drive.


The DeTour-5.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-6.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3953 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00027 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00027 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00028 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3954 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I mean come on. Thats some cool cliffs!


IMG_3956 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-7.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00029 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-8.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3957 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3959 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Three people, three cameras, three different photos.


The DeTour-9.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00030 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3960 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Always fun to see how someone else sees the world.


IMG_3961 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3962 by mike digirat, on Flickr


We were stopping too much really. But who cares? We literally had no agenda. None. So we just enjoyed it. And loved it.


The DeTour-10.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00031 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3964 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3965 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3966 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00032 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


And soon, Dewey’s bridge was in sight.


The DeTour-11.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00035 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-12.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3970 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-13.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-14.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-15.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00036 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00037 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3971 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3973 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3974 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00038 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Without missing a beat we set off down a fun section of road with plenty of opportunities to stretch the trucks legs out.


IMG_3976 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3977 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-16.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00039 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-17.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Dan’s first largish ledge!


The DeTour-18.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-19.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Igor looking gooooooodd


The DeTour-20.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00033 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


The Red Head is so damn photogenic it hurts.


2017-09-28 - 00032 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-21.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Our posing over for the day...so far..we enjoyed our decent down to the highway.


The DeTour-22.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-23.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We pulled off to stop at the bridge as is always necessary to do in this area. It's a cool spot….plus a restroom!


The DeTour-24.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00040 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00041 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Shame this thing burned right after it was restored..


2017-09-28 - 00042 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Our route! Well sort of..we would be skipping Rose garden hill and Top of the world.


The DeTour-25.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

Instead, we got on the highway for a very brief stint to get to Onion Creek.


2017-09-28 - 00043 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-26.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00044 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3979 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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2017-09-28 - 00046 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3980 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3981 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3984 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00047 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3985 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Back on dirt we headed up Onion Creek to get to Thompson Canyon. A very well groomed road, but still fun as there are about 25 or so creek crossing that are always entertaining.


The DeTour-27.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-28.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00048 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-29.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00049 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00050 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3986 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3987 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3988 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_3992 by mike digirat, on Flickr


And just like that, we are in a tight rocky canyon.


The DeTour-30.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00051 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-31.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00052 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-32.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-33.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3993 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00053 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00054 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_3996 by mike digirat, on Flickr


What's not to like about this?


The DeTour-34.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_3998x by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00055 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Nothing, it is awesome! As you can tell by the smiles.


The DeTour-35.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-36.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4003x by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4005 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The going was slow here, but we pushed out taking photos as we went. Was hard not too really.


IMG_4006x by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-37.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00057 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4008 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4009 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4011 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-38.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Erosion is a beautifully powerful force.


The DeTour-39.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4012 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Sadly the canyon doesn’t last forever and opens back up as we start to gain some elevation again. Not that that was a bad thing as more colors of the desert presented themselves.


The DeTour-40.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-41.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00058 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00059 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4015 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00060 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4017 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00061 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Sadly, the weather wasn’t perfect in every way, but by now, we were used to it. Its the west after all. The rain rolled in once we got into the open flats making for a dramatic landscape.


The DeTour-42.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00062 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00062 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4020 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4021 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00063 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

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IMG_4022 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-43.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00065 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4023 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The rain hit us hard and forced the windows up. But at least it killed the dust! And it didn’t last very long anyways. We turned off into Thompson Canyon to head up into the La Sals.


The DeTour-44.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-45.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00066 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-46.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00067 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-47.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Before too long we were out of the worst of it and taking in the sights again.


Another fun simple road to drive.


The DeTour-48.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4025 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-49.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00068 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-50.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We wished for the sun back. But it wasn’t happening, at least right now. Storm cells surrounded us all around. But we weren’t getting hit hard again..yet.



IMG_4027 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00069 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-51.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4031 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00070 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


“My truck doesn’t sound very happy” commented Mike. bad chirping was coming from the front of his truck.


“Hmm could be the AC idler pulley, be my guess” I told him.


Decided to keep an eye on it..or ear rather.


By now the weather was not being fun. As we got higher the wind go worse and the tempature dropped.


And we could just make out the one the we had hoped to avoid...snow.


The DeTour-52.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


But hey! Fall colors!


The DeTour-53.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


We got to the mountains and pulled off to eat lunch. But it was brief. We didn’t much care for the cold anymore. And hit the road to get off the mountain. A few more days perhaps and the fall colors would have been in full bloom. Was still quite colorful though.


The DeTour-54.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-55.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-56.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00071 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4035 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00072 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4038 by mike digirat, on Flickr

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IMG_4041 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00074 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Despite the chill and flat light we couldn’t help but enjoy the scene laid before us of green yellow trees, red rocks, and foggy clouds.


The DeTour-57.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00075 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4042 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4043 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4044 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4045 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4046 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4048 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-58.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-59.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4050 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Of course we had to stop at the Bull Canyon overlook. The Dinosaur tracks here are unbelievably cool.


The DeTour-60.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Not a bad view either..


The DeTour-61.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-62.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4055 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4056 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4057 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4058 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Aaaannnnddd then you look down and go “holy shit!”


The DeTour-63.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-64.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00077 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-65.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00078 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


By now, we were quite chilled and wet. Mikes idler pulley was definitely going out. Dan’s was starting too as well. With a sign saying the Loop road was closed, we decided to just air up and go into Moab to hopefully find a replacement pulley for not one..but two tacomas.


A daunting feat just to find the parts in Moab alone really.


Either way we aired up and made our way down to Castle valley. Which did not disappoint!


The DeTour-66.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00080 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


With a scene like that. You gotta take advantage and pose up the rigs.


IMG_4059 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00079 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-67.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-68.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00081 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4061 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Mike's truck now squealing like a damn piglet, we drove highway all the way into town.


2017-09-28 - 00082 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


And so the hunt began!


Lucky for us. Carquest and O'Reillys is right next to each other. So we checked both stores and amazingly each store had one each.


2017-09-28 - 00083 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Dan bought one, and Mike bought the other. After a brief friendly banter on who got which one, which was easily settled after I told them they could just buy a new bearing for the OEM one and keep that one as a spare after it inevitably would die. We asked the Carquest guys if we could use their parking lot to do the swap, to which to graciously said yes to.


Though something tells me it's not the first bunch of rough looking people to fix stuff in their own parking lot.


Parts bought, Mike and Dan pulled up next to each other and we got out the one wrench required for this whole project. A 14mm socket. Devin took Igor to go get some coffee while we prepped to so dome wrenching!


The DeTour-69.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Mike was very worried we would have to remove the skids but thankfully we did not have to do this on either rig. It was a very straight forward removal and I quickly had Mikes off.


2017-09-28 - 00084 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


Dan after seeing how to do it quickly had his off as well.


2017-09-28 - 00085 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4065 by mike digirat, on Flickr


They were both super toasted. Mikes was freaking hot to the touch. Hurt to take it off actually nearly burning the skin.


And you could see why they were bad..


IMG_4063 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4064 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00086 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4070 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4071 by mike digirat, on Flickr


“You know what did this?” chuckled Mike, “all that damn Wyoming mud! It was probably when we played in those last puddles!”


I mean...he’s pretty right..It was everywhere still.


IMG_4067 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4068 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Still I got to gloat a bit as mine was perfectly fine. Though Dan and Mike were just a quick to point out that Igor had only been on the trip for half the trip.


Touche..


(Ironically, I would end up having to fix Igors about 1 month later anyways. So probably was that last mud puddles that did us in)


A few more minutes of finiking with the trucks and the were back up and running, piglet free.


IMG_4069 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-28 - 00087 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr


With out Mod day in the carquest parking lot concluded, we now had an equally big problem.


Where to sleep.


This was a bit worrying as Moab is a pretty popular spot for many outdoor enthusiasts. Slim pickings for camping nearby and it was already almost 6:30.


Mike suggested going up Kane Creek to see what was there. We drove up a ways but found everything too full. I suggested maybe Gemini Bridges perhaps as Ben had said there was camping up there.


The DeTour-70.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr
2017-09-28 - 00088 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

So we took off for that spot. It was well into dark by the time we got there. The road was rough and really we just wanted to stop. So we found a small pull off right off the road sadly right over the highway. And set up our tents.


It was a shit site honestly. But we started a fire and soon didn’t really care that much. We now started talking about what the hell we were going to do the next couple of days.


I had just a tiny bit of 4g service. And hotspoted my tablet to my phone from where it had service. From there we talked about were to go. Dan was up for literally anything as he had never been. Mike didn’t want to do anything too technical, which lucy for him, I had the least equipped truck in the group..unfortunately..so most of the trail I had on my todo list were out.


After some talking we decided we might as well go check out Gemini while we were here. Then turn back to where we had come to do Dome Plateau, a route we had heard floated around a few times by our friends. From there we would take the Dolores Triangle back to Colorado. A route Mike and I had talked about several times.


I downloaded some new GPX tracks for everything through the very slow spotty service. But once it was one. We talked into the night trying to ignore the fact that our campsite sucked.

2017-09-28 - 00089 - The De-Tour - Day 12 by Dan, on Flickr

But hey. It can only get better from here right?

To be Continued:


Chapter 12: One site to Rule them ALL

Enjoying the De-Tour story? There's more - @turbodb also wrote up a version. Check out his version of this chapter here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...db-september-2017.562116/page-3#post-18792503

Read the full story:
As told by @turbodb: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]

As told by @Blackdawg: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12] [Chapter 13]​

 

Great chapter. Totally forgot about you giving us shit about Igor's pulley. And yeah, it was a great spot to wake up, that was for sure.

Loved the Kokopelli, so glad we got to run it!

 

well...we skipped the real fun parts..have to go back I suppose now that you've got a fully built rig haha

 

@turbodb he's talking about Rose Garden Hill...

 

AND TOTW and Cottonwood canyon!

 

Ahhh! Cottonwood canyon, the tire buster...

 

Good times!

 

Yes please. Let's go.