Approximately... Death Valley, Benton, Mammoth Lakes, etc.What are you considering the "middle"--i.e., halfway between here and there?Once again, JB, you're not seeing the alternative...
Next 2015 Pants WITH REDFISH Adventure - Go West (not so) Young Man!
- Thread starter hppants
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hppants
Well-known member
I'd rather not make campsite reservations if I can avoid it. More options, better adventure.
However, I wonder if the National Parks will be booked solid at that time (Sept 4 through 12-ish). What do ya'll think?
I can always ninja camp in the national forest, but I'd hate to miss out on staying at a N/P.
However, I wonder if the National Parks will be booked solid at that time (Sept 4 through 12-ish). What do ya'll think?
I can always ninja camp in the national forest, but I'd hate to miss out on staying at a N/P.
Cav47
Adventure Seeker
Pants,
We did some calling around at the Grand Canyon the last couple of days to get a tent campsite. The earliest date that one of the places had was August 10th. Some places are first come type places that you likely can score. Not the best places, but likely perfect for what you like--lesser amenities and seclusion. Other people I have talke to said cancellations are very common because people have reserved way ahead of time and don't make their travel times and wind up canceling.
Is "ninja" camping allowed in national forests? Or are you just going to be sneaky?
We did some calling around at the Grand Canyon the last couple of days to get a tent campsite. The earliest date that one of the places had was August 10th. Some places are first come type places that you likely can score. Not the best places, but likely perfect for what you like--lesser amenities and seclusion. Other people I have talke to said cancellations are very common because people have reserved way ahead of time and don't make their travel times and wind up canceling.
Is "ninja" camping allowed in national forests? Or are you just going to be sneaky?
Spud
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure you won't see aspens turning in the high country that early. This was last year, October 11 on Highway 12 in UT.
Your timing is a beautiful time to ride but a bit early for the change, even in high colorado. Early sept is nice because the days are still long enough and the crowds drop off after labor day. BTW it's not uncommon for a heat wave that time of year. You could be riding in 60's-70's, you could be riding in high 90's. Nights will be cool no matter what....
Your timing is a beautiful time to ride but a bit early for the change, even in high colorado. Early sept is nice because the days are still long enough and the crowds drop off after labor day. BTW it's not uncommon for a heat wave that time of year. You could be riding in 60's-70's, you could be riding in high 90's. Nights will be cool no matter what....
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Bugnatr
Well-known member
Early Sept is better than late October for the high country of the west as snow maybe falling by then above 6000 feet.
All bets are off for Colorado come September. Most of the time it's really, really nice but I have been snowed out of RNP on the second week of Sept. These fall storms usually last a day or two and the snow will melt quickly. It's another world above 10,000 feet and most of that is in Colorado but we can't chain up our bikes so the weather.com is your best friend.
Pants, if you make it as far west as California and the Lake Tahoe area we have some mighty fine roads in these parts and you are welcome to camp in my yard ( I live in the forest) or we have room indoors too!
All bets are off for Colorado come September. Most of the time it's really, really nice but I have been snowed out of RNP on the second week of Sept. These fall storms usually last a day or two and the snow will melt quickly. It's another world above 10,000 feet and most of that is in Colorado but we can't chain up our bikes so the weather.com is your best friend.
Pants, if you make it as far west as California and the Lake Tahoe area we have some mighty fine roads in these parts and you are welcome to camp in my yard ( I live in the forest) or we have room indoors too!
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
We can chain up our bikes. You're just a sissy!
hppants
Well-known member
I could put it off a week but if the Aspen trees don't change until October, then I guess that will have to wait until another time.
Bugnatr
Well-known member
Redfish Hunter
Gone Fishing
That is when I will be sitting in front of my fireplace. If I have to get out in that kind of weather I have a 4WD truck. Thankfully where 'Pants and I live that kind of snow just does not happen. Ever.
RJAMT
Well-known member
Dispersed camping is allowed in most national forests, including Kaibab just south of Grand Canyon. I have done it several times in Shawnee. Check www.nps.gov for the few restrictions.
hppants
Well-known member
Sources are telling me that in Arizona, Hwy 191 (formally Route 666 ???? - WTF????) between Clifton and Alpine, along with Hwy 12 between Lupton and the Utah line, are both "DO NOT MISS" riding roads. Looking at the map, it looks like Hwy 12 is just a continuation of Hwy 191?
What ya'll think?
What ya'll think?
marcusorelius
Well-known member
Hwy 191 between Clifton & Alpine is miles & miles of twistys, Awesome! Hwy 12 is scenic (hwy 191 is to the west) also it's entirely on Indian land so be aware of that.
hppants
Well-known member
Much thanks - what is the concern regarding Indian Land? Zero speeding tolerance?
It looks like I will be spending more time in Arizona than I originally thought. Cool!
It looks like I will be spending more time in Arizona than I originally thought. Cool!
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Top_Speed1
Panama Canal Crosser
Well for one thing, they steal your bike (very high theft rate), basically, you got no recourse or action other than to kiss it good-bye!
marcusorelius
Well-known member
Well you are not in the U.S., so anything could happen if ya get pulled over (confiscate your bike perhaps) although I haven't heard of this happening, I just make sure I don't speed at all.
HotRodZilla
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Pants, don't let these guys scare you. Jeeze...Their cops are just like any other cops. The chances if getting your bike stolen are no different, and the chances if getting it confiscated are just like anywhere else. Probably less than our eastern states. The key is: don't ride like an ******* and no one will pay too much attention to you.
191 kind of sucks. The pavement isn't that good, there's a ton of wildlife on the road, and the decreasing radius turns abound. Colorado had way better roads. Your choice.
191 kind of sucks. The pavement isn't that good, there's a ton of wildlife on the road, and the decreasing radius turns abound. Colorado had way better roads. Your choice.
marcusorelius
Well-known member
Not trying to scare ya , just letting ya know to be aware of a fact.
Here's a pic of rte 12.
Here's a pic of rte 12.
Goodman4
Pressing on
I just did a lot of the trip you are planning last month. I posted a trip report with too many pictures, I'm sure, but it was a lot of fun. You have arches as a requirement and was asking about whether you should do Moab. If you mean Moab UT, that is where Arches is. It's also just 30 miles from Canyonlands, which I loved even better than Arches. But Arches was great, too.
Hwy 12 was discussed and I concur that it is fun and scenic, especially just south of Boulder on the Hogback. Bryce Canyon is also on 12. As for 191, I was on it from Blanding to Moab and it's not that great. And 491 is Devil's Highway, not 191. It was 666 until 2003 I believe.
Redfish will be a big help to you. I planned a lot of my trip from his advice.
Hwy 12 was discussed and I concur that it is fun and scenic, especially just south of Boulder on the Hogback. Bryce Canyon is also on 12. As for 191, I was on it from Blanding to Moab and it's not that great. And 491 is Devil's Highway, not 191. It was 666 until 2003 I believe.
Redfish will be a big help to you. I planned a lot of my trip from his advice.
hppants
Well-known member
For those that have gone to Antelope Canyon, it appears that you have to park at the Navajo Tribal Parking lot and walk to the rock formations. Looks like a pretty big hike. Comments?
DesignFlaw06
Well-known member
Take the tour. They will drive you right up to the Canyon entrance and a guide will take you through it. It is crowded, especially at noon, since that is when the best time of the day for sunlight is in the canyon. More picturesque and the rates go up a bit around that time. The guide will stop and show you different spots to take pictures. Some of the formations, when you stand in the right spot resemble things. George Washington, and a bear were some I recall.
There are photo tours which are much more private and expensive. They take a lot longer, because they allow people to take their shots with tripods and professional shots. You'll hear them yelling for people to get out of the way. There are low light conditions, so longer shutter speeds are needed.
https://www.antelopecanyon.com/ This is who we did, both times. $40 I think for the non-peak time walkthrough. Sure beats the walk. They book up fast, so you'll want to make a reservation ahead of time.
Other thing, which is a hike, but totally worth it is Horseshoe Bend. Noon or dusk I would say is the best time to get pictures. There are a lot of shadows otherwise. But a great spot regardless.
https://goo.gl/maps/g7LCl
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