Planning summer camping trip. Colorado, Santa Fe...maybe the Grand Canyon?
Apr 11th, 2016, 07:43 PM
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Planning summer camping trip. Colorado, Santa Fe...maybe the Grand Canyon?
Hi, folks! My summer trip has finally taken some kind of form. I probably have about 3-4 weeks for wandering about, and I'm trying to decide what route I should take. I can easily do less or more. I've never been to Colorado (except Denver Airport), or New Mexico, and I haven't been to Grand Canyon as an adult. I've been paging through the guide books, but at this point I think I definitely need some feedback in order to make progress.
Right now: I am tied into 5 days of camping, 2nd week of August, with a friend. We're going to drive from Boise to Denver. I know I want to do a few hikes, visit Rocky Mountain NP, spend 2 nights in Denver. My friend flies home from Denver on the 17th- then I head down to Ouray/Durango for 2-3 nights. I need to be in Santa Fe the 21st for Indian Market. I'm really tempted to buy an opera ticket as well- any opinions for or against that? The prices are a bit steep but I enjoy theater, especially summer shows.
Mesa Verde and the Indian Market are both must dos- basically the original reason for this trip. But I'm wondering how much time I should spend in the Durango or Santa Fe areas beyond that. How long many days would you recommend for either place? Is Albuquerque worth adding on as I'm so close? Taos?
I really don't want to short change Santa Fe- it sounds like a place I'll really enjoy, I'm just not sure how much time I need.
So let's assume I leave Santa Fe on the 22nd. This is the portion I have trouble with right now. Should I head back into Colorado? Or go west? I have the notion of meandering towards Vegas- spending a 2 days experiencing the Grand Canyon, a night at a hotel in Vegas to wander the strip and recover, and then (maybe) heading to LA to hit a few of the things that I missed last summer. LA crawled under my skin and refuses to leave...but I don't know if that line of thinking is madness. I sort of need to to be back in Pendleton OR August 31st- but that's more (at this point anyway) a suggested deadline than a hard and fast rule. Definitely need to be back by September 7th.
Random questions:
Anyone here have experience with the Grand Canyon Railway? Did you think it was worth the money or did you want your car? I'm rather doubting I could get lodging in GC this late- was thinking Williams might be an acceptable alternative.
I enjoy history, culture, food, hiking. Any truly amazing spots I shouldn't miss? This trip is an overview sort of thing- I just haven't been to any of these areas and I want to see or experience anything I can reasonably fit in. With the exception of the interstate between LA and OR, I don't want to to drive more than 6 hours a day, and I don't want to drive 6 hours EVERY day. I do best on 2-4 hours a day.
Any areas I definitely should avoid due to weather? I know Vegas (and likely other parts) are going to be extremely hot. My original thought was to head back north through Utah for the NPs there but I've gotten the impression that that would be more of a spring trip. And I'm feeling like it would be a shame to skip Vegas and GC when I'm in reach- it's not a trip I'd likely do by itself unless dragged there by my gambling/partying family members. GC is on my NP bucket list, and even if going all the way to LA is not feasible, I'm tempted to do GC.
I realize I'm planning a bit late for lodging. Can't be helped. I have lodging in Santa Fe, camping reservations in Durango and Ouray, so that's not a concern. Any especially good campgrounds in the other areas I should check out? Any great swimming lakes or holes as well? I prefer campgrounds with showers but if there is swimming (in relatively clean water) that can be sufficient.
In Vegas, I really just want a hotel with an amazing pool. I don't gamble. Just planning to wander the strip, and swim. So I'd like a central location. Any suggestions?
Feel free to answer to any of the above. I know this covers a lot of ground, and I'm aware of the distances between each place. I'm just not sure how to best use my time. Help me plan an epic road adventure�� Oh- and I'm a car camper, in case I didn't mention it before. So while price is not really an issue, campgrounds must accept tents.
Right now: I am tied into 5 days of camping, 2nd week of August, with a friend. We're going to drive from Boise to Denver. I know I want to do a few hikes, visit Rocky Mountain NP, spend 2 nights in Denver. My friend flies home from Denver on the 17th- then I head down to Ouray/Durango for 2-3 nights. I need to be in Santa Fe the 21st for Indian Market. I'm really tempted to buy an opera ticket as well- any opinions for or against that? The prices are a bit steep but I enjoy theater, especially summer shows.
Mesa Verde and the Indian Market are both must dos- basically the original reason for this trip. But I'm wondering how much time I should spend in the Durango or Santa Fe areas beyond that. How long many days would you recommend for either place? Is Albuquerque worth adding on as I'm so close? Taos?
I really don't want to short change Santa Fe- it sounds like a place I'll really enjoy, I'm just not sure how much time I need.
So let's assume I leave Santa Fe on the 22nd. This is the portion I have trouble with right now. Should I head back into Colorado? Or go west? I have the notion of meandering towards Vegas- spending a 2 days experiencing the Grand Canyon, a night at a hotel in Vegas to wander the strip and recover, and then (maybe) heading to LA to hit a few of the things that I missed last summer. LA crawled under my skin and refuses to leave...but I don't know if that line of thinking is madness. I sort of need to to be back in Pendleton OR August 31st- but that's more (at this point anyway) a suggested deadline than a hard and fast rule. Definitely need to be back by September 7th.
Random questions:
Anyone here have experience with the Grand Canyon Railway? Did you think it was worth the money or did you want your car? I'm rather doubting I could get lodging in GC this late- was thinking Williams might be an acceptable alternative.
I enjoy history, culture, food, hiking. Any truly amazing spots I shouldn't miss? This trip is an overview sort of thing- I just haven't been to any of these areas and I want to see or experience anything I can reasonably fit in. With the exception of the interstate between LA and OR, I don't want to to drive more than 6 hours a day, and I don't want to drive 6 hours EVERY day. I do best on 2-4 hours a day.
Any areas I definitely should avoid due to weather? I know Vegas (and likely other parts) are going to be extremely hot. My original thought was to head back north through Utah for the NPs there but I've gotten the impression that that would be more of a spring trip. And I'm feeling like it would be a shame to skip Vegas and GC when I'm in reach- it's not a trip I'd likely do by itself unless dragged there by my gambling/partying family members. GC is on my NP bucket list, and even if going all the way to LA is not feasible, I'm tempted to do GC.
I realize I'm planning a bit late for lodging. Can't be helped. I have lodging in Santa Fe, camping reservations in Durango and Ouray, so that's not a concern. Any especially good campgrounds in the other areas I should check out? Any great swimming lakes or holes as well? I prefer campgrounds with showers but if there is swimming (in relatively clean water) that can be sufficient.
In Vegas, I really just want a hotel with an amazing pool. I don't gamble. Just planning to wander the strip, and swim. So I'd like a central location. Any suggestions?
Feel free to answer to any of the above. I know this covers a lot of ground, and I'm aware of the distances between each place. I'm just not sure how to best use my time. Help me plan an epic road adventure�� Oh- and I'm a car camper, in case I didn't mention it before. So while price is not really an issue, campgrounds must accept tents.
Apr 11th, 2016, 10:21 PM
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Cutting LA- did a bit of mental math and it just would drag the trip out too far into September...
Tentative itinerary (thought it might be a little more helpful than what I've got above):
Day 1: leave Boise, stay night near Dinosaur.
Day 2: visit Dinosaur National Monument. Drive on to Glenwood, go to Glenwood Hot Springs in the evening, stay night somewhere nearby.
Day 3: hike Hanging Lake. Drive on to Estes Park. Stay nights 3&4 Estes Park, spend the day exploring RMNP.
Day 5: drive to Denver, spend night 5 and 6 in Denver. Day 6 is for art museum and botanic gardens. Any Denver Can't misses?
Day 7: drop friend at airport, drive on to Ouray, stay night.
Day 8: leisurely make my way to Durango, night in Durango. Is silverton narrow gauge railroad worth the money/time? Day 9 Mesa Verde. How early do you recommend going to MV? Night 9 back in Durango.
Night 10, 11, 12: Santa Fe. Indian Market for sure- museum and/or opera maybe?
Day 13 drive/explore turquoise trail. Any can't misses there? Night 13 Albuquerque
Day 14 possibly a balloon ride in the AM as its on my bucket list. Anyone done this? If so, what company did you use? Read through reviews, pretty unhelpful.
Drive to Williams in the afternoon. Nights 14&15 in Williams. Train to GC on day 15. Or is there a better base for the GC, if I decide not to do the train? How is parking at the south rim?
Day 16- drive to Vegas, spend night. Maybe visit Hoover Dam? Hotel recs with terrific pool (that won't break the bank)?
Day 17- drive to Manzanar Historic Site. Spend afternoon there. Where should I spend the night?
Day 18- drive to Bodie. Again, where should I spend the night?
Day 19- Lassen Volcanic Monument- which route to get there? Is one more scenic or does it not matter?
Day 20- Tumalo State Park, lava river cave possibly
Day 21- Pendleton OR by 6pm
Any parts of this don't work? Is there a night I can lose somewhere before Bodie? If I can get to Bodie a day early, there's a night program that sounds like a lot of fun (park is open til 10pm one day a month).
Any food or roadside attraction recs?.
I know that last part is probably rushed. Mostly just a way to move north and see a few things I missed last time.
Tentative itinerary (thought it might be a little more helpful than what I've got above):
Day 1: leave Boise, stay night near Dinosaur.
Day 2: visit Dinosaur National Monument. Drive on to Glenwood, go to Glenwood Hot Springs in the evening, stay night somewhere nearby.
Day 3: hike Hanging Lake. Drive on to Estes Park. Stay nights 3&4 Estes Park, spend the day exploring RMNP.
Day 5: drive to Denver, spend night 5 and 6 in Denver. Day 6 is for art museum and botanic gardens. Any Denver Can't misses?
Day 7: drop friend at airport, drive on to Ouray, stay night.
Day 8: leisurely make my way to Durango, night in Durango. Is silverton narrow gauge railroad worth the money/time? Day 9 Mesa Verde. How early do you recommend going to MV? Night 9 back in Durango.
Night 10, 11, 12: Santa Fe. Indian Market for sure- museum and/or opera maybe?
Day 13 drive/explore turquoise trail. Any can't misses there? Night 13 Albuquerque
Day 14 possibly a balloon ride in the AM as its on my bucket list. Anyone done this? If so, what company did you use? Read through reviews, pretty unhelpful.
Drive to Williams in the afternoon. Nights 14&15 in Williams. Train to GC on day 15. Or is there a better base for the GC, if I decide not to do the train? How is parking at the south rim?
Day 16- drive to Vegas, spend night. Maybe visit Hoover Dam? Hotel recs with terrific pool (that won't break the bank)?
Day 17- drive to Manzanar Historic Site. Spend afternoon there. Where should I spend the night?
Day 18- drive to Bodie. Again, where should I spend the night?
Day 19- Lassen Volcanic Monument- which route to get there? Is one more scenic or does it not matter?
Day 20- Tumalo State Park, lava river cave possibly
Day 21- Pendleton OR by 6pm
Any parts of this don't work? Is there a night I can lose somewhere before Bodie? If I can get to Bodie a day early, there's a night program that sounds like a lot of fun (park is open til 10pm one day a month).
Any food or roadside attraction recs?.
I know that last part is probably rushed. Mostly just a way to move north and see a few things I missed last time.
Apr 12th, 2016, 03:23 AM
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Day 9: The road up to Mesa Verde takes longer than you might think and is steep and curvy. I would spend the night in Mesa Verde. Sign up for a ranger led hike of one of the ruins, do the mesa top loop and go out to Weatherill Mesa and hike down to Long House Ruin.
In New Mexico:
Between Mesa Verde and Santa Fe stop at Aztec Ruin or Bandelier for an interesting comparison to MV.
If the road conditions are ok, go to Chaco Canyon.
Visit either Taos Pueblo or Accoma Pueblo.
Visit elMorro/Inscription rock.
Day 14/15:
Visit Canyon de Chelley
Skip Williams, approach Grand Canyon from the east, near Cameron, spend the nights in GC (you might need to make a reservation to camp). If you decide to motel it, look at Cameron Trading post right at the junction of 89 and 64. Do a train trip in Colorado at places like Durango to Silverton or the Royal Gorge - no real views from Williams to GC and not enough time in GC to hike down a bit and explore the rim. Parking at the rim gets busy so get there early if you decide not to stay there. We've found spots free over by Maswick when places by GC village were taken.
Day 16:
Stop at Hoover dam on your way to Vegas, if it's early enough swing through Valley of Fire on the way too.
In New Mexico:
Between Mesa Verde and Santa Fe stop at Aztec Ruin or Bandelier for an interesting comparison to MV.
If the road conditions are ok, go to Chaco Canyon.
Visit either Taos Pueblo or Accoma Pueblo.
Visit elMorro/Inscription rock.
Day 14/15:
Visit Canyon de Chelley
Skip Williams, approach Grand Canyon from the east, near Cameron, spend the nights in GC (you might need to make a reservation to camp). If you decide to motel it, look at Cameron Trading post right at the junction of 89 and 64. Do a train trip in Colorado at places like Durango to Silverton or the Royal Gorge - no real views from Williams to GC and not enough time in GC to hike down a bit and explore the rim. Parking at the rim gets busy so get there early if you decide not to stay there. We've found spots free over by Maswick when places by GC village were taken.
Day 16:
Stop at Hoover dam on your way to Vegas, if it's early enough swing through Valley of Fire on the way too.
Apr 12th, 2016, 07:11 AM
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Re: Grand Canyon - Skip the train !!
Stay in the park !!
There are 6 lodges:
www.grandcanyonlodges.com
and
www.visitgrandcanyon.com
The first website has 5 lodges and the second website is for Yavapai Lodge (this one tends to fill up last)
If you check online and they are full, do call them as the cancellations do not show up online. Keep calling too.
Parking around the village and lodge area is limited, but there are several large parking areas close by.
Stay in the park !!
There are 6 lodges:
www.grandcanyonlodges.com
and
www.visitgrandcanyon.com
The first website has 5 lodges and the second website is for Yavapai Lodge (this one tends to fill up last)
If you check online and they are full, do call them as the cancellations do not show up online. Keep calling too.
Parking around the village and lodge area is limited, but there are several large parking areas close by.
Apr 12th, 2016, 08:09 AM
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Very helpful! Especially the bit about the Mesa Verde road, emalloy. I was wondering about that, thanks. Hmmm. Know of any camping with showers near the GC? I'm going to look at lodging too, but I seem to remember from researching this last year that the lodges are a bit more than I want to pay.
Apr 12th, 2016, 08:51 AM
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Has anyone camped at Morefield in Mesa Verde? I'm trying to decide if splitting up my Durango stay is worth it. If I camp one night in Morefield, that gives me one night in Durango...I'd have to pack and repack, which isn't a huge deal, just annoying.
Apr 12th, 2016, 09:19 AM
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Any terrific camping near Glenwood CO? I really hate to pay for a hotel that night...but all of the campground reviews seem mixed.
Priority is hiking Hanging Lake Trail first thing the next morning.
Priority is hiking Hanging Lake Trail first thing the next morning.
Apr 12th, 2016, 02:26 PM
#11
Camped in Morefield many years ago, fond memories. If you don't want to move I'd spend the two nights there and skip Durango. Then you have a full day in Mesa Verde, which you said was an original reason for the trip.
Apr 12th, 2016, 02:52 PM
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If you are able, please go INto the Grand Canyon, seeing it only from the top edge is 10@ of the experience.
The Bright Angel trail is the gentlest. If you are able, bring some good trail shoes and hike in as far as your fitness will allow. Seeing the Canyon from the inside -- the layers of rock -- such an important part of the sight.
The Bright Angel trail is the gentlest. If you are able, bring some good trail shoes and hike in as far as your fitness will allow. Seeing the Canyon from the inside -- the layers of rock -- such an important part of the sight.
Apr 12th, 2016, 03:14 PM
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If I did Durango as a day trip (I still am trying to fit in the train) what would be the latest I should leave to continue onto Morefield? Assuming I need a half hour of daylight to set up camp. I am assuming that that is not road I should drive in the dark.
Apr 12th, 2016, 04:29 PM
#16
There is a hostel in Glenwood Springs. Under new ownership it has to be better than when I was there last.
They do have a huge number of record albums which they have taken off the floor and put on shelves.
http://www.hostelcolorado.com/
There is a bus stop close by for a bus to Aspen.
For a hike in Glenwood you can hike up to the cemetery to see the fenced marker for Doc Holliday.
There is a great hiking/bike trail into the Glenwood Canyon east of town.
They do have a huge number of record albums which they have taken off the floor and put on shelves.
http://www.hostelcolorado.com/
There is a bus stop close by for a bus to Aspen.
For a hike in Glenwood you can hike up to the cemetery to see the fenced marker for Doc Holliday.
There is a great hiking/bike trail into the Glenwood Canyon east of town.
Apr 12th, 2016, 04:45 PM
#17
Durango - Morefield: I'd say a good 2-3 hours before dark, allowing time for unexpected delays like construction or a line of cars at Park entrance. Best not to drive those roads at night IMHO, lots of wildlife around for one thing.
Agree with emalloy above, if you can make it out to Weatherill Mesa that is way worth it. That was the highlight of our visit a year ago. You'll be glad to have the full day in Mesa Verde, fantastic place. Have a great trip!
Agree with emalloy above, if you can make it out to Weatherill Mesa that is way worth it. That was the highlight of our visit a year ago. You'll be glad to have the full day in Mesa Verde, fantastic place. Have a great trip!
Apr 12th, 2016, 04:55 PM
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Apr 12th, 2016, 05:02 PM
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Hey, thanks, Tomfuller. Figured out that we'll probably camp at Rifle Gap, though- hostel doesn't really make sense with two of us. Have you stayed at a hostel in Denver by chance?
