13 replies to this topic

[MarkBC]

Just an FYI:  I'm heading to southern Utah for three weeks, leaving Bend April 18.

My last visit there was in 2011.

I'm going to Canyonlands N.P. first -- it's been about 10 years since I was last there, gonna spend a few days, up to a week.

Then I'll be wandering west and south from there for a couple more weeks.  Maybe Capitol Reef again, definitely Escalante again.  Here and there...

If it turns out to be colder than I expect or snowy I'll probably drop down to Zion.

 

Southern Utah -- the whole swath from Zion to Arches -- is my favorite area!

[Taku]

Sounds great. We will be down in the San Rafael Swell (north of Temple Mtn) from Thursday till Monday - short trip, but better than no spring in the desert. Have a great time!

[MarkBC]

Sounds great. We will be down in the San Rafael Swell (north of Temple Mtn) from Thursday till Monday - short trip, but better than no spring in the desert. Have a great time!

 

Yeah, the San Rafael Swell and Reef area is cool, too...and nice to have the less-regulated freedom lacking in the N.P.s

Maybe I'll go there instead of Capitol Reef...

[Smokecreek1]

Looks like a great run! Enjoy!

 

Smoke

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

MarkBC,you might stop at Kodachrome Basin SP while you are in the area. There are some nice spots there.

Have a great trip. Hope the weather holds for you.

Frank

[MarkBC]

MarkBC,you might stop at Kodachrome Basin SP while you are in the area. There are some nice spots there.

Have a great trip. Hope the weather holds for you.

Frank

 

I predict it won't be too many years (if not already) when travelers through that area will say:

"Why do they call it 'Kodachrome' Basin?

"I don't know...must be some Native American name."

 

Thanks, Frank.

[craig333]

Why its named after the song of course  

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I predict it won't be too many years (if not already) when travelers through that area will say:

"Why do they call it 'Kodachrome' Basin?

"I don't know...must be some Native American name."

 

Thanks, Frank.

When it was BLM land back in the 50's the National G did a survey there and it just overwhelmed them so the got permission from Kodak to use that name.

It is a must see if you drive through.

Frank

[MarkBC]

Heading out today...eventually -- or so I plan. 

I need to be at the junction of US 191 and UT 211 by mid-afternoon Sunday -- 2 days from now, to meet up with a Colorado guy, so making progress today will leave Saturday and Sunday long but reasonable.
(a CO guy who's posted a lot of photos on WTW but not a lot of text lately)

 

This is my first choice of route:

1060 miles, according to MS Streets & Trips.  The stretch from Bend to the NV/UT border is very familiar -- my route for many trips to the Great Basin N.P. area over many years.  

But this scenic much-loved route is longer, a little slower, more climbs, than the alternative.

 

The alternative:

925 miles, more of it high-speed Interstate (though I rarely exceed 70 mph in my truck-with-camper anyway, even when it's legal).  Besides being less-scenic, this route has fewer options for boondock camping along the way, since less of it is middle-of-nowhere BLM/USFS than the scenic-longer route.

 

Whichever route I take today (or early tomorrow), I'll likely take the other route when I head home in 3 weeks.

 

It's all good!     ...or so I've heard.

[Smokecreek1]

Get outa here-we are all waiting for your first TR installment ---so get going and oh ya, enjoy your trip Mark!

 

Smoke