Three Month Home Base in Southwest

Both my wife and I have been independently scouring over maps, looking at endless links on the web and trying to gather some semblance of order to the info. It is mind boggling the breath of places there are in the west. When we did the AK trip we had a route there and back so it was easier. I have got to get my head around the idea of Wandering. Being a bit type A it is hard to think of just winging it without some prior knowledge. And, I know at times I have parlayed the devil may care attitude by saying such phrases as “when you’re on thin ice you might as well dance” … but in reality I like having a base plan. My wife calls me “safety joe” after the John Prine song. Once on the road it’s all gonna shake out. Traveling with a dog is a bit harder but I would hate to be going places without her. (Pita she can be at times!…. She says that of me too). It will be a hoot seeing the frozen northeast in my rear view mirror.

Both my wife and I have been independently scouring over maps, looking at endless links on the web and trying to gather some semblance of order to the info. It is mind boggling the breath of places there are in the west. When we did the AK trip we had a route there and back so it was easier. I have got to get my head around the idea of Wandering. Being a bit type A it is hard to think of just winging it without some prior knowledge. And, I know at times I have parlayed the devil may care attitude by saying such phrases as “when you’re on thin ice you might as well dance” … but in reality I like having a base plan. My wife calls me “safety joe” after the John Prine song. Once on the road it’s all gonna shake out. Traveling with a dog is a bit harder but I would hate to be going places without her. (Pita she can be at times!…. She says that of me too). It will be a hoot seeing the frozen northeast in my rear view mirror.

Traveling in the west can certainly be what’s referred to as a heuristic journey

Traveling in the west can certainly be what’s referred to as a heuristic journey

 

Entirely true, Steve!

Well I better get on my heuristic boots then.

You may need to learn how to put on those boots.

 

Paul

When we first traveled west to the Southwest...small motorhome with a Samurai behind....we encountered 1/2 inch sheet ice.....in Dallas.

 

Your not exactly leaving winter in the rear view mirror....bring the long johns.

 

DG

Oh heck... 1/2" ice I'm still wearing my flip flops... granted with cleats!

Oh heck... 1/2" ice I'm still wearing my flip flops... granted with cleats!

 

That's the spirit!

Hello again. We have scoured maps and books., at times too much info to retain but enjoying the hunt. We have January mapped out and then We should be in New Mexico and then Arizona, coming in from Texas Big Bend coming up to Fort Davis to regroup and have a hot shower. We are looking at stopping at the Macdonald Observatory (anyone ever do the Star Gazing 2 hour event?) Guadalupe Mts. And Carlsbad Taverns. Seems a pretty barren area and wondering about places to camp while in that area. Seems slim pickings as far as dispersed?
We have what seems like a hundred places in mind to see in AZ, NM and UT. Generally we are doing a mid states crossing then loop to the north in AZ and into southern UT. From there SE through NM.

As there are so many BLM and NAT Forests I thought I’d ask if anyone can suggest some wandering routes through and around. Any access roads I can follow on the Gaia GPS off line maps. At this point I’d guess it will be February for AZ, and March for southern UT and northern NM. I am looking at the “Photographing the Southwest” three volumes and that seems packed with ideas. I like the idea of just driving around in public lands and stopping wherever.

I’ve set up a blog page that like the AK and CM trips allows me to chronicle the day and thoughts thereof. I’ll post the address before departure if anyone has an interest.
I’m interested in any suggestions from good beer joints to churches! One of the stops will be a church I have wanted to see for 50 years! Loretta Chapel. The spiral staircase.

Dispersed camping near Carlsbad is slim pickings, but there is a bit of convenient BLM land just north of Carlsbad. Nothing special, but super easy access and close to the caverns. Described as follows:

"Public land campsites. Directly across 62 from 772. Coarse gravel and rock road takes you up into primitive spots -- look for fire rings."

There is another nice, free spot to camp near Las Cruces at the Sierra Vista Trailhead. There are a handful of designated sites, the last one at the bottom of a small hill is the nicest with the most privacy and great views.

I highly suggest the Chiricahua Mountains in general, especially the Cave Creek area near Portal, AZ. This area is known as a "sky island", great weather most of the time and not many people.

In southern Utah, check out Cottonwood Canyon Road and the Burr Trail. The Moki Dugway is something to behold and nice dispersed camping at Valley of the Gods.

You might get some ideas from our trip report:

https://www.wanderth...tains-and-more/