Scenic route back from Bonneville. What to look at?

[Flipper_1938]

Since we are already going to be out there, we are going to take a couple extra days on the way back and see a bit of the country.

What are the must see sights in Utah, Nevada, Colorado or Arizona?

We are kinda thinking of making a big loop or zig zagging through those states somehow. Right now the list is penciled in as:

Las Vegas strip at night
Grand Canyon (is North or South side better?)
Arches National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park

Where would y'all go? Oh yeah, I'm trying to do this on a shoestring budget.

 

[Bonehead]

Colorado National Monument, right out side my window. Be sure to stop by.

There are a few off the beaten path things around, but it depends on what you are driving, and how long you can stay. I do like the Arches, just google Moab Utah and you should get alot of ideas.

 

[Tripper]

One of my fav's... Estes Park & Trail Ridge Road in Colo!

BoB

 

[Flipper_1938]

Colorado National Monument, right out side my window. Be sure to stop by.

There are a few off the beaten path things around, but it depends on what you are driving, and how long you can stay. I do like the Arches, just google Moab Utah and you should get alot of ideas.

I'm leaving the hot rods at home and driving my toyota echo (40 mpg AND airconditiong) with a couple of BMX bikes strapped on the back. I will probably spend a day or day and a half in the Moab area.

 

[Bonehead]

Canyon Lands, is another good one.

 

[goose-em]

From bonnevile you could go south through Nevada to Vegas and go by area 51, the Little Ali-Inn.

From Vegas could go to the Hoover Damn.

Or you could go another route.

I-80 East to SLC drop south on I-15 to hwy 20 through Panguitch. You could stop at Bryce Canyon, then head through Kanab and into AZ on 89, through Page AZ going past lake Powell. This will take you to the grand canyon, either north or south side. You could then go north to hwy 160 and follow it to durango, over wolf creek pass, up to telluride, etc.

If you go to Moab you can do the same thing, just stop by the GC and then head north again.

Hard to hit Vegas and all the others unless you plan to do a lot of backtracking. Could be done though. Goblin Valley is really cool. The scene from Forest Gump when her is running through the redrocks was in Goblin valley.

 

[Flipper_1938]

What is area 51 near? ...how do you get there?

 

[Flipper_1938]

Ok, say I want to dip my toes in the Pacific Ocean after we see the lights of Las Vegas.

What would be the best beach to hit in the general vicinity of Los Angeles?

 

[PA41]

In Colo, the upper Arkansas river up to Leadville, The twisty river road is a nice scenic drive, lots of mining history-- 1880s gold rush stuff. I lived and worked there in the early 80s, and always ilke going back.

PA41

 

[Flipper_1938]

Less than two days until we head out....I'm jonesing bad!

 

[Flipper_1938]

In Colo, the upper Arkansas river up to Leadville, The twisty river road is a nice scenic drive, lots of mining history-- 1880s gold rush stuff. I lived and worked there in the early 80s, and always ilke going back.

PA41

Is that Hwy 24? If so, its in our plans.

 

[LOWANDRATY]

trip

If you hit 15 out of vegas take it straight to long beach, dip you feet in the water, drve by and tell jessy how much he screwed up, go back out to 40 and see some of the old mother road, RT66

 

[Flipper_1938]

Heading out tonight and driving straight through. I will be there tomorrow night.

The waiting has been worse than waiting on Christmas as a kid.

 

[Sam_Fear]

Zion NP - walk the Narrows and hit some slot canyons on the way out the east side of the park.

Bryce Canyon NP - grab a flashlight and walk through the hoodoo's at night.

Cedar Breaks - if you can a lighting storm - awesome.

Fruita (Capitol reef) - Many free pick your own orchards - cool canyons too.

Canyonlands - amazing vistas.

Arches - Roadrunner's and Wiley E.'s home.

Goblins SP - bizzare! take water.

Mesa Verde - cliff dwellings

Colorado NM - great drive through canyons - Boneheads backyard.

Death Valley - the salt flats crust is hollow (and razor sharp)

Hoover Dam - amazing lit up at night.

Grand Canyon - north or south - you can't comprehend it (I like the north side)

Mosquito Pass CO - highest pass in US 13,000+ft

Ward CO - the town made me uncomfortable - like I might never be heard from again

all I can think of now....

 

[Flipper_1938]

Here is the current plan.

1. Bonneville
2 Las Vegas
3 Santa Monica
4 Las Vegas
5 Arches/ Moab maybe Canyonlands
6 Say hi to Bonehead
7 Hwy 50 in colorado Grand Junction, Co -> Gunnison, Co -> Buena Vista, Co -> Leadville, Co
8-> Rocky Mountain NP
9 Make it home safely

 

[Bonehead]

Looking forward to #6!

 

[Sam_Fear]

If you're headed to Arches from Vegas, cut through to Bryce Canyon and head up RT12 to Torrey and take RT24 across. That takes you through Fruita, UT and Capitol Reef, to Hanksville (ask about the new Dino Dig going on), and past Goblin Valley.

Don't forget to stop in Ward, CO on your way to Estes. Look for the 3 legged dog.

Oh, and keep an eye open for 'The One Shoe'd Clown' - they say he appears along the road at dusk out around the Ol' Bonehead Ranch sometimes.....