Jeep KJ trip to Moab... July 13-22, 2007

[DaveInDenver]

No we are not set on the East side of Denver we were just thinking of making the trip as short as possible from Kansas City to Denver. But Golden you say, eh? I'll look into it and see what I can find, the Quality Inn was also fairly cheap at $59.99 a night. I still need to look around some though, thanks for the Golden suggestion.

A few places that I can remember (we used to live in Golden):

There are a couple of decent Holiday Inns, one at I-70 and Ward Rd and another at Colfax and Indiana. There is also a La Quinta at I-70 and Ward Rd. None of these are particularly scenic, but the escape in the morning will be less stress. There are more places in Denver West, lots of business type places, Marriotts, etc.

In Golden there are a couple of nicer places, Table Mt Inn, Golden Inn, even a little B&B downtown. These are all more expensive places, though.

You can relax your departure from Denver by an hour at least and still make Moab by early afternoon by driving through town and staying on the west side. It's worth it IMO.

 

[kcowyo]

Check Sunday July 15 info...I definitely listed it....:chowtime:

I sure did miss that. I can also recommend the Red Rock Bakery for good coffee in the morning and Wi-Fi. It's on the main drag near the visitor's center.

I think you have a very doable itinerary. 3 days on the White Rim Trail will be great.

I wouldn't count on getting down Lathrop canyon unless your rig is modified significantly. The huge rainstorms last fall destroyed the road. The park service is telling people that no one can go in there

Hadn't heard about that. Glad we did that trail last year although I don't recall it as being a "can't miss" section.

Sunday July 15 - Depart Denver and arrive in Moab in the afternoon. Perhaps a late lunch at the Moab Brewery. Stock up on groceries for while we are in the park. Top off with fuel and fill up jerry cans if we haven't already. Make way for Potash Rd -> Shafer Trail Rd and then finally the Shafer campground for the evening.

Monday July 16 - Head out to the Canyonlands National Park visitor center for permits and what have you. Find out about any pertinent information regarding the White Rim Trail and otherwise. Head out on the trail and make it through Lanthrop Canyon in time for lunch by the Colorado River. Take it easy and enjoy the trail as we'll be stopping at either Gooseberry or White Crack for the evening.

If you take Potash Road to the Shafer campground, and then want to go to the visitor center the next morning, you'll either have to go up the Shafer switchbacks, or back out to the highway and go north around Dead Horse Point State Park to get to the Island in the Sky Visitor Center. Then you would go back down the Shafer switchbacks to begin the White Rim Trail. Lots of unnecessary doubling back and around.

If it were me, knowing what I know now, I would skip Potash Road when leaving Moab and continue north to Rt 313, and camp in or near Dead Horse Point SP. If it's your first trip on the WRT, I would want to start by descending the Shafer Trail from the visitor's center. That to me gives the most bang for the buck as the entire landscape opens before you from the top, while you drive down the Shafer trail. You'll still be able to check out the Potash Road on your way to Arches NP.

Just a thought..... :beer:

 

[durangodds]

If it were me, knowing what I know now, I would skip Potash Road when leaving Moab and continue north to Rt 313, and camp in or near Dead Horse Point SP. If it's your first trip on the WRT, I would want to start by descending the Shafer Trail from the visitor's center. That to me gives the most bang for the buck as the entire landscape opens before you from the top, while you drive down the Shafer trail. You'll still be able to check out the Potash Road on your way to Arches NP.

Just a thought..... :beer:

I agree about the doubling back. Potash Road just isn't worth that, but there is another option. Head out Potash Road and about 2 miles before the pavement ends head up Long Canyon. This is a 9 mile drive that puts you out on the road to Deadhorse State Park. It's a very pretty drive, and you get to drive under the boulder.

Then hit the visitor's center and go down Shafer Trail to your camp.

 

[2500Adventures]

Yea the routes are mostly still up to debate....in fact I've already determined I'll most likely cancel the Shafer reservation for a BLM spot outside the park. I'll be taking a look at it all again tonight after work....but having white crack reserved is a good highlight for sure!!!

Thanks all for your suggestions and such especially about hotels in Denver, that is essential to research this evening....

-Scott

 

[2500Adventures]

Trip Update:

I've been looking for a good rate hotel near the Golden, CO area for a nights stay. It seems that a Motel 6 in Wheat Ridge just off of I-70 will have to be the place I stay at, with taxes it seems to be just under $75. Located at the Kipling St. exit is the Motel 6 I'm planning on reserving with. If anyone has any other suggestions they may know about in the area that may work better then this please let me know. Also if anyone might be up for meeting for dinner (saturday night, and might be late in the evening) or breakfast (sunday morning, might be more feasible) let me know and we'll see what can be worked out.

I also have changed the Moab schedule some...

Sunday the 15th when arriving into Moab I will stay the night at the BLM camp "Gold Bar" site A. Then the moring of the 16th will be spent driving into Canyonlands via Long Canyon Rd and then starting the WRT.

Monday the 16th we are reserved for sure at White Crack for the evening.

Tuesday the 17th we are reserved for sure at Labyrinth. Taylor canyon will be explored as well, but I felt that Labyrinth would be best suited for a morning departure to Arches...

 

[durangodds]

Trip Update:
Tuesday the 17th we are reserved for sure at Labyrinth. Taylor canyon will be explored as well, but I felt that Labyrinth would be best suited for a morning departure to Arches...

Just more of my two cents, but Labyrinth is one of my least favorite campsites on the WRT. I'd recommend Hardscrabble B for three reasons: 1. the scenery is great, 2. it has access to the river for a nice swim/skinny dip, and 3. It has a small cottonwood tree in the middle of camp that is perfect for hanging you solar shower from. Someone has "tiled" the area with flat sandstone so you don't get dirt splashing up on you while you shower. It's nice after a day on the trail. Hardscrabble is only a couple of miles from the entrance to Taylor Canyon and the road is smooth from that point on so you can make good time to Arches.

Have fun.

 

[2500Adventures]

Glad I checked back in here and read that....

Of course by "for sure" reserved, it meant that I got everyone in the groups approval on it....hard to comeby in some groups to get full cooperation so a "for sure" thing is always welcomed....

I'll look into that spot..I'm sure it wouldn't be a problem and if it as the "amenities" you mentioned at it....i'll consider it a go...

THANKS!!!! and keep the suggestions and tips coming..

-Scott

 

[DaveInDenver]

Hardscrabble is a fine spot. We've stayed there and the sun shower set-up is nice. It can get pretty hot in the afternoons at the spots along the Green River, but there are cottonwoods to provide some shade. In any case, two things that you will want is bug spray and a portable shade. As far as swimming, the access can be spotty depending on how much water is flowing. At Hardscrabble 2 years ago the banks were pretty nasty and it would have been tough to get back out of the river through the muck. Hard to see in the first photo, but there was about a 6 foot wide swath of thick soup from the bank where I'm standing to the water. Shoving a pole didn't find a bottom that would have been even knee high. We didn't find the proper access though, I don't think.

 

[durangodds]

By July the water should be down enough to have good access. There is a little ditch that runs through the camp, head down to the river on the south side of that. There is a trail there that will take you down to a small submerged (in July it should be out of the water) gravel bar you can wade out on and swim around. Use your judgement, if the water is up into the salt cedar and pushing up on the bank, don't get in.

 

[DaveInDenver]

They'll be getting into Denver on Saturday, July 14th. Denver ExPo'ers, how about a get together for drinks (if it's OK Scott)? The hotel they are staying is basically at the Kipling on ramp at I-70. It's around the corner from the Larsen Ski shop. Trying to remember places, I know there's a good steak place, Luke's, on the other side of I-70. There is a little sports bar over there, too. Can't remember if there's another bar&grill type place at that corner. There's a Chili's up in Applewood by the Wal-Wart and a couple of places at Wadsworth and I-70, too.

 

[DaveInDenver]

By July the water should be down enough to have good access. There is a little ditch that runs through the camp, head down to the river on the south side of that. There is a trail there that will take you down to a small submerged (in July it should be out of the water) gravel bar you can wade out on and swim around. Use your judgement, if the water is up into the salt cedar and pushing up on the bank, don't get in.

This was May and there was a lot of water, so I think from your description the gravel bar was probably submerged for us. Good stuff to know.

 

[2500Adventures]

They'll be getting into Denver on Saturday, July 14th. Denver ExPo'ers, how about a get together for drinks (if it's OK Scott)? The hotel they are staying is basically at the Kipling on ramp at I-70. It's around the corner from the Larsen Ski shop. Trying to remember places, I know there's a good steak place, Luke's, on the other side of I-70. There is a little sports bar over there, too. Can't remember if there's another bar&grill type place at that corner. There's a Chili's up in Applewood by the Wal-Wart and a couple of places at Wadsworth and I-70, too.

That's fine by me...i'll check my timing i've planned out for our Trek from Kansas City, MO to Denver and let yall know about what time we should be in and ready to relax...would be great to meet some of yall....

Keep all the tips, pics, and suggestions coming...this is my first trip out to Canyonlands and Arches so all info is greatly appreciated!!!

-Scott

 

[2500Adventures]

Well I checked the times I have down for certain scenarios and it sxeems to me that we should arrive to our hotel anytime between 5 and 6pm...hopefully no later then 630pm if something should cause a hiccup along I-70 from KC to Denver. So I think we might just have a go on a meeting of sorts in Denver if anyone else is interested in it. Seems that DaveinDenver is up for it, anyone else???

 

[N8URE2]

I could arrange to meet up with you guys.

 

[2500Adventures]

Sounds good...looking forward to it. I'll be updating this thread this evening with some pictures of what the Jeep has had done to it to gear up for the trip and then the official Itinerary as I've reserved some campsites, finally. I've also squared away a change in the schedule based on my friends I'm meeting out there from Toronto since they have to leave earlier then anticipated.