Taking parents west to Moab and Ouray...suggestions needed

[Jeeptrip Pete]

If you have a day and want something not quite as hardcore as the Moab trails, I would recommend the trip south of Moab to 211. See Newspaper rock, and the Confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers. It's a day-long backcountry exploring type trip, so be sure everyone is up for a full day out of town. Amazing scenery. Seeing the Confluence is about 1/4 mile hike from the trail parking lot, only a few "rugged spots" but if they're in decent shape they should be ok. Been a while since I've done it though --- check into it before you commit, and find the best route for you and your group.

If you're looking for something shorter while in Moab, maybe only a few hours, you could head out to Kane Creek, and go down into the bottom and come back out. Depends on how long you're looking to spend out of town. Great sceneery there too, and the trail hugs the cliff going down into the creek.

Have a great trip! Above all I would make sure you have plenty of water and whatever the older folks need or want for such a long trip. And plenty of maps, good spare tires, food, lights, etc. The obvious things. A couple of tow straps if one Jeep needs a tug from the other.

Good luck,
Pete

 

[Strizzo]

for a great example of stuff you can do in stock JKs, search for Skarysharkface and his writeup from a couple years ago when he took the whole tribe out to Moab. Their stories and pictures were what inspired me to want to get out to that part of the country, its a great read.

 

[UnfrozenCaveman]

Give some consideration to their age / health.

We took my folks to Leadville a few years ago...they were 77 at the time.

They had a great time but the altitude did bother them.

 

[madmax718]

I've been considering a Defib unit more and more- as my parents are now approaching 70, god forbid they have a heart attack while out in the boonies.

The amount of mileage your trying to cover is a lot- even for healthy young people. I'd seriously consider making this a drive one way, fly out trip for your parents, just to keep down the stress level. you and your brother can drive down, and pick them up from the airport. or send them on the airport and you guys drive back. Fitting everyone into one vehicle would also be less stressful as well.

 

[rngrubi]

I'll be in Moab with my father inlaw from the 17th to the 23rd and plan on doing some of the trails. I have been there before so I have a good idea of how to get around the area. If you'd like to meet up for a couple of the trails shoot me a pm. I normally do the harder stuff but my father in law is going and we will stick to some of the milder trails unless we meet up with a group that is going to do the harder trails.

 

[Uncle O]

thanks again for the info. my father checks in with me almost weekly now to see what new information i have gathered.


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[rngrubi]

How is the trip looking, you guys ready to hit the road?

 

[NMC_EXP]

I would still recommend going over 550 from Durango-Silverton-Ouray on your way to Moab (or the opposite). It is spectacular and even more so covered in snow. It won't matter that you can't do any offroading there. From Durango take US160 east back to Walsenburg and then Clayton NM and then to Amarillo. That whole drive is nice.

Agree with this route on the way back. Fine scenery and you intersect I25 a long way south of Denver which is where you want to be if headed for Texas.

The Spanish Peaks and their associated volcanic dikes are near are Walsenburg. Impressive geological features. If you have the time you can get off US hwy 160 west of Walsenburg and take CO Rte 12 all the way to Trinidad. You can take a side trip off CO 12 on FR 415 to Cordova Pass and drive to the flanks of the Spanish Peaks.

Trinidad would be a good place to hole up for the night. Walsenburg maybe not so much.

 

[Uncle O]

I'm already packing and the jeep has the few mods all done. Heading to AL Thursday night to pick up family and loading back up Friday morning to start the trip. Everyone is excited. I will be keeping a thread journal to keep everyone entertained.


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