The DeTour Trip Report - As Told by Blackdawg

[Blackdawg]

well..I guess it did its job..sort of.


“Tagged the tcase there, watch your line!” I informed Dan and Mike over the radio..was pointless though as they both had belly skids. Still they swung a bit wider than I did to avoid too much contact.


The DeTour-83.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00057 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-84.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4151 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-85.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4154 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4155 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Its was not getting late and the road was long. Camp was calling our names, the La Sal Mountains looking ever closer.


The DeTour-86.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00058 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4158 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4159 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4161 by mike digirat, on Flickr


The road twisted and turn and constantly had washes to cross.


The DeTour-88.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-89.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-90.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-91.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00059 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00060 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

One thing was certain, the desert crust up here was doing stellar. I don’t think I’ve ever seen it so tall and thick.


The DeTour-92.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4164 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4167 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-93.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Pretty weird brain like looking stuff.


The DeTour-94.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The trail finally climbed the last hill up and I broke out to one hell of a view.


2017-09-29 - 00061 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00062 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00063 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr
“Holy crap you guys are going to love this!” I said over the radioed as Mike and Dan caught up.


Can’t think of many that wouldn’t..


The DeTour-95.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-96.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


They did. A lot.


2017-09-29 - 00064 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4169 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4170 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4171x by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4173 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

It even had a pretty cool fire pit.


2017-09-29 - 00065 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4174 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4176 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Mike and Dan were ready to setup shop. But I could see that on the gps track I had that just a bit further was another what looked like an overlook.


I wanted to go check it up. So Mike and Dan both stayed behind to make sure we had a place if this one didn’t have camping or other people or something. I set off and quickly hit a fence and followed it to the cliff edge again.


Oh...My...God.


The DeTour-97.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-98.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-99.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


And then it got better, a short twisty rocky road and we were at the edge.


The DeTour-100.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-101.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


The view was incredible. The site was flat. Fire ring. No one around.


“Guys, get over here right now.” I told Mike and Dan.


“Is it reaallly better?” Mike asked.


“Just get **************** over here”


Mike and Dan made their way over here and I kept just pacing around snapping photos saying “oh my god” till there got near.


The DeTour-103.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-104.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


“Holy ********” I heard mike over the CB as they broke over the hill.


Yeah. It was better. We had gone from pan and scan tv to full widescreen.


2017-09-29 - 00066 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4177 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4178 by mike digirat, on Flickr


I was smitten. I just couldn’t stop looking at it all.


IMG_4181 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4182 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4183 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4184 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4185 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00070 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00071 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

“This is awesome” said Mike


2017-09-29 - 00072 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr



We setup up camp and Dan and I just had to park as close to the edge as possible. I mean look at this bedroom view of Dan’s


2017-09-29 - 00073 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00067 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00074 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00075 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-105.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-106.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-107.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00068 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00069 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-109.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-110.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-111.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-112.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr



Mike wasn’t as adventurous and parked closer to the camp ring.


The DeTour-108.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Can’t really blame him. Just don’t step too far back from the kitchen haha


2017-09-29 - 00076 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00077 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-113.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

We were in photo heaven and could not stop as it only got better as the light faded away and brought out the many colors of Utah’s landscape.


2017-09-29 - 00078 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4193 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4195 by mike digirat, on Flickr IMG_4199 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4200 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00079 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00080 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr


This is the best spot ever.


2017-09-29 - 00081 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4201 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4202 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00082 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00083 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00084 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4211 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4214x by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4217 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4219 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4223 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4224 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Worlds best **************? Yes? I think so?


The DeTour-114.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-115.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4207 by mike digirat, on Flickr


Soon dust was near and the moon was starting to pop out.


The DeTour-115.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-116.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00085 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4208 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-117.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00086 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4225 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4226 by mike digirat, on Flickr

2017-09-29 - 00087 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

IMG_4228 by mike digirat, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

Then the light go really good.


2017-09-29 - 00088 - The De-Tour - Day 13 by Dan, on Flickr

The DeTour-118.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4230 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4231 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4234 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4235 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4237 by mike digirat, on Flickr

IMG_4233x by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-119.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

The DeTour-120.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


When the sun finally set. It was then the Moons turn to light up the valley.


The DeTour-121.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

IMG_4238 by mike digirat, on Flickr

The DeTour-122.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

 

[Blackdawg]

As the light faded away finally to nothing. We all just sat around the fire completely satisfied with the day and the best campsite I think any of us had ever been too.


The DeTour-123.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr


Dome Plateau had not disappointed us. We knew that tomorrow was going to be our last full day of adventure too. This place seemed like a great pinnacle moment. We knew our time together and time away from the complexities of normal life was coming to a close.


But quite frankly, we didn’t much give a damn as we enjoyed the view of the night and each other's company.


The DeTour.jpg by Monte Nickles Photos, on Flickr

To be Continued:

Chapter 13: Full circle

Enjoying the De-Tour story? There's more - @turbodb also wrote up a version. Check out his version of this chapter here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...d-and-adventures.484602/page-66#post-18986654

Read the full story:
As told by @turbodb: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12]

As told by @Blackdawg: [Chapter 1] [Chapter 2] [Chapter 3] [Chapter 4] [Chapter 5] [Chapter 6] [Chapter 7] [Chapter 8] [Chapter 9] [Chapter 10] [Chapter 11] [Chapter 12]​

 

[Blackdawg]

Sorry for the delay. Was on ANOTHER trip ha 2 week one this time. Lots more to come I suppose!

 

[Aussie Iron]

Man --- Just great, love the pictures. Thanks for taking us along.

Dan.

 

[vintageracer]

Loved the pics of Gemini bridge and all the other places you visited. My family was there 2 summers ago on a rented UTV. Put 116 miles on that puppy that day riding around enjoying the scenery.

Thanks for the beautiful photography!

 

[Blackdawg]

Man --- Just great, love the pictures. Thanks for taking us along.

Dan.

Loved the pics of Gemini bridge and all the other places you visited. My family was there 2 summers ago on a rented UTV. Put 116 miles on that puppy that day riding around enjoying the scenery.

Thanks for the beautiful photography!

Thanks guys! Hard to take a bad photo of that place.

 

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

Loving these still- Im at work, and prepping for a month long ride through Argentina. Just in case i was not having a hard enough time focusing. haha Updating and doing reports take a lot of time, we get it.

 

[jlh6369]

Outstanding Photos

 

[Blackdawg]

Loving these still- Im at work, and prepping for a month long ride through Argentina. Just in case i was not having a hard enough time focusing. haha Updating and doing reports take a lot of time, we get it.

Haha always glad to contribute to the work distractions haha

This ones so overdue. I don't know why I've taken so long. Though having a back log of trips to report on is a good thing I suppose!

Outstanding Photos

Thanks!