| |
Subject |
Author |
Date Posted |
Forum
|
 |
RE: Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
Off topic re route but...you may already know this--Blanding has a wonderful museum at the Edge of the Cedars State Park. If you have any Interest in Ancestral Puebloan artifacts (Anasazi) don't miss it. Their collection is mind boggling and there are pueblo ruins right outside behind the museum.
We stayed at the same RV park and it was fine for an overnight. Right on the main highway. No privacy between sites but plenty of space. They have a nice laundry room as well as a trading post store with a lot of merchandise.
Another off topic post... We've stayed at Blue Mountain for a week once or twice a year for the last ten years. Huge spaces. The owners Duke and Rose are very interesting people.
If you are in a big rig (fiver or bus) ask for a spot down low to the west. Has amazing views and sunsets. On a clear day you can see Monument Valley.
Their nephew, Gary, does the day to day work around the campground. He knows the area like the back of his hand. Can give you hiking instructions to some amazing Anasazi ruins in remote canyons. Can also give you good driving routes in the area. Last time we were there he sent us to a place on BLM land where we gathered some nice pieces of petrified wood. You need a Jeep or other such vehicle to get in there. He also does lapidary. Bought a very nice set of bookends and a beautiful piece of polished dinosaur poop!
Dito on the Edge of Cedars Museum...
Duke and Rose's sons own Twin Rock Trading Post and cafe in Bluff. Trading post has the real stuff including the most beautiful Navajo baskets, etc. Cafe has the best fry bread in the Four Corners. We always get a bowl of chicken dumpling soup and fry bread. Navajo taco is a real treat as well.
FYI about Blanding. Make sure you have everything you need before going there. Grocery prices are over the top. Selection sucks. There is a Family Dollar as well. No resturants worth going to. Make sure to stock up on your favorite libation. Blanding is a very "dry" conservative Morman town.
Thanks for the info. Very helpful information.
|
grampscamper
|
05/08/12 06:59am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
Two good ways from Colorado Springs - just depends on what you want to see along the way:
50 to Montrose, CO, 550 south to SR62 at Ridgeway, CO (nice state park of same name), to SR62 at Ridgeway. West on SR62 to SR145 to just before Naturita. SR141 south to US491 at Dove Creek, CO. US491 west to Monticello, UT and 191 south to Blanding, UT.
OR...50 to Poncha Springs, CO. 285 to 160 at Del Norte, CO. 160 to Mancos, CO. US491 to Monticello, UT. South on 191 to Blanding, UT.
(Also, your 184 is O.K.)
We've done them both with our 40' motorhome. Have a safe trip!
Thanks for the feedback. Both look interesting. Which one is more scenic? Do they take the same amount of time? They are almost the same mileage.
We really like Hwy 50 to Montrose and 550 to Ridgeway, etc. If you want to see Mesa Verde Nat'l Park, then get on 145 south to Cortez. It's another beautiful drive. Then 491 into Utah and Blanding. Lots of ways to go - just depends what you want to see. Have a good one!
We're staying in Blanding for 3 nights. We plan to do day trips from there. We may do a day trip to Mesa Verde from Blanding without the 5th wheel in tow. Maybe the drive through Ridgeway would be a good option for us. Thanks for your help.
|
grampscamper
|
05/08/12 05:10am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
The only problem with all the above suggestions,in my opinion, at least) is that you will miss the prettiest parts - especially Arches and Canyonlands national Parks which if you haven't been before you just should not miss. So - I make the following suggestions:
First - is there a reason to go through Colorado Spring? If not stay on I 70 west of Denver all the way to Utah and highway 191. South will take you to both of those Parks and on to Blanding.
If so - stay on US 50 to Grand Junction and join I 70 and then as above. Just before you get to Montrose be sure to take time to visit the Grand Canyon of the (aka Black Canyon) Gunnison National park!
Any way you do it - enjoy our former home State and stay cool.
John
Thanks John. We will catch those areas later in our trip. We're going to Vegas, Kanab, Bryce Canyon & Grand Junction.
|
grampscamper
|
05/07/12 05:07pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
Two good ways from Colorado Springs - just depends on what you want to see along the way:
50 to Montrose, CO, 550 south to SR62 at Ridgeway, CO (nice state park of same name), to SR62 at Ridgeway. West on SR62 to SR145 to just before Naturita. SR141 south to US491 at Dove Creek, CO. US491 west to Monticello, UT and 191 south to Blanding, UT.
OR...50 to Poncha Springs, CO. 285 to 160 at Del Norte, CO. 160 to Mancos, CO. US491 to Monticello, UT. South on 191 to Blanding, UT.
(Also, your 184 is O.K.)
We've done them both with our 40' motorhome. Have a safe trip!
Thanks for the feedback. Both look interesting. Which one is more scenic? Do they take the same amount of time? They are almost the same mileage.
|
grampscamper
|
05/07/12 04:19pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
couldn't find 184 to Mancos. If you're going 285 60 160 to Mancos, yes, that is scenic...it crosses a pass, and is a pretty good route. the rest is fairly scenic, too.
184 goes north to Lewis on 491 (on my mapping software anyway)
Thanks for the info.
|
grampscamper
|
05/07/12 04:07pm |
Roads and Routes
|
|
Colorado Springs to Blanding UT
We're leaving for Colorado & Utah area from Toronto in two days. My GPS is saying to take the following route from Colorado Springs to Blanding UT : hwy 50-285-184 at Mancos - 491 to Monticello - 191 to Blanding. We are staying at Mountaindale RV Resort, traveling to Blanding (Blue Mountain RV Park) than to the Grand Canyon. We are pulling a 30' 5th wheel.
Is this a good route?
Is it scenic or is there a better option?
Thanks
|
grampscamper
|
05/07/12 11:37am |
Roads and Routes
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
From Moab I'd suggest that you stop in Grand Junction, Colorado and see Colorado National Monument, then take US 50 East stopping at Gunnison and visiting Black Canyon of the Gunnison (both are excellent day trips, so 2 nights at each) then go on to either Pueblo (River Walk) or Colorado Springs (Gardens of the Gods), then head east. I day at the south rim is usual for most people. If it were me, I'd stay at Williams and take the train to the rim. Personally we like the north rim - much better views, etc.
That's a lot of traveling in such a short period of time. I'll second the skipping Phoenix - it will be hot then. I'd also suggest maybe skipping Las Vegas. While Hoover Dam is something, I think the canyons are far better to see.
Barb
Thanks Barb. I checked out your recommendations and they look amazing. I will have to add them to our trip.
|
grampscamper
|
12/15/11 03:42am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
Should we stay on interstates in the Colorado area or can we use secondary highways? We were thinking about traveling from Colorado Springs to the Grand Canyon by going cross country (hwy 160). We're towing a 30' 5th wheel with a F250 Ford diesel.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 03:56pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
Along with the National Parks, you will be passing by some interesting State Parks.
Near Vegas is the Valley of Fire State Park. There are some sites with water & electric, a dump station & hot showers.
Not too far from Bryce Canyon is Kodachrome Basin State Park. Some photos at the bottom of the page. Four of the newer sites have full hookups.
If you have the time you might also check out Goblin Valley State Park. No hookups, but they do have a dump station & hot showers.
Thanks. Great pictures. Too many places to visit. So little time. Maybe we'll need to go back.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 03:39pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
That’s quite a trek for three weeks, but I think you’ll enjoy SW Utah. Three hours at the Grand Canyon is absurd, you may as well watch it on tv. If this is your first trip, three days is much more realistic. Your path is across northern AZ and I probably wouldn’t burn two days and near 300 miles to jog down to Phoenix. (I now see your visiting relatives, so scratch that.) And four days in Las Vegas would be about three and a half more than I’d want to spend. Instead, I’d use the extra time to hit SW Colorado, Mesa Verde, Durango-Silverton, and the train ride and so on. In Golden I couldn’t pass the Coors Brewery without a visit. I realize different strokes for different folks, though, and many people don’t share my aversion to cities. So have a nice trip no matter what you decide.
We've never been to Vegas and the wife wants to go. If she isn't happy nobody's happy. Just kidding! I want to see it also. I think I will shorten it up though.
Thanks again everyone. I think I got some more planning to do. That's half the fun.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 02:24pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
Wow!!! I checked some of the recommendations and I can see I could use another 2 weeks that I just don’t have. I will reduce time in Las Vegas, Colorado and Grand Canyon South Rim and try and fit in some other stops. I will try and visit more of Colorado on a future trip. What a beautiful area!!!
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 01:32pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
I think I would skip Phoenix and spend time at Monument Valley and perhaps get in to Canyon De Chelly too. In May, it might be a little to much snow to be in North Rim, but that changes each year, and depends on how late in may you will be there. The elevation is about 7,500', so snow is going to close the roads about this time of year until at least mid-April.
Bryce they keep the roads open all year, and Zion is lower elevation that roads stay open on their own. I would stay longer in Moab and make Golden a overnight stay. Many canyons and arches to see around Moab, and you might be tired of driving each day at that point.
You might want to leave Lost Vages, and then go north to Zion, then northeast to Bryce, and then continue on to I70 that way, instead of backtracking, then go on to Moab. Just don't take highway 12 over Cedar Breaks, unless you really want to see snow and what a 10,000' elevation pass looks like. I saw snow there in July 4th 1992. That road was steep, and I like mountain driving, but don't care to go back there!
Have a great trip!
Fred.
Thanks Fred. We're visiting a relative in Phoenix or we wouldn't likely stop there. I don't think we're backtracking. I plan to do a loop so we don't travel the same roads home. We will be going from Vegas to Kanab via I15 than hwy 9. From Kanab we're taking hwy 89 to I70 to Colorado. I'm not sure where Cedar Peaks is.
Thanks everyone for the help.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 01:17pm |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
Thanks, great suggestions. Yes I should have said next year.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 07:22am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
Western US trip to Grand Canyon and Las Vegas from Toronto
We’re planning a western US trip from Toronto for later this year. Here is a list of our stops and number of nights at each stop. We will travel either in May or September.
Sports Lake Campground – Marion IN – 1 night,
K O A - Springfield/Route 66 – Springfield MO – 1 night,
Oasis RV Park – Amarillo TX – (2 nights) will visit Palo Duro Canyon,
Ok RV Park – Holbrook AZ – 1 night,
Trailer Village Campground – Grand Canyon – 3 nights,
Desert's Edge RV Village – Phoenix AZ – 2 nights,
Las Vegas RV Resort – Las Vegas NV – 4 nights – will visit the Hoover Dam,
Kanab RV Corral – Kanab UT – 4 nights – will visit Bryce Canyon, Zion and North Rim,
K O A – Moab – Moab UT – 2 nights – will visit Arches National Park,
Dakota Ridge RV Park – Golden CO – 3 nights – not sure what to visit there,
KOA - West Omaha – Gretna NE – 1 night,
Yogi Bear Jelly Stone Park Camp – Portage IN – 1 night.
We will be gone for 26 days. That is the maximum we can be gone although we can be a little flexible with the number of days at each stop. Any suggestions on other places to stay or visit would be appreciated.
|
grampscamper
|
12/14/11 06:53am |
RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More
|
|
RE: Gas Mileage
I have a 2011 Ford F250 Crewcab 4X4 with the 6.7 diesel. I tow a 30’ 8,000 # 5th wheel. I just got back from a trip to Disney world from Toronto. When I was driving in the mountains into strong head winds I was getting 9.5 – 10 mpg at 65 MPH. When it was flat with no wind I averaged approximately 12 mpg. For the trip (3,000 miles) my overall average was 11.3. If I keep my speed down I may pick up a mile or two per gallon.
|
grampscamper
|
11/12/11 09:36am |
Tow Vehicles
|
|
RE: Maiden Voyage Under Our Belt
Congrats. This is our first year camping (if you can call it that). We bought a new 5th wheel and and love it.
Enjoy!!!
|
grampscamper
|
10/05/11 06:00am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Newbie question about diesel fill up
My advice when towing is, don't get so worked up over finding the lowest price. Put the importance of convenient entry/exit at the top of your list. Some folks get awful worked up over a $0.10/gal higher price. But if you stop and think about it, 30 gallons at an extra 10 cents is only $3 added to your bill. All that real estate that makes it easy to get in/out costs money, and you pay for it every time you fill up.
I could say the same thing about oversized tanks. They never pay for themselves in fuel costs. But they may be worth the cost for convenience.
I agree. Price of fuel is not as important as convenient entry/exit. I don't do enough long distance trips to justify the cost of a larger fuel tank. With the feedback from others on this forum I now have the trip planned with all my fuel stops mapped out on my GPS. I won't travel more than 200 miles without filling up. I plan to carry extra fuel just for piece of mind.
Thanks everyone for your help.
|
grampscamper
|
10/05/11 05:39am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Newbie question about diesel fill up
I plan to carry a couple of cans. If I don't need them that's fine. I also like the piece of mind.
|
grampscamper
|
10/01/11 07:06pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Newbie question about diesel fill up
I have better things to do than lug fuel cans around and bother pouring them into the truck tank. In seven years and many thousand miles, I've only run down into the reserve one time (in Montana and my own fault. I didn't like the prices.) Yes, I have paid more than I wanted to at times, but I am not above stopping and putting 5 gallons in to give me 50 more miles to look for cheaper fuel.
I have never had a truck stop or a trucker give me a hard time about using the truck islands.
A few rules:
1. If it is busy, patiently wait your turn. Do NOT try to push in front of a truck. He might push back.
2. Truck islands have an Entrance and an Exit. Go through the correct way. The pump on the left is the master; the right is the slave. You cannot fuel directly from a slave pump without going through some gymnastics. Don't try.
3. After your tank is full, pull forward and clear the pumps before going inside to pay (Truck islands are almost never "pay-at-the-pump")and/or use the facilities, buy snacks, or whatever. Let the guy behind you get set up on the pumps while you are paying.
4. Don't worry about fuel supply. It is not like you are traveling in the Amazon Jungle. Diesel pumps are everywhere.
X2
Diesel fuel is available everywhere. I have yet to have an issue. Truckstops always have easy access. Truckers don't have an issue as long as you don't act like a tourist and wonder aimlessly about the place. Be efficient, get your fuel and get out of the way! If you need to shop or eat park your rig away from the pumps first.
No need for 5 gallon cans. That's just silly. If you need to use 5 gallon cans you did not plan very well or your fuel gauge is broke. Or you bought a truck with tanks too small for towing a RV.
A RV TV with 25 gallon tanks makes for a poor combo.
I have a truck with a 25 gallon tank. It's never been an issue. The last couple of days I've had time to plan the trip and fuel stops shouldn't be an issue. Thanks everyone.
|
grampscamper
|
10/01/11 02:59pm |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
RE: Toyota Tundra and a 5'ver.
Anybody out there have this combo? If so how is it working and what type of gas milage are you getting. Just getting input and idea's at this time.
I debated the exact same thing just over a year ago. At the time I owned a 2008 Tundra 4X4 Doublecab. We decided to purchase a 5th wheel. For some time I considered installing a 5th wheel hitch in the Tundra. When I factored in the pin weight (5th wheel we wanted) the hitch, fuel, cargo etc, the Tundra would be seriously overloaded. I was very concerned about safety and liability if we were involved in an accident. I decided to trade the Tundra for a 2011 Ford F250 diesel. I liked the Tundra but didn’t think it would do the job safely. I can’t speak from experience about towing a 5th wheel with the Tundra but it would definitely have enough power to pull it.
The Ford gets around 11-12 mpg towing and high teens not.
Good luck
|
grampscamper
|
10/01/11 10:36am |
Fifth-Wheels
|
|
