Planning a 5 Week Trip!

[Quanto12]

Happy New years Everybody!

Well it's now official,I'm planning a trip starting June 13th to July17, from Salt Lake City Utah, down to the Grand Canyons,back up through Death Valley and Yosimete, than hit the 101 north of San Francisco all the way up to Vancouver Canada, and then back home across Canada to New Brunswick! Actualy I've been planning it for the last year an a half!
If you have any suggestions on any roads that I should travel to enjoy every bit of it I would appreciate it! The places do not have to be your regular tourist attractions, if it's on my way i'll probably want to see it!Of course I won't be able to see i all!
Thanks,
Arthur(Quanto12)

[marc]

Are you really sure you want to visit Death Valley in July? The average high temperature for July is about 115º F.

[geochandler]

I've done Death Valley in July - leave early and try to get through before noon. But every place around (Las Vegas, Lone Pine) is hot so plan to get to as high altitude as possible then take a break in a cool spot.

I think the most spectacular riding around the Grand Canyon is the North rim - the so-called Arizona Strip, between the Colorado River and the Utah border. In your place I would go from Salt lake to Cedar City to Page Arizona (spectacular curvy roads), then Hwy 89A through Marble Canyon to St. George. At Jacob's Lake go about thirty miles South to the North Rim, then back to 89A. You could go to Las Vegas if you must and then to Death Valley that way, but the more interesting route is from St. George go to Panaca and Caliente Nevada, then to Tonopah across the so-called extra-terrestrial highway - stop at the Ale-Inn for a cool one. This is about 200 plus mile withno gas so be prepared for that. It crosses north of the Nevada Test Site and Area 51, is a very lonely and very interesting road. Then from Tonopah you can go down into Death valley via Beatty.

[Quanto12]

My plans are to be there around the 17th of June,and be in Canada by the 25th, but if you strongly suggest that it wiil still be quite hot, i might go around it, as i have already did a quick visit there a couple years ago,and i had told myself that I would take another trip to visit a little more! I've read in a magazine article to do the traveling through Death Valley in the mornings and not go later than June!

[scootertrash]

What may be my favorite ride in this country is in Utah. Starting with Highway 24 at Hanksville go west through Capital Reef National Park to Torrey then south on highway 12 all the way past Brice Canyon. Big ride, with bigger than life scenery and roads. Your camera will get a lot of use. Torrey is also a good town to overnight in. If you can fit it in, lake Powell is amazing too.

[mikec]

I envy your ride! I live in NC but have traveled extensively in the areas you'll be touring. If you're Mapsource (Garmin) equipped, I'll be happy to send you my favorite rides in those areas. By the way, you've already received some great advice, especially about Death Valley in July!

Mike

[multiplu]

skip Death Valley,it really is too hot that time of year

there are some great dirt roads in Grand Canyon!


go to advrider great suggestions and pics on rides

[Tooth]

I road from ORegon to Durango Colorado last year in the end of June, St. George, Kanab, Page, Lake Powell...it was hot...real hot. Make all your hard riding from 5am to 12...... Everything above 5000 feet is generally going to be ok temp wise Drink alot. I never had any luck with hydration vests but some people swear by them.
I would skip DeathValley in June....
If you have never been in Colorado that might be time better spent.
Good luck.....ride safe...keep us posted.

[Quanto12]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions guys,I appreciate it! As for Death Valley, I will be going through there around the middle of June,so I will play it by ear and decide once i'm down there on what I will do!
Mike, i do not have a GPS,but i am planing to get one, and the Garmin brand is what i'am gona get! Since i'm new to the GPS,are their mapsource compatible to all their different units? If so i will take you up on your offer!

Art,

[mikec]

Originally Posted by Quanto12

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions guys,I appreciate it! As for Death Valley, I will be going through there around the middle of June,so I will play it by ear and decide once i'm down there on what I will do!
Mike, i do not have a GPS,but i am planing to get one, and the Garmin brand is what i'am gona get! Since i'm new to the GPS,are their mapsource compatible to all their different units? If so i will take you up on your offer!

Art,

Hi Art,

Garmin GPS units use a few of different Mapsource variants. City Navigator North America NT v. 8 is used in my wife's nuvi 750 while my zumo 550 uses NT 2011.1 while the zumo 665 uses NT2011.3. They're all virtually the same but the 665 loads routes a little differently. If you haven't purchased, I would recommend the zumo 550 but, if you want active weather radar, the 665 is pretty nice. I'd defininately advise getting it well in advance of your trip and practice with it as there is a learning curve. Please feel free to PM me for the routes and send me your e-mail address. I'm not sure if .gpx or .gdb files will attach to a forum thread. Anyway, I'll send you some good stuff.

Mike