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Road Trip 2014, Florida to Colorado

40K views 467 replies 76 participants last post by  wayne d 
#1 · (Edited)
Index:
Page 1-7 preplanning of trip and discussions.

page 7 starting at Bottom. The Journey begins.


06/06/14
I added this so if anyone is following along or just found this thread you can skip to directly to the Journey.


Ok guy and gals I'm pre-planning a jeep road trip from Florida to Arizona, Colorado, and Utah for june 2014.
My wife wanted to take our daughter (10 yr old) to the western states to see the sights. Her orginal plan was to fly. Since then I have talked her into a road trip with the 14 JKU. Lucky me.
Her orginal plan was fly in, rent a car and drive from Vegas to the Grand Canyon and then make our way up to Montana and Glacier National Park.
She knows that I want to go to Moab so I have convinced her to do the southern half of the rockies on this trip.
Our plan right now is to leave May 30 or 31st, 2014 and drive to the Grand Canyon. Stay a few days then head over to the Telluride, Ouary, and Silverton area spend a few days then head up to Moab. inbetween or on the way hit Arches National Park, Valley of the Gods and whatever else looks good. Of course all this is subject to change at a moments notice but at least we have a somewhat plan.
Lodging, I would like to camp while we are there but my wifes idea of camping is the Hilton Inn. So much for camping. Win some lose some.
Weather, from what I understand could and may be a little fiffy on the high mountain passes during early june. The plan may have to be adjusted a little based on that.
So I'm looking for ideas or thoughts on what we should hit or bypass. The jeep is a 14 JKU Sport S, completely stock.
I have shown my wife a few videos of the Rocky Mountain trails and she is game as long as they are not to scary.
Any thoughts or ideas as to equipment or supplies, please post them.
And if anybody else is up for a trip like this, speak up. Would love to caravan with somebody else even if you wanted you do something else once we reach the Rockies.
I pulled up a map on MapQuest and it looks like 36 hours for the drive. Was kinda thinking, drive 12 to 14 hours a day, rest and arrive in about 3 days.
 
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#3 ·
We did a trip similar to this last year. Hit Denver the mend and Coors brewery, white water rafting in Durango, jeep trails in Moab, and a few trails in Silverton. We had our motorhome, so lodging wasn't an issue. There are some really great trails in Silverton Colorado, and a bunch of guide services that can help you navigate some of the more treacherous roads. We went in late July, and there was some snow in the upper elevations, but only in the ditches. Your stock jeep should be fine as long as you pay attention to the ratings for each trail. If you want to do the harder ones, there are places where you can rent modified jeeps. As far as gear, there are eight on of forum members that can give you a more extensive list then I can, depending on what type of trails you want to do. For us, the gear was simple, water, lots of water, Moab is hot. Lunch, CB radio, trail map including all emergency phone numbers. In Moab we didn't have cell service on most of the trails. First aide kit. Keep in mind, we only did easy and moderate trails. The moderate ones were a blast in a stock jeep. Enjoy your trip. Moab is amazing! They have trails that range from dirt roads to trails that would require more modifications than most of us can afford.
 
#6 ·
June might be too early for the Colorado passes unfortunately. I was there late may, and there was still 3+ feet of snow on the ground at 10K feet, and Im sure 13k+ feet will have even more. Hell utah had a blizzard late may at 8K feet on La Sal pass. If June is your month, stick to Arizona/Utah/Nevada and save Colorado for another time. You can spend a year in Moab and not see it all. You have to be flexible on these trips. I'd stick to Utah...Zion, Moab, and canyonlands. Will be a fantastic trip.
 
#7 ·
They try to get everything opened by June 1. It doesn't always happen. We last did the Tour De Colorado in June 2011 and have done the trip 4-5 times over the years taking our kids when younger. Mostly in early June, but we have done it later. At times we have had to postpone driving up Pikes Peak or Trail Ridge Road by a day to clear June snows. If you go to the Grand Canyon first everything should be open by the time you get back to CO.

In 2011 they were about 10 days late getting Trail Ridge Road open. Most of the off road trails around Ouray and Silverton were open, but with snow several feet deep on each side. Being from Florida the kids might enjoy seeing snows 10-15' deep on the side of the road on an early June trip.

Rocky Mt National Park is a must see f you can get that far North. You'll see elk by the thousands. The Bulls are just starting to grow their antlers in early June and aren't as impressive. They are fully developed by late July if that is important.

You can't be that close to Pikes Peak and not drive to the top.

We were in my 4X4 Tacoma in 2011 and hit several trails around Ouray. I could have rented a Jeep, and it would have cost about the same after paying for minor damage to my truck. You might consider driving a rental especially if yours is stock.

Hanging Lake is just East of Glenwood Springs if you go near there. You park at the last reststop on I-70 before Glenwood Springs and hike about 2 miles up to the lake. Worth the trip and a good place to get out and stretch your legs.

Have to stop at the 4 corners and if you have time Mesa Verde NP is nearby. It is cool to walk through the indian cliff houses.
 
#9 ·
I would spend at least a day in Denver to get used to the altitude. Altitude sickness is awful to experience and even worse to watch a child have it. Water water water and then more water. Last time we were in Colorado we did Pikes Peak also. Take the train or the Jeep. Be prepared for quickly changing weather too. I kind of envy you taking the Jeep up in the mountains. I had to do it last time in a minivan.
 
#11 ·
I pretty much did that same trip last year on my motorcycle. I agree with the previous poster who recommended avoiding the high mountain passes in Colorado and spending more time in Utah. Moab is awesome, but there are great jeep trails all across southern Utah. My favorite places to go are off of highway 12 between Capitol Reef NP and Bryce Canyon NP.
 
#14 ·
Bryce is my wife's favorite place. The whole state has awesomeness everywhere. I'd even like to take the Jeep to the Bonneville salt flats...would make for an awesome photo. I'd also want to hit the sand dunes, lounge and swim in lake powell, etc. Perfect time of year to be there.
 
#12 ·
Thanks guys for all the great info. I was a little conserned about Colorado during that time of the year.
Again this can all change at a moments notice. I plan on keeping a log along with lots of pictures along the way and of course post it right here.
Still a lot of planning to do. And figuring out a route.
 
#13 ·
Even IF the trails are plowed, you will see tons of snow, and you won't have 1/2 the landscapes you saw in my photos. No wildflower blooms, etc. I'd go to Moab and the region and Colorado another time. One of the best parts of wheeling is you have the freedom to go anywhere where it's ideal and peak season, and Colorado in June isn't peak season. Im going to try and get back to Colorado sometime soon in the fall, the changing leaves on the aspens is a sight to behold.
 
#22 ·
I hear what your saying. Colorado would be my favorite one to start with. I can do hot all summer in Florida. Getting away is no problem for the wife and I but we can only do this sometime in the summer because of school.
So I'm thinking right now it might be better to go in july and only hit Colorado and Arizona. I have to keep telling myself, and my daughter keeps reminding that this trip is not all about me. Darn! I have got to find that balance to keep it enjoyable for all three of us.
 
#23 ·
One of the things i want to do is try and convince my daughter to keep a journal of the trip from start to finish along with pictures. My wife and I could then put it all into some scrap book and when I'm no longer on this earth my daughter will have it and hopefully remember her old man in a good way.
just a thought.
 
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#32 ·
I hear ya and agree with most of it. If it was just me I'd head to Co and just stay there. Trying to work that balancing act of keeping the my wife and daughter occupied.
All three of us have done Rocky Mountain NP a few years ago and really don't care to see that again. Vail and the such, neither one of are interested in.
That's one of the good things about not having a set time frame for any part of the trip. We are free to omit or add things as we go.
I'll come up with a plan in the next week or so and expand or subject from there.
 
#36 ·
very cool pictures.r
I do agree with getting there as quick as possible, but driving straight through is not an option. I cannot sleep in a moving vehicle since my ex-wife almost drove us off a mountain side in Virginia because she fell asleep at the wheel. I woke up becuase the tires were off road, grabbed the wheel and eased it back on the road. then woke her up. good thing the road was a straight section.
 
#38 ·
Here is what we have to do:
Grand Canyon
4 Corners
Mesa Verda
Valley of the Gods
Arches NP
Rafting on the colorado in Moad
These are not in any order. Everything else is iceing on the cake.
Inbetween or along the way;
Moad
Telluride/Silverton/Ouray area.

At least we have a direction.:bop:
 
#79 ·
I have been going to Ouray for the last 5 - 6 years, leading a group of dual sport motorcycles over the passes, that being said, last year I invited my brother from Florida (I'm from Winter Haven) to join me and my sons for some Jeeping, he is a BIG Jeep fan, we had very similar plans, couple of days here, a couple of days there... To make a long story short, we ended up staying 7 days in Ouray and had an absolutely wonderful time! We rented a Jeep for 2 days (I didn't have one at the time) and did some of the passes and the rest of the time we explored in the Escape!

What I'm trying to say is RELAX, ENJOY and really soak in the mountain experience! You will not regret it, you can always go back!

BTW The first year we went in July and Black Bear pass was still closed with snow, and it was an early melt-off year!!!

Whatever you do, you will have a GREAT time, just don't make it a race... That's just my $.02....
 
#41 ·
Does anybody know who or where you can buy the gas and water containers I see in so many threads?
 
#48 ·
Amazon.com: Jeanne Massey and Angela Titus: Books

If this link works, pick up the books for the regions you want to drive. I had them when I was in Colorado in the Summer of 2012 and they were a great resource. I have the Southwest region and Central region. If the link doesn't work they are published by Peter Massey, Angela Titus and Jeanne Wilson.

I left Seattle in the middle of June and arrived in Ouray a few days later. Trails were perfect. Just enough snow to add to the drama of being in such an awe inspiring place. Here is a link to some photos. Note I was not in a jeep but took two dual sport bikes with me. At least it tells you how it might look in late June. Locals say the monsoons start in early July. On the bike I was glad to avoid that.

Colorado - Summer 2012 Photo Gallery by Greg Matty at pbase.com

NC
 
#49 ·
Thanks for the info NC.
It would be kinda cool to be able to see a little snow. At least for a Florida boy.
 
#56 ·
Just thought I'd post a picture of what we will be driving. View attachment 625417
That anvil color has grown on me a lot. You should look into getting a really small Jolly Roger flag for your antenna.

Something else I think is a worthy mention if not already stated. Bring a good camera. I would look into something that either takes AA batteries or have 1-2 extra spare batteries already charged. I plan on going to the Lake Tahoe region this upcoming summer and have been looking for a decent camera to purchase, really want one with an HDR setting. NFRs2000NYC could probably shed some light on a good camera. His photos are incredible.
 
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