Getting ready for my first solo adventure - input welcome

Dia · 08-06-2015, 12:01 PM

Hi, all,

In the next week or so, I'll be hitting the road for two weeks in my SMB on my first solo adventure.

I'll be driving from the central Cali coast to Spokane and back, but I'll have the freedom to make some detours and take my time, especially on the return route.

My plan so far is as follows, so feel free to kibbitz, contribute and generally back seat drive.

Day 1 - SB to Tahoe / Reno / Carson City area, boondock preferred. I have a for-sure spot in Tahoe, but I've never been to the Minden / Carson City area and I'm curious. If Reno, I'll probably casino-camp in Verdi.

Day 2 - Reno to Nampa / Boise area. Probably blacktop camping unless someone can recommend a spot.

Day 3 - Boise to Post Falls / Spokane area.

For the trip up, I have to be there at a certain time, so three days is the limit. I've got more freedom coming back, and I haven't made up my mind what route I'll take.

A) Take 84 to Portland, then cut over to the coast? Visit Crater Lake? Cruise on down to Humboldt / Eureka and stay on Hwy 1 for most of it?

Vs.

B) Come down via Missoula, maybe visit Yellowstone, then come back through Salt Lake City, Vegas / Laughlin, then home.

I may not make the final decision until it's time to leave Spokane.

What say you, O Fellow SMBers?

larrie · 08-06-2015, 01:23 PM

If you decide on the coast, take US 26 west from Portland. This will get you to the coast. Take 101 south to Florance and then head east to Eugene and then US 58 to central Oregon and Crater Lake. The other option is to continue south down the Oregon coast to US 1. If you decide on this route mwe may be able to meetup. We live in the Portland area. Hope you have a great trip.

**daveb** · 08-06-2015, 01:29 PM

Kind of a long haul between Yellowstone and Vegas but plenty of places in between to stop at. What are you after in Vegas...to camp outside the city? Red Rock outside of town was nice when I was there in the 90's. Then there is Valley of Fire not too far from the one arm bandits.Just might be warm there this time of year.
I do find that I prefer not to bite off too much that might force me to rush through a trip but YMMV.

Not quite the route you're looking at but I've been eyeballing this spot off 80:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/htnf/rec ... 3&actid=42
http://www.exploringnevada.com/scenic-d ... -drive.php

I figure I can use it as a midway point between Yellowstone and the Sierra Nevada's. Zeta says it's beautiful. Myself I look for cooler spots but that's just me. I'd be more incline to hug the coast. If you go that way it's hard to beat Usal rd to the campground. Hopefully the kids will be back in school.

I'm sure you'll have a good time no matter which way you go...have fun.

Dia · 08-06-2015, 01:37 PM

I only listed Vegas as a route marker. If I leave Yellowstone in the morning, Salt Lake is a pretty easy drive. I've done SLC to Santa Barbara in a single day. It's a long-ass drive, but do-able. Anything past SLC on that day makes the final leg home easier.

With the exception of St. George, I don't know that area, so what's around to see. Zion, maybe?

**daveb** · 08-06-2015, 03:02 PM

Ah, Santa Barbara, now I see. Zion is nice but fairly busy and don't know how hard it would be to find a spot to camp. I've always stayed outside the park but some of those roads get slick after a rain. Several spots to boon dock off the Smithsonian road which is passable in 2wd unless it's really wet. I've camped off 14 out of Cedar City below Cedar Breaks. Also Great Basin NP is about an 8 hour trip from the Teton's but would be slightly out of your way.

boywonder · 08-06-2015, 08:34 PM

There's free camping at Brianhead at Bear Flats campground as well, just down the street from Cedar Breaks National Monument. There are two pit toilets at Bear flats. Going up the hill to Brianhead, it's just past Georg's bike shop on the right.

Lots of trees with a meadow in the middle.

boywonder · 08-06-2015, 08:40 PM

Another campground that we frequent is a few hours past Cedar City 17 miles east of the 15 on the 70. Castle rock campground in Fish Lake National Forest. $15/night IIRC. There are a bunch of petroglyphs and other cool stuff to check out on a walking tour near the campground, well marked. There is also a museum there as well. Very scenic.

GrumpyBadger · 08-06-2015, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dia

With the exception of St. George, I don't know that area, so what's around to see. Zion, maybe?

Oh my... between SLC and Vegas is all of gorgeous desert Utah!!! (OK, not so much "in between", but close enough to divert if you have the time) Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, San Rafael Swell, Goblin Valley, Capitol Reef, Bryce, Escalante, Cedar Breaks, and Zion. The drive between Capitol Reef and Bryce is very nice on the back roads (Torrey to Boulder and Escalante and Tropic). Lots and lots to explore and spend as much time as you wish.

shenrie · 08-07-2015, 06:08 AM

i can point you to some great spots right around where 95 crosses over into idaho from oregon. i can also likely get you to some really good spots between boise and post falls.

is there anything specific youd like to see? interested in local natural hotsprings? we got a lot of them here and youll be driving right by quite a few.

Dia · 08-07-2015, 10:03 AM

Woot! Thanks, folks. Please keep 'em coming.

The blacktop spots are mostly for just-in-case because they're free, plan-able and in the general area of where I'd be breaking my drive. Well, that and one of them involves a Cracker Barrel.

I'm a scenery junkie, but this trip won't have enough time for extended hikes. Short walks, relax in the campsite, breathe the mountain (or coastal) air, etc.