California to Fort Collins

[daveb]

Toward the middle of next month I am planning a trip to Fort Collins CO. Once there I want to camp in the area for a couple of days then return. I really don't wish to camp where the temperatures are over 70 degrees after 8PM or I will be looking for a hotel, something I also would rather skip. So...

What are the areas (if any) in Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming (I-80) that are nice spots to stop for a quick overnight camp.

Am I making a mistake not going through the Moab area?

Any other nice parks along the way?

What about the Fort Collins area?

I will need diesel.

I'm looking at about a week and a half and plan to stay on the eastern Sierra Nevada's the first night and would like to cover as much ground as possible. Thanks for any help.
Dave B

[charlie56]

Dave:
I don’t know what route you will be taking but we just got back from touring five National Parks in Az and Ut. We took a southern route to AZ and returned back to CA via hwy 50. We found Great Basin National Park on the border of UT and NV. In the Park there are a series of free primitive campsites. The sites are between 6,400 and 7,500 ft. We used our heater at night. http://www.nps.gov/grba/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm We also took a 90 minute tour of Lehman Cave (in the park) that was fantastic.

It might help people if you can pin your route down a little so they can offer suggestions.

There was no problem finding diesel except in Boulder Ut. Just $$$. If you can detour a little south, Capital Reef NP in Utah is definetly worth it. Not nearly the amount of people there compared to Zion or Brice.

Hope this helps

[daveb]

Thanks Charlie. I plan to go I-80 but possibly come back a different route. Time is pressing so spots along I-80 is what I need to know even if Wyoming is involved. How far can a person get from Reno in a day? Any cool 80 degree areas or just hot desert and what about places around salt lake?

Once there I want to find a good place to visit close to that section of Colorado.

On the trip home I can only drive through with no time to stop to site see or off road unless I can pull some extra vacation time but if its worth doing a drive by maybe I will take it.

I have always wanted to see this area but not when its hot. This is more of a business trip with some extra time added for fun.
Thanks...DaveB

[jage]

Crystal Basin Recreation area off Hwy 50 leaving Sacremento is awesome. Lots of little campgrounds around mountain lakes, some free. The rubicon trail also starts there although continuing on 50 to lake Tahoe is probably a better idea.

[yvrr]

On the way to the SMB Rally last year, I (my wife flew to Salt Lake City to avoid the long drive) spent the first night at Donner Summit SP and then made it to Wells, NV easily the next day (375 miles). I spent that night at Angel Creek Campground near Wells which wasn't too hot since it is at 6200'.

Go to:
http://www.recreation.gov/

and search for Camping in the state you want. There is another campground a little higher than Angel Creek.

Turlock to Wells is about 560 miles which makes for a long day. I did a 475-mile day coming from Palm Springs back to Newark a couple of months ago and that was a long day. But I drive 65 mph or slightly less...<g>

[daveb]

Thanks guys. I will be checking those spots out. I took some extra time and may tweak the route to CO. some but it will be all out coming home.
Dave B

[jage]

Oh yeah and I'm North of I-70 on I-25 all of 5 minutes from the interstate. If you're coming that way you should swing by or maybe we can meet somewhere.

[Jeffrey]

Don't even think about skipping the Moab area. It is the most spectacular place along the entire route.

[daveb]

Jeffery I was planning on keeping moab for its own trip but wander back giving it a strong look. I would rather be there in April/May and keep thinking of how hot it can get plus I have a deadline to meet so no off roading until I make Colorado around the 12th. My nephew told me to go that way even if its just a road trip.

Jage, when I make Fort collins I will PM you. We plan to do the 34 loop through Rocky Moutain park at this time. I don't know if we will base camp or just wander. Leadville area also looks good. It would be nice to hit a real FWD road somewhere along the line if I have a second vehicle traveling with us. My buddy I'm meeting with insists on getting tanked 1 night, of course he will be sorry the next day.

Still open to any suggestions

Dave B

[lactic]

We just got back from our 8 day adventure to SMB West through much of these same areas. Highlights were definitely Route 50 through Nevada (amazing) and SW Utah (Zion, Bryce, Red Canyon, Capital Reef). We also stopped in Yosemite, Sequoia, Fresno of course, and Fruita CO.