vfrcapn
06-14-2009, 01:41 AM
I made this 8 day trip recently and got a lot of good info from this site on camping so I thought I post up some pictures. I only camped 3 of 7 nights but was convinced to do more camping and less hoteling next time!
I decided to make the trip out to the World Superbike races in Utah at the end of May. I planned to take the long way back home, which is just east of Sacramento, CA. I also did moto camping for the first time on this trip.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/route.jpg
Day 1: to Elk Flat Campground 7200 ft elevation, east of Ely, NV 450 miles
Headed out highway 80 through Reno and then picked up highway 50 straight through to Ely and Cave Lake State Park where I camped for the night.
Bike is my ’99 VFR, about 55K on the odometer now. I’ve had it since ’01.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7036Medium.jpg
Rain was tracking me the whole way but I was lucky and only ran in to some slight drizzle a couple times.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7051Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7055Medium.jpg
Interesting “shoe tree” on highway 50 in the middle of no where.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7069Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7075Medium.jpg
Highway 50 just goes on & on & on….
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7081Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7090Medium.jpg
It really is the loneliest road I’ve been on.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7109Medium.jpg
Campground was very nice, clean with great views. Stayed dry all night also.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7118Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7120Medium.jpg
Day 2: to Salt Lake City, UT 330 miles
Unfortunately I woke up to a dead battery, discovered after I had everything packed and ready to go. I ended up bump starting it down the gravel campground road. Not sure what was going on but I backtracked 15 miles to Ely and picked up a battery tender jr. at the Yamaha/Suzuki/Lincoln-Mercury(?!) dealer. I decided to take a more direct route to get to Salt Lake while the bike was still running and headed up NV 93 to 80 and then on in to Salt Lake. 93 is about 80 miles of nothing-ness, I think there were 2 turns in those 80 miles. Rain was still stalking me though.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7122Medium.jpg
Utah Salt Flats
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7131Medium.jpg
Benefit to this route instead of continuing 50 in to Utah was I got to see the Bonneville salt flats off of 80.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7143Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7149Medium.jpg
Still a lot of water on the flats.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7152Medium.jpg
I thought of taking a spin on the salt but it was too soft and would have been a mess.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7170Medium.jpg
Getting in to Salt Lake looked like it was going to be rough but I dodged the rain bullet again.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7177Medium.jpg
I stayed at the Hampton Inn in downtown Salt Lake for 2 nights. The hotel itself is nice but it’s a sketchy part of town, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Day 3: to Tooele, UT Miller Motorsports Park 70 miles round trip
I only attended Sunday, the day of the races. There is nothing like standing mid point of the front straight and watching the SBK’s go by at 195 mph.
Also discovered the battery problem was probably my hasty wiring up of my iPod charger late on the night before I left. The wiring connection was loose and the iPod would charge only intermittently. I cut it out, charged the battery and didn’t have any more problems.
The manufacturers were there showing off their stuff, I’ll spare everyone pictures of the Honda DN01.
Honda CB750
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7196Medium.jpg
Some custom choppers. I think this is actually a custom “Copper”. Nice handiwork.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7203Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7205Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7209Medium.jpg
Forgot this guy’s name but was putting on quite a demonstration.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7215Medium.jpg
Miller Park backdrop:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7241Medium.jpg
Roland Sands Aprilia
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7260Medium.jpg
Aprilia RSV4
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7267Medium.jpg
I’ve got an empty spot in my garage just waiting to be filled by a Tuono.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7280Medium.jpg
Or one of these…
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7302Medium.jpg
Day 4: to Jacob Lake Campground, south of Fredonia, Arizona 445 miles
It was going to be a longer day so I took UT 15 south for awhile before turning off to 70 and then 72 south.
First thing to deal with, plus all the ‘presents’ they leave on the road.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7319Medium.jpg
72 had some great sections though, even if it was spitting rain here and there.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7325Medium.jpg
More of 72.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7328Medium.jpg
The rain was still stalking me but couldn’t keep up with the VFR.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7334Medium.jpg
Finally getting in to southern Utah, off of hwy 72 and now on hwy 12.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7342Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7344Medium.jpg
Hwy 12, the rain always seemed to be waiting.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7352Medium.jpg
But the views are worth it.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7354Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7362Medium.jpg
Grand Staircase Escalante National Park. The road through the upper portion runs along a ridge that is about 2 lanes wide, down either side it’s a long ways down.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7380Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7399Medium.jpg
Red Canyon, UT
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7406Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7415Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7417Medium.jpg
Finally at camp in AZ.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7438Medium.jpg
Day 5: to Bonito Campground, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, north of Flagstaff 250 miles
I planned a shorter day to give me time to visit the Grand Canyon north rim. At 8500 foot elevation though I wasn’t going to be doing much rigorous hiking!
The forest leading up to the entrance was hit with a wildfire in ’06.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7447Medium.jpg
Once inside the park there are endless meadows. Motorcycles are $12 to enter vs. $25 per car. Hwy 67 in the national forest outside the park and inside the Grand Canyon park itself was probably designed by a motorcycle rider. If only the speed limits weren’t so low.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7456Medium.jpg
Grand Canyon pics
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7474Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7501Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7502Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7519Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7526Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/grandcanyon_northrimMedium.jpg
Walkway to one of the viewing points. No handrails, it’s a straight drop down 3-4K feet on either side.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7504Medium.jpg
Some cliffs coming down in to southern AZ on hwy 89 before the Colorado river.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7570Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7572Medium.jpg
The Colorado river crossing on hwy 89.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7600Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7594Medium.jpg
Only 250 miles today but it still took about 10 hours with all the stops. Once down on 89 in southern AZ it was very hot.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7605Medium.jpg
Day 6: to Las Vegas, NV 365 miles
I wanted to see Meteor Crater in AZ which meant slabbing about 30 miles out of my way and then backtracking but it was worth it. I learned this hole in the ground is entirely privately owned and operated. 700 feet down, 4000 feet across.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7616Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7619Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/meteor_crater2Large.jpg
Also got to ride some of ‘historic’ Hwy 66 west of Flagstaff. There wasn’t much out here other than fierce winds and some reproduction signs.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7646Medium.jpg
Heading to Las Vegas on 93 you get to cross the Hoover dam. They are constructing a new highway and bridge though so you’ll face miles and miles of ‘reduced speed’, construction zones and traffic delays.
There is also a security checkpoint all vehicles must pass through before being allowed to cross the dam. From what I saw this consists of a 19 year old Homeland Security employee waving at cars as they pass through.
Here’s the dam and new bridge. Pics don’t do justice to how massive this thing is.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7666Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7668Medium.jpg
No camping in Vegas. Enough said, what happens in Vegas…
Day 7: to French Camp Campground, Bishop, CA 320 miles
This was one of those days where the wind beats you up all day long. Massive crosswinds, sudden bursts, etc. I started out following my Google map directions and got as far as Pahrump, NV. Then they instructed to follow this road for 15 miles to get to CA hwy 127. Hmph, left my GS at home…
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7677Medium.jpg
Got around that eventually and got on NV hwy 266 over a small pass. Another great road if it wasn’t so blustery and cold.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7691Medium.jpg
This turns in to CA 168 once you cross the state line, Caltrans has been busy.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7697Medium.jpg
Great views coming up on the eastern side of the Sierras.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7701Medium.jpg
Coming in to Big Pine on hwy 395, CA.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7708Medium.jpg
The campground I planned to stay at wasn’t all that inviting, plus it was at a summit on 395 and rain seemed to be moving in.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7720Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7724Medium.jpg
So I backtracked 20 miles to Bishop and hoteled it again.
Day 8: Home, 250 miles
The plan was to ride up 395 along the CA border and take one of the passes over to the western side of the Sierra. They’ve all been open for awhile now and were on Thursday when I pulled in to Bishop. Overnight the rain and snow moved in, closing Yosemite pass (120) and the Sonora pass looked likely to close at some point in the day.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7739Medium.jpg
So I ran up 395 in 50 degree temps and rain to Monitor pass which was amazingly dry. Taking 50 west out of Tahoe though temps dropped to around 40 and it rained most of the way down in to the foothills. It took a week but the rain finally caught up. My ‘stich is about 7 years old but still watertight as far as I can tell.
Final tally was about 2510 miles over 8 days.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7753Medium.jpg
Most of the camping gear was new, the 20 year old stuff I had wouldn’t have packed on the bike. It all worked very well, I overpacked of course even though the Givi’s were only half full. Next time I will downsize to the E21 bags I have.
I may be heading to Colorado in August so I’ll have to work on packing. This was my first trip to UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon and it was definitely a good trip.
I decided to make the trip out to the World Superbike races in Utah at the end of May. I planned to take the long way back home, which is just east of Sacramento, CA. I also did moto camping for the first time on this trip.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/route.jpg
Day 1: to Elk Flat Campground 7200 ft elevation, east of Ely, NV 450 miles
Headed out highway 80 through Reno and then picked up highway 50 straight through to Ely and Cave Lake State Park where I camped for the night.
Bike is my ’99 VFR, about 55K on the odometer now. I’ve had it since ’01.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7036Medium.jpg
Rain was tracking me the whole way but I was lucky and only ran in to some slight drizzle a couple times.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7051Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7055Medium.jpg
Interesting “shoe tree” on highway 50 in the middle of no where.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7069Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7075Medium.jpg
Highway 50 just goes on & on & on….
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7081Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7090Medium.jpg
It really is the loneliest road I’ve been on.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7109Medium.jpg
Campground was very nice, clean with great views. Stayed dry all night also.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7118Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7120Medium.jpg
Day 2: to Salt Lake City, UT 330 miles
Unfortunately I woke up to a dead battery, discovered after I had everything packed and ready to go. I ended up bump starting it down the gravel campground road. Not sure what was going on but I backtracked 15 miles to Ely and picked up a battery tender jr. at the Yamaha/Suzuki/Lincoln-Mercury(?!) dealer. I decided to take a more direct route to get to Salt Lake while the bike was still running and headed up NV 93 to 80 and then on in to Salt Lake. 93 is about 80 miles of nothing-ness, I think there were 2 turns in those 80 miles. Rain was still stalking me though.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7122Medium.jpg
Utah Salt Flats
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7131Medium.jpg
Benefit to this route instead of continuing 50 in to Utah was I got to see the Bonneville salt flats off of 80.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7143Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7149Medium.jpg
Still a lot of water on the flats.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7152Medium.jpg
I thought of taking a spin on the salt but it was too soft and would have been a mess.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7170Medium.jpg
Getting in to Salt Lake looked like it was going to be rough but I dodged the rain bullet again.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7177Medium.jpg
I stayed at the Hampton Inn in downtown Salt Lake for 2 nights. The hotel itself is nice but it’s a sketchy part of town, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Day 3: to Tooele, UT Miller Motorsports Park 70 miles round trip
I only attended Sunday, the day of the races. There is nothing like standing mid point of the front straight and watching the SBK’s go by at 195 mph.
Also discovered the battery problem was probably my hasty wiring up of my iPod charger late on the night before I left. The wiring connection was loose and the iPod would charge only intermittently. I cut it out, charged the battery and didn’t have any more problems.
The manufacturers were there showing off their stuff, I’ll spare everyone pictures of the Honda DN01.
Honda CB750
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7196Medium.jpg
Some custom choppers. I think this is actually a custom “Copper”. Nice handiwork.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7203Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7205Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7209Medium.jpg
Forgot this guy’s name but was putting on quite a demonstration.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7215Medium.jpg
Miller Park backdrop:
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7241Medium.jpg
Roland Sands Aprilia
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7260Medium.jpg
Aprilia RSV4
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7267Medium.jpg
I’ve got an empty spot in my garage just waiting to be filled by a Tuono.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7280Medium.jpg
Or one of these…
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7302Medium.jpg
Day 4: to Jacob Lake Campground, south of Fredonia, Arizona 445 miles
It was going to be a longer day so I took UT 15 south for awhile before turning off to 70 and then 72 south.
First thing to deal with, plus all the ‘presents’ they leave on the road.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7319Medium.jpg
72 had some great sections though, even if it was spitting rain here and there.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7325Medium.jpg
More of 72.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7328Medium.jpg
The rain was still stalking me but couldn’t keep up with the VFR.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7334Medium.jpg
Finally getting in to southern Utah, off of hwy 72 and now on hwy 12.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7342Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7344Medium.jpg
Hwy 12, the rain always seemed to be waiting.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7352Medium.jpg
But the views are worth it.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7354Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7362Medium.jpg
Grand Staircase Escalante National Park. The road through the upper portion runs along a ridge that is about 2 lanes wide, down either side it’s a long ways down.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7380Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7399Medium.jpg
Red Canyon, UT
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7406Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7415Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7417Medium.jpg
Finally at camp in AZ.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7438Medium.jpg
Day 5: to Bonito Campground, Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, north of Flagstaff 250 miles
I planned a shorter day to give me time to visit the Grand Canyon north rim. At 8500 foot elevation though I wasn’t going to be doing much rigorous hiking!
The forest leading up to the entrance was hit with a wildfire in ’06.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7447Medium.jpg
Once inside the park there are endless meadows. Motorcycles are $12 to enter vs. $25 per car. Hwy 67 in the national forest outside the park and inside the Grand Canyon park itself was probably designed by a motorcycle rider. If only the speed limits weren’t so low.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7456Medium.jpg
Grand Canyon pics
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7474Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7501Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7502Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7519Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7526Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/grandcanyon_northrimMedium.jpg
Walkway to one of the viewing points. No handrails, it’s a straight drop down 3-4K feet on either side.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7504Medium.jpg
Some cliffs coming down in to southern AZ on hwy 89 before the Colorado river.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7570Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7572Medium.jpg
The Colorado river crossing on hwy 89.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7600Medium.jpg
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7594Medium.jpg
Only 250 miles today but it still took about 10 hours with all the stops. Once down on 89 in southern AZ it was very hot.
http://i119.photobucket.com/albums/o124/capnspif/WSBK_trip/IMG_7605Medium.jpg
Day 6: to Las Vegas, NV 365 miles
I wanted to see Meteor Crater in AZ which meant slabbing about 30 miles out of my way and then backtracking but it was worth it. I learned this hole in the ground is entirely privately owned and operated. 700 feet down, 4000 feet across.
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Also got to ride some of ‘historic’ Hwy 66 west of Flagstaff. There wasn’t much out here other than fierce winds and some reproduction signs.
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Heading to Las Vegas on 93 you get to cross the Hoover dam. They are constructing a new highway and bridge though so you’ll face miles and miles of ‘reduced speed’, construction zones and traffic delays.
There is also a security checkpoint all vehicles must pass through before being allowed to cross the dam. From what I saw this consists of a 19 year old Homeland Security employee waving at cars as they pass through.
Here’s the dam and new bridge. Pics don’t do justice to how massive this thing is.
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No camping in Vegas. Enough said, what happens in Vegas…
Day 7: to French Camp Campground, Bishop, CA 320 miles
This was one of those days where the wind beats you up all day long. Massive crosswinds, sudden bursts, etc. I started out following my Google map directions and got as far as Pahrump, NV. Then they instructed to follow this road for 15 miles to get to CA hwy 127. Hmph, left my GS at home…
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Got around that eventually and got on NV hwy 266 over a small pass. Another great road if it wasn’t so blustery and cold.
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This turns in to CA 168 once you cross the state line, Caltrans has been busy.
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Great views coming up on the eastern side of the Sierras.
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Coming in to Big Pine on hwy 395, CA.
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The campground I planned to stay at wasn’t all that inviting, plus it was at a summit on 395 and rain seemed to be moving in.
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So I backtracked 20 miles to Bishop and hoteled it again.
Day 8: Home, 250 miles
The plan was to ride up 395 along the CA border and take one of the passes over to the western side of the Sierra. They’ve all been open for awhile now and were on Thursday when I pulled in to Bishop. Overnight the rain and snow moved in, closing Yosemite pass (120) and the Sonora pass looked likely to close at some point in the day.
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So I ran up 395 in 50 degree temps and rain to Monitor pass which was amazingly dry. Taking 50 west out of Tahoe though temps dropped to around 40 and it rained most of the way down in to the foothills. It took a week but the rain finally caught up. My ‘stich is about 7 years old but still watertight as far as I can tell.
Final tally was about 2510 miles over 8 days.
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Most of the camping gear was new, the 20 year old stuff I had wouldn’t have packed on the bike. It all worked very well, I overpacked of course even though the Givi’s were only half full. Next time I will downsize to the E21 bags I have.
I may be heading to Colorado in August so I’ll have to work on packing. This was my first trip to UT, AZ and the Grand Canyon and it was definitely a good trip.