Michigan to Grand Canyon in May?

[Whatever]

We are planning a trip to the Grand Canyon. Will be leaving Michigan after May 23. The plan is to go to the North Rim, maybe the south rim then to the Oklahoma get together and maybe to the Cherohala Chill Out. Looking for suggestions on routes :map1: and campgrounds :tent5: along the way.

[Mr. Guy]

I've always wanted to go to Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle of TX.

http://www.palodurocanyon.com/

I've never been there, but have heard many good things about it. And it's on the way from the Grand Canyon to OK. You could make it a 2 canyon trip.

[TOE JAM]

Cris and I plan on spending the summer in NM. Get in touch and plan on stopping by. I had hoped to have an event in NM maybe in september, but the MotoCampers event calendar is getting pretty full. We will see how things play out.

[Mr. Guy]

Hey Phil,

Go ahead and plan one, whoever can't go to one may be able to come to yours. I'm thinkng we need more in the West anyway.

[Mr. Guy]

Not that long ago, there were no events anywhere. :D

The planned events have really taken off on the last couple of years, alot due to your good planning. Thank you George for that.

But only about 1/3 of the country is East of the Mississippi, so 1 or 2 West doesn't sound like a bad idea to me. Most people can't take off from work for multiple weeks at a time and a closer event gives them a chance to meet and greet.

[Mr. Guy]

But how about the Palo Duro Canyon idea?

[Mr. Guy]

I meant would it work out in Deb's plans for your Grand Canyon trip?

[TOE JAM]

Say Phil ...
Isn't New Mexico rather hot in the summer?
I'd have thought you two would have picked a cooler state to spend the summer.
Somewhere like ... Oh say ... Michigan,.. :sun1: .. for instance ... P^

Our place is at 9600 ft elev. so it rarely gets above 75* all summer.P^

[bigTom]

My standing advice is: If you can only go to one rim, make it the NORTH rim.

If you are on a 'canyon' tour, try this from Flagstaff: 87 to Globe, the 60 to Show Low and on to Springerville. Then the 191 (formerly 666) to Morenci and then 'pick 'em' to New Mexico....Gorgeous roads, you will get to see a serious slice of AZ with out getting down into the desert, which you might find a tad warm by that time of year...

I'd be interested in a gathering in NM...

[Whatever]

I've always wanted to go to Palo Duro Canyon in the panhandle of TX.

http://www.palodurocanyon.com/

I've never been there, but have heard many good things about it. And it's on the way from the Grand Canyon to OK. You could make it a 2 canyon trip.

Thanks Guy. I put a way-point in for Palo Duo Canyon. Looks like a good place to stop and see.

[TOE JAM]

My standing advice is: If you can only go to one rim, make it the NORTH rim.

If you are on a 'canyon' tour, try this from Flagstaff: 87 to Globe, the 60 to Show Low and on to Springerville. Then the 191 (formerly 666) to Morenci and then 'pick 'em' to New Mexico....Gorgeous roads, you will get to see a serious slice of AZ with out getting down into the desert, which you might find a tad warm by that time of year...

I'd be interested in a gathering in NM...
Then head on over to Silver City, Las Cruces Hwy 70 to Alamogordo 82 to Cloudcroft and you are at our place. From there you can head over to Palo Dura Canyon.

[Whatever]

My standing advice is: If you can only go to one rim, make it the NORTH rim.

If you are on a 'canyon' tour, try this from Flagstaff: 87 to Globe, the 60 to Show Low and on to Springerville. Then the 191 (formerly 666) to Morenci and then 'pick 'em' to New Mexico....Gorgeous roads, you will get to see a serious slice of AZ with out getting down into the desert, which you might find a tad warm by that time of year...

I'd be interested in a gathering in NM...

Thanks for the advice. Do you have any suggestions on where to camp at the North Rim?
Does this look like the right route?

[Whatever]

Then head on over to Silver City, Las Cruces Hwy 70 to Alamogordo 82 to Cloudcroft and you are at our place. From there you can head over to Palo Dura Canyon.

Do I have the route correct?

[Whatever]

Then go from Alamogordo to Palo Duro Canyon (Were guy will meet us because he has never been there and wants to go). That is 884 miles of our return trip home. Any suggestions for places to camp along the way?

[TOE JAM]

Do I have the route correct?

When I looked at it I was thinking from after Clifton, 78 east to 180 then south to Silver City then 152 east to Caballo and then down to Las Cruces as a twistier route, but if you want to make better time just going down to Lordsburg and then interstate over to Las Cruces works as well. I guess it just depends on how much time you have and how hot it is. The elevations around Silver City and to the east might be more pleasant if you get to this area on a hot day. But just pick one you like and go for it!

[Ironheadziggy76]

Deb, you and George know your camping spot or spare bedroom is always ready here if you want to stop on your way home!

[Whatever]

Thanks, I will. Does it get hot in NM late May and early June?

[Whatever]

Deb, you and George know your camping spot or spare bedroom is always ready here if you want to stop on your way home!

Thanks Ziggy. Hey, why don't you join us on part of the trip? or all of it?

[TOE JAM]

Thanks, I will. Does it get hot in NM late May and early June?

It can vary quite a bit from one year to the next,(or one day to the next) but it shouldn't be too hot at that time.

[Mr. Guy]

Then go from Alamogordo to Palo Duro Canyon (Were Guy will meet us because he has never been there and wants to go).

Tempting, VERY tempting. If the timing were right I could easily be talked into this, VERY easily.

Ride from Palo Duro to the Oklahoma Get Together? Even better. P^

[Ironheadziggy76]

Thanks Ziggy. Hey, why don't you join us on part of the trip? or all of it?

I'd love to, but I've got a rally to attend in Illinois the week before the Chill Out.

[bigTom]

There's a nice campground/settlement at Jacobs Lake, just as you go into the North Rim. I have rough camped just outside (I mean like 200 yds) from the Park on Forrest Service Land. The pics are in my Picasa album below, pretty clearly labeled.

I think you'll really like that route (yes you have it right), lots of elevation changes and corners and changing scenery. If you have more time, I have more places...BTW, this is almost all high elevation, can be pretty cool in May.

My favorite campground ever is at Hannigan Meadows, about 1/2 way down the 191. It's a free primitive (no showers or flush toilets) that has 8 spaces. 9000', lots of wood nearby and free for the picking up. Pictures of Hannigan Meadows, too...

[VFR]

That is a nice route with plenty to see. I haven't been back to Alamogordo & Cloudcroft but once in '88 since I moved my mother in '72. I plan to make a run through there sometime this year just to see how much it's changed & look up old school buddies - if any are still around....

Maybe on a run to Palo Duro....