Feeler: Week of May 1st

[Schmitty]

I'm taking the whole week off for my birthday in May, planning on heading out to Grand Junction/Moab area for some camping and wheelin'. Starting a thread early to have a nice run-up to the week.

My plan:
I'm not a planner by nature so bear with me. The first day or two I was thinking of hanging out in Grand Junction and checking out Coal Canyon (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/4745-coal-canyon) and possibly Monument Rocks (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/4744-monument-rocks) or visa versa. Grab some camp spot and hang in the evening. Set out in the morning, get food in town, and make way for Moab. Get out there and do White Rim (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/612-white-rim) and anything else that looks good. Doing Lathrop Canyon (Permit Required) (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/trails/564-lathrop-canyon) looks cool, maybe camp next to the river out if we can.

Ideally 2-3 people at minimum on this trip.

[Jim]

Innerested.

A Monument Rocks option: Since MRocks is an in-n-out, on the way out, deviate onto Corcoran Wash/Dry Creek, with a possible short tack-on of North Soda. Overall, heading out Corcoran Wash/Dry Creek, the more difficult Speer Hunter could be chosen. How long of a day is a concern - camp on trail (there should be dispersed camping).

White Rim - never have - would like to.

Lathrop Canyon - never have - don't know anything about it - could do it.


Temps for camping:
Grand Junction & Moab - generally 50F low & 90F high with a cool day of 40F / 70F in the mix last year.

[open_circuit]

Sounds like a lot of stuff I'm interested in. Would have to decide between this and the Hole in the Rock and pick just one, I think.

[Java]

Sounds like fun, I love Grand Junction. Do you already have permits / dates for Canyonlands?

They run this bike race in the Monument Rocks area, and apparently the ranch that sponsors it has gotten into some trouble for illegally blocking off roads in the area. I guess it's getting too busy for them.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WV5kzM-ouI

[RockyMtRebel]

I was going to mention also you need to reserve permits for the White Rim unless you plan to do it all on one day. However you can run Lathrop canyon as a day trip and would only need the regular daily pass (not a camping permit that is much harder to get)

[Schmitty]

camp on trail (there should be dispersed camping).
This is the idea the first day, I think it would be fun.


Temps for camping: Grand Junction & Moab - generally 50F low & 90F high with a cool day of 40F / 70F in the mix last year.
Ideal temps for me.


Sounds like a lot of stuff I'm interested in.
Come join!


Do you already have permits / dates for Canyonlands?
I keep eyeballing property out there and plan to spend some more weekends out on the western slope this summer. No, no permits yet. Still figuring this out and it looks like that one leg near the river requires a permit?


They run this bike race in the Monument Rocks area
I stopped participating in bike races for this among other reasons.


I was going to mention also you need to reserve permits for the White Rim unless you plan to do it all on one day. However you can run Lathrop canyon as a day trip and would only need the regular daily pass (not a camping permit that is much harder to get)
Ok, I need to dig more and see if that's an option. Guessing any limited permits will be sold out because camping sites have done the same for the past two years.

[RockyMtRebel]

You can get the normal entry pass (good for 7 days) online and drive in either via Schafer switchbacks or from Potash road and run the White rim to Lathrop, run that and then exit Canyonlands and camp somewhere outside of the park. I did this solo a couple years ago and it was amazing (although I skipped Lathrop and stayed on the White rim trail for a while and then turned around and ended up driving all the way to the Dome Plateau to camp that night. Then I ran the entire Dome Plateau the next day, which was actually even more amazing 🤙🏽

[Java]

I only asked so I can check against my schedule. I love Grand Junction, especially for hiking. Check out www.gjhikes.com

[Schmitty]

I want to update y'all on where my head is at for this: Considering gas prices have risen quite a bit since originally posting and the fact that I'm still waiting on parts to build my axle/regear, I'm probably not going to make this a week long adventure. Maybe go out to GJ instead and camp out there for a day or two on the trail. Disappointed a bit that parts for the axle/regear are taking months to come in but I guess that's the way she goes.

[hiimmike]

Keep us posted, I'm interested in this as well as a short trip, maybe 4 day weekend? I turn 40 this year in May and was trying to plan something for a week long Utah adventure trip, can't leave the dog in the tent while we go hiking though so trying to either rent a small trailer with AC or find nice but inexpensive hotel rooms. Had a blast on my first Moab trip, can't wait to get back! Even though I have unlimited PTO, I have to be at work at least some time... :D

[Schmitty]

I'll keep you posted. I took the first week off in May because birthday and have ROWE (unlimited pto). Since my ski season was cut short due to a busted ankle I'm getting cabin fever so definitely open to a 4-day weekend where more folks can join.