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Camping While On The Road

Another must-do in that area: Mesa Verde National Park.

Yes, it's off the beaten path, but it is an incredible place. You must take a ranger tour to go into the cliff dwellings, but it was nothing short of incredible to stand in those places, knowing that ancient people actually lived there. I enjoyed the Cliff Palace tour most (because our ranger was the best presenter), but Balcony House gets the "wow factor" -- you have to climb up a 40' wooden ladder to get in, then you have to crawl through a stone tunnel to get out.

Be careful of altitude sickness there. While I was in line buying tickets for the tours, our oldest daughter became dizzy and had to sit down. A rest and some water fixed her up, but it was a lesson in what extreme heights can do to the body.
 
Bear,
We used to live down a rural road and if a strange car came down it we all knew and would go ck. it out. Rural folks don't like strangers stopping and sitting on their roads. But I like some of your other suggestions - especially the residential neighborhoods. We've stayed in WalMart parking lots in our 5th wheel but I'm not sure I want to lay prone in a parking lot that someone can walk right up to where I'm laying. But a GREAT place to stay is Cracker Barrel parking lot - in the back. They even have RV spots for you to stay! All for free and we went in and had a great breakfast.
 
Hi Bear,

You are indeed the go to man for extended on the road camping. You have given me excellent suggestions/choices to draw from. Way more than the few choices I thought I was going to have.

This does bring to mind a quick question. When you're in some of these more remote places overnight, do you do anything to indicate or signal to people that the trailer is occupied? My thought is that there are those who might consider breaking-in, vandalizing, or whatever if they thought the unit was just parked there overnight unoccupied. Maybe I'm being too negative in my thought process, or I watch too much Dateline NBC, but it seems like a considerable amount of random or opportunistic crime goes on these days.

It's great to know that you have traveled in your teardrop for the better part of six years and have not had any security issues.

I really appreciate your tips here and I'll take advantage of your experience and use them. I'm looking forward to getting this trip started.

Thanks,
Hutch
 
Last fall Bear and I exchanged a short conversation about safety while camping, some of the tips:

remote areas or forest roads: choose the roads with no or few old tire tracks because those are less traveled versus a road with lots of tracks that will be well traveled

If someone is going to knock on your door at night, expect them to knock on the curbside door versus the street side door. Plan on opening the street side door as your safety measure.

In remote areas do not have a fire with smoke, which announces your presence.

Bear also promotes the sunroof as an additional exscape route.

Keep your site picked up, neat and tindy.

Bear will have to add his additional tips.

Jean
 
While in the Four Corners area there are a couple of must see locations that are not to be missed, the first is Navajo National Monument home to two magnificent ruins, Betatikan, and Keet Seel. Betatikan is an easy walk in, Keet Seel is a 22 mile round trip backpack or a one day trip on horseback with a Navajo guide, I recommend the horse. Bear in mind that the saddles are hard, and a 22 mile ride on horseback tasks the behind to put it mildly. However, it is worth the ride. Horses can be rented at the monument, and the guide is part of the package. Mesa Verde has already been mentuioned and is an excellent destination, there are showers available for a nominal charge.

The other destination is Chaco Canyon, gravel/dirtroad going in with stretches of washboard, camping, and great hiking for miles when you get there. Chaco Canyon was the epicenter of Anasazi Civilization in the Southwest. All roads, including Mesa Verde, start here in the Anasazi culture. It is an experience not to be missed.
 
LeoJan,

Thanks for these recommendations. I have made note of them and will add to my agenda as I have plenty of time to fit them in. I have been a backpacker for years and the 22 mile round trip does not phase me at all. In fact, this is the kind of thing I am looking to do throughout this 6 month trip. I grew up owning and riding horses so that aspect has a great appeal as well, but I'll likely opt for the hike.

I noticed something very unique about your post. You joined this forum on 1/11/11 and the time on your post here was 11:11 AM. Kind of a spooky/freaky kinda' thing. I actually feel compelled to take your advise. LOL!

Thanks,
Hutch
 
Bear,

Once again thank you for your insightful suggestions. I know you draw from a ton of experience so, your input is quite helpful to me in my planning process.

I'm sure I'll have other questions arise. Thanks for offering your assistance.

Hutch
 
Hutch,
Strange indeed, I had no idea, so you must take my advice if the gods of the open road are to be with you. The trip into Keet Seel is only tough as you start and end since the main route is at the bottom of a canyon and you have to go down a very steep slick rock trail and naturally come out that way too. As you traverse the canyon floor you will cross the creek numerous times, watch out for quicksand, its not as bad as in the movies but it will get your boots real wet when you think the area is relatively dry. I almost lost a vehicle in Canyonlands to quicksand when I parked in what I thought was a dry streambed. At the ruin you will find a resident caretaker, usually an archeologist or graduate student spending part of the year at the site and he/she will guide you through the ruin, and talk your head off since they don't see a lot of visitors.

Oh, one other must see is Canyon de Chelly Natl. Monument near Chinle Arizona, great camping and sightseeing via 4wd tours. The one drawback here is that you must be accompanied by a Navajo guide, no solo trips allowed. Up above the canyon there are some great views of the canyon floor and Spider Rock. My wife Janene and I spent a couple of days boondock camping at a secluded site above Spider Rock that still after 43 years of camping ranks as one of our top 5 spots. Have fun in your travels, and if you come through Bernalillo, NM give us a call, we're in the book.
 
LeoJan,

Regarding the trip into Keet Seel, is a guide required for it if backpacking? I appreciate the tip about the quicksand. Is it correct that once you arrive at the ruin you can pitch a tent near there for the night?

I already have Canyon de Chelly Natl. Monument on my itinerary. Thanks for mentioning it though in case I wasn't aware.

I'll take a look on the map tomorrow to see where your town is located. If close to my route, I will give you a call.

Thanks,
Hutch
 
Hutch

The last time I was in there about 6 years ago, a guide was not required to backpack into the canyon. However I would check with Navajo Natl. Monument Hqs. to make sure that has not changed. Over the last 5 years or so there has been a significant amount of looting of Anasazi artifacts from some of the Native american archeological sites so regs are constantly changing. At the time we were there all you needed was a permit, also required at Chaco Canyon. The theory was that anyone who takes the trouble to backpack 11 miles into the canyon was presumed to be honest. Yes you camp in an area accross the creek from the ruin. There was a time limit but do not remember what the duration was.
Leo
 
LeoJan,

Thanks for the info. I will check with NNM Hdqs. to see if rules have changed.

I see that your town is just north of Albuquerque. My plan is to travel I-40 to there and then up I-25 to Santa Fe. From Santa Fe on 64 to Mesa Verde and the 4 corners region. You mentioned to give you a call if I'm in your area. I'll plan to do that on my way through (I'll PM you for contact details). Maybe we can share a meal and discuss teardrops.

I appreciate all of your info on sites to see and things to do. Good stuff!

Hutch
 
Hi Bear,

I've been building a checklist spreadsheet for several months now. I'm sure when I look your list over there will be several items I'll add.

Do you use a generator when boon-docking? I'm thinking hard about getting a 2000 watt Honda for those times when I don't have access to shorepower.

Thanks,

Hutch
 
Hutch,
I replied this AM but was having PC problems so I'm not sure if you got the message. We are on the way to Santa Fe, about 10 minutes off the highway. Santa Fe is definately worth a visit, but if you're only going through there to get to the 4 corners area, Highway 550 which runs through Bernalillo is the most direct route to the 4 corners area. By all means contact us prior to your trip through here. Pretty good restaurant here, and also the Coronado Monument site of a pueblo ruin and the place where Coronado spent the winter of 1540 and put the place on the map so to speak.

This place had culture when Plymouth, Mass. was not even a twinkle in John Smith's eye. You can camp at the monument or spend the night here since we have a spare bedroom and a hot shower. One thing to note is that we are planning a trip to Wisconsin to pick up our 550 Ultra in early spring.

After our trip we plan on visiting a lot of the places that I have been telling you about. Our first local trip will be to Bandalier National Monument. It's located right next to Los Alamos. I'm an engineer and do quite a lot of work up there. They have revamped the entire campground up there and I must say it's spectacular. If you are the scientific type you will also enjoy Los Alamos. I'm involved with a number of projects at both Los Alamos and Sandia National Labs and always feel fortunate to actually get paid for what I do, hell I would do it for nothing if I didn't need the paycheck to pay for the toys.
 
LeoJan,

I just rechecked the map and I see that Hwy 550 is a better route to the 4 corners region. I've been to Santa Fe before and have no particular need to go there this time. Even though a great Mexican meal I had there stands out in my mind.

Coincidentally, I'm an engineer as well (retired). My background is industrial and product design/development engineering management with a large mfg. corp. So, the scientific side has a lot of appeal. I hadn't planned on Los Alamos but with Badalier Natl. Monument near by I may reconsider.

Congratulations on your new 550 Ultra. You'll love it! I plan to begin my trip in mid-April and will be in your area shortly thereafter. If you're on your trip that's great. If not, I'll plan to call you and perhaps we can catch that meal together. I'll PM you before I leave here to see what your status is.

I really appreciate all of the great information you and others have provided on some great sites to visit in the 4 corners region.

Hutch
 
Hutch,

Visiting 4 Corners is interesting.....glad to say I have been there.

While in the area, suggest visiting Shiprock, NM
Tsé Bit' A'í (Shiprock) is a rock formation rising nearly 1,800 feet above the high-desert plain on the Navajo reservation, about 12 miles southwest of the northern New Mexico town of Shiprock. Shiprock is composed of fractured volcanic breccia and black dikes of igneous rock called "minette." It is the erosional remnant of the throat of a volcano, and the volcanic breccia formed in a diatreme. The exposed rock probably was originally formed 2,500-3000 feet below the earth's surface, but it was exposed after millions of years of erosion. Wall-like sheets of minette, known as dikes, radiate away from the central formation. Radiometric age determinations of the minette establish that these volcanic rocks solidified about 27 million years ago. Ship Rock is in the northeastern part of the Navajo Volcanic Field; the field includes intrusions and flows of minette and other unusual igneous rocks that formed about 25 million years ago. Shiprock's sheer walls make it tempting for serious mountain climbers. After years of standing as one of the continent's great unsolved climbing problems, it was first scaled in 1939, by a Sierra Club party including David Brower. Since then at least seven routes have been climbed on the peak, all of them of great technical difficulty. However, questions of legality, ownership, and religious significance have always made access to Shiprock dubious. In particular, the Navajo have a number of legends associated with Shiprock, and consider it sacred, so climbing it is currently illegal.

For those of you without off-road capability/courage, there is a highway marker on Rte 666 just north of the intersection with BIA 13. FYI, fencelines move occasionally so be watchful for an entry point. Shiprock, located in northwestern New Mexico, is a most impressive example of a volcanic neck, or a central feeder pipe. The remnant of an eruption around 30 million years ago during the Oligocene, it is the basalt core of an extinct volcano. Near the main peak, one can see small pinnacles, the remains of smaller auxiliary volcanic vents. The structure is composed of "diatreme".


Utah: Goblin Valley State Park to see the "Goblins". Also able to hike a slot canyon, which will require some climbing over large bolders.

Momument Valley, a Native American natural park. Neat to drive during daylight and sunrise. There is a campground available. Staying onsite allows you access at sunrise.

Oh, the recommendations can run forever. Pick your priorities and go from there.

Jean
 
Jean W,

The areas you mention, Shiprock, Monument Valley, etc. are indeed on my itinerary of "To Do" locations. I appreciate your in depth analysis and geology lesson too. Other than just another beautiful view, the history of the land and indigenous peoples is the kind of stuff that makes a place extra special when standing there surveying all that is before you. The sort of stuff that makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck.

I believe this, in part, is what made the whole area such a spiritual place for the Navajo. I know it will be a spiritual experience for me while I'm there too.

Thanks for sharing.

Hutch
 
Hutch,

Do yourself a favor, when you are in the Southwest on a moonless night. Grab a blnket and when there is no moon put it on the ground and look at the stars. Our part of the country has some very dark places, and when you look up you will come as close to eternity as you will ever get while on this earth. The low humidity minimizes the refraction of light through the atmosphere and it is mesmorizing.
Leo
 
LeoJan said:
Hutch,

The low humidity minimizes the refraction of light through the atmosphere and it is mesmorizing.
Leo
Click to expand...

LeoJan,

Thanks so much for the lesson on why the desert is so "black" at night. I never thought about low humidity and light.

Jean
 
Following the visit to Tsé Bit' A'í (Shiprock) towards 4 corners, traveling companion and I viewed the maps hoping to find an adequate route to 4 corners.

Well, learned via an interesting drive, that highway and county roads listed in NE corner of Arizona reservation land may be no more then a well used 4 wheel path.

The drive was interesing, thank goodness for a high clearance vehicle! For the life of me I can't find the "highway". Learned if the pavement ends, proceed no further!!!

We survived and to this day is a trip well remembered and lesson learned.

Jean
 
Leo,

Excellent point. I will do exactly that. I plan to spend several weeks in the southwest area so I will undoubtedly have a few occasions to experience star gazing on a moonless night.

I followed up on the Navajo Natl. Monument website about the Keet Seel hike. It's still ok to do an overnight hike into the ruins. You do have to have a permit and they only have 20 permits per day. They do allow reservations to be made in advance for obtaining a permit.

I'm hoping the night I'm tent camping at the ruins is a moonless night. I'm sure it will be like none other I've ever experienced star gazing.

Keep the good advice coming. I'm making note of it all.

Thanks,

Hutch
 
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