Planning April North Rim Trip...............

[TJRON]

I'd like to do this trip on or about the weekend of April 12th/13th. We will have to hope mud won't be a problem.
If you have a Rand McNally Road Atlas, you can get a good idea where we will be going.
The map shows some of the major landmarks and dirt roads in the area. All the roads out of Mesquite and St. George are dirt. The most central point is Mt. Dillenbaugh and there is an excellent 60 mile road from St. George that can be used if needed but we won't plan on using it. The reason I mention this is if some want to leave earlier or join later, this is the quickest way in or out. Not too adventuresome but quick.

Our trip will start in Mesquite, Nevada. I would suggest we spend the night in one of the casinos there so we can gas up and get an early morning start. From Mesquite we go about 30 miles on pavement that skirts around the Virgin Mountains. From here we pick up a very fast fun dirt highway to the AZ border, about 15 miles. The road starts deteriorating from here as we go down Grand Wash almost to Lake Mead where we find Tassi Ranch.

From here we take many different trails up to Mt. Dillenbaugh through BLM land. There are two major plateaus that bring us up to around 6,000 feet.


This view is off the main trail about three miles.

We could camp here or head off another easy 15 miles and camp under Ponderosa Pines on the main road from St. George. This area would be a good place to set up a base camp for two nights.
The map shows a road straight south from Mt. Dillenbaugh to a big bend in the Colorado River. This is Kelly Point. It's a 60 mile round trip and can be tedious but the view is spectacular.

Actually there are many side trips to the rim that are spectacular but you can only do so much with the alotted time and gas. I guess that's why I keep going there. There's always a new trail to explore! I'll post some more info and pictures between now and April.
This trip IS NOT hard core and any lifted Jeep can make it with out too much difficulty. You have to enjoy lots of wheel time and scenery or it won't be much fun!

[Robert J. Yates]

That weekend or the following are perfect for me. If I have to vote, I'll say the weekend of April 11th and be done with it.

Can we plan a side trip Ron that takes us down into the canyon if that is still accessible or open?

I also agree on staying in one of the Casinos - probably both before and after the trip as well as setting up a base camp. and then taking day trips from there.

Thanx for posting Ron

[Art Welch]

That sounds like a fun trip Ron, I'm going to do my best to make it.

[TJRON]

The thing about this area is that from the base camp there are a lot of side trips and the problem is deciding which ones to do with the time and fuel allotted. If he's not too busy my son has volunteered to drive my truck in with gas and major supplys.
Some trips:

60 miles round trip to Kelly Point (view).

30 miles round trip to
Twin Peaks (view). I've never done this and heard about it from a AZ game warden. He says there are nice views there.

180 mile interesting round trip to Toroweap View in the National Park that is absolutely amazing. Over 2500 feet damn near straight down to the river. Of course this would not have to be a round trip if we camped along the way. Also from this area there is another trail that goes down Whitmore Canyon almost to the river. I'll post some pictures my friends took there.

The way home from base camp is different then the way up. I'll also post some more on that area soon.

With the good road going to St. George, people can stay one or many nights. How much we see depends on how long we stay and how much time we are willing to put behind the wheel.

[Robert J. Yates]

Speaking of driving trucks in, can't we simply pick an appropriate place to trailer the Jeeps into then start the trip from there? I plan to trailer my rig to Nevada. JoeD is trailer capable and Art has a truck and trailers his rig as well. Frankly, I think maybe what we need to do is find out where us out of staters or flatlanders as you call us can leave this stuff unless that is, you want it all parked in your driveway

The trip down Whitmore Canyon sounds like fun so the pix will be nice.

[TJRON]

Mesquite is an 1 1/2 hour from Boulder City an about one hour from Las Vegas. St. George is another 45 minutes from Mesquite.
We could leave them at a casino in Mesquite. We could haul from there to the end of the paved and dirt road section and leave them unattended. This would not help much and is probaly not wise.
We could haul them in from St. George on 60 miles (probably two hours) of fairly good dirt road to the central area (base camp). We would then need to take a day to cover the trail I described above from that camp.
From Southern California it would be a very full day to go all the way to base camp but doable. It would be nice to have the rigs and supplys at camp and that works for me. Heck, I hauled my fifth wheel with my Jeep behind it in there. It only took about 4 hours to do 60 miles! That good road looks not so good pulling a 30' fifth wheel.
How much time do you have?
BTW Art, I hope you can make it!

[Robert J. Yates]

Ron, I am thinking of leaving on Thursday and then back for home on Monday with Tues off and returning to work Weds. In other words, a one week vacation

I have my reasons besides hooking up with you for some wheelin as to why this date and a 1 week vacation works for me.

[Paradiddle]

Originally posted by Robert J. Yates

I have my reasons besides hooking up with you for some wheelin as to why this date and a 1 week vacation works for me.

What's her name

[Art Welch]

Sounds like a good plan all around, I'd definitely prefer trailering all the way to base camp. My jeep is a bit of a gas hog so having extra fuel closer would be nice.

[Handlebars]

Ron, that sounds like a great idea! I especially like the trip to Toroweep Point and Whitmore Canyon. It's not very often that we get the opportunity to 'wheel in a national park. It looks like a full day's drive to Mesquite for me... and a full day's drive back, so I'm also thinking that a week's vacation is in order!

So that would leave 5 days to explore, I can easily carry 35 gallons of gas (or more with a little creativity) and I'm pretty comfortable carrying my camp with me. I would be happy to make a big loop from Mesquite>Toroweep Point>St. George or something like that. I'll be driving my tow vehicle so I am very flexible with starting and ending points.

[TJRON]

It sounds like a base camp is the thing to do. It's a pretty 60 mile drive in from St. George. Handlebars will love it in a Jeep, probably averaging 40-50 mph.

After doing the trails around base camp, if any are still game, we could move camp to Mt. Trumbull and go to Whitmore canyon:



I can take a nap while Handlebars hikes down to the river.

...and Toroweap:



There's some side trips out of Whitmore Canyon I would like to explore. My friends did a little bit in that area but hardly touched it. They want to go back to do some more.
Sounds good so far!

[Handlebars]

That river hike looks like a piece of cake compares to 4700 foot elevation change in 6 miles on the South Kaibab Trail.


I am soooo there! As we get closer can you give an official metting time and place for this run so I can ask for vacation time/quit my job as necessary?

Edit: Nothing turns me on more than photos of XJ's with gas cans strapped all over them in remote and beautiful parts of the Arizona desert. That is the kind of thing that I live for! I am very much looking forward to seeing some completely new scenery with some soon to be good friends.

[blkTJ]

I'd love to tag along if you wouldn't mind a new guy. I'll be driving my only vehicle so will meet everyone where ever base camp ends up. This would be my first trip needing extra gas, how much would be enough? Brian.

[Handlebars]

'Ya won't be new to me!

Whatever you do, don't waste your money on "Blitz" style gas cans. They leak and crush with changes in atmospheric perssure. Get the NATO Jerry cans, the ones with the hinged lids. I have used them for the past year and they have never leaked! I even carried a full one inside my Jeep for much of this summer's road trip, I never, ever smelled gas! You will need to get the correct spout for them, they can be hard to find. Oh, amd you might have to go out of state to buy one, California smog laws have banned them. But you an still get the leaky Blitz cans, go figure.

[Robert J. Yates]

If we can set-up a basecamp that will provide a good jumping off point for Toroweep and Whitmore Canyon - that gets the big thumbs up for me. I agree with Handlebars - its not often we can wheel inside a national park and I want to take advantage of this while its still open. I am also up for some hiking as well. Those pix are awesome Ron. Thanx for getting them posted.

Jeff, my reasons do not involve physical human bodies in the manner which you have implied

[TJRON]

I have found plastic gas cans that have the screw on vent caps that work much better than the crappy Blitz cans with the plug vents that are guaranteed to leak. I find them at marine stores for around $10. You do have to vent them once in a while in the heat though. I like them because they're easy to throw on top when they're empty.
If Robert wants to leave on Thursday maybe we could make that the official day?
All that want to leave on Thursday could hook up in a casino in Mesquite or the Flying J truck stop at the turn off in St.George and caravan from there. Any that will come another day or time can meet at the base camp. I can do a good map so it's not too hard to find.

[Jason L Williams]

If no one minds, I would also like to tag along on this one. Seeing those dates does remind me of Tax time. But, if I'm finished, I think it's time to see Arizona. I think I would also bring a fishing pole on this one. Just in case.
Jason

[blkTJ]

since I don't have a fancy rear bumper w/jerry can mounts I'll most likely have to carry it in the back... thanks for the heads up on leaks.

please advise if fishing is a possibility, it's been far too long. 4th of July weekend to be exact.

Looking forward to seeing those I've wheel'd with before and meeting everyone else.

Brian.

[TJRON]

You can fish a dry wash but I doubt you'll catch much!
Possibly a hike down the canyon to the Colorado River could make fishing possible but I doubt you'd catch much.
Fugetaboutit.

[Robert J. Yates]

Ron, are you suggesting meeting in Mesquite on Thursday and departing for base camp Friday? I was looking to depart So Cal possibly late Weds night with a sleep stop at some point or else real early Thursday morning. I was looking to then depart Mesquite again for home on the following Monday afternoon. I can stretch it another day if you think that we need the extra day.

[TJRON]

Originally posted by Robert J. Yates
Ron, are you suggesting meeting in Mesquite on Thursday and departing for base camp Friday? I was looking to depart So Cal possibly late Weds night with a sleep stop at some point or else real early Thursday morning. I was looking to then depart Mesquite again for home on the following Monday afternoon. I can stretch it another day if you think that we need the extra day.

Actually what I was thinking was to meet some time and some place in Nevada or Utah on Thursday for the drive in to base camp. The idea being Thursday would be the "meet up" day for those who need to schedule vacation or quit there jobs.
If we figure out all the details now what are we going to do the next few months?

[Joe Dillard]

Originally posted by TJRON
If we figure out all the details now what are we going to do the next few months?

ROTFLMAO!!

Ron, I had a GREAT time & this upcoming run will certainly be one worth going on!! Thanks for all the hospitality & other items you & April did for me.

I had one little problem during my track home with my electrical/alternator system. But I resolved it without too much troubles (12yr old Jeep, what can you expect?).

I'd like to make this run too, but with work commitments it's too early to tell.

BTW Ron, my youngest son Jerry is really disappointed he didn't come with us..... He's determined to join us on this run!

[Robert J. Yates]

Just bringing this back up to the top - I wanted to look at the pix again and decided to share. We are on for April 12th right?

[TJRON]

Sounds good to me!
Who is going? Lets have a roll call.........

[Art Welch]

I've got the time blocked out and barring major work conflicts I'll be there.

[HIGLET]

Originally posted by Art Welch
I've got the time blocked out and barring major work conflicts I'll be there.

Ditto for me as well. I won't really know for sure until the end of March.

[Handlebars]

I'm in!

[Paradiddle]

Ron - is base camp someplace a motorhome and trailer would fit?

I might be up for this as well.

Jeff

[Jason L Williams]

Ok. As it looks now, I will be in Sacramento the 9th and 10th. I don't get back until late afternoon and I'll still need to pack. But, since I really, really, want to go, I will depart the 11th towards base camp early Friday. Ron, I will need one of your good maps for directions to base camp. Did I mention I really want to go?
Jason

[blkTJ]

A quite large release of funds into the Jeep may make this trip impractical. How's that for a catch 22, can't afford to use it. We'll see how March pans out, I'd really like to go if the bank account permitts. Brian.