NotTheGuyYouKill
Member
So, southern California, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, those places? I've always wanted to visit. What's the best time of year to go and the best places to hit up?
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Anyone ever road trip through the American Desert?
- Thread starter NotTheGuyYouKill
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titiklabingapat
Member
Now would be the best time to visit. Not too hot during the day, and not too cold at night. Check out Joshua Tree National Park while you are here. I hear Death Valley is stunning as well and of course, there is Coachella Valley.
I recommend this really well narrated slideshow by Noah Caldwell-Gervais which describes his road trip and covers some of the places you mentioned.
https://youtu.be/3Mq8QzPog6E
https://youtu.be/3Mq8QzPog6E
StopMakingSense
Member
Me and my wife did a road trip through N. Arizona, S. Utah at the end of December a couple years ago, with everything in the higher elevations covered in snow, and it was fucking glorious.
Try checking out Death Valley during the Poppy explosion. Also, Death Valley is really super diverse if you take the time to check it out. From the painted rocks, to dunes, stretched pebble canyon, devil's golf course.
Best time to visit would be fall time, though, considering the temperature. Don't think I've ever camped out in the open in Death Valley during the Spring.
There's also Mojave Desert, where there are a few, small reserves you can visit with some dunes.
Best time to visit would be fall time, though, considering the temperature. Don't think I've ever camped out in the open in Death Valley during the Spring.
There's also Mojave Desert, where there are a few, small reserves you can visit with some dunes.
Poppy Fields
Stretched Pebble Canyon
(great for rock climbing)
Devil's Golf Course
fixedpoint
Member
I highly recommend it!
Zion National Park
Canyonlands National Park, great for hiking and camping.
White Sands National Monument (when not testing missiles nearby)
And of course the Grand Canyon, which cannot be reasonably captured in a photograph.
Zion National Park
Canyonlands National Park, great for hiking and camping.
White Sands National Monument (when not testing missiles nearby)
And of course the Grand Canyon, which cannot be reasonably captured in a photograph.
King Cobra
Banned
Took a road trip from Florida to Las vegas, it was pretty amazing. I've got to say the desert sunrise rivals a sunrise at the beach.
Beautiful choices.
MilkyJoe
Member
Yeah
Flew to Los Angeles, rented a fast car with no top...Drove to Vegas via Barstow and over the following days went to
Death Valley
Up through Arizona to Utah
Zion National Park
Brycee Canyon
Lake Powell
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Back to Vegas
Stayed in Vegas a couple of days then drove from Vegas to San Diego
Stayed there a couple of days then back to LA and and flew home
We went in February
That way not too hot
Flew to Los Angeles, rented a fast car with no top...Drove to Vegas via Barstow and over the following days went to
Death Valley
Up through Arizona to Utah
Zion National Park
Brycee Canyon
Lake Powell
Grand Canyon
Hoover Dam
Back to Vegas
Stayed in Vegas a couple of days then drove from Vegas to San Diego
Stayed there a couple of days then back to LA and and flew home
We went in February
That way not too hot
A couple of years ago, my wife and I flew to Denver, drove from Denver to Las Vegas, and hit:
Vail
Aspen
Black Canyon of the GUnnison
Mesa Verde
Moab
Arches
Canyonlands
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon (both rims)
Bryce Canyon
Zion
on the way. It's one of the best road trips I've ever done. The Rockies are spectacular, and then you end up in the Southwest Desert, and it's such a staggering transition.
We went in the late October, actually cut it pretty close on some of the passes through the Rockies, but it was great weather the whole time. It was actually during the government shut down a few years ago, and we got lucky because the made a deal to open national parks up literally right before we got to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Because of the uncertainty, places were pretty empty.
Vail
Aspen
Black Canyon of the GUnnison
Mesa Verde
Moab
Arches
Canyonlands
Monument Valley
Grand Canyon (both rims)
Bryce Canyon
Zion
on the way. It's one of the best road trips I've ever done. The Rockies are spectacular, and then you end up in the Southwest Desert, and it's such a staggering transition.
We went in the late October, actually cut it pretty close on some of the passes through the Rockies, but it was great weather the whole time. It was actually during the government shut down a few years ago, and we got lucky because the made a deal to open national parks up literally right before we got to Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Because of the uncertainty, places were pretty empty.
bengraven
Member
adamsappel
Member
My brother and I did a cross-country trip from Maryland to California. I thought New Mexico was a the most beautiful. Parts of Arizona could have been Pennsylvania, there was so much forest. Nevada is the most inhospitable, hellish landscape I've ever seen.
djplaeskool
Member
Done it on a few occasions.
Used to live in the CA desert (Ft. Irwin/Barstow).
Several trips through Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, and Meteor Crater.
I love these arid climates and landscapes so much.
In fact, Heading back to Vegas next month.
Used to live in the CA desert (Ft. Irwin/Barstow).
Several trips through Vegas, Hoover Dam, Grand Canyon, Petrified Forest National Park, and Meteor Crater.
I love these arid climates and landscapes so much.
In fact, Heading back to Vegas next month.
Cheers for this, will watch later.
MilkyJoe
Member
There was a certain level of inspiration to the trip...
Bryce canyon was really good
Tell me about the fucking golf shoes...
I live out there, honestly can't think of a more beautiful place in the world. Hit up Zion, Bryce, Monument Valley, and the Grand Canyon. If you really want your mind to be blown go to Lake Powell and see if you can't get a ride on the tour boat or camp out with a friend on the water. It's my favorite place to go.
kamineko
Does his best thinking in the flying car
Great picks.
TC, yeah, lots of lovely stuff out there. More amazing places than one can easily visit.
It's a long damn time in a car, though. Be prepared.
FelixOrion
Poet Centuriate
Ntgyk, with your fondness for motorcycles and nature and stuff, you should totally come to S. Dakota in early August and come to see the Sturgis rally while also checking out the Badlands and the Black Hills.
NotTheGuyYouKill
Member
That sounds like fun too.
I'm thinking renting some muscle car and pretending like I'm in the 70s.
NotTheGuyYouKill
Member
Okay, so slight update/trying to schedule things.
I'll likely go in October versus now, assuming the weather will remain nice and not be quite as hot, plus work slows down so I can get away for a couple weeks.
Thinking about going to San Francisco, Grand Pacific Highway, and Death Valley. If I'm going along this route, what's there to see and experience?
I'll likely go in October versus now, assuming the weather will remain nice and not be quite as hot, plus work slows down so I can get away for a couple weeks.
Thinking about going to San Francisco, Grand Pacific Highway, and Death Valley. If I'm going along this route, what's there to see and experience?
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