Big 'U' across America

[wetworx]

I just spoke with my gf to prioritized destinations and (I hope) worked out a more viable schedule.

I'm sorry for dragging this post out for so long, I appreciate all your patience.

12/12 noon leave Denver, arrive at night in Arches NP (camp)
(12/13 - 12/16, Arches + Zion)
12/17 noon leave Zion > arrive at night in Bonneville Salt Flats (stay overnight)
12/18 noon leave Bonneville Salt Flats > arrive at night in Napa (stay overnight)
12/19 noon leave Napa > arrive in SF by dinner
12/21 afternoon leave SF > arrive at night in Redwood NP (stay overnight)
12/22 noon leave Redwood > Seattle
[12/23 + 12/24 (am) is buffer]


btw, I noticed that Cootrip.org lists both Vail Pass and Loveland Pass as having "Icy Spots", what alternatives do we have that are more direct than driving along I-80 (so we don't lose a day)?

[Southwest Dave]

I'm sorry for dragging this post out for so long, I appreciate all your patience.

You are most welcome but I can't see too much that has changed and the coastal part is still a problem.

You will need those "buffer" days.

Originally posted by Midwest Michael Your coastal plans are also simply not feasable. SF to Redwoods via the coast is again a very full day on the road and unless you leave at dawn, you likely won't arrive there until after dark. Redwoods to Seattle, even if you cut over to I-5 from Crescent City to Grants Pass and weather is good will likely be another 12 hour drive. That will have left zero time to spend any time in the redwoods. Going from the Redwoods to Seattle in one day via the coast is simply not physically possible.

It's a 10 hour drive from the Salt flats to Napa so you might want to leave a little earler.

btw, I noticed that Cootrip.org lists both Vail Pass and Loveland Pass as having "Icy Spots", what alternatives do we have that are more direct than driving along I-80 (so we don't lose a day)?

Sorry I don't understand ? I 70 from Denver to Moab is your most direct route and I would forget going over Loveland pass with the time you have, stick to the Interstate.

What you want to achieve is doable in the time you have weather permitting, but do you want to be setting up camp in sub zero temps in the dark ? Only you can decide what's best for you.

Edit I now see you are leaving SF 1/2 a day earlier but you will need the 23rd to achieve what you have laid out if you wish to see anything of the Redwoods, and wouldn't consider it a "buffer day", more a "must have"

[wetworx]

I see your concern, if necessary our buffer can extend to the 25th, but hopefully that won't come to pass.

we'll be monitoring the weather and our pace, with the intention of skipping parts if it appears we might fall behind.

concerning the alternate route to Utah, i noticed that the Vail Pass section of I-70 is currently 'Iced', so I was wondering that in the event I-70 is closed what other options are there besides I-80?

We would like to arrive at our destinations by night, and then enjoy the locations from dawn the following morning. I've gotten pretty proficient at putting my tent up in the cold (but will be practicing in the nights leading up to the trip), and we'll have a car, coleman blackcat and firewood to back us up if necessary. It's always best to setup before dark, but in this situation I feel we have some leeway.

man, I kinda feel bad that the subject of this thread still references a x-country drive..I'm surprised how much plans have changed.

[Midwest Michael]

Simply put, I-70 is the best, most well maintained route across the Rockies in Colorado. If conditions are so bad that they are forced to close I-70, it means that things have got so bad that world class plow crews can not keep up with the weather. If that is the case, trying to find another route across the Rockies would be a very foolish move, as there is no way that any other route will be in a safe passable condition.

Yes, you could try to go around by going up to I-80, but there is a good chance that Wyoming would also be seeing the same weather system. In any case, if that is what you run into, you're going to have to make some pretty major cuts to your plans either because you will wait out the storm in Denver, or because you'll be adding a whole lot of miles to go up into Wyoming.

I still think you are grossly underestimating the time it will take to travel up the California coast. If you don't leave SF until afternoon, you won't get anywhere near the Redwoods until hours upon hours after dark (quite possibly after midnight), completely missing out on the great scenery that is the Pacific Coast Highway.

In general, there's nothing wrong with "going" a little past dark, but you've got several legs where you're not going to get to your destination until very late at night, and thus, you're not going to have much time for sleep if your plan is to "get up at dawn."

[wetworx]

Wow, that's quite a commendation!

Something will likely give, but we'll let the weather in the coming weeks as well as our pace determine that. Hopefully things will go smoothly and what we might miss this trip we'll come back for again in the future.

Great forum btw ;-)

[Southwest Dave]

I hope you will pop by and tell us all about your experience on the road when you are done.

Have a great trip !