Three day trip from SoCal to Torrey Sept 21 - 23, 2022

[Groanup]

I really enjoyed doing this for spring, so I'm doing it again.

 

The plan is to ride to Mesquite NV on Wednesday, Sept. 21, and spend the night at The Virgin River Casino. (300 miles)

My starting point will be The Grizzly Cafe in Wrightwood CA for breakfast. They open at 8 am. I'll be there between 8 - 8:30.
We'll stop at the Dairy Queen in Baker for gas and a break.
Check-in at the Virgin River Casino is 4 pm if you prefer a different route.

 

Thursday the 22nd we will find our way to the Grand Canyon's North Rim for a look-see, then continue on to spend the night at Marble Canyon Lodge. (300 miles)

If you're joining us, make sure you reserve your room asap. They filled up early in the spring...

This takes us into the Grand Canyon NP, so there is a fee unless you have a senior, or annual pass.

 

Friday will be a 360 mile ride past Monument Valley, up the Moki Dugway, across the Colorado River, through Hanksville, and on to Torrey for the weekend where we will ride,
eat, drink, and generally make merry before heading for home on Sunday (but that's another story).

 

PLANNED ROUTE

 

I will try to build a gpx file for this route. I'll share it when it's ready...

 

We will take appropriate breaks each day of course.

 

If you missed doing this in the spring this year, here's another chance to see places like this.

 

[Dennis Andress]

Okay, I'm envious... I also want to get my house on the market sooner rather than later. I will be back to ride this again.

 

I drove the P car up the Moki Dugway last week. It was in sad shape with bad washboarding most of the way up. The downward side had lots of little ravines carved across it from summer monsoons. How about staying in Jacob Lake (the food is better) and then going north on US 89A to SR 12?

[Dennis Andress]

35 minutes ago, Groanup said:

Friday will be a 360 mile ride past Monument Valley, up the Moki Dugway, across the Colorado River,...

 

You got to stop more than once on the way up the Moki Dugway to realize that dirt road leads to the Valley of the Gods.

[Groanup]

52 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said:

 

You got to stop more than once on the way up the Moki Dugway to realize that dirt road leads to the Valley of the Gods.

 

I do realize. And if I had the bike/tires for it, I'd attempt that drive...

[Dennis Andress]

2 minutes ago, Groanup said:

I do realize. And if I had the bike/tires for it, I'd attempt that drive...

 

(I meant the dirt road off in the distance)

 

I wonder if it's even worthwhile to drive into the Valley of the Gods. There's two or three good place to stop on the way up the Dugway.

[Groanup]

1 hour ago, Dennis Andress said:

I drove the P car up the Moki Dugway last week. It was in sad shape with bad washboarding most of the way up. The downward side had lots of little ravines carved across it from summer monsoons. How about staying in Jacob Lake (the food is better) and then going north on US 89A to SR 12?

Is it really THAT bad that I shouldn't ride my Versys on it for a couple miles? I did Burr trail to Bullfrog with plenty of washboard. Is it any worse than that?

[longjohn]

1 hour ago, Dennis Andress said:

Okay, I'm envious... I also want to get my house on the market sooner rather than later. I will be back to ride this again.

 

I drove the P car up the Moki Dugway last week. It was in sad shape with bad washboarding most of the way up. The downward side had lots of little ravines carved across it from summer monsoons. How about staying in Jacob Lake (the food is better) and then going north on US 89A to SR 12?

That’s food for thought. Although seeing monument valley and moki dugway and riding on 95 was great there were looong stretches of north az with little scenery. 

[mrduck]

Okay, I'm envious.... I will be back to ride this again.

 

Excellent! Always good to have our local native guide along…….

Moki Dugway and North Rim have been on my list of places to say I’ve been to, this is gonna be good!

 

See ya in Wrightwood

Don J

[Dennis Andress]

2 hours ago, Groanup said:

Is it really THAT bad that I shouldn't ride my Versys on it for a couple miles? I did Burr trail to Bullfrog with plenty of washboard. Is it any worse than that?

 

Rainbow.

[Groanup]

49 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said:

 

Rainbow.

Shouldn't be a problem then... 

[LBump]

OK.  Need to make decision. Will we visit the 'Wave' rock formation?

[Groanup]

2 hours ago, LBump said:

OK.  Need to make decision. Will we visit the 'Wave' rock formation?

I'm pretty sure there's some kind of lottery or reservation system to visit "The Wave".

However, if you have a way to get in, it's a short side trip if you'd rather do that than the north rim.

THE WAVE LOTTERY

[Groanup]

On 8/2/2022 at 12:47 PM, longjohn said:

That’s food for thought. Although seeing monument valley and moki dugway and riding on 95 was great there were looong stretches of north az with little scenery. 

 

Speaking of "food for thought"...

One option would be to go through Zion to 89 and head south. You can still visit the North Rim and end up in Marble Canyon, while bypassing those looong stretches of Arizona.

According to Google Maps, it would take an extra hour, and add about 16 miles to the day.

I've personally never been through Zion. Every time I mention it, I'm told about the terrible traffic so I've avoided it.

[Dennis Andress]

7 hours ago, Groanup said:

One option would be to go through Zion to 89 and head south.

 

 

That could work. Local tourism is down this year. I've had a couple really pleasant rides in the park. Get there early, before 8:00 am, and the world is your oyster! Break the group up so everyone can stop when they want and meet at the Thunderbird. 

 

[Groanup]

3 hours ago, Dennis Andress said:

 

That could work. Local tourism is down this year. I've had a couple really pleasant rides in the park. Get there early, before 8:00 am, and the world is your oyster! Break the group up so everyone can stop when they want and meet at the Thunderbird. 

 

Plus it'll be a Thursday... 

This has me rethinking Wednesday night though. I think staying in Hurricane Would make it much easier to hit Zion before 8 am.

[Dennis Andress]

La Verkin. Hotel Zion looks old and cheap. La Quinta looks new. River Rock Roasting Company (not their coffee only outlet next to La Quinta) opens at 6:30 am; good food. Many people commute to Zion for work, early morning traffic will be moderate. There are two passing lanes. Springdale police patrol from about half-way through the second on to the gate.

 

 

[Rob Nowell]

6 hours ago, Dennis Andress said:

the Thunderbird

THOSE ho's pies are good

[Dennis Andress]

I forgot...  The Thunderbird is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

[LBump]

6 hours ago, Dennis Andress said:

I forgot...  The Thunderbird is closed Wednesdays and Thursdays.

 

Need to bake some PIES for da road!  

 

Duck to the courtesy phone...

Can Annie do up some circle scrumptious pies for this ho down?  You can pack them in your top  case . 

[Groanup]

That's disappointing...

Still, it's a good place to meet back up if we get separated going through Zion.

 

[Rob Nowell]

11 hours ago, Groanup said:

That's disappointing...

Still, it's a good place to meet back up if we get separated going through Zion.

 

check out that "Pies Road Trip" link I sent, too...maybe some other Ho will have pies for you

[Groanup]

Slight change of plans...

 

I've decided to stop in Hurricane for Wednesday night instead of Mesquite. I want to go through Zion, and an early start seems to be best. Early breakfast Thursday, and hit the road. Lots to see!

I reserved a room at the Rodeway Inn in Hurricane. This is where we stayed in the spring, and it was a decent place for a decent price. There are other options in Hurricane and 5 minutes away in La Verkin.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

 

Updated ROUTE

 

On 8/19/2022 at 9:55 AM, Rob Nowell said:

check out that "Pies Road Trip" link I sent, too...maybe some other Ho will have pies for you

 

I saw that. Planning on stopping at one of them on the way to Mesquite Sunday. I'll let you know if it lives up to the hype.

[Groanup]

 

Here are the GPX files for the trip to Torrey. One for each day.

 

Wrightwood to Hurricane F22.gpx

Hurricane to Marble Canyon F22.gpx

Marble Canyon to Torrey F22.gpx

 

Let me know if you have any problems with them.

[longjohn]

On 8/4/2022 at 11:23 PM, Groanup said:

I'm pretty sure there's some kind of lottery or reservation system to visit "The Wave".

However, if you have a way to get in, it's a short side trip if you'd rather do that than the north rim.

THE WAVE LOTTERY

I don't think visiting the wave on fully loaded touring bikes is plausible.  It's a six mile round trip hike, not including the hiking you do while there.  Lots of water will be needed.  There have been 5 deaths related to the wave, and four of them heat related.  There is also an 8mi clay based dirt road to get to the parking lot off of 89.

 

edit:  blm did up the number of daily visitors from 20 to 48, I think. 

[Rob Nowell]

All this talk has me wishing I could tag along.  Unfortunately, I am temporarily unretired:  I accepted a volleyball coaching position at a rival school when the kids were in danger of not having a season for lack of a coach.  This also means I don't get to Montana for the Homecoming game, but, if I had my druthers, I'd be riding five days with you fellas.  Have fun and be safe.  I hope Mother Nature throws out some great weather for you!

 

Rob

[Dennis Andress]

IN for The Zion Cruise, the North Rim, Marble Canyon and Torrey. I'll skip the Moki Dugway.

[Jim_B]

On 9/17/2022 at 5:41 PM, Dennis Andress said:

IN for The Zion Cruise, the North Rim, Marble Canyon and Torrey. I'll skip the Moki Dugway.

 

What kind of mileage on Friday if skip Moki Dugway?    Or, what highways from Marble Canyon to Torrey? (then and I can figure out)

 

Newly purchased bike, no accessory driving lights yet. Thought I saw a couple guys roll into Chuckwagon after dark at the spring Torrey after doing Moki. Really want to avoid after dark until I get my lights.

[Rob Nowell]

6 minutes ago, Jim_B said:

Thought I saw a couple guys roll into Chuckwagon after dark at the spring Torrey after doing Mok

That was probably myself and Michael.  We got separated when I thought we had lost a man.  We waited, turned back, lost a bunch of time, and arrived about 90 minutes after the group.  Yep, that one is on me!

[Dennis Andress]

1 hour ago, Jim_B said:

 

What kind of mileage on Friday if skip Moki Dugway?    Or, what highways from Marble Canyon to Torrey? (then and I can figure out)

 

Newly purchased bike, no accessory driving lights yet. Thought I saw a couple guys roll into Chuckwagon after dark at the spring Torrey after doing Moki. Really want to avoid after dark until I get my lights.

 

Just turn around and go back the way you came. US 89 north past Zion turn right on SR 12 and follow to Torrey. Around 260 miles.

 

 

 

I'm thinking about un-skipping the Moki Dugway...

 

[Jim_B]

4 minutes ago, Dennis Andress said:

 

Just turn around and go back the way you came. US 89 north past Zion turn right on SR 12 and follow to Torrey. Around 260 miles.

 

 

 

I'm thinking about un-skipping the Moki Dugway...

 

 

 

No worries. I am dealing with a perforated appendix. Happened on day 1 of 15 day ride in Alps. Finished ride and went to hospital after I got home. Currently stable, anticipate surgery in about 3-4 weeks. I might go 89 just to stay closer to civilization. Just in case....

[Dennis Andress]

22 hours ago, Jim_B said:

 

 

No worries. I am dealing with a perforated appendix. Happened on day 1 of 15 day ride in Alps. Finished ride and went to hospital after I got home. Currently stable, anticipate surgery in about 3-4 weeks. I might go 89 just to stay closer to civilization. Just in case....

St. George would have the only hospital in southern Utah that could deal with a burst appendix so, once you're east of Zion it doesn't really matter which road you take...

[Groanup]

1 hour ago, Dennis Andress said:

I'm thinking about un-skipping the Moki Dugway...

 

 

Dennis, do you know of any place I might find "current conditions" for the Moki Dugway? 

Looks like they're expecting thunder storms in the area Wed and Thurs. 

Would be good to know how the road looks before setting out from Marble Canyon.

[longjohn]

My jacket and pants are supposed to be water proof. 😀

 

[Dennis Andress]

1 hour ago, Groanup said:

 

Dennis, do you know of any place I might find "current conditions" for the Moki Dugway? 

Looks like they're expecting thunder storms in the area Wed and Thurs. 

Would be good to know how the road looks before setting out from Marble Canyon.

 

It's either climb the Moki Dugway with you on Friday, or ride to Hite on Saturday.

 

I looked yesterday and found a discussion board page from 2006. We've  had a wet summer. I drove up and down the  Dugway in July. It is the drainage for that mountain. The inside of every tight turn is also the low spot and the drainway off the road, carving these little rivlets in the road where the water had flowed. A GS would do okay, an RT would be cussing....    But, hey, I noticed a grader and a big pile of gravel at the bottom. The county may come around every couple of weeks, and there may be fuel in the tanks.

 

Everything east of US 89 got rain 3 days out of 5 in July and August plus a few good drenchings. It's very lush and green along US 89 and SR 12. It looks like that pattern could continue through the weekend. Torrey weather.

 

Where and When are we meeting?

 

[Dennis Andress]

Or maybe the grader is used only once a year to repair the road after winter. 

[Groanup]

Well, that's why they're called "adventures".

 

4 hours ago, Dennis Andress said:

Where and When are we meeting?

 

I believe the plan is to meet Thursday morning at River Rock Roasting In La Verkin when they open at 6:30 am.

Someone  said it's a good place for breakfast in the area.  

[Rob Nowell]

On 9/19/2022 at 1:52 PM, Dennis Andress said:

there may be fuel in the tanks

[Rob Nowell]

On 8/31/2022 at 11:40 PM, Groanup said:

 

Here are the GPX files for the trip to Torrey. One for each day.

 

Wrightwood to Hurricane F22.gpx 251.9 kB · 9 downloads

Hurricane to Marble Canyon F22.gpx 345.61 kB · 6 downloads

Marble Canyon to Torrey F22.gpx 297.12 kB · 10 downloads

 

Let me know if you have any problems with them.

Don, if you still have these available, please send them to me via email:  nowellrob59@gmail.com 

 

Thanks

[Groanup]

Rob, those attachments should still be working. You'll just need to download them onto your computer, import them into Basecamp, and load them onto your GPS from there.