wow!! amazing pics! Y'all had a fantastic trip!
wow!! amazing pics! Y'all had a fantastic trip!
Java (October 23rd, 2018)
___________
James Orofino
1970 CJ5
1958 Willys Wagon
great pics, thanks for sharing. That scenery never gets old.
I hope to be there for Thanksgiving!
Brian (October 27th, 2018)
Hey Jim - how did the return via Castleton-Gateway rd go? Might be heading SW (Phoenix eventually) for our holiday travel via Moab area for a day to two and thinking that would be a great way to get there. thanks!
___________
James Orofino
1970 CJ5
1958 Willys Wagon
1) I hope to have trip photos up this weekend
2) Castleton <> Gateway route:
I'd consider running this route again - though only in the dry. In the wet, there were two or three sections of road - mid trip (long turn around) - that had tire trenches of mud (now dried). It likely was not a fun section for those people.
Castleton Valley - pavement. Nice scenery. Scant traffic.
The eastern end of the valley the road starts to climb up - not any serious climb though. One or two spots, higher up, offered a nice view west over the valley with the mountains to the south.
It is paved all of the way to (and 1/4 mile past) the Fisher Valley Overlook. The overlook is improved over the current Google Satellite view - there's a vault toilet and an info sign. Beyond the new fence apparently is a short walk to dinosaur footprints. I didn't do the walk. If daylight, I'd stop at the overlook. I spent only a couple minutes at the overlook - nice but not stellar for views.
The mid-section had a couple roads where I did the odo check with FunTreks to ensure I was taking the correct route at an intersection. Generally - always stay on the larger used road (there were a couple that were almost equal).
The mid-section - no stellar scenery. Cattle grazing. I did encounter cattle on the road at each end - Castleton valley (on the climb up) and in John Brown canyon (on the drop down to Gateway).
Eastern section - John Brown canyon & ranch up top. The John Brown canyon was scenic / enjoyable. Where JB canyon meets CO-141 at Gateway is where asphalt starts.
In all - the roadway was reasonable. Speeds of 20/30mph typical. No crazy sections of washboard or potholes.
GPS Times
3:50pm Start Castleton Road (@ Colorado River / UT-128) 4:28pm Arrive Fisher Valley Overlook 5:30p UT/CO state line 5:52pm Arrive at Gateway CO (+ spend 10 minutes there) 7:11pm Enter I-70 at Clifton CO
Me, in the jeep (2014 trip), westbound via I-70 / UT-128, 1h 50m I-70/Clifton to UT-128/Castle Valley
Our trip up UT-128 to Top of the World from Moab it was 19 minutes from the meet spot to the Castleton Valley turn.
Stops
2 min - Castle Valley floor map check
1 min - Castle Valley - vista over the valley
9 min - Fisher Valley Overlook
5 min - Pop/Beer can roadside trash pickup
4 min - tree limb trim (one of those deadfalls that's like a spear at the roadside)
2 min - UT highlands map check
Vehicles / People
Western end - Utah - about 4
Eastern end - CO / JB Ranch - 1
alanmikkelsen (November 9th, 2018),FINOCJ (November 9th, 2018)
Pfew - I'm FINALLY done with the trip report. Lots-O-Pix. Three SHORT vids (two of low quality).
Enjoy!
www.JimWilliamson.net/automobile/2018-10-18--moab-2018/
Brian (November 19th, 2018),FINOCJ (November 19th, 2018),JandDGreens (November 19th, 2018)
alanmikkelsen (November 19th, 2018)