The Canyon Run 2007
Questions? mailto:black_n_chrome@hotmail.com
Maggie and Bruce
The canyon run has been a desire of mine for a long time, and now after years of putting it off its ready for a go. Maggie and I have done lots of backpacking, camping and traveling and we have spent 2 trips, 8 days each, inside the Grand Canyon. It always seems to beckon us back so this time we are doing it with the Harley. The idea for this trip is to 'hit' as many of the scenic areas in southern Utah and the Grand Canyon as possible in a '5 work day off' time frame. This meant to leave on a Saturday and come back on the following Sunday. I didn't want to 'book' across to the beginning of the scenic area and miss out on the between country so I decided to pass through Yosemite and Death Valley on the way out and then the Loneliest Highway (50) on the way back.
The Trip will start and end in North Monterey County,
California (our home) and travel a 2825 mile figure 8 loop. The ride will
include Yosemite, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, Capitol Reef, Moab, Arches,
Canyonlands, Natural Bridges, Valley Of The Gods, Monument Valley, Lake
Powel, Vermilion Cliffs, North Rim Grand Canyon, Great Basin Highway, and
the Loneliest Highway 50 (Highway
50 package here)
You can always Google Earth and check out the route... some great photos of
the areas are available!
The newsletter article and some pictures, I still need to update the HOG ride planner information to what we actually did on this trip.
Yosemite
Day 1
Home to Lone Pine California
Total distance: 370 miles
Total time: 7 hours 48 minutes at posted speed limits
Google Earth
Pictures
Tioga Pass
Mono Lake
Lone Pine
Death Valley
Day 2
Lone Pine California to Saint George Utah
Total distance: 360 miles
Total time: 7 hours 4 minutes at posted speed limits
Google Earth Pictures
Owens
Valley
On The Way
Death
Valley
Zion
Bryce
Grand Staircase
Capitol Reef
Day 3
Saint George Utah to Green River Utah
Total distance: 376 miles
Total time: 8 hours 31 minutes at posted speed limits
I know this day
seems to be a long day but we will let you know how it goes!
The last hour and 14 minutes are fast from Hanksville to Green River, I was
told not much to see on this leg.
Highlights are Zion, Bryce, Grand Staircase, and Capitol Reef.
Google Earth Pictures
Zion
Bryce
Highway 12
Grand
Staircase
Capitol Reef
Highway 24
Day 3 alt
Saint George Utah to Hanksville Utah
Total distance: 318 miles
Total time: 7 hours 17 minutes at posted speed limits
These alternate routes were inspired by the many riders that have been in the areas and have given their input to me. Thanks!
This route will be a shorter ride so more time to enjoy the stops. The stops are Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and Capitol Reef National Park.
Arches
Canyonlands
Day 4
Green River Utah to Monticello Utah
Total distance: 284 miles
Total time: 7 hours 41 minutes at posted speed limits
Highlights are the Colorado River as it starts to carve through Utah, Arches, Dead Horse Point, and Canyonlands.
Day 4 alt
Hanksville Utah to Moab Utah
Total distance: 316 miles
Total time: 7 hours 22 minutes at posted speed limits
This route is said to be more scenic, the stops include Natural Bridges National Monument, Dead Horse Point State Park, and Canyonlands National Park.
Monument Valley
Day 5
Monticello Utah to Page Arizona
Total distance: 269 miles
Total time: 6 hours 17 minutes at posted speed limits
Due to showers we missed Natural Bridges and did not take the Moki Dugway. we came down through Bluff.
Highlights are Valley of the Gods (only from seen from the highway - mud road through the valley), Gooseneck, Monument Valley.
Day 5 alt
Moab Utah to Kayenta Arizona
Total distance: 295 miles
Total time: 7 hours 53 minutes at posted speed limits
In the morning we hit Arches National Park, then more Canyonlands National Park, Goosenecks State Park, and maybe sunset at Monument Valley.
Grand Canyon
Day 6
Page Arizona to Kanab Utah
Total distance: 245 miles
Total time: 5 hours 26 minutes at posted speed limits
Highlights Navajo Bridge (a pair of Condors live here), Vermillion Cliffs, Grand Canyon - North Rim.
Day 6 alt
Kayenta Arizona to Kanab Utah
Total distance: 359 miles
Total time: 8 hours 32 minutes at posted speed limits
Morning sunrise in Monument Valley then to North Rim..
Day 7 updated
Kanab Utah to Ely Nevada
Total distance: 297 miles
Total time: 6 hours 7 minutes at posted speed limits
Highlights are Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Cedar Breaks Pass, Great Basin Highway.
Day 8
Ely Nevada to Reno Nevada
Total distance: 320 miles
Total time: 6 hours 9 minutes at posted speed limits
Highlights are the Loneliest Road in America Highway 50. Beautiful ride over mountain passes and through valleys. We ended up staying in Fallon and the next day went over to Fernley to complete the survival guide.
Homeward Bound
Day 9
Reno Nevada to Home
Total distance: 319 miles
Total time: 6 hours 7 minutes at posted speed limits
This was the last day of the trip, going to Fernley then back to 50 and over to Carson City Harley Davidson for a walk in the isles of the store. Then we went through Markleeville and over highway 4, Ebbetts Pass, to Murphy and Jamestown. Then across the valley over Pacheco Pass and home.
Any questions please contact me - mailto:black_n_chrome@hotmail.com