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What ELSE would you do/see on your roadtrip?

Original Post
dlm · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 5

I'll be driving from North Carolina to California from early July to late August, then doing the return trip from maybe early October to mid November. My tentative route takes me to Denver, then up through Wyoming, maybe as far north as Montana, then back down through Yellowstone and the Tetons, over to SLC, continuing west to Yosemite, and down the coast to San Diego. On the return trip I hope to hit Jtree, Red Rocks, and Zion before heading back east.

Clearly there's a lot of climbing to be done on that route and I've got that part mostly figured out. My question is not about the climbing but about the OTHER things on this route that are not to miss. I'm interested in trying as many other activities as possible and/or seeing whatever natural wonders our country has to offer. Should I stop and see the salt flats near SLC? Death Valley? Grand Canyon? Mountain biking in southern Utah? Canyoneering? Kayaking? Any noteworthy hikes? Other parks to hit? Someone want to teach me to fly a wingsuit? (OK that one is probably a stretch... but seriously that'd be awesome)

I know I won't have time to do everything and climbing will definitely be my main focus. But I also hate to drive right by something totally awesome without stopping to check it out. So, outside of climbing, what is the coolest thing you've seen or done in the vicinity of the route I'm taking? I have a lot of climbing/hiking/camping experience but would consider myself a beginner biker/paddler and will not have any activity specific gear outside of climbing gear. But I'm not opposed to renting stuff if that's an option. I'm open to any ideas... so let's hear 'em!

FrankPS · · Atascadero, CA · Joined Nov 2009 · Points: 276

See the Grand Canyon? (not really an "activity" but worth seeing at least once)

johnthethird · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jan 2012 · Points: 5

If youre in wyoming for Devils Tower, then go check out Wall Drug, SD. It is totally not awesome but worth seeing at the same time.

vincent L. · · Redwood City · Joined Jan 2005 · Points: 560
Carson River Hot Tubs

Travertine Hot Tubs

Lower Travertine

I would visit some natural hot tubs on the way back when it's cooler , these are all on the E. side of the Sierra . There are many hot tubs in the Mammoth area also ....
Mike Belu · · Chicago, IL · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 135

Sounds like an awesome trip. An area that looks interesting to me would be Devils Tower (already mentioned), but not far from there is custer state park and Mt. Rushmore. Both areas are supposed to have good climbing. I believe custer state park has an area called the needles that looks cool.
For non climbing, what about the carlsbad caverns?

MTKirk · · Billings, MT · Joined Dec 2011 · Points: 245

From Denver I would head to Devils Tower (it will be blazing hot by then you'll have to climb very early & camping will be HOT), great climbing and a truly unique geologic feature. Then Rushmore is worth seeing, besides the nearby climbing. The Needles are neat to see even if you don't climb there. I like history so I really enjoyed visiting Custer Battlefield on the Little Big Horn and Pompey's Pillar on the Yellowstone. By this time you'll be sick of the great plains (and the heat) so head to the little town of Red Lodge (there's some great backcountry climbing, but it requires commitment). From Red Lodge drive up the Beartooth Highway, plan to take an entire day (or longer, camping , hiking, climbing,biking, & sometimes skiing opportunities abound) just to drive from Red Lodge to Cooke City, stop a lot to take in the view - it's mind blowing! You enter Yellowstone park near Cooke City through the North East entrance.

Craig N · · Madison, WI · Joined Jun 2011 · Points: 15

I would drive up to arches and canyonlands in utah and over to Mesa Verde near cortez, co. Mesa Verde was awesome and a place I would definitely go to again. Grand Canyon is cool if you haven't been but would be packed to the gills with tourists that time of year.

If you are looking for a hike in the Tetons the Paintbrush Canyon / Cascade Canyon loop has some nice views. I prefer to go up Paintbrush and back down Cascade, you get a view of the Grand most of the way down off the paintbrush divide, and I would think by late July or August the divide should be melted out. If not you may need an ice axe and/or crampons.

In Yellowstone if you want an awesome view of the Grand Prismatic Spring, head north from the Old Faithful area and there should be a parking area for a bike trail on the left between biscuit basin and the grand prismatic parking area. Take the bridge across the river and follow the bike path maybe half a mile. The path goes along the bottom of a large hill on the south side of the trail, after that half mile or so you will notice on the left an unofficial trail up the side of the hill. Expect to be climbing over logs and downed trees to get up but once you get up the hill you will have the most spectacular view of the spring in the park, definitely worth the bushwhacking.

Mikey Seaman · · Boise, ID · Joined Sep 2010 · Points: 5

When you cruise through devils tower and wall drug area, skip Rushmore and check out crazy horse. It's no where near completion but way better than Rushmore, IMO. Nice koa at devils tower too.

+1 for custers last stand memorial.

And don't skip out on badlands national park. Even if you just drive through, it's friggin awesome.

Wall drug is a must stop but not much going on.

Locker · · Yucca Valley, CA · Joined Oct 2002 · Points: 2,349

Beat off a lot.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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