I’d already mentioned my wish to stop at Mesa Verde National Park to see the cliff dwelling and swinging by Grand Canyon on the way back.
I have ridden by Capulin Volcano National Monument several times and have decided it’s time to go up to the top and see the view. After checking out New Mexico state parks I decided on Sugarite by Raton — much prettier than Clayton Lake. I talked to the rangers at the park today and they said they do get snow in mid-May sometimes. I’m hoping 2010 isn’t one of those times…
Next stop will be in the southwest corner of Colorado to visit Mesa Verde National Park — I plan to camp there two nights so I have an entire day to see the cliff dwellings. From there it will be a little loop down into New Mexico and then up to Utah to Glen Canyon National Park and then head on to Zion National Park. The NPS web site mentioned heavy road construction and possible gravel roads through Zion, so it could be an interesting ride.
From Zion I want to head northwest into Nevada and go to Great Basin National Park. I had planned to bypass this stop until I saw pictures of the park and changed my mind.
From Great Basic I will head west to California to get to the rally in Yosemite. I think I will be more than ready to stay at a nice lodge and have a private bathroom and hot shower for a couple days. I’ll be in Yosemite Thursday evening through Sunday morning.
On Sunday I’m going to head south through Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National Park. I looked for a place to stay that night in Kernville and everything was too expensive — even camping was $45 a night. So I’m going to go to Ridgecrest where I was able to find a reasonably priced room.
From Ridgecrest I’m going to head north to go through Death Valley National Park and hope to make it to Williams that is near Grand Canyon. In Death Valley I plan to take Badwater Road to hit what is supposed to be the lowest spot in the United States at 232 feet below see level. I’m looking forward to the route to Williams since I will detour to take a portion of historic Route 66 outside Kingman.
Grand Canyon National Park will be the last park for the trip. From there I will head to Albuquerque to stay at a hostel and maybe stop for the night in Lubbock the next day if I’m really tired. If not it will mean a 650 mile day to get home and I’m not sure I’ll be up for that.
I have located reasonably priced motels as backup to my camping stops if it’s raining or I’m too tired to do the camping thing. Even with the Tenaya being a bit pricey for three nights (split with a roommate) I think I’ll be able to keep my lodging expenses down pretty well. I don’t eat all the much and with getting over 50 MPG, neither does the motorcycle.
So the plan is 12 days, 10 national parks, and maybe only spending $1300. Hope I can pull that off.
- Capulin Volcano National Monument
- Mesa Verde National Park
- Glen Canyon National Park
- Zion National Park
- Great Basin National Park
- Yosemite National Park
- Kings Canyon National Park
- Sequoia National Park
- Death Valley National Park
- Grand Canyon National Park
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