San Fran to NV, AZ and UT

[BMWRockster]

Desert Southwest Road Trip
August 23-September 2, 2008
Trip Summary:
Kevin Kone, Ayumi Imai, Vince Toy and Mike Seid departed the San Francisco Bay Area on August 23, 2008 for an 11 day trip to the Desert Southwest. Some thought we would be crazy to attempt a trip like this in late August. We had prepared for this trip for a few months. We knew the only way we would be able to tackle the heat would be to wear Camelbaks and cooling vest. Without them we would have failed and come home early. We all use Autocoms and Kendwood radios for bike to bike communication. We all really enjoy talking while riding to pass the time on the boring stretches.

This would be our longest trip since we began sport touring a few years ago on our own and with Pashnit Tours. Special thanks to SklyWag who helped me fine tune my ride route. Also thanks to Motorrad for posting his trip last year. We used a lot of the information. The 6 months of planning allowed the trip to go off without any issues. We had to replace a chain on one of the bikes and find and exhaust bolt that I lost for my bike, but that was it. As I have learned from the Pashnit Guy, bring a list of all the moto dealers along the way so getting the chain on one of the bikes was not an issue.

We hit NV, AZ and UT. 7 National Parks and 2 National Mouments, Monument Valley, 2700 miles. SklyWag told us to prepare for all types of weather even in August and he was right. Rain, hot (111 degrees in Needles, CA), cold, thunder, lighting. The only thing we did not hit was snow.
For us, this was an incredible trip. We took as many backroads as we could. We had to slab but there were incredible views.



Day 1-The four of us met in Livermore, the usual launch point for Pashnit Tours. The four of were excited but a little nervous as we did not know what to expect for the next 11 days. The destination for the day was Tonopah, NV about 367 miles. The route was through Yosemite, a little detour to the June Lake Loop before taking Hightway 120 out to Benton and onto Tonopah. BTW, there is gas in Benton. I did not take pictures of the ride out to Tonopah from June Lake, but really enjoyed that ride.





Took my K12S on this trip. It was a great choice for the trip. Comfortable, smooth and lots of power for passing on the desert highways.



Mike's F4i, has 50K miles on it and was rock solid on the trip. Mike packed the lightest for an 11 day trip with just a tail bag and tank bag.


Vince just got this 2008 FJR1300 right before the trip. He was going to make the trip on his R1 but decided to get the FJR. He loved the bike on this trip. Beautiful in black.



Ayumi's K6 Gixer 1000, the ultimate sport touring machine . She has as many funcational farkles to make it so she can tour on it. Helibars, Autocom with Kenwood 2 way radio, iPod, Throttlemeister, Zero Gravity Sport Touring Screen, Corbin seat.



Here is a Bag Connection luggage system we found for her bike. It worked great and held a lot of stuff. No more duffle bag and bungie cord.


Some gadgets that make the trip a little easier. I routed the whole trip on the Zumo. Radar was used a lot in all the states.


Onto Yosemite. We decided to buy a Annual National Park Pass as we would be travelling to so many National Parks and get to go to the front of the line like the Grand Canyon. $80 for a pass and its good for two bikes.



A short stop at Tenaya Lake. Everytime we go through Yosemite we always ride by. This time I wanted to stop and enjoy the lake.



After crossing the Tioga Pass, we stopped at the overlook looking down towards Lee Vining.




After gassing up at the bottom of 120 in Lee Vining we dicided to take the June Lake Scenic Loop before heading to Tonopah, NV.





Everyone decided on an afternoon nap on the shores of Silver Lake before the leaving for Tonopah, NV.

[BMWRockster]

Day 2-We went from Tonopah, NV to Kingman, AZ. It was about a 380 plus miles. We took Highway 375 towards Las Vegas. This was the longest stretch between Tonopah and Alamo Spring with 162 miles with no gas. We were all averaging about 45 miles a gallon so we knew we could all make it but to be sure Ayumi carried two 33 oz MSR fuel bottles just to be sure as she had the smallest tank. We rolled into Alamo Springs for gas and her reserve light did not even come on. So those of you that think a Sport bikes don't have the range, they do if you don't flog the throttle. We kept the speeds under 75mph and stayed in top gear as much as possible to maximize gas mileage. I am guessing Ayumi could have gotten 200 miles on that tank. My reserve light went on as I got into Alamo Springs and my computer said I could have gone another 51 miles with the gas left in my tank.

We put on our cooling vest in Rachel, Nv and as we went toward Vegas the temps climbed over 100 degrees. About 106 degrees to be exact. The heat was really kicking our butts now. We went towards Needles so we could ride part of old Route 66 from Needles to Kingman. By the time we got to Needles it was 111 degrees and I was wasted. I sat a a Mc Donalds for the better part of 2 hours trying to recover. I finally decided that Ayumi and I would slab it on I-40 to Kingman and pass on Route 66. Vince and Mike did Route 66 to Oatman and enjoyed it and met us in Kingman later that night. That leg was the hardest for me because of the heat.

A breakfast that will stick to your ribs for at least 300 miles


Leaving Tonopah, our first glimps of desolate highways











Our first stop after leaving Tonopah,NV was Rachel,NV. The people there were really nice. It was nice to get some A/C and a cold drink. Because they are on the Nellis Air Force Range, the residents said the jet fighters fly real low during pratice runs. Since it was a Sunday, the Fly Boys are off work. They said its quite a site to see them fly around and chase each other dropping flares. We did see many signs on the way to Rachel saying "Low Flying Aircraft". Too bad we did not get to see any.

[TimC]

Greats shots! Thanks for posting and giving me some ideas about my next run.

-Tim

[BMWRockster]

Day 3- On day three we went from Kingman, AZ to Sedona, AZ. About a 230 mile day. We took back roads to get there and made it an all day affair. We headed out of Kingman on I-40 then went South on Highway 93 to hook up with a back road suggested by a fellow Pashnit forum member, Highway 96 East to Highway 10 then into Prescott. This was an awesome back road. Very twisty and goaty. After lunch in Prescott we took Highway 89A to the old mining town of Jerome built on the side of a mountain. We stopped there for a break as it started raining with lots of lightning. We could hear all of the electrical activity in the air coming over our Kenwood radios. Never experienced that before riding in California.

We tried to make a run for Sedona but the afternoon monsoons had started and it was raining real hard so we opted to go to Montezuma's Castle National Mounment and check out the old indian ruins. We stayed there until the rain broke for a few hours then make a run for Sedona about 25 miles away.

A stop along Highway 97, a backroad to Prescott, AZ







Highway 89A to Jerome, AZ an old copper mining town built on the side of a mountain.







Montezuma's Castle National Monument. The ruin is believed to be over 1000 years old.



Our first sight or red rock into Sedona. We arrived about 7:00pm and the rain had let up.







Bell Rock in the background

[BMWRockster]

Day 4- We spent most of the day in Sedona as we only had 100 miles that day to get to the Grand Canyon. Ayumi and I got a 35 minute chair massage which was real nice after riding for 3 days. We decided to do a Pink Jeep off road tour that ended up being on of the highlights of the trip. The Pink Jeep tour took us off road deep into the Coconino National Forest where we got to get some great pics of the red rock. It was some serious off roading. No way a standard SUV could make the trails. No way for a street bike to get back in these areas either.
After the Pink Jeep Tour we suited up and headed up Highway 89A to Flagstaff, AZ. Again it was early afternoon so we knew were could have monsoons. Sure enough, as were we climbing up Highway 89A, it began to pour on us. I swear the rain drops were the side of golf balls. We pulled over, put on the rain gear and went onto to Flagstaff to put a new chain on Mike’s F4i.
After the light repair in Flagstaff we make way to the Grand Canyon hoping to get there in time for sunset.

Look out point on the way up to the Sedona Airport in the morning. No rain!












Off to the Pink Jeep Tour to the Coconino National Forest. I highly recommend for all. We did the Broken Arrow tour. It was 2 hours long.



























We arrived a little late to the Grand Canyon but got a glimps of what would come the next day. Mike and Ayumi's first view of the Grand Canyon. It was a milestone/acomplishment for us to make it to the Grand Canyon. The park was still crowded with sunset viewers everywhere. The annual pass allowed us to get into the park in a special line so no waiting.


Kevin pulling Mike back from the edge of the Grand Canyon

A nice place to stay at the Red Feather Lodge.


The next day will be a rest day off the bikes. We will spend the whole day at the Grand Canyon.

[BMWRockster]

Day 5-Rest Day in the Grand Canyon. We were able to leave the bikes at the hotel and take the National Park Service shuttle from Tusayan into the Grand Canyon. You must prepay park entrance fees to get onto the shuttle but we had our annual pass. So it was really coming in handy. Mike, Ayumi and I went into the park and toured around a bit before hiking the Bright Angel Trail. Mike and I went down 3 miles to the rest stop and turned around and came back up to the rim. I highly recommend hiking a little bit of the Grand Canyon. It gives you a whole different feel than just standing on the rim and looking into it. Vince opted to hang out in the morning then ride is moto into the Grand Canyon and tour around. The hike up out of the canyon was hard and we were pretty tired when we got done. We decided to head back to the hotel for some rest then ride the bikes back in to see the sunset.











The start of our decent down the Bright Angel Trail















This is California Condor #33 the same one that Motorrad took a picture of last year. Still soaring high above the canyon






We arrived back at the Grand Canyon about 6:30pm to catch the sunset. You can see the Grand Canyon looks different with the different light.













An incredible day!

[R5_350]

Hey Kevin,
What an awesome adventure! Keep the photos coming. Mile high Jerome is a funky town for sure. Montezuma's Castle, imagine having to climb up a rickety ladder to get home after a hard day's work! Did you experience any vortices in Sedona? That one photo of Ayumi looks like she is embracing the vortex! Hwy89 to Flagstaff through Oak Creek Canyon is a pretty cool ride, too bad you got rained on. Can't wait to read and see more of your trip!

[BMWRockster]

Day 6- This was be a travel day of 322 miles. Our destination that day would be Moab, UT. We tried to get an early start out of Tusyan to beat the heat as I knew we would be back in the lower desert. We went back into the park so that we could catch the Highway 64 East to get us to Highway 89 and then onto Highway 160 to Kayenta where we would turn off onto Highway 163 to go to Monument Valley. I have always wanted to see Monument Valley with all the western movies growing up. We spent a few hours at Moument Valley but opted not to drive on the 17 mile dirt road that goes out to the Mounuments with the street bikes. I just did not want to chance a crash or flat tire. The monuments were simply spectacular. After a light lunch we suited up and started heading for Moab Utah. I had done several organized mountain bike trips in Moab so I was very familiar with the area and all of the National Parks. We would first stop at Canyonlands National Park, Needles area to show everyone Newspaper Rock. I must see if you are in the area. The best display of petro glyphs that is easily accessible in the area. We all had our good days and bad days. This day would be a hard day for Ayumi due to the heat. We made sure were checking on each other during the whole ride. We slowed the pace down and got her to Moab safely. A short video of our Cool vest and Camelbaks, a must for a trip like this in the heat. http://media.putfile.com/Cool-Vest

Mike's F4i had sat the previous day in the hot sun. He noticed his bike was leaning over more than usual in the parking lot. Kickstand punched a hole deep into the asphalt.

Highway 64 heading East out of the Grand Canyon.















Our first sighting of the Mouments after leaving Kayenta.









Some Native Indians demonstrating their drumming.
Check out a sample of what we heard;
http://media.putfile.com/Monument-Valley-31







A detour to Newspaper Rock of 44 miles round trip Highway 211 off of Highway 191. We come all this way, may as well show them the petroglyphs.

Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records perhaps 2,000 years of human activity in the area. Etched into the desert varnish are symbols' representing the Fremont, Anasazi, Navajo and Anglo cultures. The exact nature of these symbols meaning is still not clearly understood. But they are typical of many sites throughout the U.S. in their use of universal symbols, be it graffiti or a true "newspaper," recording events of the times and earlier.

The area is right next to Utah Route 211, 24 miles northwest of Monticello on the main road into the Needles section of Canyonlands National Park. It is usually bypassed by travelers hurrying elsewhere. They are missing one of the finest displays of Indian rock art to be found anywhere in the U.S. This is also one of the few petroglyph sites that is so easily accessible and can be viewed and that photographed at close range.

[BMWRockster]

Day 7- Another rest day in Moab. Not a bad place to spend the day. We went and extra step here, we rented an air conditioned car for the day. After a week in the heat and all the short hiking were going to do at Arches Natiional Park we all voted for a cool A/C car after each hike. Yea, I know its cheating, but we all loved it. So we packed our Camelbaks with ice and water and headed off to Arches National Park. We even did the 3 mile roundtrip hike out to Delicate Arch. I then took the gang to Canyonlands National Park where I have done three week long mountain bike trips in the Island in the Sky District, Needles District and the White Rim Trail. Of the three sections in the park the Island in the Sky District has the best views. A trip to Moab would not be complete unless you go to Dead Horse State Park and see where the famous movie Thelma and Louise was filmed and their car was launced off the cliff into the canyon simulating the Grand Canyon. Here is the scene:

YouTube - Thelma & Louise:Ending Scene

YouTube - Thelma & Louise:Ending Scene

Arches Natioinal Park only about 1 mile from our hotel in Moab. We got to war street clothes again for the day since we rented a car for the day so we could enjoy A/C after each hike to an Arch.









Sorry for the blur, I don't have a good camera, but these are called "The Windows" arches.



Balanced Rock. This gets photographed a lot by professionals. Excuse the goofy pose

On the trail walking towards "The Windows" arches. It was so beautiful to see these arches and the blue sky.






















The hike to Delicate Arch took about an hour, all uphill. We ran into man who was coming back from Delicate Arch that was 75 years old. I sure hope we are hiking to Delicate Arch at 75. We had no excuse not making the hike at that point. It was hot but we drank lots of water. For me, this was the moment of the day when we got to Delicate Arch. We saw another small arch, hiked up to it and saw Delicate Arch throuh it. Definelty an experience and memory one will remember for a long time. Arches could break at any time, so we felt lucky to have seen it still standing. An arch broke 4 weeks ago in the park.









Mike enjoys the rental car A/C. It was a "rent a wreck" Toyota Camera with 150K on the clock. Worked fine for us. I think we paid $80 for the day.


Ayumi is the eternal rock hugger. Everywhere we go she is hugging rocks. When we are in Nor Cal she can be seen hugging trees.



The uphill trail to Delicate Arch

Mike and Vince take a break in the shade on the trail to Delicate Arch.









Dead Horse Point State Park, the site where the movie Thelma and Louise was filmed. Next to Canyonlands National Park, it does look a lot like a mini Grand Canyon. There were access roads to the bottom so if they did launch the car off the rim, they were able to clean it up.



You can see the Green River down below that cut most of this rock.





Canyonlands National Park-Island in the Sky. The Island in the Sky is the tallest mesa in the area thus the name. It has the best views of the park and you look south towards the Needles District and the White Rim.











Where Mike is laying and looking over, it was straight down. I am guessing 1000 feet.


The visitor center was closed but we had to get a picture next to the Canyonlands National Park sign looking once again like goofy tourist.

The next morning getting ready for the ride from Moab to Bryce National Park.

[BMWRockster]

Day 8-Travel day from Moab to Bryce. About 250 miles. We knew a weather front was moving from the Gulf into the Southwest. When we left the hotel at 7:00am we could feel the warm wind was already blowing. As we headed up Highway 191 we were already getting blown around on the highway. We hit I-70 and took it east for about an hour to catch Highway 24 South which connected to Highway which was one the the best roads of the whole trip. Eleveation and twisties on this section of highway. One of the mountain passes got us up to 9600 ft elevation. Our first stop was Capital Reef National Park. We did not stop long, rode about 10 miles into the park. We did not want to take time away from the final destination of the day Bryce Canyon National Park. It was only a 250 mile day, but we were all getting tired so the day felt long. Espcially since we had forgotton how to turn, this day was a lot of turns. A chance to scrub in the sides of my tires.
A first time visit for Ayumi and Mike to Bryce Canyon National Park. We hiked in the Hoo Doos (Sand Spires). Also an incredible experience. I highly recommend that you do this if you visit the park. Make the time.

Departing Moab in the morning enroute for Bryce Canyon Natioinal Park.







Lots of petroglyphs in the Fremont River Valley that runs throught Captial Reef National Park. I wanted to make sure we had time on this trip to stop and see things like this.







This petroglph was pretty powerful. It looked like a picture of an inidan family that lived in the valley. You can see the parents as larger figures then the childen next to them

Capital Reef National Park. Ayumi in the background stopped on the road taking it all in.

The Zumo reading 9600 ft elevation as we went over the Dixie National Forest before arriving at the Grand Staircase Escalante. It say 9600 feet but by the time I pulled over I lost some elevation

This is the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. The road straddles a ridge line with nothing on each side but cliffs.

I was thinking about how much work it must have taken to cut this road through the sandstone.



































A trip to Bryce Canyon National Park would not be complete unless we took a hike down into the Hoo Doos (sand spires). The hike down was a lot of switch backs and we dropped a lot of elevation real fast. To stand between the spires was a great experience.











Another incredible day at Bryce Canyon National Park.