From South of Grand Junction CO, we headed West to Loma, and north on Highway 139 just this side of the UT State Line. The climb up Douglas Pass was memorable; what an unbelievable grade. Mud flow in one steep area had crossed the Road, but had been Bulldozed through and dried. At the ~8,250' summit, a County Road went East. ~1/2 mile up, a 2 track path climbed to a Microwave Tower. I walked it to ensure our low-slung, rear-Plumbing TT would make it. In the heat, the breeze and evening at the top was Heaven! Only the growing Fire in AZ affected the endless view. Fortunately, the Pooch was on a Leash when I opened the TT Door at dusk only to have 3 Deer 'stare us down' as we invaded their turf.
The next day, it was down through Ranches laced with Oil/Gas Wells to Rangely CO, and up to Dinosaur CO. After checking out Maps and Info at the Vernal UT Visitor's Center to the West, it was North to Flaming Gorge up another amazing grade w/12 switchbacks.
As the Road cut through dramatic Formations, Signs pointed out facts like 'Ancient Squid Lived Here', and so on. The reward after that challenging, Gas-guzzling climb was to reach Flaming Gorge Dam and the ~80 mile long Reservoir. Of 'Cedar Springs' and 'Deer Park' Campgrounds, I set up at Utility-free Cedar Springs with a Water view just up from the Marina. 3rd Party Vendors run the $20-/night Campgrounds, and a separate $5-/day USNF Fee is req'd. Water, Hot Showers, spotless Pit Toilets and Septic Dump up the Road provided the value. A super Campground Host gave me a dual-Feed Dish Network Dish he couldn't use. It will be used at our CO Mountain House as an upgrade.
I bent the Ears of a super couple from MI when I saw their Cargo Trailer conversion, but I'll let them weigh in separately. They, too, have learned a lot on this Forum.
An amazing Campground nearby on Highway 191 was 'Firefighter's Memorial Campground'. Very new, with ~50 Spaces and stunning views like this from a safe, developed View Point:
A less-interesting Campground with Boat Launching is North near the WY State Line:
Up in windy WY, I did some 4 Wheeling along Power Line Easements, and cut dead Cedar legally for Campfires.
The Trip focus was to see the 'Sheep Creek Geological Loop'; a 'horseshoe' Road ~6 miles South of Manila UT. Here's a view shot over Sheep Creek Bay on the 28 mile drive down to Manila:
I set up Creekside in front of Navajo Rock at the $10-/night Campground ~1/2 mile off the Highway. There were 2 of us and the off-Grid Host, so the treed, peaceful spot was a super 3 day Base Camp. Prior Recon had mentioned a Campsite at 'Palisade' on this loop. Another source mentioned that Campsite was closed from drownings in a Flash Flood 'a few years ago'. It turns out that a SLC Family and 2 Nephews all drowned in 1965, and near Navajo Rock was the sole Campground remaining, safe from such flooding. Campground Rocks had Fossils in them, and some nice folks left a week of Firewood.
The Creekside Road cuts through uplift that encompasses millions of years of Geology in ~14 miles. Alpine Forest is also accessible.
VERY careful positioning of my Cellphone in Speakerphone mode allowed connecting to the Verizon Tower outside Manila to keep in touch with my Avatar.
One humorous sight was to cross into WY ~6 miles outside Manila. In an instant, the Road widens and pavement improves. ~30' across the Border, a Bar and Restaurant welcomes Fishermen and Travelers to Wild West WY!
After dumping TT Tanks back up in Cedar Springs Campground, it was down into Vernal UT and Dinosaur CO.
A right turn into the County Park above was uneventful. The straight line exit across Highway 40 while trying to avoid death-by-Semi Trucks bottomed out the Black Water Tank on a little dip, and cracked the Plumbing clean off the Tank. D'oh! A stop in back in Grand Junction at a Shop indicated the ABS can be 'welded' back together for $30-. I guess a pal and I will speed up our prior plans to flip our TT Axles for clearance, and install plates across the rear Plumbing. Had I installed the planned TT Bumper Receiver and Bike Carrier, it would have been one pricy, Frame-bending mess had those items bottomed out, too. I already had repaired a Black Water Fitting leak where the prior Owner bottomed out, so live and learn...
TT Tech Random Notes
'Heng's Roof Seal' appeared to dry solid and do a good job of sealing Roof Trim edging on the Membrane Roof.
Cleaning all Light connections fixed all outages. A left turn Filament outage was traced to corroded Brass on a Galvanized Rivet in the Bargman Light. The right Light Cover had to be razored open; the Eternabond Tape had held that tight since '89. Impressive.
I barely dented a 30 lb. Propane Bottle supply in Fridge and Stovetop operation. After reading here and on another Forum, this cautious person decided to run the Fridge on Propane while moving [but not in Gas Stations]. The older Interstate Deep Cycle/RV Battery I had around did fine running Lights when charged off the SUV every few days.
A scrap of IR-reflecting 'Astrofoil' under the Sheet made for comfy sleeping in ambient temps that bottomed out at 32 F several mornings. Small TT volume allowed the Stovetop to heat things fine while making Coffee. Of course, we've got a Smoke/CO Detector active.
Fortunately, we checked the new, covered Spare Tire during pre-Flight Inspection. None of the many Keys given me opened the Spare Tire Lock! We had it cut off on Memorial Day Weekend Sunday at a Locksmith.
All were had by a good time...
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