Sunday, July 17, 2022

Summer Heat Escape Trip Summary

We got out of DFW as the string of 100ºF+ days began. We headed to higher elevations. The old rule of thumb is that it's about 5ºF cooler for every thousand feet you climb in elevation. We spent most of the trip in SW Colorado and northern New Mexico. Here's our general route:

The first two days and the last two days are just powering through the plains.
This was our 4th major trip in our Winnebago Travato and, ironically, we returned home on the same date we departed on our first trip last year. Here's the summary data and a few highlights from this most recent adventure:

STATS
Miles Driven: 2,767 miles

Average miles/day: 120

Time Driving: 63 hours

Avg Speed: 43 mph

MPG: 17.4 (vehicle calc); 16.5 (actual)

Gas Used: 168 gallons

Gas Cost: $731 ($32/day) - avg of $4.36/gallon

Sleeping locations - cost avg ~$25/night
  • State Parks, National Parks, Forest Service Campgrounds (13)
  • Private Campgrounds (5)
  • Boondocked (1)
  • Moochdocked in driveways of relatives and friends (3)

Food

  • Cooked most meals in the van.
  • Stopped for groceries 3 times.
  • Ate out a few times.
  • Avg cost per day = to what we would have spent at home.
  • We ate very well, but increased activity (hiking) helped me shed a few pounds on the trip.
Highlights
  • Cool air. Temperatures were very pleasant for most of our trip. Down to 39ºF and highs in the 60's and 70's in most locations.
  • We had not visited Great Sand Dunes National Park, and we really enjoyed it there. Nearby Zapata Falls was also a highlight. Great Sand Dunes Blog Link
  • The clothing optional Valley View hot springs was nice. Several natural hot spring pools pour out of the mountain side. The lack of clothing was not weird and everyone was very nice. (no photos)
  • We spent some time around Cañon City, CO. We rafted and enjoyed some nice hikes. Canon City Blog Link.
  • We rafted again in Browns Canyon - one of my favorite rafting trips. We also visited the south rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Browns Canyon & Black Canyon Blog Link
  • My favorite part of the trip was the 3 nights we spent in the city owned campground in Telluride. It was walking distance to almost everything - from hiking trails, to the adjacent city park, to the businesses on the main streets. It was nice to not drive for a few days. Telluride Review Blog
  • In the Jemez area we enjoyed Valles Caldera and the Gilman Tunnels (and the geology of the area) along with the excellent Jemez Museum at Walatowa. Final Days of the Trip Blog

Photo Highlights

Tunnel Trail in Cañon City, CO

Rail and Raft in Cañon City

Skyline Drive in Cañon City

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Cornet Falls in Telluride
Bear Creek small falls at our campground
Bear Creek Falls hike
High above Telluride
Bridal Veil Falls in Telluride
Lizard Head Pass
Lowry Pueblo ruins

Sand Canyon Trail

Abiquiu Lake

Near Ghost Ranch

Valles Caldera

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes NP

Zapata Falls

Gilman Tunnels near Jemez
- Paul



0 comments:

Post a Comment