FJ62 Road Trip - Phoenix to Des Moines

[overton]

I bought an 88 FJ62 this week in Phoenix. I could sit at the computer for three days while they bring it to me on a transport but that's no fun.

- It's October
- A one way ticket is only $118
- I've never seen the Grand Canyon

So I say "ROAD TRIP!" Leaving this Sunday 10/8. Should be fun. I'm going to visit Grand Canyon, Antelope Canyon, Telluride, Colorado Springs, and visit a few folks along the way.

 

[3_puppies]

nice time for a trip.

 

[Rabango]

Pics or it didn’t happen

 

[lechnito]

Go for it! I just reached the halfway point on my 1500 mile road trip. These rigs are happy to take you the distance if you treat them right and aren't in a big hurry.

 

[Kmonty66]

Beautiful drive this time of year for sure!!

 

[Living in the Past]

Going to the Grand Canyon take state route 180 out of Flagstaff. Snow Bowl ski area has a lift ride to the top of the San Francisco Peaks. Great place to view fall colors in AZ. Few miles further north on SR 180 is Hart Prairie road. Believe it is FS 151. A right turn. Follow it and it brings you back to further up SR 180. Coconino National Forest has a free travel map available online. Thing to know for what ever reason the forest service decided to call the San Francisco Peaks the Kachina Peaks on the travel map. October is my favorite month in the high country of AZ. This year life got in the way and spending it in the low lands.

 

[fnpierce]

Honestly your best bet is to have your cruiser break down about half way and you never EVER make it back to Des Moines.

 

[overton]

Honestly your best bet is to have your cruiser break down about half way and you never EVER make it back to Des Moines.

LOL - Des Moines is a great place to live but wouldn't want to visit there.

 

[4Cruisers]

Here's a suggestion for a more scenic, off the beaten path route, all on paved roads:

At Kayenta, AZ, leave US 160 and turn north on US 163 to Bluff, UT, through the Monument Valley area. On the east end of Bluff, turn right on UT 162 and follow it east to Aneth, UT. UT 162 follows the San Juan River. Just before reaching Aneth, before the highway crosses McElmo Creek, turn north on Ismay Trading Post Road and follow it north and east to the Colorado border. The road generally follows McElmo Creek. Stay on that road until you reach US 160 again just south of Cortez, CO. Turn left and follow US 160 through Cortez until you reach CO 145 on the east end of town. CO 145 will take you through Dolores, CO on the way to Telluride.

If you have a little time for some hiking, there's a small trailhead parking area on the north side of the highway about 15 miles or so into Colorado on the road between Aneth, UT and Cortez. It's the Sand Canyon Trailhead in the newly created Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. There are several hikes you can do, including some loop trails, or just out and back partway up the Sand Canyon Trail.

 

[Pepperana]

Man I am jealous .

 

[3_puppies]

where are the pics of the rig?

 

[erse]

Now this is how you do a long distance 60 series purchase. I have done it a couple of times and it is an adventure. Good luck on the road and keep mud on your phone active in case you run in to any issues and somebody here can help. Like others have said post pics! you know we are all addicted to the visuals. Safe travels and I hope the drivers seat still has some cushion left in it!

 

[overton]

Here's the rig! If you see me honk!

 

[overton]

Looking at the route, in Colorado I may opt for 550 (million dollar highway) out of Durango through Silverton and Ouray up to Montrose or do you think 145 is more scenic?

 

[4Cruisers]

You could easily backtrack a few miles from Telluride and take Ophir Pass eastward, which is not paved but also not difficult at all. That way you hit US 550 south of Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway down into Ouray. It's just a few miles to Silverton from where Ophir Pass drops down to US 550, so a short backtrack before heading back north to Ouray. From Ouray you'd continue north through Ridgway on your way to Montrose and Gunnison. Taking that route would include Lizard Head Pass, Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray. That route is also a bit shorter.

That would, in my opinion, be more scenic than Cortez to Durango to Silverton to Ouray.

 

[overton]

You could easily backtrack a few miles from Telluride and take Ophir Pass eastward, which is not paved but also not difficult at all. That way you hit US 550 south of Red Mountain Pass and the Million Dollar Highway down into Ouray. It's just a few miles to Silverton from where Ophir Pass drops down to US 550, so a short backtrack before heading back north to Ouray. From Ouray you'd continue north through Ridgway on your way to Montrose and Gunnison. Taking that route would include Lizard Head Pass, Telluride, Silverton, and Ouray. That route is also a bit shorter.

That would, in my opinion, be more scenic than Cortez to Durango to Silverton to Ouray.

I've been to Ouray and Silverton on 550 and also across Ophir pass but I have never been on 145. Once in Telluride, I see there is 26A and 361 through Camp Bird to Ouray. Anyone been on that stretch?

 

[Willard]

Nice looking rig.

When I bought my first one sight unseen, I drove from Colorado to Virginia. It was a blast. Got tons of honks, lots of people approaching me at gas stations. As well as several cruiser heads for 80’s on asking tons of questions. All in all that wasted an additional 4 hours of driving on the trip, and totally worth it.
I bought a basic tool kit from Home Depot, and some fluids from an auto parts store, right after I picked it up just in case. Never needed it.

Have a great drive and take pictures.

 

[bentonrover]

Safe travels living the adventure

 

[4Cruisers]

View attachment 1550444

I've been to Ouray and Silverton on 550 and also across Ophir pass but I have never been on 145. Once in Telluride, I see there is 26A and 361 through Camp Bird to Ouray. Anyone been on that stretch?

That's the infamous Imogene Pass, which tops out at 13,114 feet. Closed now due to snow:

Road Conditions | San Miguel County, CO - Official Website

A whole bunch of us did that one day on the Solid Axle Summit:

Solid Axle Summit 2017 Official Thread

If you decide not to go over Ophir Pass, which is still open, I'd recommend the Last Dollar Road "shortcut" from CO 145 just west of Telluride to CO 62 just west of Dallas Divide, on the way to Ridgway. Last Dollar Road passes by the Telluride airport. It stays high, just off the flanks of the mountains, I imagine the aspens are showing some pretty good color about now.

I don't promise it'll be this good, but this gives you an idea of the area:

20120928-colora-1191.jpg

 

[overton]

Thanks for your advice after looking at pictures of the camp bird road I don't think I want to be on that son of a bitch in October with a truck that is new to me. I like your road better!