Zion National Park

9/19/2017

We spent a week at Zion NP.  The first 3 nights we stayed at a BLM camp (free) 15 miles from the south entrance.

BLM campsite.

On the second day we learned the procedure for getting one of the "first come first serve" site at the South Campground in the park.  They start assigning sites at 7 am so we arrived at 6:30, in the dark, and were the 21st in line.

7 am, in line for a campsite.

At 10:30 we got a site, then we had to drive back to the BLM camp to retrieve the camper.  We weren't going to drag the camper to the park until we were SURE we'd get a site.  The whole procedure took a very long morning before we were settled and ready for lunch.  After hiking the first 2 days we were going to take the day off anyway.

Campsite in Zion, with "The Watchman" in the background

The Watchman at sunset from campsite.

All the effort to get a campsite "IN" the part was worth it.  Everything is within walking distance including a couple of trail heads.  The shuttle system worked great.  We liked it better than driving to a location in the park and searching for a parking place.  The South Campground has no hookups (dry camping)  so we were very conservative with our resources.  All totaled we were a week "off grid".

Now that we know the process for getting a campsite in Zion, they're changing it next March.

We talked to a camp host who said the reservation
can be made no more than 2 weeks in advance.

Zion is one of those places where you just can't stop taking pictures.  Here's a FEW of ours...

First morning, before we knew where to go
we found this "ad hock" trail at a turnout.

Then...

... and now.

Sun rising over the cliffs.

Joan, blending in, on the
Kayenta Trail.

Looking down canyon from the Kayenta Trail.

View up canyon from the Watchman Trail on
a cloudy afternoon.

Late afternoon from Weeping Rock.

Court of the Patriarchs, late afternoon.

Morning walk, up canyon on the Pa'rus Trail.

Virgin River from Pa'rus Trail

Trail along Virgin river, looking down canyon.

Coming next, A couple of nights with electricity, WAHOO!

Pipe Spring National Monument

9/26/2017

After spending 7 days dry camping at Zion, we made a couple stops for supplies then headed for the Kalbab Paiute RV Park at Pipe Spring National Monument, and a date with a loooong hot shower.

We spent the time cooking to restock the freezer with meals for boondocking.

Coming next, On the road to Gooseneck State Park, Utah.

Great Basin National Park, NV

9/17/2017
As we were planning our route to Utah we noticed a patch of green on the eastern side the Nevada map.  It was the Great Basin National Park, another National Park we'd never heard of.  Camping is very limited in the park so we booked a spot at the ONLY RV park in Baker, NV, Whispering Elm RV park and Motel. You check in at the Bar&Grill out front. 

It's really not a bad place, all the sites are thickly graveled and they have all the usual amenities of a full hook-up campground, they were just well worn.  

There's lots to do at the park and surrounding area but we only planned on two nights (one full day).  Here's some pictures from the visitors center, a scenic overlook and the Lehman Caves.

When Absalom Lehman started tours in the 1880's he felt the guests deserved a souvenir.  His moto was "if you can break it you can take it".  Obviously, that's not the current policy, but it does present an interesting opportunity to see how these amazing features formed.

Damage form over 100 years ago.

Red arrow (lower center) points to 1/2 inch growth
over the last 130+ years.

The Great Basin Winchester was found leaning against a tree in the park in 2014 where it had been for an estimated 100+ years. 

Here's a better picture from the internet 

Here's some scenic views from the park...

Coming next, Zion National Park.

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Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area

9/15/2017

Found a hidden jewel in central Nevada on the “Loneliest Road in America” , Hickison Petroglyph Recreation Area.  It’s a BLM free camp site with the benefit of a short self guided trail to the many Petroglyphs AND a bonus hiking trail system totaling over 12 miles AND a cell tower on a hill overlooking the campground with Verizon and AT&T service.  Our Verizon didn’t work for calls but the data worked fine, go figure! Our AT&T phone worked for calls.  

The campground is small (15 sites) and very tight, with only a few sites that would fit our 30’ trailer.

First turn into campground, swing wide for tree on right…

… it’s claimed many victims.  

I got close but made it unscathed. 

There was no one in the campground when we arrived so we got the best site of the 15 available, flat with plenty of room and a great view.  

There are pit toilets (but use the NEW handicapped ones in the day use area) and trash cans but no water.  We were going to spend one night but liked it so much we stayed an extra day for some more hiking and just chilled.

Here's some pics of the area...

The horseshoe shape is believed to be a female symbol.

View east from the bluff overlooking campground.

View west from the bluff.

Third of a mile access trail to trail head for 12 miles of hiking trails start at the Bolder Petroglyph, #11 on the self-guided tour.

Coming next, Great Basin National Park NV.