Where’s Ollie?

[Boudicca908]

On 12/6/2025 at 7:55 PM, jd1923 said:

Boondocking on FR 401

Are you accessing off 4 Peaks Rd? or from the east via the El Oso Road? I hope to make it into Arizona next year.

[jd1923]

On 12/8/2025 at 9:51 AM, Boudicca908 said:

Are you accessing off 4 Peaks Rd? or from the east via the El Oso Road? I hope to make it into Arizona next year.

We entered from the east, Hwy AZ-87 to Cline Cabin Rd to FS 124 then 401. Dirt as soon as you leave AZ-87 and it's a long way to Four Peaks. We drove about 6 miles to where we camped. This route and the one via El Oso Rd both go all the way to the wilderness area. It would take a good 2 hours on dirt to go the whole way! "The Rolls OHV Area" is on this route which was fine for an overnight, but even though we did dirt riding for 20 years, I do NOT like to camp with engine noises and the dirt in the air the OHV creates! Perhaps El OSO is better? It's a shorter run off AZ Hwy-188.

Edited December 9 by jd1923

[taylor.coyote]

Mather campground Gand Canyon NP

An amazing week to be in Grand Canyon N P.  The main water supply is shut down for repairs and the whole Park is almost empty. That would be Hotels, campgrounds, parking lots and South rim drive. The park is a ghost town. We are among the few dry camping in Mather Campground (only campground open). Might be 20 campers tonight.  No traffic, no lines, no people. This might be a once in lifetime event to have the greater Grand Canyon N P uncrowded and as our personal playground. Doesn't get better than this.

 

Edited December 11 by taylor.coyote

[John Dorrer]

8 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

Mather campground Gand Canyon NP

An amazing week to be in Grand Canyon N P.  The main water supply is shut down for repairs and the whole Park is almost empty. That would be Hotels, campgrounds, parking lots and South rim drive. The park is a ghost town. We are among the few dry camping in Mather Campground (only campground open). Might be 20 campers tonight.  No traffic, no lines, no people. This might be a once in lifetime event to have the greater Grand Canyon N P uncrowded and as our personal playground. Doesn't get better than this.

 

Wow! We were there in early October during the Shutdown. The only thing closed was the Visitor Center. We camped at Trailer Park in the park, run by a contracted vendor, so no issues. The views were spectacular. Thanks for sharing.

[taylor.coyote]

Stopped to get permits to camp on the Navajo area called Coal Mine Canyon for tonight. The roads into the area were closed so the people at Navajo parks in Cameron suggested the Little Colorado River Canyon. We were told it's a great place and only 12 miles off AZ highway 89. Our first clue we are about to have more than we bargained for should have been the Navajo road #6134 did not have a sign marking the cross road on AZ hy 89.

Fast forward:  2 hours and 20 miles on bad gravel / some light 4x4ing due to steepness we arrive at the spectacular overlook of the very remote canyon.  Maybe 1500-2000 ft deep with blue water winding between the walls. There is no doubt we are alone.  It's an amazing place but we would not have chosen the 20 miles at 10 mph trip.  Another real adventure in the books.

Looking back (east)  20 miles towards AZ  hy 89.  We asked for a remote and quiet place. BE CARFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR..

Camped at the edge of he Little Colorado River Canyon overlook. note the big rock behind the trailer is the canyon wall

This is the big rock / canyon wall in the above image behind the tailer looking down into the canyon. 

 

Edited Friday at 03:03 AM by taylor.coyote
added image

[John Dorrer]

13 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

Stopped to get permits to camp on the Navajo area called Coal Mine Canyon for tonight. The roads into the area were closed so the people at Navajo parks in Cameron suggested the Little Colorado River Canyon. We were told it's a great place and only 12 miles off AZ highway 89. Our first clue we are about to have more than we bargained for should have been the Navajo road #6134 did not have a sign marking the cross road on AZ hy 89.

Fast forward:  2 hours and 20 miles on bad gravel / some light 4x4ing due to steepness we arrive at the spectacular overlook of the very remote canyon.  Maybe 1500-2000 ft deep with blue water winding between the walls. There is no doubt we are alone.  It's an amazing place but we would not have chosen the 20 miles at 10 mph trip.  Another real adventure in the books.

Looking back (east)  20 miles towards AZ  hy 89.  We asked for a remote and quiet place. BE CARFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR..

Camped at the edge of he Little Colorado River Canyon overlook. note the big rock behind the trailer is the canyon wall

This is the big rock / canyon wall in the above image behind the tailer looking down into the canyon. 

 

The views never get old. Gooseneck State Park, we camped along the rim. The views were amazing, the sunset spectacular.

 

Edited Friday at 04:52 PM by John Dorrer
Typo

[John Dorrer]

Goosenecks State Park, UT, not to far from Moab. Camped on the rim for $10/night. High above the San Juan River. You get an option, campground or along the rim. No brainer.

Edited Friday at 02:42 PM by John Dorrer

[topgun2]

10 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

CARFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR..

Yet another reason you got that Ollie! 😀

[taylor.coyote]

Monument Valley tonight. Took quick and dirty images from Goulding campground. Will tour the loop tomorrow. Weather is still amazing,. 60 day time 30ish night and clear as a bell.. very nice but no clouds makes for boring photography. Slow / slack season and few people.. good time of year to visit.

Dinosaur tracks off AZ Hy 160 on the way to monument valley..

Edited Saturday at 01:51 AM by taylor.coyote
added image

[johnwen]

13 hours ago, John Dorrer said:

Goosenecks State Park, UT, not to far from Moab. Camped on the rim for $10/night. High above the San Juan River. You get an option, campground or along the rim. No brainer.

Been there a few times...don't get too close to the edge :)

[taylor.coyote]

Monument Vally

 

We are camped in the only open campground in Mounment Valley and there are only two other rigs tonight. We are lucking out with amazing weather and empty parks.

Tonight's sunset. I generally avoid shooting classic images that have been shot by 10,000 phtotogrphers that are better than me. These are so classic, I wanted the images.,.. enjoy 

[taylor.coyote]

Staying in the Valley of the Gods tonight. Unlike Monument Valley you are free to camp at any pullout or road spur. We were graced with a freshly graded road and parked the trailer about 5 miles in, just outside of the canyon on the east side of the 17 mile loop. We explored farther up the road. We could have made the loop but decided the sharp dips and rougher road was more than we wanted Ollie to endure. 

a few images:

 

 

 

[taylor.coyote]

Look up Moki Dugway.It's a road in UT.. the most amazing road I have driven. It climbs 1,300 feet in 3 miles, hanging off a rock face overlooking Valley of the Gods.  Valley of the Gods is spectacular but an afternoon drive to the top of Moki Dugway will make a little vertigo set in.

and see if you can find Ollie in the below image.. 

[Mike and Carol]

What a great adventure!!