Planning a Trip West

[mrmo]

Wife and I are planning a trip in May from East Tn to Sante Fe, NM to see her son (my Step son). Would welcome comment or suggestions on places to go that eould be within a 100 miles or so. Want to do some wheeling and see popular places. Nothing too extreme, I need to drive the 1500 miles back, lol.
Appreciate any suggestions from others that have been in the area or whimo live out that way

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[WILDHOBO]

Wife and I are planning a trip in May from East Tn to Sante Fe, NM to see her son (my Step son). Would welcome comment or suggestions on places to go that eould be within a 100 miles or so. Want to do some wheeling and see popular places. Nothing too extreme, I need to drive the 1500 miles back, lol.
Appreciate any suggestions from others that have been in the area or whimo live out that way

I’m north in Colorado, and don’t know where to go in NM, but I’m sure someone will speak up. I can suggest good moderate trails in Utah if you fancy a detour. Depending on when, I and some others might be able to join. When are you going?

 

[mrmo]

It will depend on work schedules, but we were thinking sometime in May

 

[WILDHOBO]

It will depend on work schedules, but we were thinking sometime in May

I love any excuse to take a long drive in mine.

 

[mrmo]

Maybe a short detour towards Utah, swing down inti Colorado, touch tip of Arizona, ending up in New Mexico

 

[WILDHOBO]

Maybe a short detour towards Utah, swing down inti Colorado, touch tip of Arizona, ending up in New Mexico

It’s thought to beat Moab. So many trails, and tons of them are perfectly fine for a stock Jeep.

 

[Padre]

New Mexico has some great trails and camping for a Gladiator. I have done a quite a few trips out there in my lifted Mojave from Florida. There is the New Mexico Back Country Discovery Route. It goes from Dell City, TX to Antonito, CO. I have only done a few sections but there is a section near Santa Fee that runs from Cuba to Antonito that runs through the Santa Fee National Forest. And there are some mid-challenging sections near Abiguiu that are a lot of fun. Plus you can download the Trails Offroad app and it has quite few trails around that area as well. This is the link for the NM Backcountry Discovery Route: https://ridebdr.com/nmbdr/

 

[Free2roam]

Depends on is this an overland trip or a long road trip? Road trip, check out Mesa Verde National Park, 4 corners, if you make it to horseshoe bend. Beautiful overlook, hot springs in New Mexico,
https://wandernewmexico.com/blog/best-hot-springs-in-new-mexico

 

[MattKay]

I don’t think 4 corners is worth detouring for…I stopped as I literally was driving by but I wouldn’t recommend it as a destination.

 

[Free2roam]

I don’t think 4 corners is worth detouring for…I stopped as I literally was driving by but I wouldn’t recommend it as a destination.

I had never seen it. So it was kinda on the way. It's on tribal(indigenous)land they charge. Once in a lifetime was good enough for me.

 

[MattKay]

Also onX off-road is a good app to show trails. I just dl it a few weeks ago so don’t have a ton of personal experience yet, but others on the forum like it a ton.

 

[Free2roam]

For me it's Gaia and I overlander. Also use Google Earth a lot. Or FatMap. Different tools each one of them

 

[Deleted member 57233]

It will depend on work schedules, but we were thinking sometime in May

Keep in mind May still means snow at higher elevations. A lot of the famous Colorado and New Mexico passes are likely to be closed. Memorial day is usually the earliest they open them.

 

[mrmo]

Keep in mind May still means snow at higher elevations. A lot of the famous Colorado and New Mexico passes are likely to be closed. Memorial day is usually the earliest they open them.

Thanks Staches, me and the Mrs were just discussing and trying to look at historical weather data. We are gonna go to Moab, down to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, North rim of the Grand Canyon, then swing over to relatives near Santa Fe. I figured Yellowstone would still be snowbound.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Thanks Staches, me and the Mrs were just discussing and trying to look at historical weather data. We are gonna go to Moab, down to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons, North rim of the Grand Canyon, then swing over to relatives near Santa Fe. I figured Yellowstone would still be snowbound.

I’m 4 hours from Moab. You’ll love it there. When you get closer to figuring things out, send me a pm with dates if you want company on trails.

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