The goal of this adventure was to attend some SF Giants Spring training games in Arizona. On February 21 we headed to San Luis Creek about 165 miles away. We decided on two nights in site SL16 with water and electric so that we could relax and really allow John to wash the truck and the trailer. There were a few campers in the campground, but we mainly had it to ourselves. Bike riding here especially on the levy is one of our favorite things to do. On Friday we traveled to Red Rock Canyon SP to camp in the Ricardo CG. Always a favorite of ours. We hiked the Hagen Canyon Nature Preserve and the area around the campground. Stayed in campsite 46 for two nights in this first come first serve campground.
On to Death Valley and first camped two nights at Stovepipe Wells #153. This is a big parking lot and no reservations needed. It was a tiny bit busy, with many campers coming to see the lake at Badwater Basin. We also had to have a Death Valley NP Pass for the park. The second day we drove to Ubehebe Crater and did the loop hike around the rim, super windy at times. Also stopped on the road to take a little hike at Snake Path Trail and saw some amazing flowers. Then visited Historic Stovepipe Well.
Our third day we changed campgrounds and selected site 102 in Texas Springs Campground for three nights. This is also a first come first serve campground that was filled before noon. We took in the visitor center where there was great wifi, ate at the Oasis, visited 20 Mule Team Canyon, viewed the lake, drove Artists Drive and the Hole in the Wall, and did the Golden Canyon/ Gower Gulch hike. We were going to stay a fourth night but a major wind storm was coming into the valley.
Onward to Lake Mead NRA, America’s first and largest National Recreation Area. We managed to get a site at Boulder Beach campground beginning on March 1 for 4 nights when we arrived at the campground. That night we made reservations for the next day to tour the Hoover Dam beginning at 9 am, since it was a Saturday. Tickets were $15 each. Later that day we also visited the fish hatchery which was uncrowded up on the lake. Sunday we ventured into Boulder City for lunch, gas and groceries, and Monday we rode the Historic Railroad Trail. Great weather, but at times a bit windy.
Continued our trip towards Arizona, Burro Creek Campground showed up on the map as just off Highway 93. Its a BLM campground that takes reservations, however the campground host has a list of available sites for two nights. It turned out its a popular spot, so we were lucky. We settled into site 16 for two nights, taking in there was to see.
Next stop Scottsdale, Arizona. On the drive towards Scottsdale we were able to make reservations at Westworld RV Park #PF34B. It was the closest to the Giants spring training stadium that we could get without reservations made months in advance. We were actually lucky to get the spot at Westworld, although it was just a parking spot, but a huge horse show was going on and the place was packed. It was March 7th and we paid for 4 nights. while we were here we took in the event center, did laundry, attended two Giants games, watched the weather, and made a last minute reservation at Lost Dutchman SP to check it out.
Lost Dutchman SP, 40 miles east of Phoenix was a somewhat easy drive. There are 134 sites and its aways full and hard to get into. However we managed to stay there 5 nights by campsite hopping. After arriving and set up in#20 we loved the park so much, such a change from Westworld, that we tried to get a campsite right away and added two more nights #84, but had to move. Then moved to another site #111, and our last night we were in site #92 (best view). We learned how to play the game and constantly looked for open sites within their reservation system. The park is gorgeous, and we took in as much as we could, hiking, bird watching (14 birds), and even managed to catch an interpretive hike. We also made a visit to see our old college friend Rick.
Time to head back towards Sonoma County. We headed back towards Burro Creek Campground, stopping in Wickenburg on the way. And on the way we managed to snag two nights in two different sites at Redrock Canyon National conservation Area. Always wanted to see another Redrock Canyon and this one was on the way home.
It’s Tuesday March 19th and we are heading back towards Death Valley. But first a stop at Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge. We wanted to go here after Death Valley, however with the wind storm coming in we pivoted to get as far away from this area as possible. We first visited the visitor center and then drove just outside the west entrance and set up camp for the night. The next morning we left our trailer and drove back into the refuge to take in all the sites.
Heading home we spent the next the next three nights in three different places. First in Diaz Campground in Inyo County #125 (empty), then on to Kern River Campground #3 (busy) where we enjoyed riding our bikes, and lastly at Dumbarton Quarry Campground #11 where we did one of their hikes (very new in the SF Bay area).
Total night 32, and 2123 miles.