Who’s Up for a Proper Western Adventure?

[David van Breda]

I’m seriously considering heading to Overland Expo West this year—but rather than just flying in and out, I’d like to turn it into a 14-day overland journey through some of the landscapes I’ve dreamed about for decades:

• Moab
• Canyonlands
• Zion
• Bryce
• Maybe even parts of Nevada and Arizona

This will be my first time in the western U.S., and I’ll be traveling in a Grenadier.
I’ve got roughly 14 days after the Expo before I need to be back in Bozeman, Montana, so I want to make them count.

A few passes are kind of non-negotiable for me, if conditions allow: Black Bear, Imogene, Engineer, and Ophir.
Beyond that, I’m chasing the routes that truly define the American West—dramatic scenery, alpine and red-rock passes, remote backcountry, and those stretches of driving that make you stop, step out, and just take it all in.

I know there are lots of variables—permits, snowpack, seasonal openings, trail ratings, park restrictions—but I can handle the logistics.
What I’m really after is the hard-earned wisdom of those who’ve done it.
For context: I’m used to long-distance expeditions and comfortable with technical, off-the-beaten-path 4x4 travel.

If you had 14 days in a capable Grenadier, how would you design the ultimate western loop?
Also, is anyone else planning something similar around that time?
It would be awesome to link up for part of the journey.

Looking forward to your advice and suggestions!

 

[Gxgn]

I might be interested to join part of the trip but later in the summer, mostly likely (I think) the Colorado trails you mentioned are closed in May - I assume Expo West is mid May.

 

[David van Breda]

I might be interested to join part of the trip but later in the summer, mostly likely (I think) the Colorado trails you mentioned are closed in May - I assume Expo West is mid May.

You're right, Expo West is 15-17 May.
Looks like May is a bit optimistic, though—July is likely when the passes are reliably open.

 

[ADVAW8S]

You could do Overland Expo NW in end of June. Run Colorado Utah Idaho oregon.

 

[Brad@SuperiorCO]

The way Colorado snowpack is accumulating, the passes may open early. But a normal year Colorado is safe to plan in July. Plenty to do in Utah and Nevada for 2 weeks.

 

[4x4Brick #1561]

Sounds fun but two reasons I can’t join you this year. First, I’m the opposite direction, in the middle heading west. Second, the expo is in May and we won’t be making our yearly overland week-long trek till Sept / Oct this year. Recommendation-wise, we took two weeks over two years (one week a year) to go from Pie Town New Mexico along overlanding trails paralleling the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) through Colorado and into Wyoming. Great trips, we had a blast and learned a lot about overlanding and our rigs. Sounds like you will have an excellent trip too if you hit all your non-negotiable passes. We did our Western Adventure in two chunks due to time constraints with family and work. Went with a cousin and friend who live in California and I’m in Texas so we met in the ‘middle’ to start:

2024 – Met up in Pie Town, NM heading north following the CDT through Stony Pass ending in Silverton, Co. Stony Pass totally worth doing, lots of one way trails up to excellent high mountain lakes. Saw moose and really learned to love the Grenadier downhill assist! New Mexico is a lot lower and flatter than Colorado but the mesas and desert views are gorgeous. Check out Mosca Peak NM. Definitely less crowded than Colorado. Red rock (and lave flows!) you’ll find in NM.

2025 – Starting in Ouray, CO took the Alpine Pass to Silverton, CO to Engineer Pass getting back to the CDT to head north. Popped a sidewall of my Grenny tire and bent a rim mid-way up Engineer Pass. Still a blast. Tire shop hammered rim back into shape and with a new tire to give me a spare again I was good to go (yeah steelies!). Lake Town, CO up through Wyoming. Southern Wyoming is super flat extensive prairie with no support around so recommend a Starlink or good downloaded OnX / Gaia or other map to keep you on track. Ended trip up in the Tetons at the Lake of the Woods near Debois, WY. (Pronounced ‘duh-boys-e’ in Wyoming). If you are looking for a nice remote camp site with excellent scenery thumbs up on Lake of the Woods.

Post back pics and your experience when you get back from your adventure.

 

[Brandtnm]

Look us up when the plan firms up. We are right in the middle of all those and can probably join some bits.

 

[AaronS]

You can drive mostly dirt from the Moab area to the CO passes area you want to hit.

 

[Brandtnm]

A group has gotten together and done a mostly dirt route to the INEOS event in Moab from Durango CO since it started. The loosely organized groups have always had fun. The four corners states are so full of options. Come play with us!

Options….
Moab

White rim trail

Monument Valley AZ

Rimrocker trail, CO

Engineer Pass CO

Ophir Pass CO

Mineral creek , Ouray CO

 

[David van Breda]

A group has gotten together and done a mostly dirt route to the INEOS event in Moab from Durango CO since it started. The loosely organized groups have always had fun. The four corners states are so full of options. Come play with us!

Options….
Moab
View attachment 7922622
White rim trail
View attachment 7922623
Monument Valley AZ
View attachment 7922638
Rimrocker trail, CO
View attachment 7922621
Engineer Pass CO
View attachment 7922630
Ophir Pass CO
View attachment 7922628
Mineral creek , Ouray CO
View attachment 7922624

This is exactly what I'd love to do!

 

[The_Ick]

I'm in south central Utah and am in the middle of all of that. I'm going to Moab the beginning of May so I might skip the Expo. I could send you a book of OnX points and routes just for the southern half of Utah and northern Arizona. I am an hour from Zion and 30 minutes from Bryce. Otherwise I'll be around to host if possible.