Going out West Road Trip
Going Out West Road Trip !!!!
August 16-24th
Here is a road trip you won’t want to miss! This time I’m actually giving you all a bit more notice (almost 2 months to be exact). You will only have to take 5 work days off!! I have a break between my summer and fall classes, so I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to Go out West! I am looking for a cohort or two to help me plan the details of this trip. Let me know if you want to be a partner in crime.
**UPDATE** The date has been changed back because Justin is working on the details for the trip and I just don't have the time to do a lot of planning due to my intensive program.
ALSO...
There is an addition to the itinerary! If riding in a car isn't for you, well that's ok! You can purchase a 15 day rail pass to anywhere in the West on Amtrak! www.amtrack.com /Since Jason has put together almost all the details for this trip and my back would fare better on a train than in a car, I'm heading out w/ him! Any are welcome to join! We'll be leaving the same date, same time, just on a train. We'll join the others in Glacier Park, spend a few days, and when they head back, we'll be heading to Portland. I'll then solo to Colorado and will be back early September.
It will be nine days of Lakes, Mountains, living glaciers, Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Hot Springs and some of the Top 10 State/National Forests! During this unforgettable road trip you be visiting:
§ Lake Itasca Virgin Pine Forest, rated one of the Nations top State forests by National Geographic.
§ Glacier National Park, Rated one of the best hiking paradises in the world. You’ll be surrounded by mountains, living glaciers, rushing waters and some of the highest peaks in the U.S.
§ Badlands, with beautiful spires, buttes and terrain that are unique to the entire U.S. The wildlife you’ll encounter will be Bison, big horned Sheep and endangered black footed ferrets.
§ Mount Rushmore, something you need to see at least once in your life. It’s majesty and craftsmanship will astound you.
§ Natural Hot Springs, bring your bathing suit, you know you wanna try it.
§ Scenic Ice Age Trail, for hiking and exploring beauty that awaits you just next door to us in Wisconsin!
Price: Approximately $450 per person (not including food) see details below.
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Itinerary:
Saturday, August 16th : Drive approx. 14 hours, 6 am – 8 pm, to Lake Itasca, MN. It’ll be a long day of driving, so we’ll hang out at the hostel, make a community dinner and stay the night. If you’re up for night time exploring, feel free.
Sunday , August 17th : Spend all day exploring Itasca State Park, rated one of the Nations top State parks by National Geographic. Spend one more night at the hostel and leave bright n’ early the next morning.
Monday, August 18th : Drive approx. 14 hours, 6 am – 8 pm to Glacier National Park, MT. Another long day of driving, so we’ll hang at the hostel, make a community dinner and then crash. Again, everything is flexible. If you want to explore, more power to ya. I, we, just may join in.
Tuesday and Wednesday, August 19th, 20th : Spend both days exploring Glacier National Park. There will be a plethora of living glaciers, mountain, rushing waters, hiking trails and many other things to choose from.
Thursday, August 21st : Drive approx. 11 hours, 6 am – 5 pm to Hot Springs, SD. We’ll be staying in Authentic Sioux Tipi’s on the warm Minnekahta river. Bring your sleeping bag and pad. We’ll explore our surroundings a bit then have a community dinner over the campfire.
Friday, August 22nd : Spend all day exploring the Badlands and/or Mount Rushmore. We’ll also try to hunt down the infamous Hot Springs to take a relaxing dip.
Saturday, August 23rd : Drive approx. 13 hours, 6 am – 7 pm, to Eagle, WI. We’ll meet at the Eagle Hostel and/or the Kettle Morraine State Forest campground. The hostel only accommodates 10 so it will be first come first serve. Make sure everyone in your car is staying at the same spot. Spend the night at campground or hostel.
Sunday, August 24th : Spend part of the day exploring the Scenic Ice Age Trail that actually crosses the backyard of the hostel! Leave for home (Michigan) and drive approx. 6 hours.
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Expenses, how to pack/organize, and other details:
This is a road trip: Make sure you are sharing a vehicle w/ people you know you’ll get along with. If you have 3 to 4 people in your car, gas costs will be cheaper.
Carpooling: We will all try to follow each other on the road trip. However, this isn’t always possible, so I’ll be posting directions, addresses for you to print out and we’ll all meet up at each hostel location. We’ll all be exchanging cell numbers to keep track of one another.
Travel times: The people in your car are free to travel during any time frame you wish. I’m an early riser, hence the 6 am leave times. Your car load is welcome to follow mine, or meet up w/ us later.
Packing: Try to pack only one bag/suitcase/backpack. Fit your food (non perishable), clothing, toiletries and sleeping gear into this bag. Try to have one “community cooler”. These two things save space in the car and make for a comfier road trip. ALSO – pack a sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and sheets. These items should fit into/onto your bag. Hostels require that you use sheets on their beds. Some hostels provide linens for an added (cheap) cost if you want to go that route. We’ll be camping/ sleeping in Tipi’s as well, hence the sleeping bag, pad. If you cannot get into the WI hostel, you’ll have to reserve a campsite at the local campground (links below), so you may need to bring a tent(s).
Clothing: Temps will range anywhere from 40 – 90 degrees. Make sure to pack a couple warmer outfits and a couple cooler ones. Bring good hiking shoes or boots! Also pack a bathing suit!
Reservations: I am only making reservations for myself and will RSVP one tipi for the people in my car. YOU are responsible for making your own hostel/tipi/campground reservations. I’ve provided you will all the details below.
Skill Level: ANYONE can enjoy this trip! We’ll be hiking and discovering all sorts of terrain from beginner level to expert! We’ll break into smaller groups so we can accommodate all skill sets.
DRIVE TIME: (round trip)
MI – MN – 14 hours
MN – MT – 14 hours
MT – SD – 11 hours
SD – WI – 13 hours
WI - MI – 6 hours
HOSTEL/CAMPING EXPENSES (approx. not incl. Taxes)
Lake Itasca, MN - $20 x 2 nights, $40 per person
Glacier Park, MT - $15 x 3 nights, $45 per person
Hot Springs, SD - $10 x 2 nights, $20 per person
Eagle, WI - $25 x 1 night, $25 per person
Or Eagle, WI (camp) $15 1 night
TOTAL: $310
GAS EXPENSES (approx.)
Approx. miles (round trip) – 4,000
30 mpg = $560.00 per car
TOTAL: split 4 ways = $140 per person
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Helpful links: Hostels and State / National Parks
Hostels/ Campgrounds:
Minnesota – Lake Itasca Hostel - Phone: 218.266.3415 (Aug. 16th, 17th leaving 18th)
http://www.hiusa.org/usa-hostels/mn/mn-state.shtml
Located in Itasca State Park, just a short distance from the headwaters of the Mississippi River, the hostel is a beautifully restored log building. Constructed in 1923 as the park headquarters, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Itasca State Park, recently rated one of the nation's top 50 state parks by National Geographic, features some of Minnesota's last remaining virgin pine forest.
Montanna – East Glacier Park hostel - Phone: 406-2264426 (Aug. 18th, 19th, 20th leaving 21st )
http://www.hihostels.com/affiliates/hiusa60058.php?country=US&city=a60058&AffiliateID=97060
HI Brownie's is a gateway to spectacular Glacier National Park. The hostel is a pleasant, two-story log building near hiking and bicycling trails. Living glaciers, rushing streams, 10,000-foot mountains, tumbling waterfalls, and abundant wildlife make Glacier National Park a unique wilderness and natural history experience. A wide variety of hiking trails, naturalist-guided hikes, boat tours, and horseback trips are available.
South Dakota –Badlands / Tipi’s – Phone: 605-745-1890 (Aug. 21st, 22nd, leaving 23rd)
http://www.gwtc.net/~allenranch/
Bring your sleeping bag, sleeping pad and some food to cook over a campfire. The Allen Ranch is located in southwest South Dakota within the Black Hills. They offer the visitor a complete outdoor adventure into the old west that includes your own tipi that sleeps 4-6 in a Sioux Indian Tipi village. The village is located along a gentle flowing river known as the "Minnekahta", the river of warm water.
Wisconsin – Eagle Hostel – Kettle Moraine State Forest – Phone: 608-931-2201
(Aug. 23rd leaving 24th)
http://www.hihostels.com/affiliates/hiusa60143.php?country=US&city=a60143&AffiliateID=97060
HI-Eagle Home Hostel is located in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, nestled in an area of lovely wooden hills and small lakes. The National Scenic Ice Age Trail crosses the backyard and there are many hiking, mountain biking, and cross-country ski trails on the premises.
Wisconsin – Camping - http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/kms/camping.html
Parks:
Itasca State Park, MN –
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/index.html
Glacier National Park, MT –
http://www.nps.gov/glac/
Badlands, SD/ Mt. Rushmore, SD/ Hot Springs, SD –
http://www.nps.gov/badl/
http://www.nps.gov/moru/
http://www.gwtc.net/~allenranch/
Eagle/ Kettle Moraine State Forest, WI –
http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/ORG/land/parks/specific/kms/