Beta on travelling to indian creek

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Messages 1 - 16 of total 16 in this topic

dkny

Trad climber

Boston, MA

Topic Author's Original Post - Sep 17, 2018 - 05:16pm PT

I'm coming from Boston and wondering about folk's preferred method of getting to IC.

1) Fly into SLC then drive
2) Fly into Grand Junction then drive
3) Fly into Moab

The last few times I've been, I drove from SF. Definitely not doing that drive from Boston.

Thanks in advance!

D

Toker Villain

Big Wall climber

Toquerville, Utah

Sep 17, 2018 - 05:21pm PT

Moab could be pricey (not to mention a vehicle rental.)

Malfunction is probably the best compromise (Logan to Denver to GJ) then rent a buggy.

dkny

Trad climber

Boston, MA

Topic Author's Reply - Sep 17, 2018 - 05:52pm PT

Thanks!

boognish

Trad climber

SLC

Sep 19, 2018 - 02:57pm PT

Salt Lake is about 2 hours father drive, but... how soon are you coming? There is a fire just south of Provo that has been closing route 6 off and on for the last week. I think it is closed currently. That detour would add atleast another hour to the drive. Hard to say when it will stop burning, no rain in the forecast. Check out Pole Creek fire if you want updates.

Brian in SLC

Social climber

Salt Lake City, UT

Sep 19, 2018 - 03:31pm PT

Another consideration:

If you fly into Denver and/or GJ and rent a car, it will have Colorado plates.

From SLC it won't. Will still be a rental car, sure, but...maybe not as much on the local LEO's radar, so to speak.

Of course, everyone knows its climbing season in the 'crick when the license plates turn green...best little crag in 'rado!

Also might depend on if you stock up on "supplies" in Colorado too.

Plenty of distractions enroute from SLC to IC. Little Cottonwood. AF.
You could hit the Swell for a chossy sandstone break. Maple Canyon. Moab.

When on travel, I always weigh the cost and time for a short flight versus just driving. With a layover, might not be much time savings. And, one more chance for the baggage folks to help you out too. Give me nonstop and a rental car.

BOS to SLC versus BOS to DEN kinda sixes on price. Huge jump to add on Grand Junction.

SLC to Newspaper rock is 5:50. Denver (since the airport is really in Kansas) is 6:50. 2:38 from GJ (worth the extra $$$?).

Cheers!

Don Paul

Social climber

Washington DC

Sep 19, 2018 - 03:31pm PT

If the Super Bowl etc campgrounds are full take the 4wd road to the Bridger Jack Campground where you can always find a spot.

Update: the road to Bridger jack is bad I know. I once drove out a long dirt road, on the left before the newspaper grafiti, it goes about 20 miles into nowhere and I saw people camping there although I'm not sure of the legality and it's getting pretty far from supercrack buttress lol. They have added a lot of sites around Moab on BLM land north of town but it's overloaded with MTBers already. Best bet is still down by the Creek.

JLP

Social climber

The internet

Sep 19, 2018 - 03:56pm PT

Agree on calculating total travel cost and time Boston to the Creek by including DEN, GJT and SLC - and any fires. Never know, could be any of the options and different next week.

Camping - GFL. Bridger Jacks is still among the first to fill and turn into a gong show. Eventually tents start showing up at anything even remotely resembling a pullout, trailheads, bathrooms - usually late at night. Over loved. I suggest Feb.

donini

Trad climber

Ouray, Colorado

Sep 19, 2018 - 04:43pm PT

Best bet is Grand Junction there is also a great City Market there with fresh sushi. Bridger Jacks, in my opinion, sucks as a campground...the road in is in poor shape. There are plenty of secret spots which will remain that way.
Creek Pasture has three well maintained toilets and the camping fee is minimal.
I just talked to Karl Kelly and he just informed that his new, much awaited, comprehensive guide will be in stores this week. It will have 2,000 routes and should spread people out more...pick it up in Moab at Gearheads or Nomad.
There will never be a fire threat between Grand Junction and IC...nothing to burn. It should take under 2.5 hrs. from the GJ airport.

JLP

Social climber

The internet

Sep 19, 2018 - 05:08pm PT

Your secret spots were located and likely destroyed years ago and so were mine. I've been on every single last 2-track in the area - all decimated, all full on wknds during the peak of the season. I refuse to go there peak months, it's too depressing.

Kalimon

Social climber

Ridgway, CO

Sep 19, 2018 - 05:31pm PT

GJCT.

steve s

Trad climber

eldo

Sep 19, 2018 - 05:42pm PT

Too many convenience anchors. Head to the Black canyon instead.

Jon Beck

Trad climber

Oceanside

Sep 19, 2018 - 07:34pm PT

There is an Enterprise rental office at the moab airport. You will need to have a reservation so someone will be there. Pricey way to go.

JLP

Social climber

The internet

Sep 19, 2018 - 09:02pm PT

A fuk’n Californian telling a near-local he isn’t local enough - in a thread where someone else is trying to figure out how to get there from Boston! What I once knew is sooo sooooo far gone! Post up some pix of ANY crack you manage to get up. Has anyone informed you yet that there is nothing there as easy as the hardest pitch on Russian Arete?

Mike Friedrichs

Sport climber

City of Salt

Sep 20, 2018 - 10:50am PT

I suspect that because nearly every route at Indian Creek has a bolted convenience anchor (usually so you don't have to climb the wide crack to the top of the cliff), you won't see Donini there anymore.