[santak]

Guys, I'm might be over in SLC in mid August for a trade show and was wondering if anybody knew of a fairly cheap alternative to camp out. Last time, 2 years ago, I was camping out in Rockport SP(?), which was somewhat a drag driving those 40-50 miles out there. Plus, it would be nice to have a shower
So far I found the KOA in SLC to be the only real alternative. I'm assuming they have showers for those tenting.

I'd really like to avoid any hotels since most of them will be over my budget, not to mention they will probably book solid for the time of the show way ahead. If anybody has a second/third alternative for the KOA as a backup plan, that'd be great.

Oh, and if anyone needs to have some smaller parts transported from along I-80 SF-SLC, let me know and as the date is getting closer we can arrange something.

 

[KThaxton]

Well, you could stay at my place, but its further from S.L. than Rockport is.
I am not familiar with camping areas in S.L., as I have never found a reason to camp there, , but I will do some research and get back to ya.
We'll have to do lunch or dinner!

 

[santak]

Thanks Kendall, I appreciate your help. As a very last backup, I'll find some cheap motel. However, I was thinking of taking off for my summer vacation right after the show and would rather spend my money on my trip than some hotel while at the show

BTW, the show is the Outdoor Retailer Show, Aug 12-15 and from my limited experience, lunch or dinner sounds like a fine idea. I don't think I will be socializing at all those parties they usually have in the evening, not after running through the Convention Center in SLC all day long

 

[McGuyver]

Have you thought about going to one of the national forest campgrounds up one of the canyons? Only downside to that is I'm not sure too many of them have showers.

 

[tv_larsen]

Watch out for tornados! LOL

If you don't mind an 80+ mile drive, I've got a couch you could crash on if you need it.

 

[santak]

I'll have to check into the NF Campgrounds and in connection with that, if they offer a public shower in the convention center, otherwise it's probably not a good idea
Thanks Trent for the offer. Given the fact that I will be at the show probably 2-3 full days I'd prefer to stay as close to SLC as possible. Afterall, one intention for me to attend this show is to get me a job

 

[KThaxton]

Klaus, try this:
http://www.utah.com/database/campgrounds/?id=4
The little bit of clicking around that I did, didn't show any showers, but I only clicked on a few.
If you don't mind being about 30 min from S.L., and want to be in one of the prettiest alpine environments around, try to find a spot in Little Cottonwood Canyon (there are a few).

On a side note....I am going on the Cottonwood Wash road this weekend. We're going to start at kodachrome basin, then come out near Big Water, then take the Smokey Mountain Road to Escalante.
You've got me paranoid now with your blowing two tires story, did you actually blow both of them on the cottonwood wash road??

 

[santak]

Thanks, I'll try that link later tonight. Haven't gotten a hold of the people organizing the show to ask about the shower issue: "I'm currently away from my desk or on the phone, please leave me a message and I get back to you as soon as I can...."

Paranoid? Damn, Kendall, didn't you go on the White Rim Trail a couple of times yet? Don't sweat it man, really. I went through Cottonwood Canyon twice so far. First time, it was more muddy (it rained the night before) and a lot more difficult to drive in places. Second time it was a gravel road and I punctured 2 tires on that trip. But then again, I cut/blew one tire later on in Bryce Canyon when driving through a road construction. I just didn't have luck that time. The tires also had already about 35K miles on them, so the tread was not in the best shape anymore. Both punctures were on the tread, not sidewall.

I came from Page/Lake Powell each time, and drove up to Kodachrome Basin. I think the area in Kodachrome is a lot nicer, also better to drive. The first couple of miles from 89 was a lot like a washboard, lots of wash outs and holes. Only cool thing is, that you're out in the open and closing in to the canyon.
The Rand McNally I have is not very detailed, but I'm guessing the Smokey Mountain Road is the road I saw leaving the Grosvenor Arch. So I guess you're not even driving the whole Canyon then?

 

[KThaxton]

I'm not paranoid because of the difficulty. According to what I've read, it sounds like almost a 2wd road, and I'm sure The White Rim and especially The Maze are much more difficult.
I guess I'm just concerned because my tires are towards the end of their life span (plan on new ones this fall) and you said you blew two tires, so I was hoping there wasn't some kind of monster sized "goat heads" (thorns) on the road that are common in so. Utah.
We will be driving the whole road (north to south). I believe the Smokey road is completely seperate from the Cottonwood road. Basically, after we finish the Cottonwood road (near Big Water), we drive east for maybe 20 miles towards Lake Powell, then we get on the Smokey road near the lake, then start to weeve our way north again.
The cool thing about the Smokey Mountain Road is that supposedly, its got a smoldering coal vein in it that is always releasing smoke.

 

[santak]

To be honest, I was more paranoid with new tires on the Shafer Trail Switchbacks after rainfall with all the rocks on the trail after the experience in Cottonwood Canyon. But looking back, I can't remember anything bad in Cottonwood Canyon. It was a normal gravel road to me, with a few bigger stones, maybe an inch, 1.5" onm average. It totally took me by surprise, when I was going up a hill and my truck was working like crazy to get up there. So I stopped on the top and saw my almost flat rear left and my half empty front right. I had a compressor with me, filled up the left rear every 8 minutes, the front didn't go flat again after an initial refill.
In Bryce Canyon, in the road construction, that was another story. It was a big rock that came flying over from the construction site and I couldn't avoid it no more, so my sidewall and that rock must have met, because the tire was slices open from the sidewall all the way across the tread.

In case you haven't seen enough Arches yet, take a quick detour to the Grosvenor Arch There is also a restroom back there.

If it helps: I would drive this road any time again, seriously. It might be 4WD after heavy rains, and the creek entries were a little steeper and the creek crossings a little deeper the first time I was in there, but the second time you could have done it with a normal passenger car, they even did some "construction" with 2 graders somewhere in the middle along the river.

Guess I need a more detailed map of Utah, because Cotton Wood Canyon is the only road that shows up in Rand McNally, and Hole in the Rock, but I know there are numerous little gravel roads through that area.

 

[ddart]

santak, which hotel is hosting the convention? or is it at the expo center? if it is at one of the bigger hotels you could probably shower at their rec. facilities. you would have to ask them for permission or just act like you are staying there. as another option there are several full service truck stops around the valley where you could shower. that would mean you could pitch your tent at any campground you wanted. i don't know if i'd call the KOA much of a get away. it's convienent to downtown but not very pretty. i would suggest going up one of the canyons on the east side of the valley. try Big Cottonwood or Little Cottonwood, they both have campgrounds. If i had to suggest a specific spot i would go to American Fork Canyon. Its about 20 miles south (exit 292 off I-15 i think) if you need directions somewhere just ask.

 

[santak]

The show is in the Salt Palace Convention Center on S West Temple (?)
I'm looking into the camping alternatives for sure, 20 miles doesn't sound too bad. Thanks for the hints guys, I'll see where I end up going, first gotta finish my final projects and exams for this quarter.

 

[TheBigSgt]

Keep up the good work in School!

 

[santak]

I made my reservations with the KOA in SLC, arriving Aug 13, leaving Aug 15. Saves me the drive every day and the search for a parking spot, since I'll just walk those 2 miles over to the Convention Center. Plus, 20 bucks a night doesn't sound too bad.
Thanks for the input guys and Sarge, my parents were very happy with my GPA at the end of this school year. Thank you