Nice Campsite with No Cell Service
Over the past 8-9 weeks I have been sharing the many adventures along Utah Hwy 95 between Hanksville and Blanding. There are many more places I didn’t share, like Hog Canyon, White River Canyon, Poison Springs, Lake Powell Recreation Area and other areas of interest. There is so much to see and do along this stretch of highway you could easily spend a two week vacation RVing the approximately 125 miles of asphalt.
However heavenly this ribbon of roadway may be, it is not Disneyland and your safety is not assured.
Let’s look as some of the potential hazards you my encounter.
– Flash Floods are always a possibility when you are in Utah sandstone country. Heavy rainfall has nowhere to go but rushing down gullies, river beds and slot canyons. Try to camp on high ground and be aware of impending weather when hiking. Dirt roads that are easily passable when dry become slick, gooey slides when wet.
– Cliffs abound in the area. Few if any are marked or fenced with railings. Keep pets on a leash and hold the hands of younger children when approaching any questionable change in terrain.
– Navigation: Roads and trails in the area are largely unsigned and hard to follow as many cross slick rock leaving little evidence of those that have traveled the route before you. Carry a good map, GPS and a compass and know how to use them. There is little cell phone coverage in the area, so do not rely on mapping software via your smartphone to get you out of trouble.
Watch Your Step, It Could Be The Last!
– Carry the “Ten Essentials”
– Communication or lack thereof: Unless you know how to send smoke signals or travel with carrier pigeons you will need a way to call for help as cell phone coverage is non-existent along much of the route. One of the most inexpensive ways to let loved ones know where you are at and call for help when needed is a Spot Messenger.
– Finally, carry extra food and water, plus let someone know where you are going and when you plan to return.
Follow the motto of the Boy Scouts “Be Prepared” and let your RV journey along Utah Hwy 95 be an enjoyable adventure in RVing, rather than a search and rescue statistic!
Dave Helgeson’s many roles in the RV industry started before he even had a driver’s license. His grandparents and father owned an RV dealership before the term “RV” had been coined, and Dave played a pivotal role in nearly every position of an RV dealership. He and his wife Cheri launched their own RV dealership in the Pacific Northwest. The duo also spent 29 years overseeing regional RV shows. Dave has also served as President of a local chapter of the Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association (RVDA), worked on the board of advisors for the RV Technician Program of a local technical college, and served as a board member of the Manufactured Home and RV Association. Dave’s reputation earned him the title of “The foremost expert on boondocking,” bestowed by RV industry icon, the late Gary Bunzer (The RV Doctor). When he’s not out boondocking, you’ll find Dave in the spotlight at RV shows across the country, giving seminars about all things RVing. He and Cheri currently roam in their fifth travel trailer, with Dave doing all the service, repair and modifications to his own unit.
Always great information. Love the pictures!