Hello all...I've been wanting to visit the Toroweap overlook in GCNP for a while. Is it accessible in winter? Is the road leading there driveable in a 4-dr sedan or is it too dirt/washboard for anything less than a 4x4? Would appreciate any advice from those who've been there! Thanks,
Kartik
Posted by John Mumaw on November 21, 2008 at 6:50 PM
If there was only one place I wouldn't venture in the wintertime in the Southwest, Toroweap would be that place.
In the best of times, the road is rough and a high clearance vehicle (not necessarily 4x4) is necessary. The road is not maintained at all, and a couple of spare tires are obligatory.
If anything were to happen to you, you are at least two hours away from any services whatsoever, and cell phone access is nonexistent. It's sparsely visited in the best of times, and you may not see another soul for quite some time in the winter.
Finally, if you have your heart set on a sunrise image with the sun included, the sun is too far south to be included in the shot.
John...thanks for the info, most useful, if discouraging :-(
Posted by Don Grall on November 21, 2008 at 11:39 PM
There are a couple of roads leading into Toroweap. I've been on both, high clearance isn't required in my opinion, but you will need to do some careful driving if in a passenger sedan type vehicle. If the road is wet from melting snow or rain don't risk it. Moisture on the road usually isn't a problem given the arid climate. An awd like a Subaru should work fine, I used a 4Runner, no problem. The sunrise will be towards the east of the upstream viewpoint in winter. I was there Nov 11th two years ago and the sun was still in my frame at sunrise, but I actually preferred the view after the sun moved further east to light up the east facing wall without the sun in the frame.
It is definitely isolated, there is a ranger station within ~6 miles of the overlook, but I believe it is not manned in the winter months, it was in November when I was there. Plus there were a couple of other vehicles in there as well. It is a lightly used area so if something did happen to your vehicle you could be in for a wait until someone else happens along. A satellite phone will work back there of course, but cell phone service is nonexistant.
Discussion
3 repliesKartik
In the best of times, the road is rough and a high clearance vehicle (not necessarily 4x4) is necessary. The road is not maintained at all, and a couple of spare tires are obligatory.
If anything were to happen to you, you are at least two hours away from any services whatsoever, and cell phone access is nonexistent. It's sparsely visited in the best of times, and you may not see another soul for quite some time in the winter.
Finally, if you have your heart set on a sunrise image with the sun included, the sun is too far south to be included in the shot.
It is definitely isolated, there is a ranger station within ~6 miles of the overlook, but I believe it is not manned in the winter months, it was in November when I was there. Plus there were a couple of other vehicles in there as well. It is a lightly used area so if something did happen to your vehicle you could be in for a wait until someone else happens along. A satellite phone will work back there of course, but cell phone service is nonexistant.