speck Report post Posted May 11, 2017 We are going to start in Independence MO 6/1 and head West, following the Santa Fe trail with a couple of side trips to the Tall Grass Prairie and the Salt Mines in Hutchinson KS. Plan to take the Cimarron branch, south out of Dodge City KS. Anyone doing something similar? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wildebill308 Report post Posted May 11, 2017 Here is a link to a map you might like. When you get to the website scroll down as there are several and a virtual tour. Following the SF trail isn't as easy as route 66 as it varied from trip to trip and during the season based on water availability. https://www.nps.gov/safe/planyourvisit/maps.htm Have fun. Bill Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speck Report post Posted May 12, 2017 Wildebill308; Thanks for the link... I will spend some time going thru it. I was at that site earlier, but not the map portion of it. Thanks again Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
speck Report post Posted June 14, 2017 Finished the trip, no major incidents. Altered the route a little because we stayed an extra day in one place. Took the Mountain Route from Dodge City to La Junta CO. Did stop at the Tall Grass Prairie, really interesting. Did a short hike there (~ 2 mi.), to the top of a ridge to look for buffalo, saw a small group on the ridge, before we even go there, a bull standing by itself, we were probably 3/4 mile away and how it stood out against the sky was incredible...the size of it. Pulled into Pawnee Rock, not advised for a big rig and a towed. Had to up the wrong way because we couldn't make the turn through the gate. Got turned around at the top and came back out. Saw the wagon ruts west of Dodge City. Was a great trip. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites