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Dang that looks awesome! Thank you for the response and detailed info. I honestly thought I had reached the end of chicken corner and the view was so amazing I had to stop. I will try to go back and finish the route before I leave.
Any other recs? I was thinking about checking out Onion creek today.
Onion Creek is spectacular, also, but it is absolutely doable in a 64 Chevy Impala with bad springs. Something like 34 creek crossings, but they're all 8" deep. And it's a well-maintained dirt road, not an off-road trail. But... it is just gorgeous, and when you get to the end and climb out up to the mesa above the creek, the road goes on forever with several splits and lots of choices. I've never run out of road -- eventually just turned around.
Onion Creek:
Fisher Towers (right before you get to Onion Creek). A very nice short hike with a bit of climbing.
If you were to keep going far enough on the Onion Creek road it connects to the (gnarly) off-road trail called Top Of The World, but that can also be reached more easily by continuing out 28 towards Colorado a few more miles. But it's a real trip. Here's the payoff:
But for unbeatable views with a moderate drive (3 out of 10 I'd say) do the Shaeffer Trail. Just north of town, across the street from Arches, take the Potash Road till it basically ends and enters the property of the Potash plant. Follow that for half a day. You'll get to Thelma & Louise Point and a whole buncha other gorgeous views. Ultimately you climb the long Shaeffer Switchbacks and wind up inside of Canyonlands NP Island In The Sky district. Turn right, exit the park, and be sure to visit Dead Horse Point State Park on your way out. Follow the signs.
Is that the switchback that was showcased on that video where the person (woman?) rolled a new Bronco down the hill? I'll try to find the link as it was spectacular. I think she lived but not sure. It looked epic until seeing that Bronco roll down thru there. Then I'm thinking how much I hate heights!
EDIT: NM - it was "Black Bear Pass". The first search result threw this one out there:
Yes, it is a big improvement from an uninsulated air mattress and much higher R value than many backpacking sleeping pads. Coldest we have done is about 30F overnight in a 20F rated bag with a base layer on. The car definitely provides some insulation as well, but we had the windows cracked for airflow.
Onion Creek is spectacular, also, but it is absolutely doable in a 64 Chevy Impala with bad springs. Something like 34 creek crossings, but they're all 8" deep. And it's a well-maintained dirt road, not an off-road trail. But... it is just gorgeous, and when you get to the end and climb out up to the mesa above the creek, the road goes on forever with several splits and lots of choices. I've never run out of road -- eventually just turned around.
Onion Creek:
Fisher Towers (right before you get to Onion Creek). A very nice short hike with a bit of climbing.
If you were to keep going far enough on the Onion Creek road it connects to the (gnarly) off-road trail called Top Of The World, but that can also be reached more easily by continuing out 28 towards Colorado a few more miles. But it's a real trip. Here's the payoff:
I did Onion Creek today and it was amazing! We had snow last night so the mountains were covered with snow and it looked incredible. Can you upload videos here? Have one of me being slightly irresponsible yall might enjoy. Almost killed the drone
Have you considered removing the rear seat bottom cushions? It’s 4 bolts and opens up a lot of space in the foot wells. It also addresses your original concern of the upslope. We are able to fit FrontRunner cub packs in the foot well using this method which extends the sleeping area. We put an Exped MegaMat duo on top.
It is a little inconvenient to shuffle the bins in and out, but it’s been working for our short trips.
I don’t have a Defender 90, but I saw this vid on YouTube.
Is that the switchback that was showcased on that video where the person (woman?) rolled a new Bronco down the hill? I'll try to find the link as it was spectacular. I think she lived but not sure. It looked epic until seeing that Bronco roll down thru there. Then I'm thinking how much I hate heights!
That is truly one of the most terrifying videos I’ve ever seen. Hadn’t heard about that. Blackbear, Imogene and Engineer Passes in SW Colorado are always closed when I drive out to Utah so I’ve never been on them.
And it's a well-maintained dirt road, not an off-road trail. But... it is just gorgeous, and when you get to the end and climb out up to the mesa above the creek, the road goes on forever with several splits and lots of choices. I've never run out of road -- eventually just turned around. 
