places to see at the national

[blackbuell]

Ok, I'm bored to tears and I have a bad case of cabin fever, so I'm daydreaming about riding in the San Juans of CO next summer while at the National. Anybody have good suggestions of must see places to see/roads to ride?

I've got a few: check out Clear Creek Falls on rt. 149 between Lake City and Creede; also stop at Windy Point just west of Slumgullion Pass near Lake City on same rt.

I've got no pics--try googling the names in caps.

Other suggestions?

[JimWilliamson]

CO 141 between Gateway CO & Uravan CO
Some pix: day1  day2

US 550 between Ouray (pron: You-Ray) and Durango
Trip1  Trip2   Trip3!!!

I've heard Route 92 on the north side of Black Canyon of the Gunneson N.M. is good - never been on it.

Visiting the Grand Mesa is good (pix on the first link for CO-141). I've been told, a couple times, that the park road west of Grand Junction CO is good. Perhaps Leanintree could elaborate?

Hmmm - maybe we should organize an STN group run at the Breckenridge alpine slide?! I joined in on one with Dred at a ChiVinMoto group ride (pix near end of the page) - good fun!

[maddjack]

Thanks for starting this thread,I am looking to plan further and knowledge of the area being shared is greatly appreciated  

[boogeyman]

Kinda new around here, but I vacation every year around Gunnison, so I will give you my input.  Like I said, I go there every year, so I don't have a lot of pictures, because I know what it looks like already!

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out when you guys will be there, as I decided to go out there in September instead.

92 on the north side of the Black Canyon is awesome.  I rode it three or four times last year. Very light traffic each time.

114 on the east side of Gunny is pretty cool for a ways, then straightens out a bit. Good time though.

Take 135 north out of Gunny up to Almont, then hang a right on 742 and keep goin to Taylor Reservoir.  Pavement can be patched and bumpy, couple cattle guards up towards the lake (One in a corner, watch out).  Little more traffic here due to fishermen and campers, but it's a nice ride for sure.  This is an out and back if you gotta stay on the blacktop.  You can take Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista, but from Taylor to the top its treated dirt and motorhomes chugging along.  Buena Vista side is paved nicely though IIRC.

The wife and I rode 550 two years ago, on the way down to Ouray (I think).  Just above Ouray she says to me "You can go faster."  I said "I don't wanna go faster!!!!"

Anything towards Lake City and Creede is good.  There's some water fall on the Creede side of Slumgullion pass that was scenic.  It has a pull in and parking area, hard to miss.

Lunch is over...I'll try to add some pics soon if I can find them, along with what ever else I can find.

[maddjack]

Kinda new around here, but I vacation every year around Gunnison, so I will give you my input.  Like I said, I go there every year, so I don't have a lot of pictures, because I know what it looks like already!

Unfortunately I won't be able to make it out when you guys will be there, as I decided to go out there in September instead.

92 on the north side of the Black Canyon is awesome.  I rode it three or four times last year. Very light traffic each time.

114 on the east side of Gunny is pretty cool for a ways, then straightens out a bit. Good time though.

Take 135 north out of Gunny up to Almont, then hang a right on 742 and keep goin to Taylor Reservoir.  Pavement can be patched and bumpy, couple cattle guards up towards the lake (One in a corner, watch out).  Little more traffic here due to fishermen and campers, but it's a nice ride for sure.  This is an out and back if you gotta stay on the blacktop.  You can take Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista, but from Taylor to the top its treated dirt and motorhomes chugging along.  Buena Vista side is paved nicely though IIRC.

The wife and I rode 550 two years ago, on the way down to Ouray (I think).  Just above Ouray she says to me "You can go faster."  I said "I don't wanna go faster!!!!"

Anything towards Lake City and Creede is good.  There's some water fall on the Creede side of Slumgullion pass that was scenic.  It has a pull in and parking area, hard to miss.

Lunch is over...I'll try to add some pics soon if I can find them, along with what ever else I can find.

Thanks  

[Leanintree]

You guys are all beating me to it.

Lake City is a great area. Taylor Park/Reservoir is as well. Cottonwood Pass (if you want to brave the gravel portion) is a pretty good view east and west.

Down here in Grand Junction, the Colorado National Monument is pretty darned cool from a sightseeing standpoint. (and a fun ride, don't go too fast though, the park rangers don't have a sense of humor. Neither does gravity)




I like the Grand Mesa, but it's just something I'm used to going over on any given Sunday...
Click for humongous pics







OH!!! If your a motorhead, DON'T MISS the Gateway Auto Museum.  (Gateway CO on Hwy 141)
<------click

[bikerfish1100]

Rt 149 is an awesome road.
Lake San Cristobal, just south of Lake City, taken from the last hairpin leaving town heading south


yes, 92 north from Gunnison is a greatly fun road. Watch for deer, and keep an eye peeled for bald eagles. there are some good view points along the way to check out the Black Canyon.


top of Molas Pass, 550, south of Silverton. (if you've never done this road, it is one of the most scenic in the country.
The climb up from Silverton over Molas is great, as is the descent down Red Mountain Pass

into Silverton from the north

[littlefield]

Any Norton fans would enjoy a visit to Colorado Norton Works in Dolores.

[county]

Pike's Peak is one of my destinations while I'm there.

[katego]

Are there any hot springs round Gunnison?

-k

[bikerfish1100]

Ouray has a public pool, with hot spring water outside and in. Costs about $5 to make a visit. on 550, north end of town, west side of road.

[oscar.45]

Rt 149 is an awesome road.
Lake San Cristobal, just south of Lake City, taken from the last hairpin leaving town heading south

The road on the right side of the lake goes to Cinnamon Pass.  The pass usually opens up by July 4th.  From Cinnamon pass north you and go over to Engineer Pass and to Ouray.  To the south of the pass you drop down into Animas Forks then into Silverton.   I have traveled this area on ATV’s.  Jeeps and ATV’s can be rented in Lake City.  Engineer pass could be done on your Sport Touring bike if you are very careful (I wouldn’t).  Lake City also offers a great 4th of July party and fireworks display.

I for one am looking to ride the “paved” roads of southern Colorado.  Another thing that could be done is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railway.  I have not had a chance to ride but I have seen many pictures. 

[Leanintree]

Ouray has a public pool, with hot spring water outside and in. Costs about $5 to make a visit. on 550, north end of town, west side of road.

And for the not as faint of heart, Ridgeway CO has Orvis Hot Springs. http://www.orvishotsprings.com/

I personally LOVE their water. Predominant minerals do NOT include sulphur, so it's very clear and without the heavy rotten tang. Day pass is $14, 1 hour pass is $10

However, please note, Orvis is clothing optional. And frankly, there's *way* more old hippies up that way than there are supermodels. Sensitive folks should be aware, there's a way more continental attitude there.  And substantially fewer children too.

Leanintree

[oscar.45]

Question, is there going to be any non-riders?  My GF does not ride and I don't do passengers.  She would like to come up and camp but only if there is someone she could sight see with.

Jerry

[katego]

And for the not as faint of heart, Ridgeway CO has Orvis Hot Springs. http://www.orvishotsprings.com/

I personally LOVE their water. Predominant minerals do NOT include sulphur, so it's very clear and without the heavy rotten tang. Day pass is $14, 1 hour pass is $10

However, please note, Orvis is clothing optional. And frankly, there's *way* more old hippies up that way than there are supermodels. Sensitive folks should be aware, there's a way more continental attitude there.  And substantially fewer children too.

Leanintree

Thank for the info LT! Supermodels are overrated

-k

[staedtler]

just look at this.... between Ouray and Silverton...  




 between Lake City and 50, on 149...sueet!...



141 between Junction and Naturita...

[RickC1957]

  That was on Kaos968 from CLSB! I remember that ride! It was Kaos, Jammin (vid from his bike cam) moi, gasguzzler, and Aileen. I think Jim W was in the chase too. Fun road.....would someone teach Jammin to use appropriate music on his vids, him and his dance, techno stuff ruins many of our vids Sorry Jay, if I want Slum Dog Millionaire I'll go to the theater

[staedtler]

yes, def. ... (Kylie Minogue is hot )

what a badass trip report...

I can wait to get out there!...

[Huron52]

Pike's Peak is one of my destinations while I'm there.

 We went to the top of Pikes Peak and Mt Evans last year... I enjoyed Mt Evans far better... Paved to the top. No tourist trap at the top.

[DredheadV2.0]

into Silverton from the north

I've always wondered what that looked like.  I've ridden that road, but the brutally cold rain made visibility about 20'.  All I remember is crawling along trying not to let the shivering mess up my steering inputs.

[XbbX]

lots of good day trips from Gunny

loop out to 92 North Rim Black Canyon and up to Aspen. Go over Independence Pass and head back through Buena Vista and back to Gunny over Monarch Pass on hwy 50.

loop 149 to Lake City then 160 over Wolf Creek Pass to Durango. Up 550 Million Dollar hwy to Montrose and 50 back to Gunny.

run out to Grand Mesa and then Colorado National Monument.

A run out to Red River New Mexico loop through Taos.

hwy 92 north rim







Grand Mesa






Durango area and hwy 550








Lake City and hwy 149 area

[Gun Slinger]

Hey XbbX,
those are some great pictures of my back yard!
Great Post!!!

[XbbX]

thanks GS

must be nice havin all that in your backyard!

[Leanintree]

thanks GS

must be nice havin all that in your backyard!

Not as nice as one might think. He NEVER mows.
Leanintree

[gallinastrips]

Here is a shot from the black canyon road about twenty miles west of Gunnison from a few years back. The orange and black thing is my
06 KTM 625 supermoto.  We rode up from New Mexico with A group of about ten, but the cruisers were holding us up in the curves to much so we split off into a four rider group on the way back (much better size) That is one of the best roads around and A must if your going to the ST.N National.

[Black Ice]

OH!!! If your a motorhead, DON'T MISS the Gateway Auto Museum.

 

[hmadams]

West Elk Loop is nice.

[JimWilliamson]

Ya'll might like my Colorado (& Eastern Utah) roads map.

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40257.0.html