Burr Trail from Boulder,UT to Bullfrog,UT ?

[martys]

I'm starting to think about and draw some test maps for a Colorado / Utah trip next year.  I'll be heading into the northwest corner of CO and spending a few days riding around various areas west of Denver, eventually getting to Durango and coming back up Dolores Canyon entering Utah at La Sal. Once in Utah I want to go south back to Mexican Hat and the Valley of the Gods and Trail of the Ancients where I was on this year's Utah trip but didn't have enough time to explore.

The ride north on 95 to Hanksville just sucks. It's straight, fast, major cross winds and really boring.  I see The Burr Trail goes all the way from Boulder,UT to Bullfrog,UT, but there is a section near Bullfrog that's not paved.  Is the unpaved section safe to ride on a sport touring bike with street tires? How long is the unpaved section, looks like about 15 miles on the map but it's hard to tell exactly.  Taking the Burr Trail across seems like a nice alternative to get me to Rt 12 and Torrey if the unpaved section is hard packed and not single trail.

thanks.

[JimWilliamson]

The ride north on 95 to Hanksville just sucks. It's straight, fast, major cross winds and really boring.  I see The Burr Trail goes all the way from Boulder to Bullfrog, but there is a section near Bullfrog that's not paved.  Is the unpaved section safe to ride on a sport touring bike with street tires? How long is the unpaved section, looks like about 15 miles on the map but it's hard to tell exactly.  Taking the Burr Trail across seems like a nice alternative to get me to Rt 12 and Torrey if the unpaved section is hard packed and not single trail.

A simple head's up - it seems Boulder in the subject is Boulder UT (and Hanksville UT) and not Boulder CO (which is also west-ish of Denver).

[martys]

A simple head's up - it seems Boulder in the subject is Boulder UT (and Hanksville UT) and not Boulder CO (which is also west-ish of Denver).

fixed, thanks for the tip.

[sfarson]

Much of the Burr Trail is very street bike rideable.  There's a place here and there where there can be washboarding and a soft surface.  Many make it with no issues on a streetbike, but I know of individuals who dumped their bike as well.  Rain can also mess with the conditions.

[blakebird]

It varies from year to year, but there are sandy sections north of Bullfrog before you get to the Waterpocket Fold that can be a  handful on streetbike - depending on the bike and rider of course.
Also, the switchback going up the Waterpocket Fold can be quite slick if there's been much rain.

Definitely a scenic way to go....though I disagree with you about 95 from Blanding to Hanksville being boring. The last section before you reach Hanksville isn't special, but the rest of the ride is, IMO quite nice. From my days living in southern Nevada, we spent a great deal of time in Utah, and that was a regular loop. Better from the Blanding-Hite side.

Hard as it may be to believe...Hanksville is actually nicer now than it was in the 90's    but a gas stop that few of us could pass up on our way to Capital Reef-Torrey-Boulder-Escalante Staircase... and back

[Two Shots]

About 95/Like Blakebird mentioned:
BLAND best describes the first 17 miles south from Hanksville. If you're going to see any law enforcement, it will be in that area. Beware as they are usually in unmarked pickups looking like any other tourist. The rest of 95 is quite fun with decent sweeps, periodic twisties, and excellent scenery. LOTS of cool places to get off the bike and explore if you're into that sort of thing.

About Burr/Bullfrog dirt:
July & August are the rain/hail months. If you get caught in a passing rain squall with street tires, you're pretty much toast. The hail can be pretty painful.

September, October and early November are the high-winds-months. So, you can expect sand drifts both north and south of where the Burr meets Notom Rd (at the bottom of the switchbacks). 1-4 inches in some sections. "Sections" can be a quarter/half mile or so.

Be in the know:
Most local riders -even the seasoned ones on dirt bikes- check in with a BLM office in Escalante for weather updates and to let them know they'll be out there and for how long. The BLM uses remote weather monitoring stations placed throughout the entire Grand Staircase NM. So, it's real-time and by my experience very accurate. Second one down this page:
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante/visitor_information/visitor_centers.html

[martys]

About 95/Like Blakebird mentioned:
BLAND best describes the first 17 miles south from Hanksville. If you're going to see any law enforcement, it will be in that area. Beware as they are usually in unmarked pickups looking like any other tourist. The rest of 95 is quite fun with decent sweeps, periodic twisties, and excellent scenery. LOTS of cool places to get off the bike and explore if you're into that sort of thing.

About Burr/Bullfrog dirt:
July & August are the rain/hail months. If you get caught in a passing rain squall with street tires, you're pretty much toast. The hail can be pretty painful.

September, October and early November are the high-winds-months. So, you can expect sand drifts both north and south of where the Burr meets Notom Rd (at the bottom of the switchbacks). 1-4 inches in some sections. "Sections" can be a quarter/half mile or so.

Be in the know:
Most local riders -even the seasoned ones on dirt bikes- check in with a BLM office in Escalante for weather updates and to let them know they'll be out there and for how long. The BLM uses remote weather monitoring stations placed throughout the entire Grand Staircase NM. So, it's real-time and by my experience very accurate. Second one down this page:
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/grand_staircase-escalante/visitor_information/visitor_centers.html

great info! thanks so much!

[notarian]

Martys,

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,56446.20.html

Try this link for the Burr Trail taken from Bullfrog to Boulder in Sept 2010. Scroll towards the bottom to the Mexican Hat pic and take it from there. Hwy 261 and the Valley of the Gods just north of Mexican Hat is truly spectacular and the Burr Trail is one of the majestic rides in the West. See the map for these roads. Internet or call ahead for the Hall's Marina - Bullfrog ferry times so not to get caught out with no place to stay unless you are camping.

Rain is the only thing to prevent you from doing these roads on a street bike.

Be warned about Monument Valley having deep sand in places, particularly the long slope nearer the entrance that drops you onto the Valley Floor. Getting out is actually easier than making it down provided you don't stop or slow down (ever!) and keep the rev up, use the clutch for engine rev control.

Personally, I wouldn't bother with taking a street bike into Monument Valley again and take the Indian shuttle bus instead. Not worth the effort, heat and cleaning the bike.