Colorado/Utah ride route

[3B43]

I'm planning a trip through Colorado/Utah and have a 'planned' route, but would like comments/opinions from you guys that live in those two states.  Here's my route:

COLORADO route:

Hwy 230 to Walend--Hwy 125--Granby--Hwy 34--Estes Park--Hwy 7/72/73--Hwy 285--Poncha Springs--Hwy 149--South Fork--Hwy 160--Durango--Hwy 160/184--Dolores--Hwy 145--Ridgeway.......

Question----Ridgeway back on Hwy 62 then take Hwy 145/141, or skip that and just head to Ridgeway?

UTAH route:

Grand Junction--Hwy 128--Moab--Hwy 191/95/24/12--Hwy 89
Panguitch--Hwy 143--Parowan
Cedar City--Hwy 14--Hwy 89

AND Wyoming.....Hwy 130 to Laramie?

Thanks,

R

[stew71]

Don't live in Utah...but we put a few miles on the bikes last summer in that area.

HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend 143 between Panguitch and Parowan.  Spectacular scenery and the road was in great shape.  
Same for 14 and 89 east of Cedar City.  In fact, the loop from Hurricane to Cedar City on 9/89/14 is a hoot.  Riding through Zion NP is a bucket list item for anyone.  

Make sure you stop for grub at Oscar's in Springdale.  

[zer0netgain]

AND Wyoming.....Hwy 130 to Laramie?

It's been over a decade, but I remember it being a decent ride if the road was open.  It closes early and opens late in the year because of weather.

[blakebird]

It's been over a decade, but I remember it being a decent ride if the road was open.  It closes early and opens late in the year because of weather.

130 over the Snowies is a beautiful ride, but it is prone to snow closures.

One portion of your route confused me - you go from Poncha Springs to 149 to South Fork. Sounds like the intent is hwy 50 over Monarch Pass, thru Gunnison and down 149.
Good route - an option would be to head south over Poncha Pass to Saguache, then take 114 over Cochetopa Pass to Gunnie....and on to 149.

While Lizard Head Pass (145 out of Dolores north) is a great ride, you're missing 550 (million dollar hwy) - and unless you've ridden it before and seen it and that's why the bypass....it's one of Colorado's 'can't miss' roads.

oh....and no "e" in Ridgway  

hwys 145/141 to Gateway is another well regarded ride, and if you find your way south on 90 out of Naturita - the Paradox Valley west into Utah is very scenic.

[JimWilliamson]

Two additional notes:

Your Peak To Peak highway (7/72) south from Estes Park to I-70, nice ride (good scenery and in places good twisties), but you might wish to watch the scenery vs. twist the throttle (~45 MPH IIRC) as speed police to like to visit the area.

Since you have a low post count...

I don't wish to be taken as a broken record for posting something I created, but you might find the first post in this thread of interest (Colorado [and a little of Utah] roads):
http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,40257.0.html

Holler if you have more Q's

EDIT: If you get to Gateway CO and like cars, plan an hour or two for the www.GatewayAutoMuseum.com

[3B43]

Appreciate the posts guys!  My plan IS to do 550: 149 S to South Fork/160 W to Durango, then 550 to Ridgway. 7/72: I am a retired cop, but I really don't need to be pulled over and....... The speed limits, in some sections of Idaho, were ridiculous!!! 45 in places where 65 would be appropriate.  SO....do I skip 7/72 or just put my gorgeous MultiStrada in 'grandpa' mod?

I did order the Butler maps (they were out of these maps at Moto GP in '12)....so, thanks guys.

[JimWilliamson]

do I skip 7/72 or just put my gorgeous MultiStrada in 'grandpa' mod?

For your route, I'd do 7/72 and enjoy it (if I have time on a trip to Denver and the day is nice I sometimes take it instead of I-25 Fort Collins to Denver - makes the trip crazy long but it is a nice diversion).

--thoughts--

Well, when you're near Granby and want to go south your options are to head directly south through Winter Park. Not an overly enjoyable route though Berthoud Pass (between Winter Park and I-70) is nice. Getting there is somewhat flat / straight valley stuff with the addition that it's a through-route (more traffic). That's the shortest - though you'll likely skip Rocky Mountain National Park - which I'd imagine is a must visit spot.

With the expectation for a RMNP visit (highly recommended) then from Estes Park you have either 7/72/119 to I-70 or you jump east to I-25 (ugh) or work down the 2-lane at the end of the plains (Lyons to Boulder) (again, not too pleasant - and perhaps longer than 7/72). So, just take 7/72.

The 7/72 scenery is great in many spots though for a bit of it you're in a pine-tree-canyon with few grand views. Some of the views are Easterly over the plains and some are Westerly with grand mountain vistas. Road condition / asphalt quality varies and depending upon when, watch for copious amounts of snow-traction gravel about.

[Eric308]

I'm planning a trip through Colorado/Utah and have a 'planned' route, but would like comments/opinions from you guys that live in those two states.  Here's my route:

COLORADO route:

Hwy 230 to Walend--Hwy 125--Granby--Hwy 34--Estes Park--Hwy 7/72/73--Hwy 285--Poncha Springs--Hwy 149--South Fork--Hwy 160--Durango--Hwy 160/184--Dolores--Hwy 145--Ridgeway.......

Question----Ridgeway back on Hwy 62 then take Hwy 145/141, or skip that and just head to Ridgeway?

UTAH route:

Grand Junction--Hwy 128--Moab--Hwy 191/95/24/12--Hwy 89
Panguitch--Hwy 143--Parowan
Cedar City--Hwy 14--Hwy 89

AND Wyoming.....Hwy 130 to Laramie?

Thanks,

R

CO62 across from Ridgway is beautiful. You go right by Ralph Lauren's ranch, Mt. Sneffels (a 14'er), and True Grit was filmed near here. Here's a pic of Sneffels...

[blakebird]

Coming out of Estes Park to the east, you have a couple of good choices. Taking Peak to Peak down to Idaho Springs is a nice ride - but as mentioned it's patrolled because it's a squid favorite. The portion between Central City/Blackhawk and Idaho Spgs is sometimes referred to as Central City Raceway...and it gets special attention

Coming out of Estes though, the two "main" roads are hwy 34 down Big Thompson Canyon into Loveland....or hwy 36 down N. St. Vrain into Lyons. Both heavily travelled.
If you take CO43 north from near the Stanley Hotel, it goes out of Estes and around thru some lovely twisties thru Glen Haven to Drake, where it connects back with 34.

If you take 7 south thru Allenspark and don't turn south on 72 (peak to peak), that section of 7 down S. St. Vrain's Canyon is one sweet road, full of excellent sweepers - and takes you to Lyons.

From Lyons you can go south to Boulder and on to I-70 along the front range - or do the fun thing. Head back up to Peak to Peak on one of the other canyons.
Left Hand Canyon, Boulder Canyon (to Nederland - also heavily patrolled), Wondervu (72), or my favorite - Golden Gate Canyon (46). Up to P2P, down to Idaho Spgs, etc.

[birdrunner]

Utah rte 12   over Escalante is perhaps the most memorable ride I've enjoyed .... and I've enjoyed alot.

http://www.scenicbyway12.com/

[3B43]

I really appreciate all the input.  What I haven't said is when I'm planning this trip: last week of August thru the middle of Sept.  I chose this time in hopes that all the passes would be open.  Might be a tad 'chilly' in the morning, but the afternoon should be fine!  Comments/opinions?

[blakebird]

I really appreciate all the input.  What I haven't said is when I'm planning this trip: last week of August thru the middle of Sept.  I chose this time in hopes that all the passes would be open.  Might be a tad 'chilly' in the morning, but the afternoon should be fine!  Comments/opinions?

Pretty good time of year - most passes will be open well before mid July on an average year.
The occasional freak storm rolling thru could drop snow at any time, but shouldn't be enough to make a pass undoable for long. By August you're fine - but the afternoon thunderstorms will keep you off mountains above tree line when it starts popping.

Most locals are riding up in the high country as weather permits, and though there's no guarantee you won't see weather - your time frame keeps snow mostly out of the equation.

[3B43]

Guys, what I should have said is that my time frame is EXTREMELY flexible.  I can take this trip any time.....is the end of May/first of June better?  I'm trying to miss all the HEAT in Utah!!!

[blakebird]

well....technically, the passes never really close unless you're doing an offroad pass.

Colorado even does the chain law thing only for big rigs - there's no mandatory chaining up passenger cars like I was used to in California.

I've ridden over the I-70 passes in heavy snow, but within hours of the big snow starting - so it was slush and not an icy terror.
Still, a full attention drain of your energy...and done at slow speed following a big truck so you have wide tire tracks to follow....but open!

So it's really tough to give anyone a definite time frame, as it can be sunny and clear on the day you go over....or it can be crap weather.
Best thing you can do is check the forecast and get while the gettin's good.

[Justin]

I've ridden over the I-70 passes in heavy snow, but within hours of the big snow starting - so it was slush and not an icy terror.
Still, a full attention drain of your energy...and done at slow speed following a big truck so you have wide tire tracks to follow....but open!

Yeah - snowy passes on the bike are FUN  . I made it over Molas and Coal Bank in the snow. Thanks god I made it over Red Mountain before it started  .

[3B43]

I've got the Butler maps now and am wondering: it shows the Burr Trail is separated by a dirt road.  What type of shape is this road?  Can in ride all the way through (east to west end) without an issue/ problem?  My bike?  '12 MultStrada.

[blakebird]

I've got the Butler maps now and am wondering: it shows the Burr Trail is separated by a dirt road.  What type of shape is this road?  Can in ride all the way through (east to west end) without an issue/ problem?  My bike?  '12 MultStrada.

Portions of the Burr Trail can have deep sand, it varies a little from year to year. Some washboard... It was in very good shape last time through.
The switchbacks going up the Waterpocket Fold can be slick in wet weather, but they're in good shape.

It's a beautiful area though, and from Boulder east it's very scenic - makes a nice loop taking the Bullfrog Ferry S-N and heading up Burr Trail to Boulder.

I wouldn't hesitate to take my Guzzi Stelvio on it

You can see the switchbacks ahead...

[bikerfish1100]

all good responses from guys that really know these roads.
if you enjoy "road books", and plan to spend any time in CO, i'll put n a plug for a Fabulous book by a friend, fellow ST-Ner and all-around great guy...
http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Guide-Motorcycling-Colorado/dp/1884313922/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1358087789&sr=8-1&keywords=steve+farson

the biggest difficulty in rding CO is that there are so many great roads, but not necessarliy all in the direction one plans on going at any particular time.
WY 130 over Snowy Range is sperior, but longer, than 230 thhru Woods Landing.
+1 on getting off 50 and doing Cochetopa/North Pass 114. a real gem, not well known/used due to the ease and directnss of 50; which makes it an ideal m/c route.
do PeaktoPeak from Estes to south. 285 is kind of a slug as it gets lots of traffic, but not a bad route. Anothrniceoption is to go over Cottonwood Pass from Buna ista. pved going up, hardpack drt going down, tehn a great run into Gunnison along the Taylor River. Absolutely 149- one of the best rides in the state.. but only if you like big long fast sweepers and expansive views while riding in the middle of nobody/nowhere.
145 is Lizard Head Pass- great road. 62 is Dallas Divide- nice, but one in Ridgway you have 3 options; 550/50 north to Montrose & GJ (sucks!), back over 550/Million Dollar Hway (hell yeah!), or run up 141 (oh hell yeah!). 141 is on Clement Salvidori's top 10 in the world list, or so i've been told.
if you're trying to avoid UT heat, you'd better plan this trip for April (and then gear up for snow and serious cold everywhere else!). Just go with a mesh jacket and a good hydration vest, you'll be fine.

[k0guz]

+1 on the Farson book.  It's worth every penny.  As far as the time goes, if you were  here last year, any time from July 1 to late August was excruciatingly hot.  But I still managed to get in lots of miles with a mesh jacket and one of those water noodles around my neck. Riding from Rangely to Meeker at 104 degrees in the early afternoon was something I really would not like to repeat.  This was in the Dinosaur National Monument where the temperature was a relatively cool 98 degrees:



Your original timing - late August to September is perfect because you should be here when the aspen trees change color...

[blakebird]

May is a much better time to ramble thru Dinosaur.....which, btw is an extraordinary scenic ride with some healthy doses of remoteness.