Colorado Ride

[sandman]

Planning a trip to Colorado the last 2 weeks of June and need info on good roads to ride, sites to see, and choice campgrounds.

Thankx in advance for your help...

Gordon

[GoldWingGL]

A must do is Mesa Verde, and the KOA there in Cortex is nice.
Mesa Verde (http://www.nps.gov/meve/)

Cortez KOA (http://www.koa.com/where/co/06107/)

Pics of both can be seen on my Website...

[sandman]

Mesa Verde is definitely on my list, thanks Chris.

[jhealy]

Don't miss Rocky Mountain National Park. The best CG is in the park is Longs Peak off Hwy 7(abt 9 mi south of Estes Park, elev 9,500 ft.). Then take Trail Ridge Road over the top of the Rockies (elev 12,200ft). It is spectacular. Bring warm clothes as it can be quite cold at those elevations.

Regards,
Jim Healy

[sandman]

Thanks Jim,

That is one of my main concerns...what to take to keep warm and still live through the lower elevations.

:tent6:

Gordon

[number9]

I went the 2nd week of June last year for 10 days. GREAT trip and fantastic roads. I went through CO, UT, AZ. After many weeks searching forums and websites for the best roads, here's the route I ended up with http://rides.webshots.com/album/487916865OzuYPe. I did alter the routes a little once I was out there, but these are a really good start point. Don't miss 82 through Ind. Pass. On "Day 2" I got off I-70 at Linmon, CO and took 24 into Colorado Springs and over to 285 then up to 82 - VERY nice ride through here. 141 through Gateway is very good as well. CO National Monument was great as well as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison - best from the north rim, IMO.

If you dip over into Moab, definately get off I-70 and take 128 into Moab - SUPER road and sights.

The weather was fine for the most part. It got chilly up on the passes but the roads were clear. It was cold in Gunnison the night I was there, got down in the low - mid 40's I'd guess. Day temps were in the 90's but it is a "dry, cool" heat instead of the "sauna room heat" here in the south.

Here's a video of my ride out there
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkOOimmCWsU

I can email the S&T files if you want them.

[sandman]

After many weeks searching forums and websites for the best roads, here's the route I ended up with http://rides.webshots.com/album/487916865OzuYPe. Don't miss 82 through Ind. Pass. On "Day 2" I got off I-70 at Linmon, CO and took 24 into Colorado Springs and over to 285 then up to 82 - VERY nice ride through here. 141 through Gateway is very good as well. CO National Monument was great as well as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison - best from the north rim, IMO.


I can email the S&T files if you want them.


Great tips and yes I would like the S&Tfiles, Thank You


Gordon

[dannyk]

Mount evans is a nice stop also highest paved road, must turn around at the summit though, may still be closed due to snow in June but it is a very interesting ride. You won't go wrong in colorado for nice roads and scenery.

[Mellow]

Mount evans is a nice stop also highest paved road, must turn around at the summit though, may still be closed due to snow in June but it is a very interesting ride. You won't go wrong in colorado for nice roads and scenery.

I've yet to make it to the top... Rick and I tried on our way back from Yellowstone one year but still too much snow...

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58265136-M.jpg

http://mellow.smugmug.com/photos/58265137-M.jpg

[dannyk]

We rode it during westoc this year but could only get as far as summit lake, road closed for winter, I will return though and get to the top. Danny

[number9]

Oh yes, how could I forget Mt Evans. MUST DO. Also, Loveland Pass, hwy 6 just off I-70 around Dillon is great. Heck, even I-70 between Grand Junction and Denver is impressive for a slab.

I got the files gathered up to send to you. Sending in just a minute.

[number9]

Well, crap. Can't attach .est files here (what's up with that Joe?) so send me a PM with an email address I can send them to.

[Mellow]

Well, crap. Can't attach .est files here (what's up with that Joe?) so send me a PM with an email address I can send them to.

You should be able to now.. .not sure how big of a file so I set the limit at 200,000 bytes.

[number9]

Thanks Joe - ya always come though.


I had one that was just a tick over 200k, so I just zipped them up, didn't think they'd get under the .zip size limit but they did. I also stuck in a text file of road #'s and comments that I had clipped out of discussions when I was in research stage.

[sandman]

Thanks number9 for all the info.

I'm looking forward to this ride.

Up to this point I've only taken rides of 1K mi in length on my ST1300.

This will be the first long ride with a 2 week schedule.

:tent8:


Gordon

[Big Bandit]

+1 on Mesa Verde. When you leave Mesa Verde, head over to Durango and jump on 550 and head north. The ride up to Silverton is gorgeous and it just gets better from Silverton to Ouray. That is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the US and is known as the Million Dollar Highway because it cost a million dollars a mile to build, when it was built in the 1920's. The road parallels the Animas river and is blasted out of the side of the canyon. I have driven it on three different trips, but never ridden it on a bike. Someday....

I don't know how you plan to get to Mesa Verde, but if you ride across southern New Mexico you can camp in the Gila Wilderness and then cross over into AZ and head north on 191 to Alpine, AZ. That is probably the second most beautiful road I have ever been on, after the Million Dollar Highway and it seems to be unknown. BTW the Gila Wilderness also has cliff dwellings but I have never seen them.

[sandman]

I'll be entering New Mexico from Oklahoma or North Texas. I plan to stop in Albuquerque for a day or two to visit a friend and then head up to Mesa Verde from there.

Thanks for the info on the Million Dollar Highway.


Gordon

[webistrator]

Two weeks, huh?

If that includes travel out and back, I'd suggest you pick one or two biggies (Mesa Verde puts you closer to Durango, and the Durango-Ridgeway-Telluride-Cortez loop is a treat), Then pick your camping spot accordingly. The Black Canyon at Gunnison is a bit of a secret that most folks miss and shouldn't. Check out Joe Cocker's Mad Dog (http://www.cocker.com/MadDogRanch/KidsFoundation.asp) ranch and restaurant while you're up there at Crawford, on 92 north of the Canyon.

The southern route (160) into the mountains is, in my view, neater than I-70 through Denver, and the San Juan Mts. are more pristine and scenic than the more northern areas near Denver. I'd suggest stopping by one of the bigger eastern slope bike dealers for more tips before heading into the hills.

DO NOT try the heights (Pikes Peak, Mt. Evans, etc.) until you've been in the hills a few days, and drink water even when you aren't thirsty. This lets you get used to things and avoid altitude sickness. It ain't psychological!

Cheers!

Jack S.

[sandman]

Thanks for the health info Jack.

Altitude was one of my concerns, the highest I've ever been was around 8K feet. I'm looking at elevations when determining my camping sites to try and minimize the risk of spending too much time at high elevation.

I've always got a liter of water with me and drink regularly while riding to keep this old body lubricated anyway.

I appreciate all the information you guys are willing to share, this is a great site, Joe!


Gordon :tent8:

[webistrator]

Here's a couple of trip tips and a map:

http://www.motocampers.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=640&stc=1&d=1171221806

1. Ride the Peak to Peak highway from Blackhawk to Estes Park & R. M. Nat. Park. It doesn't matter which way you go, But there's a new road from I-70/exit 240 outside Idaho Springs up through Central City/Blackhawk on the southern end that's pretty neat (built to entice gamblers to go to Central City instead of the big casinos in Blackhawk...it doesn't seem to be working, though; everyone just goes through to Blackhawk anyway).

If you come from the south and hit I-70 east of the Eisenhower Tunnel (e.g., Loveland Pass is nice), you can avoid the heavy traffic on sideroads that run parallel almost all the way down to Idaho Springs...a good thing to do as traffic gets goofy on that long downhill run.

2. In the Park, everyone uses Trail Ridge road (the highest in North America) but you'll get there anyway. Entering from the east into the park lets you take the less-used Fall River road (one way west only).


3. Hang around Estes Park a while ("Jack Nicholsen's" Stanley Hotel, etc.) and ride around the surrounding area. If you've got the Golden Geezer park pass (or if you're with someone who has it) you can enter the park free (make friends beforehand...). Check out the back road to Glen Haven, too. The main road parallels the Big Thompson canyon/river -- if you're a Bronson fan you may remember his song, "Big T River". It also flooded and killed a lot of folks back in '76, so you'll notice a lot of abatement concrete work at the lower end by Loveland.

No shortage of things to spend money and time on here...

Cheers!

webbie

[Paper]

head over to Durango and jump on 550 and head north. The ride up to Silverton is gorgeous and it just gets better from Silverton to Ouray. That is considered one of the most beautiful roads in the US and is known as the Million Dollar Highway because it cost a million dollars a mile to build, when it was built in the 1920's. The road parallels the Animas river and is blasted out of the side of the canyon. I have driven it on three different trips, but never ridden it on a bike. Someday....

I've only been through Colorado on bike, and am again headed out this July. It's not a trip without a jaunt up/down 550 and Trail Ridge in RMNP.. Fantastic roads!!!

I hate to admit it, but I'm TRAILERING a bike out this year..:eek: Time is short, and I and a buddy are riding KLR's through as many mountain pass Jeep trails as we can, and that 1000 miles between the Rockys and home are a killer on a KLR. We're loading them up and driving straight through.. Once there, we're setting up a base camp (not sure where, yet) and riding out from that location everyday.

If only there was some way to teleport out there..;)

[sandman]

I've been looking at the KLR for a second bike.

Would like to ride this someday: http://www.transamtrail.com/main.htm


Gordon

[Mellow]

I've been looking at the KLR for a second bike.

Would like to ride this someday: http://www.transamtrail.com/main.htm


Gordon

Rick has been talking about doing that... I'm no dirtbike rider so I'd probably break a leg trying it... but, he has mentioned a smaller bike if probably what you'd want... a 400-450cc...The KLR might be too big for it...

Again, I know NOTHING about these matters... I'm sure Rick will chime in... he did the Continental Divide (http://www.motocampers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=103) ride on his GS

[Trailace]

I've been looking at the KLR for a second bike.

Would like to ride this someday: http://www.transamtrail.com/main.htm


Gordon

Many people have done TAT on KLR?s but it?s not the best bike for the job. Some of them just bypass the hard parts in the west but that the part I?m looking forward to the most. The east side can be done on any Dual Sport the west is harder and I?m looking for more of a dirt bike than the KLR. I like the KLR but I have a GS for the long DS rides.

When do you plan on going? :hatw1:

[Archer]

I just got back from a Colorado ride and again in 2005 and in 2002.

I can personnally recommend:
Mt. Evens
Million Dollar Highway (Silverton)
Mesa Verde
4 Corners
Rocky Mt. National Park
Estes Park area

If you've got the time, swing north into Jackson, WY and if you do, swing further north into Yellowstone and if you've gone that far the beartooth Pass is a must ride. Or, if you swing south the the Grand canyon, Monument Valley, petrified forest and the painted destert are all great places.