Colorado & Utah trip plans

[number9]

Hey guys, I am planning an 11-day trip out to CO & UT this summer. I think I have finally got my routes laid out and would like to get your thoughts.

I have been researching camping gear for this trip as I plan to camp at campgrounds as much as I can. Campgrounds would give me the option of getting a camp cabin if needed or I could just grab a hotel if I have to.

Still trying to decide on when to go. I don't mind riding in heat (90+ degrees & 80% humidity in KY summers), just don't want to hit snow in passes or bad storms/rain which would ruin a day of riding.

Here are the routes http://community.webshots.com/album/487916865OzuYPe

Also, I have heard that Burr Trail in UT is totally paved now. Does anyone know if this it true? I'd really like to ride it to be able to tie my route together from Boulder, UT to Blanding, UT as I have listed on this day http://image64.webshots.com/64/7/62/0/538876200ripllM_fs.jpg

[Mellow]

I've ridden through Colorado in September a couple times and it was cool-to-cold but no snow and in TX it was in the 80-90's.

The only thing I would change, and this is just me... is to make the 1st day and maybe the 2nd day long days.. For a long trip like this, I try to make my first day 1000 miles so I have the extra time to change my plans if the weather changes or I just want an easy day.

Plan on your plans changing. Don't get upset if you don't meet your goals for each day, just enjoy the ride and remember since you're camping you can find a place in almost any part of CO to camp... The Western part, near Grand Junction won't have as many, that was our experience.

For your first day, there's a state park in Kansas, Wilson SP that's another 200 miles west of Topeka. I've never been there but I'd shoot for that myself and maybe even find another one 100-200 miles further. Always have several possible destinations so you have a choice in case you get tired.

Looks like some great routes... a couple of them are going to be long days full of twisty roads that will wear you out if you are trying to make time so just enjoy it and don't get upset if you don't do everything you have planned.

I make tentative plans/routes but they are merely guidelines and I'm never upset if I have to adjust them.

Wish I could go, but, I think I might be planning a TX to CA trip this summer.. yeehaa...

[Trailace]

number9
When I road in that area in 2004 I found that on scenic road 313 you just pull off the road and set up camp. They have dire roads that get you 100 or so yards off the roan and there is very little traffic at night anyway. Here is a map of where I stayed.

http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/51610438-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/51610438-L.jpg)

Here are a few pics of what I woke up to.
http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589592-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589592-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589594-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589594-M.jpg) http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589596-Ti.jpg (http://blink.smugmug.com/photos/7589596-M.jpg)