ABQ/AZ/UT/CO Trip help...
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 4,557
Likes: 1,846
From: Albuquerque, NM
Looks nice. I've ridden all of that and enjoyed it.
For a little variation: after leaving Hanksville, rather than riding over the top of Lake Powell, you can take a little detour off 95 and take 276 and ride to the lake and take a ferryboat across, and then link back up with 95 on the other side. It's kind of a kick to be riding across a lake on a ferryboat in the middle of the desert. You could then take 261 to 163 and head north from there. That brings you down the Moqui Dugway which is also a cool ride.
Good luck and enjoy.
For a little variation: after leaving Hanksville, rather than riding over the top of Lake Powell, you can take a little detour off 95 and take 276 and ride to the lake and take a ferryboat across, and then link back up with 95 on the other side. It's kind of a kick to be riding across a lake on a ferryboat in the middle of the desert. You could then take 261 to 163 and head north from there. That brings you down the Moqui Dugway which is also a cool ride.
Good luck and enjoy.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 615
From: San Antonio, Texas
I rode a very similar route in July 2016, great ride. Hotter than hades though, except up through the rockies. I went through Independence Pass (12K altitude) and it was very cold, and still plenty of snow all around. Weather was an issue, rain, sleet and hail through Colorado, one moment sunny and comfortable and the next moment as described.
I visited the North Rim, beautiful ride in and out. Very beautiful scenery, I could reach out and touch the bison, deer, elk and other critters, all of them ignore the moving cars and people and do as they wish...low speeds are recommended. The crowds were there, but not as bad as the south rim, I also didn't experience much traffic.
You have a great ride planned, I regret not having visited four corners (just to say I had) but other than that you are going to have a great time. Don't rush it, stay hydrated and use sunscreen. I also have a cooling vest-- see link, that helped a bunch. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...SABEgK3sPD_BwE
I visited the North Rim, beautiful ride in and out. Very beautiful scenery, I could reach out and touch the bison, deer, elk and other critters, all of them ignore the moving cars and people and do as they wish...low speeds are recommended. The crowds were there, but not as bad as the south rim, I also didn't experience much traffic.
You have a great ride planned, I regret not having visited four corners (just to say I had) but other than that you are going to have a great time. Don't rush it, stay hydrated and use sunscreen. I also have a cooling vest-- see link, that helped a bunch. https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/...SABEgK3sPD_BwE
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
Normally I would say June for the Million Dollar Highway. The exception might be this year. The snowpack down in the San Juans is dismal at best. Unless things change, I would expect less than normal snow around in late May. By June 1 they typically have less than 25% of their peak snowpack left.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,065
Likes: 4,696
From: Fix'n 2 N, TX
Cool thanks Waterman, our time limit may prevent us from getting too high up.
We stop in Durango before heading back to ABQ then Dallas.
Know any good eatery's/watering holes around Durango ?
Enjoyed a couple of patio places when we did Million dollar a couple of years ago.
We stop in Durango before heading back to ABQ then Dallas.
Know any good eatery's/watering holes around Durango ?
Enjoyed a couple of patio places when we did Million dollar a couple of years ago.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 157
Likes: 37
From: Colorado
Cool thanks Waterman, our time limit may prevent us from getting too high up.
We stop in Durango before heading back to ABQ then Dallas.
Know any good eatery's/watering holes around Durango ?
Enjoyed a couple of patio places when we did Million dollar a couple of years ago.
We stop in Durango before heading back to ABQ then Dallas.
Know any good eatery's/watering holes around Durango ?
Enjoyed a couple of patio places when we did Million dollar a couple of years ago.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,395
Likes: 153
From: Utah
For breakfast I liked the Jean Pierre Bakery (it's more than a bakery). I also liked the Mahogany Grille in the Strater Hotel (a cool place in and of itself). Also the Durango Diner... note that Durango isn't what I would call Biker's paradise when it comes to cost and biker friendly locations but it's definitely a neat town.
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Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 29
Likes: 12
From: Utah
Just curious on that first map you posted, did you get a read on how many miles total that route was? I've hit those all before, but it would be awesome to do them all again on one trip. I can second previous comments about Million Dollar in the rain. It was pouring the first time I went over from Durango and I didn't remember anything except the first 20ft beyond my front tire. Haha. Went back again that fall with no rain. MUCH better.