Absolutely stunning scenery!
drove from central Canada to Vegas via Montana, Utah, Nevada , was like every corner was another post card.
certainly lands touched by god!
If your schedule will allow for the additional miles, this would be the route I'd take for your CO leg.
You'll hit the best of the San Juans with the Million Dollar Highway, see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison from the north side, which is a spectacular ride, climb up and over Grand Mesa (pack mosquito repellant if you stop at the visitor's center at the top), spend a blissful time in motorcycle Nirvana following the CO river for a stretch from Mesa to I-70, then another twisty river canyon following the Dolores River before turning west through Paradox Valley before crossing into UT and on to Moab.
I've ridden all of this route before and it covers most of the best in that part of the state.
If your schedule will allow for the additional miles, this would be the route I'd take for your CO leg.
You'll hit the best of the San Juans with the Million Dollar Highway, see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison from the north side, which is a spectacular ride, climb up and over Grand Mesa (pack mosquito repellant if you stop at the visitor's center at the top), spend a blissful time in motorcycle Nirvana following the CO river for a stretch from Mesa to I-70, then another twisty river canyon following the Dolores River before turning west through Paradox Valley before crossing into UT and on to Moab.
I've ridden all of this route before and it covers most of the best in that part of the state.
Excellent ! Thank you for the insight, will make the corrections. Leaving out of Montrose to Moab on your route is 370 miles. May try and stay in the next town in to shorten that ride. But looks like a great route !
Ouray is one of my favorite places in the world. You may have gone through it last trip.
If you have not you might stay there Day 1 instead of Montrose. Many mom & pop hotels. Scenery is breathtaking. 45 miles before Montrose.
We stayed in Ouray in 2016, Cool Town ! I may reconsider, the hotel we stayed out had 4 wheelers to rent. But that makes day 2 a long one from Ouray to Moab. I don't see many places to stay between Gateway and Moab, may have to stay in Gateway ?
Realize your plans are set. But someone else may be interested.
One of my favorite trips is from Dolores CO to over $M highway to Ouray. Telluride. Lizard Head Pass. Along Dolores River to Cortex. Side trip to Mesa Verde Cliff Dwellings. It really takes in the San Juan Mountains east side and west side.
Then to Moab.
02-09-2019, 09:42 PM
