The weather
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The weather
In very late May, I will be riding from Az to Colo Springs. I am taking the route from Cortez to Durango, Durango to Montrose, Montrose to The springs. I am wondering what kind of weather to expect. Any opinions?
Sammy D - Chicago
Sammy D - Chicago
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
First of all, I'm just wondering why you're going to Montrose while you're trying to get to Colorado Springs? That's about 50 miles (one way) in the wrong direction from C.S. ???
Second of all, US-550 (Million Dollar Hwy) isn't closed for winter, but you will be going over some seriously high passes before and after Silverton. Both are right around 11,000 ft elevation. Expect snow on the sides of the road and possible patches of black ice in the shady parts. I'd be ready for some chilly temps as well (on the passes).
I'm trying to figure out what route you're taking. It seems kind of like a figure-8. How are you getting from Montrose to Colorado Springs?
Second of all, US-550 (Million Dollar Hwy) isn't closed for winter, but you will be going over some seriously high passes before and after Silverton. Both are right around 11,000 ft elevation. Expect snow on the sides of the road and possible patches of black ice in the shady parts. I'd be ready for some chilly temps as well (on the passes).
I'm trying to figure out what route you're taking. It seems kind of like a figure-8. How are you getting from Montrose to Colorado Springs?
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Dear Mr Black bastard,
As far as my going through Montrose, It's about the ride and the scenery, not the route. I am trying to repeat a very beautiful trip I took once before.
After Montrose, I will go East on rt. 50 and then pick up rt.115 just past Canon city.
So again I am wandering what to expect up there in late MAY.
thnx, Sammy D
As far as my going through Montrose, It's about the ride and the scenery, not the route. I am trying to repeat a very beautiful trip I took once before.
After Montrose, I will go East on rt. 50 and then pick up rt.115 just past Canon city.
So again I am wandering what to expect up there in late MAY.
thnx, Sammy D
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
I hear ya! I'm all about the scenic routes, too. It looks like you will be crossing 3 passes around 11,000 ft on this route. Like I said before, in late May there will still be a lot of snow in those higher elevations. One problem I have encountered over the years is not the snow itself, but the snowmelt. There will be places on the road where the snowmelt is sheet-flowing across the road. Now, that's fine during the day, but at night, some of these areas will freeze into a really thin layer of ice on the road. Most of the time you won't even see it until you're on top of it. If you're rolling up or down one of these passes in the early morning, just be on the look-out.
Weather is really unpredictable in the late spring. The high elevations will definitely be cool. I've been snowed on in June up in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. It wasn't sticking to the road or anything, but it wasn't too fun!
Have a great trip!
Weather is really unpredictable in the late spring. The high elevations will definitely be cool. I've been snowed on in June up in the Uinta Mountains in Utah. It wasn't sticking to the road or anything, but it wasn't too fun!
Have a great trip!
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
One more thing...be sure to check out the Royal Gorge just before Canon City. There's a local road that turns off of 50 just before you get to the Gorge (there will be a sign for it). Take a right and take the back way into the Gorge. It's really cool and you'll get to ride across the wooden suspension bridge over the gorge. Don't look down!
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Thanks for good info
Mr Bastard, I found your comments very helpful - we will indeed pack our long undies etc and will be on the lookout for those slippery spots.
Also helpful was the info on the Gorge because I was getting ready to do it wrong. I have been that way but it has been a long time. I was thinking that rt. 115 was the road going to the back way to the gorge. The road I remember was a very nice ride on a road I picked up on 50. A lot of it was next to a river or very large creek and eventually took us to the back of the gorge just like you described. So you say I pick that up closer to Canon City - thanks for that bro.
Yeah, my buddy Larry and I will stay around the springs for a day or so and probably do Pikes Peak. I did it years ago and said once was enough, but what the heck, right?
Hey where you from anyway?
Sammy D - Chicago
Also helpful was the info on the Gorge because I was getting ready to do it wrong. I have been that way but it has been a long time. I was thinking that rt. 115 was the road going to the back way to the gorge. The road I remember was a very nice ride on a road I picked up on 50. A lot of it was next to a river or very large creek and eventually took us to the back of the gorge just like you described. So you say I pick that up closer to Canon City - thanks for that bro.
Yeah, my buddy Larry and I will stay around the springs for a day or so and probably do Pikes Peak. I did it years ago and said once was enough, but what the heck, right?
Hey where you from anyway?
Sammy D - Chicago
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Really screwed up
Hey man, I been looking at the map a little closer and I was really screwed up! I see now that the stretch of road along the river that I was talking about is actualy the portion of rt 50 between Salida and Canon. I got it now! You were probably wondering what's this guy been smokin?
Hey, now that I got my bearings, maybe you could suggest something else. Since we will be getting to the gorge later in the day and are going to the peak the next day, where would be a good place to hole up for the night. I'm not sure where the peak is but I think (?) it's maybe sort of between Canon and CS?
Hey, now that I got my bearings, maybe you could suggest something else. Since we will be getting to the gorge later in the day and are going to the peak the next day, where would be a good place to hole up for the night. I'm not sure where the peak is but I think (?) it's maybe sort of between Canon and CS?
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From: Salt Lake City, UT
First of all, I need to apologize. In that first post, I was looking on a map at the Montrose National Forest, not the town of Montrose. Sorry about that! I live in Salt Lake City, UT. Ive been riding all over the west for years. Anyway, let's get down to the nitty gritty...
For Royal Gorge: Riding east on 50, youll come to a town called Parkdale. This is where the back road turnoff is. As I remember, the road crosses a gulley it dips down and then rises back up a hill. The turnoff is at the bottom of the gulley. I rode right past it last time I was there I saw the sign a little too late. Either way, if you get to the intersection of 50 & hwy 9, you went too far. Go back about 3 miles and you should find the turnoff.
For Pikes Peak: Im not sure if this road will be open yet. If it is, its likely to be really muddy, because most of the road from CS to Pikes Peak is unpaved. Rt 24 N/W out of CS is paved for about 5 miles. The pavement ends at Manitou Springs; About 4-5 more miles up 24 is the turnoff to Pikes Peak. This road is dirt/gravel all the way.
You said you wanted some scenery, so Ive got a little detour for you if you have the time: From Montrose, 50 N to Delta. 92 E to 133 E/N to 82 N to Glenwood Springs. 133 is one of the most perfect moto roads Ive ever been on great curves, no traffic, amazing scenery. Take I-70 E for about 50 miles, exit at Dowd/Hwy 24. Take 24 S to Leadville, an old mining town. Its really neat. Stay on 24 S to Salida and pick up 50 E. About 40 miles down the road is the Royal Gorge, Canon City, etc.
Go to https://www.colorado.com/ColoradoGuide.aspx and request the free vacation guide. The state road map that comes with it is awesome!
For Royal Gorge: Riding east on 50, youll come to a town called Parkdale. This is where the back road turnoff is. As I remember, the road crosses a gulley it dips down and then rises back up a hill. The turnoff is at the bottom of the gulley. I rode right past it last time I was there I saw the sign a little too late. Either way, if you get to the intersection of 50 & hwy 9, you went too far. Go back about 3 miles and you should find the turnoff.
For Pikes Peak: Im not sure if this road will be open yet. If it is, its likely to be really muddy, because most of the road from CS to Pikes Peak is unpaved. Rt 24 N/W out of CS is paved for about 5 miles. The pavement ends at Manitou Springs; About 4-5 more miles up 24 is the turnoff to Pikes Peak. This road is dirt/gravel all the way.
You said you wanted some scenery, so Ive got a little detour for you if you have the time: From Montrose, 50 N to Delta. 92 E to 133 E/N to 82 N to Glenwood Springs. 133 is one of the most perfect moto roads Ive ever been on great curves, no traffic, amazing scenery. Take I-70 E for about 50 miles, exit at Dowd/Hwy 24. Take 24 S to Leadville, an old mining town. Its really neat. Stay on 24 S to Salida and pick up 50 E. About 40 miles down the road is the Royal Gorge, Canon City, etc.
Go to https://www.colorado.com/ColoradoGuide.aspx and request the free vacation guide. The state road map that comes with it is awesome!
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No need to apoligize - you're talking to a friend. Besides, I'm old, I don't even remember what you're talkin' about.
You make a good point about the possible road conditions at the peak and it probably varies year to year depending on how much rain, melting etc. I'm sure there is a website or something where we can monitor it. The detour sounds good, too especially if the Peak is out. I am going to get on the map and and take a look at it.
I will also use the link to get the map you mentioned.
By the way, do I assume that the killer bike in the photo is yours, and the real "Black Bastard?
I am new to this forum thing and don't know the in & outs yet. I assume that getting pictures to attach to your e-mails is something you accomplish with your profile settings(?).
Sammy D
You make a good point about the possible road conditions at the peak and it probably varies year to year depending on how much rain, melting etc. I'm sure there is a website or something where we can monitor it. The detour sounds good, too especially if the Peak is out. I am going to get on the map and and take a look at it.
I will also use the link to get the map you mentioned.
By the way, do I assume that the killer bike in the photo is yours, and the real "Black Bastard?
I am new to this forum thing and don't know the in & outs yet. I assume that getting pictures to attach to your e-mails is something you accomplish with your profile settings(?).
Sammy D