Southern Utah Tips
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 8,831
Likes: 15
From: Nomad
So . . . I road Hwy 12 for the first time today. Although this is obviously not the best time to ride that road (the trees at higher elevations are still barren), it is an amazing road. Just the right amount of twisties for my tastes, and the scenery is fabulous. Don't miss the opportunity to ride down the paved portion of the Burr Trail east of Boulder.
Between you and TBB and DocCJ.......I'm thinking I need to get on my bike and blast on down there!
Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
Here are a couple more from the last couple of days of the ride.
Day 2 was from Escalante through Bryce and Zion and back around to Kanab.
A sample from Highway 12 east of Escalante:
and from Bryce:
and Zion
On day 3, my daughter and I decided to save the Grand Canyon for another (warmer) trip and head home. When we got to Mt. Carmel junction, I asked her if she wanted to go back through Zion and back out so we could see what it looked like from the opposite direction. She said, sure, so we did. We took the shuttle up Zion Canyon. If you're only likely to see Zion once in your life DO NOT SKIP ZION CANYON! I know that means you have to break down and board a conveyance not powered by a V-Twin, but this stuff is worth seeing.
Day 2 was from Escalante through Bryce and Zion and back around to Kanab.
A sample from Highway 12 east of Escalante:
and from Bryce:
and Zion
On day 3, my daughter and I decided to save the Grand Canyon for another (warmer) trip and head home. When we got to Mt. Carmel junction, I asked her if she wanted to go back through Zion and back out so we could see what it looked like from the opposite direction. She said, sure, so we did. We took the shuttle up Zion Canyon. If you're only likely to see Zion once in your life DO NOT SKIP ZION CANYON! I know that means you have to break down and board a conveyance not powered by a V-Twin, but this stuff is worth seeing.
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 109
Likes: 0
From: Pennsylvania
Man, I couldn't agree more!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 3
From: OC SoCal
OK, man. A lot of people have given you some great suggestions, but no one has really put it together. This is the route
5 days of scenic wonder and grand vistas. Low mileage each day to give plenty of time to sightsee, photo ops, etc.
I made you a Google Map, too: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF...f81c30&t=h&z=8
I made you a Google Map, too: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF...f81c30&t=h&z=8
After planning for almost a year to ride thru So. UT and other area's after this past Laughlin Run, I had to cancel that trip at the last minute due to a family health issue which needed me to stay home.
My current sig pic is on the way to Laughlin packed for the weekend and extended trip.
Now I'm hopeing I can still make the trip this year. You're route sounds great.
To the Orig Poster, hope you have (or had?) a great trip.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Seeing that it's Memorial Day weekend, hopefully you booked something in Moab about a month ago. Otherwise, you could possibly be SOL. Are you looking to camp out or hotel/motel it? Personally, I like to stay in the Arches NP campground. There is great BLM (free) camping all over Moab, but the only problem with the majority of those sites is access - most of the roads are gravel with lots of deep sand = no fun on a touring motorcycle!
I'll leave accomodations to you, but this would be a fun route:
Saturday: South to Spanish Fork. Take US-6 through Spanish Fork Canyon to I-70. I-70 East to exit #202 for UT-128 (pass the US-191 exit to Moab...this is the scenic way in). Take UT-128 S into Moab. Take the La Sal loop if it's open! In Moab...Arches NP. Deadhorse Point. Canyonlands Overlook.
Sunday: Take US-191 South out of Moab towards Blanding. A few miles past Blanding, take a right on UT-95. (You could peel off on a out-and-back side trip to Monument Valley, too.) UT-95 West to Natural Bridges NM. Check it out. Head northwest on UT-95 to Hanksville. Stay left and merge on UT-24 to Capitol Reef NP. You can stay in Fruita, Torrey or Loa.
Monday: Stay on UT-24 West out of Loa. Hang a right on UT-25 - the Fish Lake Loop. You'll come around 180 degrees and end up a few miles north of Loa on UT-72. Take it north to Fremont Jct. Go under I-70. The road turns into UT-10. Take it North to Huntington. Hang a left in Huntington on UT-31. This takes you up Huntington Canyon and down Fairview Canyon into Fairview, UT. (You can also take UT-264 at the top to Scofield, but I'm betting that it is still covered with snow.) North on US-89 to Thistle. Turn left on US-6 and head west to Spanish Fork. North on I-15 to the city and home.
I'll leave accomodations to you, but this would be a fun route:
Saturday: South to Spanish Fork. Take US-6 through Spanish Fork Canyon to I-70. I-70 East to exit #202 for UT-128 (pass the US-191 exit to Moab...this is the scenic way in). Take UT-128 S into Moab. Take the La Sal loop if it's open! In Moab...Arches NP. Deadhorse Point. Canyonlands Overlook.
Sunday: Take US-191 South out of Moab towards Blanding. A few miles past Blanding, take a right on UT-95. (You could peel off on a out-and-back side trip to Monument Valley, too.) UT-95 West to Natural Bridges NM. Check it out. Head northwest on UT-95 to Hanksville. Stay left and merge on UT-24 to Capitol Reef NP. You can stay in Fruita, Torrey or Loa.
Monday: Stay on UT-24 West out of Loa. Hang a right on UT-25 - the Fish Lake Loop. You'll come around 180 degrees and end up a few miles north of Loa on UT-72. Take it north to Fremont Jct. Go under I-70. The road turns into UT-10. Take it North to Huntington. Hang a left in Huntington on UT-31. This takes you up Huntington Canyon and down Fairview Canyon into Fairview, UT. (You can also take UT-264 at the top to Scofield, but I'm betting that it is still covered with snow.) North on US-89 to Thistle. Turn left on US-6 and head west to Spanish Fork. North on I-15 to the city and home.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 471
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City, UT
So Faber, what would be the scenic route through Montana from SLC to Glacier NP? And I don't want the "Glacier Express!" Thanks!!
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: SLC
If you've done Beartooth and Yellowstone to death, try west of Yellowstone through Big Sky. Georgeous.
I took the US 93 home from Kalispell. I was in Kalispell for a couple of days and went around Flathead Lake. I would recommed the east route (MT 35?). I took the the US 93 south through Victor and into Idaho (Salmon). Then went a little west toward Ketchum (75), then home to SLC. Western Montana is definitely worth the trip.
Next time, I think I might try the route from Boise via Couer d'Alene[/B]
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Road Warrior
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,926
Likes: 185
From: Utah
I'd hold out for Faber's tips, but if you don't hear from him for some reason, here's the route we took last summer. If there's something better, it would have to be FABULOUS. Faber will know.
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/213922
http://rideplanner.harley-davidson.c...r/share/213922
