Durango Colorado
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 311
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From: Fond du Lac,Wi.
Davey.....thanks for asking about this area of CO. I will be heading out west in Augest & visiting friends in Aurora. From there I'll be heading S.W. down to Durango & then out to SoCal.Question for you CO. bikers. Which route would you take leaving Aurora? Would you take 285 down to Johnson Village or 25 to Colorado Springs then west on 24 to the same point. From Johnson Village I guess I would head down to Maysville then west to Gunnison,Montrose & the Million Dollar. OR how about Gunnison to CO.149 to S. Fork then CO.160? Are these Hwy's all paved?( 285,24,149&160) Thanks for your help in advance & looking forward to traveling the great state of Colorado.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Rockies
tourman... I enjoy 24 and 285 into the mountains. From Aurora take your pick. If you want to ride under the shadow of Pikes Peak, but don't mind the I-25 blast down to Colorado Springs, go with 24. 285 entertains a bit more than 24, and it gives you a grand tour of South Park, but you will need to slog through Denver traffic to reach 285 on the SW side of Denver.
Continue to Gunnison on U.S. 50. If you have never seen or ridden the Million Dollar, then I suggest staying on 50 to Montrose, then south on 550 to Ouray to Silverton to Durango. If you have, then turn south on 149 for the great Silver Thread Scenic Byway to 160. A real rider's road. At 160 turn west for Durango.
Would note from Aurora, this is a long day in the saddle. Leave early.
Continue to Gunnison on U.S. 50. If you have never seen or ridden the Million Dollar, then I suggest staying on 50 to Montrose, then south on 550 to Ouray to Silverton to Durango. If you have, then turn south on 149 for the great Silver Thread Scenic Byway to 160. A real rider's road. At 160 turn west for Durango.
Would note from Aurora, this is a long day in the saddle. Leave early.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Fond du Lac,Wi.
sfarson...Ya that is a long day in the saddle. I'll take the 285 & head down to ether Gunnison or Montrose for the night.I might even stay in the area an extra day instead of just driving through. I'll also have my camping equip. with me so I'll be looking for a site with a great view.
Last edited by tourman12; Jun 12, 2012 at 09:59 AM.
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 1
From: Rockies
tourman... Gunnison or Montrose would be good for spending the night, but would mention both locations, relatively speaking, are not noted for stupendous views. The big scenery is in the distance, but not up close as U.S. 50 winds through the terrain. Now, if you opt for the Colorado 149 option west of Gunnison, heading south to Lake City, Creede, then U.S. 160 and South Fork, there are all kinds of deeply scenic campgrounds and camping locations, beginning at around Lake City. Would mention most roads leading off highways in the mountains are not paved.
Steve
Steve
Thread Starter
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Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,828
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From: Sioux Center IA
Yes you can learn a lot by experienced peopel in these places. Hopefully there is plenty of lodging down in this area for we are planning to stay in not very fancy motels
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 311
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From: Fond du Lac,Wi.
sfarson...I have some extra time to burn so I'll take you up on the 149 to Lake City,Creede,etc. & then down to Durango. Of coarse I'm not from the area so I'll head back up the Million Dollar to Ridgeway then take 62 to Placerville & 145 down to Cortez. Basiclly I'll be zigzaging through the Rockies & probably spend 2.5 days doing it. As far as lodging goes I'll ether camp or stay at cheap motels-don't need much just a place to sleep.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
If you happen to be on the south side of Aurora you could take Parker Road which turns into highway 83 east of I25. Nice ride through the Black Forest to Colorado Springs and then catch 24. This would avoid the hassle of south Denver to hook up to 285.
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
The Days Inn on the east side of Montrose on 50 is cheap and there is a decent restaurant next door called The Red Barn.
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,275
Likes: 149
From: High in the Colorado Rockies
While you are going south on 149 (south of Lake City), take the time to stop at Lake San Cristobal Overlook (MM 67), Slumgullion Slide (MM 66) which created the lake, Windy Point Overlook (MM 64) which offers awesome views of the San Juans and Uncompahgre, and North Clear Creek Falls (MM 40). All of these pulloffs are signed and between Lake City and Creede. You will pass over Slumgullion Pass (11,530) and Spring Creek Pass (Continental Divide).
I just rode this stretch again this morning and a couple notes: 1. Watch for gravel, especially on the north side of Slumgullion; 2. Pay attention to the speed limit as there are several tight hairpins north of Slumgullion where the limit drops to 15 or 20 (stay at this speed and you will be fine); 3. Try to avoid the seams in the road (a few can be nasty): 4. I have seen deer mid-day on the southside of Slumgullion; 5. The top of Spring Creek Pass is a good place to take a break. There are restrooms and the rest area intersects with the Colorado Trail (hiking) and Continental Divide Trail.
Good luck! SJ Ron
I just rode this stretch again this morning and a couple notes: 1. Watch for gravel, especially on the north side of Slumgullion; 2. Pay attention to the speed limit as there are several tight hairpins north of Slumgullion where the limit drops to 15 or 20 (stay at this speed and you will be fine); 3. Try to avoid the seams in the road (a few can be nasty): 4. I have seen deer mid-day on the southside of Slumgullion; 5. The top of Spring Creek Pass is a good place to take a break. There are restrooms and the rest area intersects with the Colorado Trail (hiking) and Continental Divide Trail.
Good luck! SJ Ron
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Fond du Lac,Wi.
sanjuan....149 looks like the route to take plus I'll have my Nikon dslr camera with me.Last year I traveled through Idaho,stayed overnight in Twin Falls, then took 75 up to Stanley then the fun started. I took 21 back down to Boise(Saw Tooth Mountains)& man I never went through so many switchbacks & hairpin turns in my life. Just that one streach (21) took me almost 4hrs.- with breaks of course. Thanks for the info.