Western Slope Sojourn

[asp_125]

Since the board was down last week, here is a ride report of a trip that I did the weekend before. 1000+ miles over 3 days. Our route took us over to Gunnison, Lake City, Durango, out to Grand Junction before winding back over the Grand Mesa and over Independence Pass back home.

On a bright Friday morning, we soon left the rush hour of those captive to their jobs. By the them we arrived at Kenosha Pass, it was already bright with the changing aspens.


When the Collegiate Range came into view, we could feel the crispness of fall. Liners stayed in our jackets as we rode towards the slopes of the 14ers.


Ahead, Monarch Pass..

and the obligatory picture in front of the sign.


.... more

[justintyme73]

great pics!

[asp_125]

At a lunch stop at McD's in Gunnison, we see a few cars under black covers. I could tell one or two were Porsches. So we waited until the group that was there finished eating and started towards their rides. Then the cell phone camera came out...



Turns out, these were Porsche engineering test mules. Ratty bodywork, lack of badging and tacked on plastic camouflage hid instruments and wires and test electronics. There were 14 in all, 7 911 coupes and 7 either cabriolets or boxters.

After lunch we turned south, past the shores of the Blue Mesa Reservoir and towards Lake City. C0-149 swept over rolling hills and open range, long open curves and sweeping corners encouraged a quick pace, "plaid" was seen on a few occasions, the bikes screaming along at the upper reaches of their tachometers.



Closer to Lake City the corners got tighter, and the trees more numerous. We stopped more than a few times to take in the views:









.... cont'd

[asp_125]

.. by the time we left Lake San Cristobal, we still had miles and miles to go before our arrival in Durango. So we hightailed it over CO-160 and Wolf Creek Pass, its double lane curves were a great place to scrub the sidewalls of my new Dunlop Q2s.

Finally, 400+ miles later, we arrive at our host's ranch. This was capped off with a dinner in town (mmmm Sushitarian ) and the appropriate beverages after.

[chad23]

great lookin ride so far, keep it a coming

[asp_125]

The next day, after a big breakfast at Christina's Restaurant in Durango, (where one of our group was foolhardy enough to try their ham steak... bone in slab o' pig more like it!) we headed north. But rather than doing the Million Dollar Highway which a couple of us already did in June, we looked at a squiggly line on the map that took us to the western edges of this state.

We follow the Dolores River, speeding alongside treelined banks and pastoral farms. Soon the road ascended towards Lizard Head Pass; the sawtooth profile of the Dallas Divide cutting across the horizon. Then it was down into Telluride, where the Blues and Brews festival was going on.





Regrettably we could not stay to sample their brews, for we had to hit the road. So after a short break we mounted our steeds and headed west towards the afternoon sun.

Cool pine scented forest and golden aspens give way to the smell of hot earth, sagebrush and red sand. The pavement, free from the restraint of mountain cliffs, now meanders alongside the canyons of the Dolores River.



50 miles of good sight lines, smooth asphalt, and nothing but the wind and the sound of three sets of exhausts, their howls echoing off canyon walls. Rolling rollin rollin, keep them Dunlops rollin' rawhide! Think Hwy7, only no cars and 5 times longer.



The route through the Tabegauche (pronounced like tabby-watch) canyon on CO 141 is one of the western slope's great untravelled routes. Not a lot of cars impede our progress. Sweeping curves and rolling terrain are best taken briskly, but reward any pace that lets you concentrate on the road yet not miss any of the spectacular vistas.



See the road, at the upper right corner? Better not overshoot this corner. You can also see evidence of an old wooden flume clinging to the canyon wall. Early gold and uranium mining in this area required water for their sluices, and settlers built flumes to carry water to their operations.

[asp_125]

Ghosts of cowboys and wild horses run alongside our shiny metal steeds. We could be on four hooves, packing six guns on the lam from the law; thundering along the well worn path between Naturita and Gateway. A stop in Gateway for water, refreshing and cool after the heat and the dust. Gateway is the home of the Hendricks classic car museum (John Hendricks founded the Discovery Channel), and right next to it is a resort. We seriously consider a return trip with trailers, tires and leathers; staying here and running up and down this great stretch of road all day.

Gas for our "horses" and then it was back on the trail. ... we get back in the saddle, and continue up the road. The Unaweep canyon is another 50 mile ribbon of sparsely traveled two lane, connecting this wild land and leading us back to civilization.



Red sandstone is replaced by granite, and we pass from one geological formation to another. Here, the narrow canyon becomes a wide U shaped valley. Sheer granite monoliths tower over each side of this valley, their many layers of geology looking like we were riding through the middle of a giant layer cake. The road straightens out and there are a few more ranches and human activity. But the riding though less technical, is as wonderful as the previous 50 miles.

At last we get to our cabin at the KOA. Just up the way on US 50, we grab a very good meal at a little mexican mom & pop diner. to Las Marias for their generous portions and cervesa.

[asp_125]

As much as we would've like to extend our stay, day three saw us heading home. A nice down home country breakfast in Palisade, and the trio were off. Up over the Grand Mesa where fall colors were again in peak form.



For anyone doing the October fall colors ride, there were still some green patches, but not many.





Looks like somebody made their way to the middle of Island Lake and set up camp.

[asp_125]

Off the Grand Mesa we turned east for home over McClure Pass, stopping off in Redstone by the coke ovens and then a late lunch poolside at the Redstone Inn. (where the scenery was great, and the view wasn't bad either)


(we welcome our giant bee overlords!)



After that, traffic got heavier as campers and sightseers crawled their way up bumpy Independence Pass.



After a last stop at the summit, we rejoin the masses. One last high speed run over Freemont pass we head down the mountain in I-70 traffic. Creeping along into the night, we head home tired but with good memories of this western adventure.

[ChrisCBX]

You guys picked some great roads and had perfect weather. Nice pix as always Jeff.

[asp_125]

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&sour...48,4.63623&z=8

[Sean]

Great ride, Jeff!

[mtnairlover]

I missed riding on hwy149 this season. I've gotta get down there again, but will have to wait until next summer. Not sure yet if I will take 2 or 3 days to see the southern parts of the state, but I am hoping things will be better next year.

You saw some amazing parts of the state along with beautiful color. Nice photos, Jeff!

[50sGrl]

Absolutely stunning photos.

[asp_125]

Trust me, photos are weak in comparison to actually riding through that scenery. Of course parts of it went by in a blur of color, it was difficult to decide if we should keep pulling over for photo ops or keep flying along. All the more reason to make a return trip I suppose.

[mtnairlover]

Trust me, photos are weak in comparison to actually riding through that scenery. Of course parts of it went by in a blur of color, it was difficult to decide if we should keep pulling over for photo ops or keep flying along. All the more reason to make a return trip I suppose.

lol...yeah, we had the same problem last weekend on hwy24. I turned a corner and was blown over by the vibrant color. Just gorgeous.

Yep, gonna go back again and again until I'm way too old to do this...then again...

[asp_125]

So many corners, so little time....

[Bashed]

ASP 125,
Great write-up and ride report.
I did Hwy 141 this weekend with a group, it's been over a decade since I did it last. Top 3 in the state for road racing, opps, riding. I found it a bit bumpy, but my bike is setup pretty stiff. Corners that just continue forever it seems. Do yourself a favor and not let this season slip away without riding this road. The good and the bad is that it is very out of the way. Spend and overnighter in G Junction and have at it. You will not regret it.

[CYCLE_MONKEY]

Nice! The Durango area is a great ride. Steve-O and I did that 2 summers ago.

[CaptGoodvibes]

Thanks for taking me back Jeff! That was the best weekend of my riding life!

[asp_125]

.. Do yourself a favor and not let this season slip away without riding this road. The good and the bad is that it is very out of the way. ...

Yup, you heard the man! Dooo eeet!!

[bren29]

Great photo's and looks like an awesome trip. I'm defiantly going to have to do something like that next year.

[real5280]

great shots, ive lived in durango and crested butte over the last few years. Great example why CO is the best for 2wheels.

[bodhizafa]

thought I was on ADVrider for a minute.....nice report