Colorado Route Please

[BobFV1]

Hi guys -

Friday night June 9 my wife and I are meeting up in Durango, Colorado. I am riding in from Phoenix earlier in the day and she is flying up in the late afternoon. We will RON in Durango.

We have all day Saturday and Sunday - I have to get her to Denver for a 1930 flight back to PHX the evening of Sunday the 11th, then I head East back to DC on the bike.

So I need route assistance. My wife has never been to the Rockies, except to Durango and Silverton. My thought was to ride North to Ouray, Gunnison, and on up to Aspen the first day, then Sunday ride over Independence Pass, up to the top of Pike's Peak, then over to DEN for her to catch her flight.

Any suggestions on route, things to see or do, or places to stay would be welcome.

Thanks!

[STexFJR]

Bob, I like your routing, but I'd skip Pike's Peak and opt for Mt. Evans instead. Mt Evans is way less traveled (plus its on your way), higher than Pike's Peak and the views are more spectacular. At the bottom of Mt. Evans (which is still at 10,000') you can go to the Echo Lake Lodge and have some delicious peanut butter pie while watching the wildlife on the lake. Or take her over Trail Ridge road in Rocky Mountain Nat. Park which gives you Berthoud Pass to go over on the way there. My family has orders to spread my ashes on Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road. You also might opt to get to Aspen via hwy 92 that starts just west of Gunnison. 92 is spectacular!!! Too bad that Joe Cocker shut down his Mad Dog Cafe in Crawford, that was a fun stop to make. Enjoy your trip. I'm envious.

[ofrogg]

Too bad that Joe Cocker shut down his Mad Dog Cafe in Crawford, that was a fun stop to make. Enjoy your trip. I'm envious.

WHAT? When did that happen? So wait... which joint is that in Hotchkiss that is along 92... I thought that was Joe Cocker's place?!:037:

Bob, If you can manage it, I'd strongly suggest heading from Durango immediately to Ouray that evening the 9th and staying at Box Springs Lodge and Hot Springs (http://www.boxcanyonouray.com/). Then, I'm not sure why you'd go through Gunnison on your way to Aspen, you'd be better off heading north to Montrose, East on Hwy 50, pick up 92 and go through Crawford, Hotchkiss, Paonia, over McClure Pass (spectacular place) through Carbondale into Aspen. But that's a pretty chill day. Next day, do indy pass, it should open Memorial Day weekend, head down to Buena Vista, take 285 to Geneva Road... Head over Guanella Pass onto I-70, and down into denver... I'd time that last section as late as possible though... others may disagree.

[supermotoC]

If you go over Trail Ridge (outside of Estes Park), stop on the other side (Grand Lake) at Grand lake Lodge, I doubt you'll find a room, but stop & stretch & have a look around. The lake you'll see below is the beginning of the Colorado River. Watch for Moose at dusk/dawn hours. I've ridden my bicycle over this pass a couple of times - it never fails to be SPECTACULAR, escpecially above the tree line.

[STexFJR]

Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.
http://www.cocker.com/mdrtp/

[Arby]

Bob

If you follow ofrogg's route, when you get to Buena Vista, take the cutoff for Cottonwood Pass. It's good ride to the top, 12,000+ altitude with switchbacks at the top. You'll wantta turn around & come back the same way, otherwise you'll end up in Gunnison or Crestted Butte.

I've seen moose up (one)up there before. But when I tell people that they say I'm crazy, it must have been a mule deer.

It's a nice scenic side trip.

Also, while in the Gunnison-Montrose area, you should plan time for the Black Canyon National Pk.

RB

RB

[BobFV1]

Thanks for all the great ideas and advice! I will definitley consider Mt. Evans as opposed to Pikes Peak.

Thanks again!

Oh - will do the first night in Durango. Wife gets in at 2000 and I don't think riding 2up Durango to Ouray in the dark is such a cool idea, even for a riding God like me....... Ouray is a beautiful place, though maybe we can do coffe there on Saturday.

[ofrogg]

Thanks for all the great ideas and advice! I will definitley consider Mt. Evans as opposed to Pikes Peak.

Thanks again!

Oh - will do the first night in Durango. Wife gets in at 2000 and I don't think riding 2up Durango to Ouray in the dark is such a cool idea, even for a riding God like me....... Ouray is a beautiful place, though maybe we can do coffe there on Saturday.

Understood... You said evening, I heard 6ish and thought, "How great would that be to get off a plane, onto a bike, over Red Mountain Pass with a spectacular sunset then settle into a private hot spring fed hot tub" so yeah, stay in Durango.

CAREFUL on Hwy 160 though! Many wildlives, and cops to make sure you know why they made the speed limit as low as it is. :icon_cry:

[BobFV1]

Understood]CAREFUL on Hwy 160 though! Many wildlives, and cops to make sure you know why they made the speed limit as low as it is. :icon_cry:

Oh yeah - I think State Troopers are the official "State Animal" of Colorado! :037:

[AZBMWRIDER]

This is the route I rode last year. It was awesome!!!
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/BMWK1200RS/CORide.gif

Coffee break in Dolores, CO.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/BMWK1200RS/DoloresCO.jpg

LizardHeadPass, CO.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/BMWK1200RS/LizardHeadPassCO.jpg


I stopped to take this picture before ridding into Telluride, CO. for lunch.
http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/BMWK1200RS/100_0295.jpg



Don't forget to stop at the Hickory House in Aspen, CO. for Breakfast, Lunch or dinner.

July05, I stopped in for a cup of coffee, scrambold eggs and baby back ribs before ridding up to Independence Pass.
(Awesome Breakfast)

http://www.hickoryhouseribs.com/aspenlocation.html

Hickory House Aspen
730 West Main Street
Aspen, CO 81611
Phone: 970-925-2313
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Independence Pass, CO. I'll be ridding through their again this year in July.
You must ride CO. HWY82 (Independence Pass) Breathtaking…! Just look at my pictures below.

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g5/BMWK1200RS/IndependencePassCO.jpg

[STexFJR]

Thanks for posting those.

Here's a couple
First one is at the top of Mt. Evans
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/Dewayne/Colo2004042.jpg

This one is from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/Dewayne/Colo2004062.jpg

[BobFV1]

I Can't wait - I love it up in the high mountains...

[AZBMWRIDER]

Thanks for posting those.

Here's a couple
First one is at the top of Mt. Evans
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/Dewayne/Colo2004042.jpg

This one is from Rainbow Curve on Trail Ridge Road

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v126/Dewayne/Colo2004062.jpg

Very Nice...I'm ridding to Paonia, CO. on July 13, 2006
It's going to be awesome...


CO July 13-16, 2006
33rd Top o' the Rockies Rally
BMW M/C Club of Colorado #66

Centered at town Park in historic Paonia on the Western Slope, providing riders & their guests with best riding & scenery Colorado has to offer. Registration fee of $35 ($40 after 6/30) gives you 3 nights camping w/hot showers & bathrooms nearby. Breakfast on Sat, a great dinner Sat night. Lots of great door prizes & many vendors, fun field events & a great American Legion Beer Garden. Aside from great paved roads in the area there is a lot of great dual-sport excitement, too! For those who are camping-challenged, motels are in the area but they book up quickly so make reservations well ahead of time. Register online: www.coloradobeemers.com or download mail-in form. Paonia is about 62 miles SW of Carbondale, CO on Highway 133; 27 miles E of Delta via hwys 92 & 133. N 38.86963 W 107.59735