Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations

In rec.motorcycles Lee Carkenord <carkenord.DeleteThis@juno.com> wrote:

: Options available for camping, besides the ones you mentioned, are:
: Nat. Forest campgrounds, dispersed camping in Nat. Forests, BLM
: campgrounds, dispersed camping on BLM land. That's 4 more options.
: (The dispersed camping is free. Some BLM c/g's are free.)

AFAIK, the BLM permits camping anywhere, not just in the campgrounds. At
least, they do in Nevada. Depending on fire conditions and local
management areas, you will probably need a fire permit in any Forest
Service campground and possibly also BLM.

: As far as reservations go........National Parks mite require them,
: esp. on weekends. There are many commercial c/g's........some are
: pretty nice, and reasonable price, esp. as you get away from more
: travelled hiways. For commercial, expect to pay from $12 to maybe $18
: for a tentsite. KOA is abt the most expensive.

The National Parks can be variable, and the best bet is to look up the
website of the parks you'll be passing to find out what their policies
are. In CA, for example, you have to book way in advance for Yosemite
almost year round, but Lassen NP is first come first served at all times.
And remember that in addition to the $10-$15 or so camping fee you'll pay
in the NP, there's a $10 entrance fee, oops, I mean it will be $5 since
you are on a motorcycle. If you plan on visiting a bunch of parks along
your way, you could purchase an Annual Parks Pass for $50 that lets you
into every NP/NM.
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

In rec.motorcycles Mark Denovich <foo RemoveThis @bar.com> wrote:

: Leave I76 outside Denver, and take US34 to Rocky Mountain NP. Probably
: camp in the park and head south on US40 -> I70 -> CO91 ->US 50 to
: Montrose. This is the start of the Million Dollar Highway US550 to
: Durango. I hear this should be an interesting ride.

Personally, I'd stick to a more northernly route, although probably the
only place where heat is really potentially lethal will be Death Valley.
For me, the real issue would be that in the time you've allotted, you're
going first way north, then way south and you're not going to get much
time to explore in either direction. What's the point of going to the
Grand Canyon if you can't stay a few days, hiking and seeing other cool
stuff in the area?

So, what I'd do is choose, and given that you want to go through CO and
Rocky Mtn. NP, I'd spend a day or two in that park, then stay on 40 to
Dinosaur NM. Spend a day looking at stuff there (I've always wanted to go
there), then continue on 40 to Salt Lake City. SLC is pretty, at least
stop for a good meal and stroll through downtown. From SLC you have a few
options for getting to CA quickly: fastest is 80, but 50 is a more fun,
adventursome ride. If you take 50, you'll have the option of going down
395 and through Yosemite or better yet, over any of the other passes, like
Sonora Pass, and west into the Bay Area from there. You could also
continue on either 50 or 80, and wind your way down 49 through the Gold
Country. Or, if time matters, just stick to the superslab all the way to
San Jose. Make sure you stop and see Lake Tahoe on your way.

Another route I'd like to try would be on 80 at West Wendover take (Nev.)
Alt 93 down to 6 at Ely. 6 all the way to Benton (no gas between Ely and
Tonopah), then Hwy 120 through Yosemite. Traffic could be nasty through
Yosemite, so you could always take 395 up to 108 (the lovely Sonora Pass).
Either way, you can also see Mono Lake.

Even though you travel through desert in Nevada, it is high elevation
and I remember it being rather pleasant in August. Your only concern would
be gas (and remembering to drink a lot of water), and if that's an issue,
just stick to 80 or 50.
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

Holly Ober wrote:
 > Another route I'd like to try would be on 80 at West Wendover take (Nev.)
 > Alt 93 down to 6 at Ely. 6 all the way to Benton (no gas between Ely and
 > Tonopah), then Hwy 120 through Yosemite.

That's exactly what I've penciled in. I snipped the Grand Canyon and
Death Valley from the todo list, and instead routed through UT picking
up US 6 near the border.

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/ut?full=1" target="_blank">http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/ut?full=1</a>

As you say, I don't really have the time to do the bigger sites any
justice. For the most part I'll be just stopping to take a picture,
and then hitting the road again.

--Mark<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

In rec.motorcycles Mark Denovich <foo.DeleteThis@bar.com> wrote:

: That's exactly what I've penciled in. I snipped the Grand Canyon and
: Death Valley from the todo list, and instead routed through UT picking
: up US 6 near the border.

: http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/ut?full=1

That looks like a great route-- you'll be going through Canyonlands NP
and Capitol Reef NP. Have you ever been to Arches NP? It might be worth a
small side trip. It's really beautiful. You'll also go through Great Basin
NP, where I've never been, but it looks like a really beautiful place as
well.

It looks like Ely-Tonopah is 167 miles:
http://www.travelnevada.com/nevada_mileage.asp

And even if you find someone has decided to put up a pump at some point,
don't count on it being open when you need it. Most bikes can do 167 miles
between fill ups, but my VTR can't, so I worry about things like that.

: As you say, I don't really have the time to do the bigger sites
any
: justice. For the most part I'll be just stopping to take a picture,
: and then hitting the road again.

Wild horses could be the biggest attraction on Hwy 6, although this is
pretty cool, too:
http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Volcanoes/Nevada/description_nevada_volcanic...tml#lun
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

Holly Ober wrote:

 > and Capitol Reef NP. Have you ever been to Arches NP? It might be worth a
 > small side trip. It's really beautiful.

The only place I've been in the Rockies was the Air Force Academy and a
trip up Pike's Peak. I picked up the Fodor's guide to the Rockies,
which seems pretty helpful. Its description of the Arches NP does
sound good. I'll add it time/weather/my-sore-ass permitting.

 > And even if you find someone has decided to put up a pump at some point,
 > don't count on it being open when you need it. Most bikes can do 167 miles
 > between fill ups, but my VTR can't, so I worry about things like that.

Good point. The Daytona is reasonably good on gas... I seem to get 170
or so before the low fuel warning goes on, which leaves me about another
20 or so miles. I will make it a point to refuel when the chance
arises. I've had a "am i gonna make it" scare once before in the
middle of nowhere, and it was no fun.

Thanks again for the info.

--Mark
Dod #1559
99 Triumph Daytona<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

In alt.motorcycle.sportbike Mark Denovich <foo DeleteThis @bar.com> wrote:

: Good point. The Daytona is reasonably good on gas... I seem to get 170
: or so before the low fuel warning goes on, which leaves me about another
: 20 or so miles. I will make it a point to refuel when the chance
: arises. I've had a "am i gonna make it" scare once before in the
: middle of nowhere, and it was no fun.

Just gas up whenever you see a station and you'll be OK.

: Thanks again for the info.

Have a good trip! Post the report when you get back.
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

"Mark Denovich" <foo RemoveThis @bar.com> wrote in message news:E7ILa.53311$XG4.78241@rwcrnsc53...
 > Holly Ober wrote:
  > > Another route I'd like to try would be on 80 at West Wendover take (Nev.)
  > > Alt 93 down to 6 at Ely. 6 all the way to Benton (no gas between Ely and
  > > Tonopah), then Hwy 120 through Yosemite.
 >
 > That's exactly what I've penciled in. I snipped the Grand Canyon and
 > Death Valley from the todo list, and instead routed through UT picking
 > up US 6 near the border.
 >
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/ut?full=1</font" target="_blank">http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/ut?full=1</font</a>>
 >
 > As you say, I don't really have the time to do the bigger sites any
 > justice. For the most part I'll be just stopping to take a picture,
 > and then hitting the road again.
 >
If possible I'd suggest taking a slightly more southern route through
Utah so you can do Hwy 12. Starting at Capitol Reef, take Hwy 12
SW until you hit Hwy 89. Then you can take 89 north and intersect
your original route.

Yes it's a little out of your way, but Hwy 12 was called the most scenic
drive in America by Car and Driver. You'll also go by Bryce Canyon. If
you only stop there for a few min, it's an amazing thing to see.

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/homepage.html" target="_blank">http://www.so-utah.com/hwy12/homepage.html</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

"Holly Ober" <ez052324 DeleteThis @vidi.ucdavis.edu> wrote in message>
 > What's the point of going to the
 > Grand Canyon if you can't stay a few days, hiking and seeing other cool
 > stuff in the area? ..............

Holly is right, take your time and enjoy the ride.

 > Alt 93 down to 6 at Ely. 6 all the way to Benton (no gas between Ely and
 > Tonopah), then Hwy 120 through Yosemite. Traffic could be nasty through
 > Yosemite, so you could always take 395 up to 108 (the lovely Sonora Pass).
 > Either way, you can also see Mono Lake.
 >
At Benton on the California/Nevada border, I also recommend CA 120 to US
395. This section is filled with whoops and great scenery, then more whoops,
scenery and curves. We take it whenever we can. Then, when you reach US 395,
jog over to CA 120. Stop at the big Mobil gas station on 120 at 395, fill up
and then have lunch, breakfast or dinner, whichever is appropriate. This gas
station has what might be called a gormet mini-restaraunt. Take CA 120 thru
Yosemite (Tioga Pass Road, $10 fee for park entrance). Ride thru Tioga Pass
in the morning if possible and take your time, It's a beautiful road.

Clarke
Clarke and Leslie Stanley
San Luis Obispo, CA<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

 >From: Mark Denovich foo RemoveThis @bar.com

 >I'm taking the month of July off for some motorcycle sport-touring on my 99'
Triumph Daytona. I'm leaving from Pittsburgh, PA and I'm headed to San Jose,
CA.

Riding a sportbike across country is certainly an enjoyable way to cover a lot
of two-lane asphalt rapidly, like Pac Man on methamphetamines, gobbling up
yellow dots. You don't see much, just asphalt. The leather or textile-clad
rider is suited up like an astronaut, cloistered away from the land that he
intends to "see" by the sportbike mindset. Gotta go, gotta go, gotta
f-a-a-a-st!

And that suit which protects the rider from the possibility of abrading away
sensitive epidermis, should soft parts come in contact with the road, is
usually the wrong gear for even a casual stroll into the woods to get intimate
with the natural beauty that the rider came to see.

It's sort of like showing up a a formal affair, and you're dressed for a hockey
game or tennis. All wrong.

I found a unique sportrider, who wasn't afraid to shed his
riding gear, leave his bike unattended, put on walking shoes and shorts, and
enjoy the natural wonders of America.

<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/top.htm" target="_blank">http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/top.htm</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/angelslanding.htm" target="_blank">http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/angelslanding.htm</a>
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/bbnp.htm" target="_blank">http://www.v0.net/holbrook/rides/trip2002/bbnp.htm</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

"Mark Denovich" <foo RemoveThis @bar.com> wrote in message
news:BlnLa.46553$nG.46766@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att.net...
 > I'm taking the month of July off for some motorcycle sport-touring on my
 > 99' Triumph Daytona. I'm leaving from Pittsburgh, PA and I'm headed to
 > San Jose, CA. I'm budgeting about 6-8days each way, leaving me with a
 > week or two in between to spend with friends in CA.
 >
 > Half of the trip is pretty lame... lotsa interstate miles between PA
 > and CO. But once I get there it should start to get interesting.
 > That's were I'd like some advice.
 >
<font color=purple> > Current CO plan: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/co?full=1</font" target="_blank">http://denovich.org/gallery/Random/co?full=1</font</a>>
 >
 > Leave I76 outside Denver, and take US34 to Rocky Mountain NP. Probably
 > camp in the park and head south on US40 -> I70 -> CO91 ->US 50 to
 > Montrose. This is the start of the Million Dollar Highway US550 to
 > Durango. I hear this should be an interesting ride.

Just noticed you're taking off July - hope I'm not too late in posting this.

You've picked a real nice route through CO. The fun begins once you get
through Loveland. Hwy 34 is a fun, twisty ride all the way up to Estes
Park. Into Rocky Mountain National Park and up over Trail Ridge is great -
fantastic views - but can be real slow if you catch it on a weekend (lots
and lots of tourists). Trail Ridge (#4 in the image link above) is the
highest continuous paved road in the U.S. - or something like that.

Hwy 50 is a great ride. Fun road up from Salida, over Monarch Pass.
Gunnison to Montrose is a fun ride. The Million Dollar Highway is
fantastic. The stretch from Ouray to Durango is great. Here's a pic I took
on that road last year. This is 5 or 10 minutes out of Ouray, headed to
Silverton: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.pbase.com/image/2681516." target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/image/2681516.</a> And, coming out of Silverton
(shown in the pic), headed toward Durango:
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.pbase.com/image/2681518." target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/image/2681518.</a>

Have a good trip!

Dan
Longmont, CO<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations 

 >The stretch from Ouray to Durango is great. Here's a pic I took
 >on that road last year. This is 5 or 10 minutes out of Ouray, headed to
 >Silverton: <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.pbase.com/image/2681516." target="_blank">http://www.pbase.com/image/2681516.</a> And, coming out of Silverton
 >(shown in the pic), headed toward Durango:

Good pics. I'll be down there in a couple of weeks with several other bikers.
Should be fun. This'll be the third year in a row we go through Silverton,
Durango, Lake City, et al. Lake City is a quaint little town where we usually
spend the night and eat at Poker Alice's. That is the life.....I can't wait.
KennyH

Horsepower is cheaper than therapy.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Colorado and Arizona trip planning recommendations