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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696 |
Interstate? I-70 west from Denver to Utah's scenery. I-40 to Amarillo to Raton NM Or I-40 to Albuquerque, then north(or south) I-40 doesn’t go to Raton, NM. You have to get off the Interstate at Vega, take 385 to Dalhart, then 87 to Clayton, then 64 to Raton. Drive that drive at least twice a year. Great back roads and great scenery. Be sure to visit the Volcano at Capulin and the Museum at Folsom. I-40 goes to Albuquerque. It’s a long ass boring drive. Yes, I should have said I-40 to Amarillo and then NW to Raton That’s our old route from Memphis to Wyo when we made the yearly trip for deer and antelope. Mostly in the 80’s and 90’s.
if a man speaks, and there isn't a woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,187
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 18,187 |
If you don't ride into Western North Carolina you shouldn't even go.
I'm lucky to live an hour from the Smokey mountains.
TRUMP- GABBARD 2024
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Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,465 Likes: 28
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 45,465 Likes: 28 |
Salt River Canyon, AZ (U.S. 60 between Show Low and Globe). Good scenic road but be careful of elk crossing in places up near Show Low.. Cool volcanic scenery on the road from Grants or thereabouts, south thru NM on 117 I think from I40, thru the Malpais to Quemado, then take US 60 over to the show low area. Again, watch out for critters. Enjoy your trip. Geno
The desert is a true treasure for him who seeks refuge from men and the evil of men.
In it is contentment
In it is death and all you seek
(Quoted from "The Bleeding of the Stone" Ibrahim Al-Koni)
member of the cabal of dysfunctional squirrels?
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,391 Likes: 1
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,391 Likes: 1 |
Utah Hwy 12, Torrey to Panguitch; great overlooks, the hogback, nice twisties, Bryce canyon side trip near the west end. Consistently rated one of the top 3 scenic rides in the U.S., the other two are in Glacier National Park, and Beartooth highway east of Yellowstone.
Last edited by DHN; 04/14/20.
Dale
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22 |
Texline to Raton, NM is pronghorn country. It’s kinda pristine through there. Lotta volcanic activity in the past, and high mesa’s. I-40 between Amarillo and Oklahoma City is awful. I love that stretch. It is stunningly beautiful after a rain. Antelope aplenty too. It's a nice welcome to the Rockies.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22 |
S Utah, Grand Stair Case Escalante. Great bike riding there. Rode it last year Utah Scenic 12 from Bryce Canyon NP through Grand Staircase Escalante to Capitol Reef NP is perhaps the most beautiful road I have ever ridden. It is a MUST ride.
Last edited by PaulBarnard; 04/14/20.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 26,687 Likes: 22 |
The area around Blue Mesa Reservoir in CO is a great place to set up the motorhome and base camp for a few days. Lots of RV campgrounds and countless day loops from there.
Highway 92 around the north rim of the Black Canyon in CO is a good one. Take it up to 133 at Paonia then take the hardpack dirt/gravel CO 12 down into Crested Butte. 12 may not be melted off by the time you get there. If it is, it's easy to do on a street bike. If it's not open just take 92 over to Delta and pick back up on 50.
I always see lots of wildlife on 141 south of Grand Junction. Gateway resort is spectacular. It's a great place to grab lunch. Loop back over to 550 then back to camp. You can shorten this one up by cutting over to Ridgway from Naturita. This ride has a more high desert feel.
Take 114 out of Gunnison then over to Saguache. Then head over to South Fork and take 149 through Lake City. You'll summit two spectacular passes.
Take 50 to Salida, then 285 up to Twin Lakes. Then 82 over Independence Pass (if it's open) into Aspen. Aspen over to Carbondale then 133 to 92 and back home.
The first route is a good half day ride. The others are full day rides with time for butt breaks, pics and food. If you do set up in that area, you MUST go to Crested Butte. It's my favorite town in America.
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Gunnison,+CO+81230/@38.4996155,-107.5309036,10z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x873f92c3f5835b9f:0xcc769d1045a792ec!8m2!3d38.5458246!4d-106.9253207
Last edited by PaulBarnard; 04/14/20.
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,163 Likes: 6
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 9,163 Likes: 6 |
One trip into Juarez, pick up a load, bring it back in, retire in splendor.
Well this is a fine pickle we're in, should'a listened to Joe McCarthy and George Orwell I guess.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,181 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,181 Likes: 3 |
Taking a motor home and pulling a trailer with 3 street motorcycles.
Probably last 2 weeks of May
I realize that the weather MAY be fickle and may keep us at lower elevations
Mostly AZ, NM, CO and UT
The plan is to use the motor home as a home base and take 3 to 5 different day trips and returning to the motor home each evening
Looking for special rides that you have personally taken or at least know are trip worthy.
for example: The Million Dollar Highway, US550
Thanks
EDIT: I’M AWARE THAT COVID19 COULD DRASTICALLY CHANGE OUR PLANS I have no recommendations - just an envious wish that you have a GREAT time... We do similar trips to South Dakota and once to Asheville, NC.... It's an excellent way to vacation... Have a ball KD!!
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69
Pro-Constitution.
LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2 |
keith, if you get into this Las Vegas/Raton country,shout at me.
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068 |
Hwy 191 between Morenci and Alpine AZ is a classic ride. Yes, it's worth doing, then you can route over to Flagstaff and the GC if it's open. Honestly, you could spend the whole time in southern UT and be happy. You must do HWY 12. Seriously. This was in Zion many moons ago: ![[Linked Image from i.imgur.com]](https://i.imgur.com/7kslT82.jpg)
Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,068 |
If you end up in northwestern NM or southwestern CO, give me a shout.
Mercy ceases to be a virtue when it enables further injustice. -Brent Weeks
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696 |
If you don't ride into Western North Carolina you shouldn't even go.
I'm lucky to live an hour from the Smokey mountains. I’ve riden many miles in the Smokey Mts. from southern Va to Ga. Oddly, I haven’t done the “Tail”. 
Last edited by keith_dunlap; 04/14/20.
if a man speaks, and there isn't a woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696
Campfire Outfitter
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OP
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,696 |
One trip into Juarez, pick up a load, bring it back in, retire in splendor. LoL keith, if you get into this Las Vegas/Raton country,shout at me. I got into one of the biggest storms I’ve ever been in heading west and up the plateau to Las Vegas NM. Thanks you for the offer ! If you end up in northwestern NM or southwestern CO, give me a shout. Thank you for the offer !
if a man speaks, and there isn't a woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,860
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,860 |
Moqui Dugway along the road to Mexican Hat via Hanksville...Best view in Utah and beautiful...Just a little ways down there is a wide spot. Park the bikes and climb up on the trail leading away from the turnout...You will know when you find it...
********
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Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,412 Likes: 2
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 9,412 Likes: 2 |
Don't miss Moab and the surrounding area.
mike r
Don't wish it were easier
Wish you were better
Stab them in the taint, you can't put a tourniquet on that.
Craig Douglas ECQC
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,488 Likes: 28
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,488 Likes: 28 |
Utah highway 12, Red Canyon to Mexican Hat, then on to Monument Valley. Excellent one. Also from the other end, Mesa Verde, Co to Monument Valley.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 16,436 Likes: 2 |
One trip into Juarez, pick up a load, bring it back in, retire in splendor. LoL keith, if you get into this Las Vegas/Raton country,shout at me. I got into one of the biggest storms I’ve ever been in heading west and up the plateau to Las Vegas NM. Thanks you for the offer ! If you end up in northwestern NM or southwestern CO, give me a shout. Thank you for the offer ! We're here! Have a small RV park, and, if all else fails - a house!
I've always been a curmudgeon - now I'm an old curmudgeon.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
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Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,512
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,512 |
Moqui Dugway along the road to Mexican Hat via Hanksville...Best view in Utah and beautiful...Just a little ways down there is a wide spot. Park the bikes and climb up on the trail leading away from the turnout...You will know when you find it... Yep, overlooking Goblin Valley State Park. Outstanding and scary little hike. Camped several times at Muley Point on top the dugway. Great country! Years ago I took my oldest son on a road trip through there. It was a beautiful stormy day when we stopped and got out on Muley Point to look down onto Monument Valley. After a couple of minutes my son screamed at me that my hair was standing straight up! I yelled get back in the truck, we did and luckily avoided a lightening strike. I call Southern Utah wonderland and have been fortunate to move up here three years ago.
Old guy, old guns.
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,181 Likes: 3
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 59,181 Likes: 3 |
If you don't ride into Western North Carolina you shouldn't even go.
I'm lucky to live an hour from the Smokey mountains. I’ve riden many miles in the Smokey Mts. from southern Va to Ga. Oddly, I haven’t done the “Tail”. I have... That's one helluva trip - NOT one for newbies...
Ex- USN (SS) '66-'69
Pro-Constitution.
LET'S GO BRANDON!!!
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