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- Road conditions<\/li>\n
- Diversity of riding options<\/li>\n
- Activities along the route<\/li>\n
- Abilities to disperse camp\/hotel access<\/li>\n
- Scenery<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Route 550:\u00a0 The Million Dollar Highway<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rated 5 Wheelies<\/strong>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/5-Wheelies.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRoad Description.\u00a0 <\/strong>This loop may be one of the greatest roads in all of North America. The road is paved and in immaculate condition.\u00a0 It combines some of the tightest switchbacks one can expect to experience on a motorcycle. The full route per the map is ~355 miles and can be done in 1 day, but highly recommend taking at least 2-4 to fully experience and immerse yourself in this beautiful part of the country.\u00a0 There are endless forest roads off 550 to get your fill of dirt riding littered with an infinite amount of beautiful dispersed campsites. Also some wonderful old mining towns rich with history, hiking, restaurants, hotels, and hot springs.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Million_Dollar-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPoints of Interest.\u00a0 <\/strong>There’s no shortage of amazing places to stop along this road.\u00a0 Below is a small list of the places you should not miss along this route.<\/p>\n
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- Silverton is a great little mining town with wonderful people.\u00a0 It’s a perfect place to load up on supplies if you are camping.\u00a0 You can warm up after getting some miles in at the Brown Bear Caf\u00e9<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Ouray is a beautiful mountain town with several hikes to waterfalls, hot springs, and some wonderful restaurants. My favorite is the Ouray Brewery<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Rico is a really tiny town which consists of a great hotel and bar called the Enterprise Bar and Grill<\/a>, with wonderful people, great food and cold beer.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where to Stay\/Camp.\u00a0 <\/strong>There is an immense amount of national forest land that can be used to camp on along this loop.\u00a0 Really any dirt road you ride down will guide you to an epic campsite next to a creek. This makes for a relaxing post ride time to wind down in a hammock, while having a refreshing beverage. The towns of Silverton and Ouray have several hotels that are right in the heart of the town and a short walk to tourist activities and restaurants.<\/p>\n
Off-Roading.\u00a0 <\/strong>There is an endless amount of dirt roads to find here, this goes from flat well-groomed forest roads to find a campsite to the technical challenging mountain passes like Engineer or Imogene Pass (which I have not done due to the size of my GS1200 and conservative riding style).<\/p>\n
Out of so many outstanding rides in the state of Colorado, the Million Dollar Highway should be on the top of any list.\u00a0 This road and area really earn that 5 Wheelie rating due to exceeding each standard for riders of all ability levels. There are so many sights to see along this route that you will never tire of absorbing the beauty that surrounds you in this part of the state. If you are fortunate enough to have the time, doing the loop in reverse can be a great way to add a few more days to your adventure.<\/p>\n
Mesa Verde National Park <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rated 5 Wheelies<\/strong>
<\/p>\nRoad Description.\u00a0 <\/strong>As soon as you enter Mesa Verde National Park<\/a> the road begins screaming up in elevation with some incredible views overlooking the valley below you will almost have a sense of vertigo overcome you.\u00a0 What is wonderful about this feeling as it goes on and on as you travel through the park.\u00a0 Although the distance from the park entrance to the furthest point is only 28 miles, those miles are filled with numerous overlooks and pullouts that can make this seemingly short ride take 2-3 days.\u00a0 This is especially true if you are taking in the hikes along the way.\u00a0 The only piece of concern for this ride is the numerous road snakes in some areas of this ride. Otherwise its full enjoyment as you have a 360 view of the valleys below that outstretch clear into Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Mesa_Verde_National_Park-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPoints of Interest.\u00a0 <\/strong>Since this is a National Park there are ample amounts of short hikes and tours to break up the day(s) you spend in this magical location. A few of the more popular ones are outlined below:<\/p>\n
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- The Cliff Palace requires purchasing a tour ticket at Park Visitor Center, but even without one you can walk to the overlook to get a spectacular view of the houses the Hopi built into the cliffs which are all but hidden except from this vantage point.<\/li>\n
- The Balcony House also requires a tour ticket but is well worth it as you can walk through the ruins and really get a sense of the<\/li>\n
- The Knife’s Edge Hike is a great 2-mile hike with little elevation next to Morefield Campground that has incredible sunset views, which enable the rocks to really light up and glow.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where to Stay\/Camp.\u00a0 <\/strong>Morefield Campground- This is the only campground in the park so making reservations ahead of time is recommended. It is one of the better National Park campgrounds I have stayed at and includes free showers, great Wi-Fi from most campsites (antennas are off the bathrooms), and a launderette, gas, and fully stocked store for all your camping and souvenir needs. There are also several wonderful hiking trails right next to the campground.<\/p>\n
Off-Roading.\u00a0 <\/strong>This is one of the drawbacks of a National Park, as there is no off-roading permitted within the park boundaries.\u00a0 The beauty and activities from hiking and riding makes up for this shortcoming.<\/p>\n
Route 65: Grand Mesa Scenic Byway <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rated 5 Wheelies<\/strong>
<\/p>\nRoad Description. <\/strong>\u00a0Yet another beautiful Colorado mountain road filled with switchbacks that rise in elevation and bring you to over 10,000 feet up and onto the World\u2019s largest Mesa. There are several pullouts along this route to take in the views, but no gas stations from Cedaredge to Mesa (50 miles, but can be close to 100 miles if you are doing the off-road portion) plan accordingly.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Grand_Mesa-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPoints of Interest. <\/strong>The main point of interest the mesa itself and the amazing views, alpine lakes, dispersed camping, and off-roading.<\/p>\n
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- The Lands\u2019 End Observatory<\/a> is well worth the 10-mile off-road ride to get to reach it.<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Motel<\/a>\u00a0is a great place to stop for a beverage and a burger for lunch, charge your equipment and take a breather.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where to Stay\/Camp. <\/strong>Dispersed camping is plentiful along Rte125 where you can get a lakeside campsite with little issue and make it your own paradise for the evening as you watch the sunset glistening off one of the many alpine lakes. There are also plenty of campgrounds along this way if you are looking for less primitive camping.\u00a0 Hotels are scattered along this route in the towns of Delta, Mesa, or driving to up Grand Junction for a greater variety of lodging.<\/p>\n
Off-Roading.\u00a0 <\/strong>Route 125 Surface Creek Road is a great 15-mile loop.\u00a0 This road has you experience the mesa while passing crystal clear alpine lakes with numerous dispersed camping areas. \u00a0There is also a 10-mile dirt road in great condition to visit the Lands\u2019 End Observatory. The views off the mesa looking down on the plateau can allow you to see into Utah on a clear day with awe inspiring views.<\/p>\n
Route 141: Grand Junction to Naturita <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rated 4.5 Wheelies<\/strong>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/4-and-a-half-Wheelies.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRoad Description.\u00a0 <\/strong>This is a low elevation beautifully paved road that is 105 miles long.\u00a0 This road will have you leaning your ride until you feel the mist kissing your windshield from Dolores River as you pass amazing rust colored mesas that stretch into the sky and rival that of Monument Valley. The road has very little traffic which will allow you to enjoy some solitude as you embrace the scenery you ride through. The only reason this route is rated as 4.5 is the lack of amenities.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Grand_Junction_Naturita-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPoints of Interest.\u00a0 <\/strong>This road is in quite a desolate area, outside the tiny town of Gateway.\u00a0 Gateway Canyons General Store is owned and run by the preacher of the church next door to it.\u00a0 This is the only place to gas up between Grand Junction and Naturita so be sure to check your fuel levels.<\/p>\n
Where to Stay\/Camp.\u00a0 <\/strong>Dispersed camping here is plentiful but mainly in one area just south of Grand Junction, Divide Road. This road is a steep switchback dirt road that connects to numerous other roads which are great fun exploring for campsites to settle down in.\u00a0 There are numerous dispersed sites with beautiful views over the canyon in which you can see the Dolores River running far beneath you.<\/p>\n
Off-Roading.\u00a0 <\/strong>Divide Road also encompasses numerous off-roading opportunities that sprawl out across this mesa.\u00a0 This is a perfect place to explore for that unique dispersed campsite while hitting some fun dirt to enhance your day.\u00a0 There are however areas of slippery clay, so if it is raining it can become slick in portions of this road.<\/p>\n
Routes 160 and 149: Pagosa Springs to Lake City <\/strong><\/h3>\n
Rated 4 Wheelies<\/strong>
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/4-Wheelies.jpg\")
<\/p>\nRoad Description.\u00a0 <\/strong>This route consists of 45 miles of a four-lane highway on Route 160 that will have you summit at over 10,000 feet.\u00a0 The road will then drop you into South Fork, Colorado.\u00a0 This is where you will turn left onto Route 149.\u00a0 Route 149 will quickly whittle down to a tighter and quieter road for the next 75 miles, which are filled with mountain passes. South Fork is the only town between these areas so make sure you gas up and grab lunch before heading onto the second part of this amazing road.\u00a0 The next portion will have you speeding across lower elevation prairies and then climbing high into the mountain tundra that will resemble something from another planet before descending into Lake City.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/exhaustnotes.us\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/Pagosa_Lake_City-600.jpg\")
<\/p>\nPoints of Interest.\u00a0 <\/strong>I specifically wanted this trip to begin (or end) in Pagosa Springs so you have an opportunity to experience the hot springs in Pagosa.<\/p>\n
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- There are free hot springs you can visit called Hippy Dippy Hot Springs, but I highly recommend taking an afternoon and enjoying the springs at the resort<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- The Mountain Pizza and Tap Room<\/a> is a perfect place for a great pizza prior to starting on the second part of this ride in South Fork.<\/li>\n
- The magnificent waterfall along Route 149<\/a> is a great spot to stop, stretch, and take in the view.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Where to Stay\/Camp. <\/strong>Throughout the ride there is no shortage of camping in both dispersed and paid locations. In Pagosa there are numerous hotels. I prefer the hotel directly across the street from the spa<\/a> as it is much more affordable then the spa and in a great location.\u00a0\u00a0For Lake City, the Matterhorn<\/a> is a beautiful Swiss style motel which will allow you a solid night\u2019s sleep at a great price. It\u2019s a perfect spot to recharge if you are going to take on some of the more challenging off-road portions in Colorado the following day.<\/p>\n
Off-Roading.\u00a0 <\/strong>Lake City is the starting point for some of the more serious off-roading mountain passes, such as a few of the most popular passes including Cinnamon and Engineer.\u00a0 Both of these passes surpass 12,000 feet.\u00a0 If you crave technical off-roading challenges with views that can\u2019t be beat, these are the two passes I recommend.<\/p>\n
Conclusions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Southern Colorado is a rider\u2019s paradise, and a region that should not be missed for riders of all experience levels. Other avid motorcyclists have also recommended these roads to me, which reinforces my approval for these routes and motivated me to write this comprehensive layout to help others. I hope this breakout has been helpful and serves as a reason to visit Southern Colorado and have the riding experience of a lifetime.<\/p>\n
\nNever miss an ExNotes blog:<\/p>\n
\n - The Mountain Pizza and Tap Room<\/a> is a perfect place for a great pizza prior to starting on the second part of this ride in South Fork.<\/li>\n
- There are free hot springs you can visit called Hippy Dippy Hot Springs, but I highly recommend taking an afternoon and enjoying the springs at the resort<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- The\u00a0Wagon Wheel Restaurant and Motel<\/a>\u00a0is a great place to stop for a beverage and a burger for lunch, charge your equipment and take a breather.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- The Lands\u2019 End Observatory<\/a> is well worth the 10-mile off-road ride to get to reach it.<\/li>\n
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- Ouray is a beautiful mountain town with several hikes to waterfalls, hot springs, and some wonderful restaurants. My favorite is the Ouray Brewery<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- Silverton is a great little mining town with wonderful people.\u00a0 It’s a perfect place to load up on supplies if you are camping.\u00a0 You can warm up after getting some miles in at the Brown Bear Caf\u00e9<\/a>.<\/li>\n
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