Need Suggestions - "must" rides in Colorado, Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, Montana

[gordorad]

Well, will be on the road next week.   Looking for suggestion on roads and camping spots.

Heading to KC, then a quite jaunt to Eureka Springs for hopefully a little biz.  Then, it's a bit up in the air.  Thinking I might do a bit of 66, finishing around Albuquerque, then heading North to Aspen....

From there, probably East to Western Utah, then North, with Whitefish/GNP my furthest Northern Point.  After being detained and denied entry to Canada in 2005,   #$@&% those bastards.  No interest in ever being in that Country. 

I've briefly looked at the return...would like to go through Bozeman and head toward the Black Hills. 

Any suggestions much appreciated....

G.

[Oss]

Check out these roads I will try to get on next month



In Wyoming-Montana google or mapquest
Chief Joseph Highway
Beartooth Highway
Highway to the sun in Glacier park

You can ride for days based out of the Mt Rushmore area in SW South Dakota
and also out of red lodge or cooke city

On the way from Alb take the high road

going to colorado

149 in SW Colorado   (this is an edit I mistakenly said 145 thanks Paul)
550 North from Durango to Ouray
Gunnison canyon
from Aspen east over the top of the pass

this is just scratching the surface of what are tons of great roads

we are lucky to have such diversity here in the USA

[gordorad]

You are so right about the diversity of roads....and the landscape.  Very lucky to have what we do.  A rare combination that is for sure!

thanks for the roads... Looks like Highway to the Sun will be only partially open, but will be camping a few days near Whitefish, so I'll will take both sections!

Hoping to create some incredible art for my portfolio.

[fudgie]

Numerous camp grounds in the Black Hills. You better spent a few days there. Roads are great. Even a KOA in Deadwood. Rooms are cheap this time of year. You may find one for $30.

[gordorad]

My ultimate goal is to go Motel Free.....But weather can always change that.....And after a long day, $30.00 is hard to beat!! 

Other than the Black Hills, Deadwood area, anything else worthwhile in SD?  (No interest in Rushmore...already was there a long time ago)...

[fudgie]

My ultimate goal is to go Motel Free.....But weather can always change that.....And after a long day, $30.00 is hard to beat!! 

Other than the Black Hills, Deadwood area, anything else worthwhile in SD?  (No interest in Rushmore...already was there a long time ago)...

Wall SD aint bad. Badlands is must see at least once in your lifetime. Do it early in the morning, its like 40 deg warmer in there. Scenic SD was a neat old west town. Not sure how it is now since some church bought it. Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Rev. Anything along the Missouri Rv. Yankton SD is a neat town. Between Belle Fourshe SD and Aladdin WY is a old stone house. Its popular during rally time as they turn it into a bar. Not sure if its open to tour this early. Aladdin WY is neat. Belle Fourshe has the Center of the USA spot. Neat to get your pic there. Stick with the southern route of SD, 212/44. Much more scenic then I-90.

I have had friends stay in old barns and silo's while traveling into SD. The Warrior Inn in Winner SD gives bikers discounts on rooms. We got a suite, full kitchen, couch, etc for $40 2 yrs ago. They have a bar with great burgers. Watch the storms, they pack a punch.

[..]

Near Alberqueque on thee east is the Turquiose Trail thru the town of Madrid (Wild Hogs)
http://www.turquoisetrail.org/

A ride up Sandia Peak is fun.
http://www.sandiapeak.com/

Hwy 149 in Colorado is, as I've stated many times before, one of the most beautiful rides in the lower 48
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_State_Highway_149

From South Fork, CO to west of Gunnison, CO. Here you acn visit the Black Canyon of the Gunnison.
http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm

West of Hwy 50 takes you to the top of the Million Dollar Highway
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._Route_550

On the eastern side of CO is Pikes Peak
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pikes_Peak

AND Mt. Evans. Ride this in the morning before the afternoon clouds roll in.
http://www.mountevans.com/

Further south is Bishops Castle
http://www.bishopcastle.org/

All the paved pases in CO are worth riding (How much time do you have?   )

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_mountain_passes

Then theres Rocky Mtn Park
http://www.nps.gov/romo/index.htm

Red Rocks is worth a look see for HDR
http://www.redrocksonline.com/

DO NOT THINK OF CAMPING near Browning MT. It's a good place to get gas and GO! (Flame suit on). It looks like the set for a post apocalyptic movie.

DO NOT BREAK the speed limit on any Indian reservation.

DO ride diagonally across Nebraska. The rolling grasslands are beautiful

Entering Yellowstone from the east entrance is like riding into a Disney vision. It's stunning. I expected the little bluebird to swoop down and land on my shoulder.

The tourist vehicles in Yellowstone are more dangerous than most of the animals.
Bison/Buffalo DO NOT like motorcycle. Keep away from them.

The Buffalo Bill center in Cody, WY is worth a visit
http://www.bbhc.org/

Glacier National Park will make your jaw scrape along the ground
http://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

Make sure you check ahead for road and weather conditions the further north you go and the higher in elevation you go.

CO can rain, shine and snow on you in 12 hours.

[..]

How could I forget LOLO PASS 

http://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/185/Idaho/The-Lolo-Pass.html ZOOM, frickin, ZOOM, ZOOM,

Once you get out west and NW don't pass a gas station if you've ridden 50 miles without topping off. I carried half a gallon and needed it twice.

[eric in md]

i dont think you will ever want to come home once you get there its awesome riding out there 

[Disco]

Other than the Black Hills, Deadwood area, anything else worthwhile in SD?

I could spend all day riding back and forth in Spearfish Canyon (US14A Scenic, from Cheyenne Crossing north to Spearfish).   

[Oss]

I will be taking LOLO (12?) but be warned that its 40mph and there are many LEO out there

Several people have given me this heads up to be careful of my speed on that road because of sneaky places they hide, cant be as many as the dragon on a weekend can there?

Havent bought a radar detector yet but thinking about it

[gordorad]

Wow, great stuff guys.. Many thanks.  I'd forgotten about Red Rocks.  I can't tell you how many times I viewed the U2 Live at Red Rocks Video.  Got that with my first HIFI VCR....Man, that was the bomb in 1985....

Just called Red Rocks and they welcome visitors....and no charge!!  That's the kind of place I like!!  HDR will be fantastic there!!

Gordo

[fudgie]

I agree with Britman on NE. Thats are plan this summer to ride diag. US 20 thru NE along the top is one of my favorite roads I've been on.

[3fan4life]

No suggestions for the trip, that ride is still on my bucket list.


I AM looking forward to seeing the GREAT PICS that I am sure you will be posting from this ride.


I LOVE the HDR technique. 

[gordorad]

Great idea on Nebraska.....That way I can almost avoid Kansas completely!!

[..]

I agree with Britman on NE. Thats are plan this summer to ride diag. US 20 thru NE along the top is one of my favorite roads I've been on.

Coot and I entered NE at Lincoln, NE then took 79 north to 92 west to 39 north to 14 north to 275 NW to 20 to Valentine, Merriman and then on to Wounded Knee and Rapid City.

We saw so many H-D's heading to Sturgis using the Interstate going east on I 75 so they could head north on I 29 to west on I 90.

Way to see America. From the Interstates. Wonder how many times they've been to Sturgisand NEVER ridden across country? Shame really.

[..]

Great idea on Nebraska.....That way I can almost avoid Kansas completely!!

Come now until you've ridden KS400 across KS you really can't call yourself a rider. 

It must have about half a dozen curvy bits every 100 miles or so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[flcjr]

Making time to ride the bighorns either northern or sourthern pass is a must and the wind river canyon my favorites in Wy.  lots here in MT most have already been mentioned.

[salty1]

As others have suggested:
Lolo Pass
Beartooth Pass
Chief Joeseph Highway
Sun Highway

Another adventure after you finish Lolo Pass is to go south of Clarkston, WA on the Rattlesnake Grade to Enterprise, OR and then onto Joseph, OR to catch the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road to Hells Canyon. If you like scenery and twisters, it doesn't get any better.        

[fudgie]

I agree with Britman on NE. Thats are plan this summer to ride diag. US 20 thru NE along the top is one of my favorite roads I've been on.

Coot and I entered NE at Lincoln, NE then took 79 north to 92 west to 39 north to 14 north to 275 NW to 20 to Valentine, Merriman and then on to Wounded Knee and Rapid City.

We saw so many H-D's heading to Sturgis using the Interstate going east on I 75 so they could head north on I 29 to west on I 90.

Way to see America. From the Interstates. Wonder how many times they've been to Sturgisand NEVER ridden across country? Shame really.

Your right. We avoid the interstate except for 300 miles of it in mid Ill to Waterloo IA. Then its high speed 4 or 2 lanes roads all the way to the Hills. So much nicer.

[Oss]

well how can you get from ny to rushmore in 3 days without interstates?

and still avoid chicago   I am trying columbus first day then to iowa and then the diagnal route across nebraska

[fudgie]

well how can you get from ny to rushmore in 3 days without interstates?

and still avoid chicago   I am trying columbus first day then to iowa and then the diagnal route across nebraska

We take US 24 to Peoria Ill, jump on a I/S to Iowa City, thru Cedar Rapis up to US 20. 20 is 4 ln thru most of Iowa. Then we hit 4 or 7 thru Storm lake IA into Vermillion SD. Then its 44 all the way to Rapid. It cuts a couple hundred miles off our trip that way by not using interstates. These are fast roads with very little traffic and minimal town stops. You can also take 20 all the way to Gordon NE and up thru Wounded Knee.

Always construction around Joliet Ill. Took us a hour to go 3 miles last summer.

If you are thinking about it oss, I can write you a map so you can look it over. I made it from IA/Ill border to Sturgis in 1 day.

[gordorad]

Great idea on Nebraska.....That way I can almost avoid Kansas completely!!

Come now until you've ridden KS400 across KS you really can't call yourself a rider. 

It must have about half a dozen curvy bits every 100 miles or so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well, I've done most of 400/50.  It was on my first long haul MC Trip, I l left Lamar, CO and made it to KC, MO in one day.   I was riding a Kaw Vulcan 800.  Must have been time to sell the cattle, as I encountered at least 20 of the double decker cattle trucks, heading west.   No trees to block their draft,  The crap was literally flying everywhere.  It was a challenge to keep that little scooter upright.  After the first couple went flying by, and the crap was flying everywhere, I started hunkering down behind the shield the best I could!!  It was probably the most enjoyable part of Kansas!!  Besides those two curves!!

[..]

Great idea on Nebraska.....That way I can almost avoid Kansas completely!!

Come now until you've ridden KS400 across KS you really can't call yourself a rider. 

It must have about half a dozen curvy bits every 100 miles or so zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Well, I've done most of 400/50.  It was on my first long haul MC Trip, I l left Lamar, CO and made it to KC, MO in one day.   I was riding a Kaw Vulcan 800.  Must have been time to sell the cattle, as I encountered at least 20 of the double decker cattle trucks, heading west.   No trees to block their draft,  The crap was literally flying everywhere.  It was a challenge to keep that little scooter upright.  After the first couple went flying by, and the crap was flying everywhere, I started hunkering down behind the shield the best I could!!  It was probably the most enjoyable part of Kansas!!  Besides those two curves!!

Good man. Made me laugh.

Been there done that.

People don't believe you when you tell them. It's one of those gotta experience it yourself things.

This year I hope to be schlepping my way west across OK. Oh joy. Been there done that before. I'm riding the whole thing including the pahhandle.

The journey home will be across the southern part of OK. Never been there before.

[MrArn]

Let me know when you plan to be in NM. There are several ways to ride north into Colorado each has it own strength. It's all in what you want to see while you are here.