Licks Cycles: Motoring from Denver to Moab

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride — Utah State Route 128 is a scenic byway on the best way to Moab, Utah, that winds by way of a canyon carved by the Colorado River.

Moab, Utah, is a perfect vacation spot for a motorbike journey. The place else can you discover sandstone arches, purple‑walled canyons, snow‑capped mountains, scenic byways, two nationwide parks, and a enjoyable, journey‑prepared city? The perfect time to go to is within the spring or fall as a result of it’s usually too sizzling in the summertime and roads can get icy within the winter.

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Since I stay in Denver, on the opposite aspect of the Rockies, a part of the enjoyable of visiting Moab is just getting there. Heading west out of town, U.S. Route 285 climbs the Entrance Vary earlier than passing by way of mountain cities like Conifer (8,277 ft), Bailey (7,740 ft), and Fairplay (9,954 ft).

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Using by way of the Rockies means going over mountain passes, and on the best way to Fairplay, you’ll cruise over Kenosha Move (9,997 ft) and Crimson Hill Move (9,993 ft) earlier than descending right into a broad valley. Such grand vistas throughout open vary present the true fantastic thing about Colorado. Fairplay is an previous mining city named after the notion that every one miners ought to have an equal probability to stake a declare. It’s dwelling to South Park Metropolis, an open‑air museum preserving a nineteenth century mining city, together with over 40 unique buildings and 1000’s of artifacts from the boomtown days.

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride South Park City Fairplay Colorado — South Park Metropolis in Fairplay, Colorado, is an open‑air museum that preserves a nineteenth century mining city.

Persevering with south on U.S. 285, the highway turns into U.S. Route 24 at Antero Junction and goes south after which north by way of Buena Vista (7,925 ft) and Granite (9,012 ft). At Twin Lakes, turning west on State Route 82 takes you throughout the Continental Divide at Independence Move (12,095 ft), the place the air is skinny and at all times chilly.

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride Independence Pass Continental Divide — The writer and his Yamaha V Star 1300 Tourer on the excessive level of his journey from Denver to Moab.

The lengthy, winding descent to the ski city of Aspen is pure pleasure. SR‑82 ends at Glenwood Springs, and the subsequent 134 westward miles comply with a curving part of Interstate 70. When you’ve got the time, I like to recommend the scenic Rim Rock Drive by way of the Colorado Nationwide Monument among the many excessive cliffs above Grand Junction.

See all of Rider‘s Colorado touring tales right here.

After crossing into Utah, take the primary Moab exit for State Route 128, which is a scenic byway that winds by way of an impressive purple rock canyon carved by the Colorado River. Highlights embody the gorgeous Fisher Tower and Citadel Rock, a finger‑like spiral to the southwest that’s been seen in lots of movies and commercials.

At milepost 14 on SR‑128 is the Crimson Cliffs Lodge, constructed on the previous George White Ranch, one other location utilized in many Western movies. When you’re a cowboy fan like me, go to the lodge’s Moab Museum of Movie and Western Heritage to see manufacturing stills, film posters, autographed scripts, props from films filmed close by, and shows about Western heritage. Lunch or dinner at The Cowboy Grill is extremely really useful.

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride Colorado River Red Cliffs Lodge — View of the Colorado River from the deck at Crimson Cliffs Lodge, which has eating, lodging, and a museum devoted to Western movies and heritage.

The important thing sights in Moab are Arches and Canyonlands nationwide parks. Arches, situated just some miles north of city, is the extra well-liked of the 2, and the practically 20‑mile paved highway by way of the park takes you previous a shocking array of sandstone arches, petrified dunes, and purple rock formations.

Canyonlands is the biggest nationwide park in Utah, and its range staggers the creativeness. The park is 32 miles from Moab and has 20 miles of paved roads with many pullouts providing spectacular views. The Island within the Sky sits atop a large 1,500‑foot‑excessive mesa, and on a transparent day you possibly can see over 100 miles in any course. Dawn and sundown are significantly lovely occasions of day to take pleasure in these panoramic views of canyon nation.

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride Arches National Park — Arches Nationwide Park is a wonderland of sandstone arches, pinnacles, and different rock formations. The park will get busy, so it pays to go early.

Scenic State Route 313 results in each Canyonlands and Useless Horse Level State Park, which affords unforgettable views of deep canyons and cliffs overlooking the Colorado River. I like to recommend taking time to discover aspect trails to see completely different viewpoints on this one‑of‑a‑sort space.

See all of Rider‘s Utah touring tales right here.

The La Sal Mountain Loop, a 36‑mile scenic highway that begins at SR‑128 close to Crimson Cliffs Lodge and goes by way of Citadel Valley, up into the La Sal Mountains, after which again all the way down to Moab close to Spanish Valley, is one other nice native journey.

Denver to Moab motorcycle ride Dead Horse Point State Park — One of many many awe-inspiring vistas at Useless Horse Level State Park.

Moab is a perfect base camp for lodging, eating, and different adventures corresponding to whitewater rafting, climbing, mountain biking, and off‑highway driving and driving (you possibly can hire Jeeps, ATVs, and aspect‑by‑sides). Considered one of my favourite locations to remain is the Crimson Stone Inn, a country however clear and inexpensive motel with a communal sizzling tub and picnic space and rooms with a TV, free wi‑fi, and a mini kitchen.

Whether or not you journey throughout the Colorado Rockies, by way of the purple‑rock canyons of southern Utah, or take another path to get there, put Moab in your “should go to” checklist. I promise you gained’t be disillusioned.

See all of Rider‘s touring tales right here.