JourneyMan
05-15-2005, 09:39 PM
Always wanted to visit Monument Valley. For some reason, none of my travels ever took me there. A combination of a three day weekend, clear weather forecast, and a new (to me) ST1100 gave me the chance to finally visit this scenic wonder from the silver screen.
While Monument Valley was my ultimate goal for this journey, I like to explore while I travel. My route from Golden, Colorado to Kayenta, Arizona and back home took in several great riding roads and some outstanding scenery.
I left Golden at 7:30 on Friday morning headed southwest on US 285. This route immediately puts me in the mountains and as soon as I am past the Denver suburban sprawl I can begin to relax and enjoy the ponderosa clad foothills. Clouds on the horizon yield a snow squall as I top Kenosha Pass and descend into South Park. With a Gerbings jacket liner and the good wind protection of the ST1100 and extra height windshield I am enjoying this weather. The snow stops by the time I hit Trout Creek Pass, but, clouds still hang over the Collegiate Peaks when I enter the Arkansas River valley.
Crossing the Arkansas River I am surprised that the water is running very clear and not too high for Springtime.
I take the Road to Mount Princeton Hot Springs and continue beyond towards St. Elmo. (I know the road turns to gravel before ST. Elmo, but, I am just up for a ride to the end of the pavement. )
Back on US 285 I head south over Poncha Pass, enjoying the smooth high speed sweepers and relatively safe and sane speeds. The ST1100 sure has a solid "planted" feeling on these smooth curves! The San Luis valley opens up before me with long, wide open spaces. Just a bit of open throttle shows me how easy it would be to collect tickets on this bike. 90 MPH sure doesn't feel much different than 65 MPH.
At Saguache (say "'Sawatch") I take CO 114 west into the Cochetopa Hills. This is very lightly populated country and a good two lane. Curves increase as I head over North Cochetopa Pass. Cochetopa canyon provides several more miles of nice twisties. Joining US 50 I then head west into Gunnison where I buy gas at 260 miles into my travels (ain't 7+ gallon tanks a wonder?).
US 50 enters the Curecanti National Recreation Area and courses along the shores of Blue Mesa Lake, Colorado's largest lake. Water levels sure look low. I paused for some photos of the lake and the Dillon Pinnacles. Although my destination lies Southwest, at the dam I opt to take CO 92 rather than continue on US 50. Both are great motorcycle roads, but, I travel US 50 fairly often. I have only taken CO 92 a few times. On CO 92 with its tight curves at the base of downhill stretches (and uphills too) I learn that weight and momentum of the ST1100 must not be forgotten The bike handles well, but, it is nowhere near as sharp as my Ducati Super Sport! CO 92 follows the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, providing superb views down into the Canyon.
At Delta I rejoin US 50 headed south. At Montrose I take US 550 south, stopping off at the Ute Indian Museum at 4:35. The museum closes at 4:30 so no entry today, but, the grounds are very pleasant and I take a few photos at the monument to Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta.
At Ridgway I bear West on CO 62 and climb the Dallas Divide, stopping for pictures of the snow covered San Juans over Mr. Ralph Lauren's fence. CO 145 and CO 141 take me through barren ranching lands. At US 491 (old Route 666, the Devil's Highway) I head west to Monticello, UT. My low gas light comes on at 260 miles and this is pretty empty country so I am comforted to roll into town and find that I still have about 1.3 gallons of gas in reserve. I bed down at the Triangle H motel - a surprisingly clean and comfortable $35 room.
The adventure continues tomorrow - stay tuned.
Dale
While Monument Valley was my ultimate goal for this journey, I like to explore while I travel. My route from Golden, Colorado to Kayenta, Arizona and back home took in several great riding roads and some outstanding scenery.
I left Golden at 7:30 on Friday morning headed southwest on US 285. This route immediately puts me in the mountains and as soon as I am past the Denver suburban sprawl I can begin to relax and enjoy the ponderosa clad foothills. Clouds on the horizon yield a snow squall as I top Kenosha Pass and descend into South Park. With a Gerbings jacket liner and the good wind protection of the ST1100 and extra height windshield I am enjoying this weather. The snow stops by the time I hit Trout Creek Pass, but, clouds still hang over the Collegiate Peaks when I enter the Arkansas River valley.
Crossing the Arkansas River I am surprised that the water is running very clear and not too high for Springtime.
I take the Road to Mount Princeton Hot Springs and continue beyond towards St. Elmo. (I know the road turns to gravel before ST. Elmo, but, I am just up for a ride to the end of the pavement. )
Back on US 285 I head south over Poncha Pass, enjoying the smooth high speed sweepers and relatively safe and sane speeds. The ST1100 sure has a solid "planted" feeling on these smooth curves! The San Luis valley opens up before me with long, wide open spaces. Just a bit of open throttle shows me how easy it would be to collect tickets on this bike. 90 MPH sure doesn't feel much different than 65 MPH.
At Saguache (say "'Sawatch") I take CO 114 west into the Cochetopa Hills. This is very lightly populated country and a good two lane. Curves increase as I head over North Cochetopa Pass. Cochetopa canyon provides several more miles of nice twisties. Joining US 50 I then head west into Gunnison where I buy gas at 260 miles into my travels (ain't 7+ gallon tanks a wonder?).
US 50 enters the Curecanti National Recreation Area and courses along the shores of Blue Mesa Lake, Colorado's largest lake. Water levels sure look low. I paused for some photos of the lake and the Dillon Pinnacles. Although my destination lies Southwest, at the dam I opt to take CO 92 rather than continue on US 50. Both are great motorcycle roads, but, I travel US 50 fairly often. I have only taken CO 92 a few times. On CO 92 with its tight curves at the base of downhill stretches (and uphills too) I learn that weight and momentum of the ST1100 must not be forgotten The bike handles well, but, it is nowhere near as sharp as my Ducati Super Sport! CO 92 follows the north rim of the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, providing superb views down into the Canyon.
At Delta I rejoin US 50 headed south. At Montrose I take US 550 south, stopping off at the Ute Indian Museum at 4:35. The museum closes at 4:30 so no entry today, but, the grounds are very pleasant and I take a few photos at the monument to Chief Ouray and his wife Chipeta.
At Ridgway I bear West on CO 62 and climb the Dallas Divide, stopping for pictures of the snow covered San Juans over Mr. Ralph Lauren's fence. CO 145 and CO 141 take me through barren ranching lands. At US 491 (old Route 666, the Devil's Highway) I head west to Monticello, UT. My low gas light comes on at 260 miles and this is pretty empty country so I am comforted to roll into town and find that I still have about 1.3 gallons of gas in reserve. I bed down at the Triangle H motel - a surprisingly clean and comfortable $35 room.
The adventure continues tomorrow - stay tuned.
Dale