Colorado on a budget...both time and money.

Although there will be no "official" Iron Butt attempts... some days may be close enough to qualify as "Tin"

Day one, the plan is to pitch a tent in Bender's back yard and walk over to the Missouri State Fair for some rest and relaxation after 900 miles on the road.

Day two, after a nice nap I hope to get to the "front range" before dark and pitch my tent in pablo83's yard. The temps should be much cooler here and I can only hope for a good nights sleep after two big days on the road.

Days three through six will hopefully be spent riding a mix of the following passes and camping for free out in the wilderness of Colorado.

Day three will most likely begin like THIS. Taking pavement over Wilkerson and Trout Creek passes to Buena Vista. Then heading up over Cottonwood Pass with a stop at Tin Cup on my way to Crested Butte.

Now here is where my plans become extremely flexible.....time and weather will play a big part in my daily decisions. Since it is acceptable to practice "dispersed camping" in most parts of Colorado I won't be worried too much about getting caught out after dark trying to make it someplace for the night. I do think that I'll do most of my eating in towns so I won't have to worry with keeping my food away from bears and varmints. So I'll always try to grab a bite and fill up with water before heading out across a wilderness area...and I'll never be too far from town in the AM either (I don't usually eat 1st thing in the AM anyway)

Here are a few options I'm considering.

Kebler Pass and loop back through the Black Canyon.

If I don't like the looks of things atop Kebler...I can always take the Ohio Pass down to Gunnison.

From either of those options I'll be faced with the decision of where to go next....towards Ouray via the Owl Creek Pass or to head for Lake City 1st via the Blue Mesa cut-off...or even just down 149 from Gunnison...although that last option is most likely if I'm leaving Lake City in the reverse direction.

Once in the Ouray area I plan to just ride around exploring and enjoying the scenery.

Possible passes I may cross include but are not limited to:

Red Mtn
Ophir Pass
Last Dollar

I hope to have a look at both Black Bear and Imogene but do not plan on crossing them on the Wee-Strom.....just go up above town a bit to get some pics if that's possible.

There looks to be lots of little things (old mining camps) to explore in this area like the road to Gladstone and all along Red Mtn.

Of course I hope to ride the length of the "million dollar highway" between Ouray and Durango.

but...if it looks like I can get up to Engineer Pass from Animas Forks to Lake City I may do that 1st then loop back down to Durango via Pagosa Springs...(vice versa if I chicken out on Engineer)

Another option may be to ride through the canyon on 141 up to Grand Junction, that looks like it'd be a lot of fun!

Then on my way out of the hills I may ride over Marshall Pass too.

Then I may actually do some Iron Butt distances heading for home...who knows.

I plan to leave on Friday Aug 21st and don't have to be back to work til Sun Aug 30th.

I'm really looking forward to this ride and hope that I can at least get a couple of good pics from it too....The subject matter should definitely be on my side!

Hey!!....if you have any favorites that I've missed...both routes and campsites, please feel free to share them with me!

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Stay away from Black Bear on a Strom. It is a one way trail, so if you go up it from the Ouray side you have to go down it into Telluride. Did it on my KLR650 and it was a E ticket ride. Enjoy your trip and ride safe.

Thanks,
It is my understanding, please correct me if I'm wrong, that ONLY "the steps" are one-way on Black Bear and that there are marked "bail out" points from both sides.

Anyway I'm only planning to just go up to the base of the steps from Telluride to try and get some pics of the waterfalls. I've been told that it's two-way up to the powerhouse, although I probably won't go that far.

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I think you are right. Just stay away from the stair steps. the power house and the water fall are great

Hey Kevin, sounds like a great trip. I am really jealous. Have you ridden in CO before?

A few comments/suggestions for consideration. Where do I start????

Day 3: If you want to get a little dirty right quick like, from CS head NW on 24, loop thru Garden of the Gods and take Rampart Range Rd. up to Woodland Park. There was some washboard when I was thru there in '08 but not too bad.


Plan lunch in Tincup. Have a fantastic burger and fries at Frenchy's and if you have any room left try one of their mouth-watering pies.


Some great dispersed camping from Cottonwood Pass down to Taylor Park Res. There is also a developed campground overlooking the lake across the road from the Marina. Seems like it cost us about $20 for 4 people on one site. Fantastic morning views. And they have hot showers.

They have great breakfast burritos at the Marina. Grab one and a cup of coffee and have breakfast on the Marina deck overlooking the lake. Great way to start the day.

Day 3 alternate route: Leave CO Springs and head SW to Canon City. From there to Salida Hwy 50 follows the Arkansas river for about 50 miles. BIG FUN!!! Continue on 50 to Monarch Pass. Just before the crest, take a right on Old Monarch Pass (well graded dirt). Take Black Sage Pass and Waunita Pass (both well graded dirt) to Pitkin. Some beautiful open meadows thru there.

There is gas in Pitkin at the corner store. Continue thru Pitkin and over Cumberland Pass into Tincup and on to Taylor Park Res. Seems like Cumberland may have been a little rocky but nothing a strom couldn't do. My memory is a little fuzzy there, might want to get more recent info.

Hey Kenny!

Thanks for the tips and welcome to stromtrooper!!

Sooo did you or are you getting a Strom?

I've already been eyeing that Rampart Range Rd on the map.... and thanks again for another possible route.....Ya can't have too many options!


BTW.... are you gonna be able to meet me for lunch in Tin Cup?

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Ooops, I didn't answer your 1st question.

Yeah, I've ridden in Colorado a couple of times on the old street pig and have been skiing several times too, but I've never made it to the Ouray, Teluride, Silverton area so I'm really looking forward to it!!

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Day 4: 92 from Crawford to Blue Mesa Res has got to be one of the best twisty pieces of pavement in all of CO. Mile after mile, the further you go the tighter it gets. And it goes on and on and on. Jeez, I think I just peed my pants thinking about it.

Take the Lake City cutoff and when you hit 149, take a left for a few miles then turn rt. on County Road 27 (Powderhorn Rd.?) and on to CR 50 (both well graded dirt/gravel). Gorgeous scenery. Comes out on 149 a few miles south of Lake City at Slumgullion Pass. Lots of camping spots along the way.

Since I bought the DR350 for the rougher stuff, I've been thinking of getting a Wee to take on the longer trips. May be selling the KLR.

Don't I wish. You're killin' me Kev.

Oh yeah!! Don't stop now!!

Does this map look like the right route? CLICK HERE

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