Late October’s Overnight Ride. October 20 thru 21 2022
The Aspin have shed their golden leaves, and what remains on the branches are winter brown. The motorhomes and travel trailers have all been put back in storage or moved south. The Colorado High Country Byways and Highways are now free from the scenery gawking tourist. The weather guessers are forecasting one last warn beautiful couple of days of Sun and Warmth in the mountains before winter fills the passes with snow.
I had been talking to my wife, Sue, earlier in the season about doing some overnight rides, as I have ridden everything, out and back within a day’s time frame. Wednesday evening she said to me “GO RIDE an overnighter before the weather changes this coming weekend. Go get one last High Country ride this season” Great Idea. I quickly packed my civilian version of a Go Bag, checked out the FJR, and plotted an overnight route on my Colorado Road & Recreation Atlas and planned to head out Thursday morning around 0730.
I had planned about a 500 mile loop with the first day to be just less than 300 miles and the second a 200 mile day. Gets me home and across the Zoo of Denver before all the animals escape from their work places. The first day my route was to take me out (Highway 285) across South Park to Buena Vista and then up over Cottonwood Pass (12126ft) crossing the Continental Divide from East to West. From there down (Rd306) to Taylor Reservoir Recreation Area. From there (Rd 742) parallels along the Taylor River through Taylor Canyon. With lunch at Almont Three Rivers Resort. From Buena Vista to Almont is 50 miles of some of the best riding. Beautiful Vistas from the top of Cottonwood Pass, to gorgeous views along the Taylor River Canyon. The roads are a FJR / ST motorcyclist delight with sweeping curves. One major advantage to riding this during the Off Season in late October is the lack of traffic. I only had two vehicles in front of me for the complete 50 miles. The FJR made quick work of them and that is with some stops for photo ops. During tourist season this route is quite crowded.
I arrived at the “Three Rivers Resort” looking forward to their tasty Bacon Burger, only to be greeted with a “Closed for the Season” sign. No Bacon Burger for me. One of the down sides to riding Colorado during the off season in late Oct. So onward to the town of Gunnison, Colorado, another 18 miles down the road. Stopped here at a Mickey Dee’s and had their version of a Bacon Burger. Function Food.
I had thought about stopping and spending the night in Gunnison but it was still too early in the afternoon and not enough miles for my travel plan. Turned east on (Highway 50) toward Monarch Pass (11312ft). Highway 50 traverses the high planes between mountain ranges and follows the Tomichi Creek to the little village of Sergeants at the base of Monarch Pass before crossing the Continental Divide from West to East. A pretty ride with some High Speed curves and s few Colorado Highway Patrollers out of Gunnison. No, I did not get stopped, I had lots of time and this is supposed to be a relaxing road trip. I just set the Cruise on the FJR at the speed limit and let it do what it does best, keeping me from getting a speeding ticket. Made the climb up to the summit of Monarch Pass and stopped for a couple of more pictures. The east side of the pass takes us down across (Highway 285) on to the town of Poncha Springs, where I stopped for an Ice Cream treat. Here Highway 50 crosses 285 and continues on to Salida, Colorado. Here in Salida is where I will spend the night. Found me a place for dinner in down town Salida, along the river called the Boathouse Grill. Cool place. If ever in Salida stop in for lunch or dinner.
End of Day One. 275 miles for the day.
When mining dried up, three Colorado towns found a way to stay alive. Black Hawk, Central City and Cripple Creek welcomed gaming.
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