Scott G. Nelson Motorcycle Touring in Grand Mesa, Colorado

Steve and I took off on a Thursday evening and bolted for the Bullfrog Marina at Lake Powell. We stopped in Hanksville for a burger at the famous Blondies. Yum! We headed for Lake Powell where I had a couple rooms reserved and from there we had planned on riding the Burr Trail.

Lake Powell

Lake Powell

We got up in the morning and had a nice breakfast out on the patio. It was a beautiful day and we were off to ride our motorcycles, what could be better? The Burr Trail starts near Bullfrog Marina, so we didn’t have far to ride after we topped off with fuel. The Burr Trail was awesome! It is just a dirt road without much elevation change, except the Muley Twist Canyon. We stopped for several pictures in the canyon to show how the switch backs climb up and over the mountain range.

Adventure Motorcycle riding the Burr Trail

Adventure Motorcycle riding the Burr Trail

After the dirt ends The Burr Trail eventually hooks up with pavement again. When you get to pavement the trail goes through a really cool canyon with tall red rock cliffs on bother sides, which does remind me of Moab. The Burr Trail isn’t super long, but has some great scenery and will give you a good taste of the Utah backcountry.

Steve riding the Burr Trail

Steve riding the Burr Trail

After riding the Burr Trail we connected with Scenic Byway 12 and then put on some miles and rode all the way to Durango, Colorado. We found a hotel in town and hit the sack after eating some good Mexican food. The next day we would take the Million Dollar Highway and Grand Mesa on our way to Vernal, Utah.

Scott G. Nelson - Scenic Highway 12

Scott G. Nelson – Scenic Highway 12

We got up, had breakfast and hopped on the Million Dollar Highway, which is one of my favorite roads. It is a high mountain, twisty road and during this time of year the leaves are turning, which is hard to beat. You also get to pass through some awesome little towns. Silverton and Ouray are amazing.

Silverton, Colorado

We ate lunch in Silverton at a great little BBQ place, then continued on our way to Vernal. The leaves in the Grand Mesa forrest were electric. What an awesome stretch of road too!

Steve Motorcycle Touring in Grand Mesa, Colorado

Steve Motorcycle Touring in Grand Mesa, Colorado

After a night in Vernal and dinner at a good little sushi restaurant, we blitzed it for home. It was a great ride!

Our Hotel in Vernal, Utah

Our Hotel in Vernal, Utah