fourcornersadventure

Dual Sport Adventure Ride to The Four Corners Monument

Adventuremoto

"Life Should Be An Adventure"

It has been almost a year since I have been able to find time to take a fun adventure ride. My sculpture projects have kept me busy, but with warm weather here at last, it is time to take a break. I love riding the Moab area, but have been wanting to explore more of the Southern areas of Utah.

The plan was to trailer my DR650 down to Lake George and meet up with riding buddy Mike Houston. The weather in Loveland was gorgeous and I was hoping that the weather would hold out for our ride.

After fighting the highway traffic going through Denver, I eventually reached the highway 24 cutoff and could see and feel an immediate change in the weather. It seems that the forcast was wrong and sunny skies were giving way to wet weather.

Despite the looming chance of rain, we spent the evening prepping the bikes for the 1000+ mile ride. After a long Winter, I was determined to not let a little moisture spoil my need to ride.

By the next morning, it was obvious that we were in for a wet ride. I did a quick check of the weather forcasts for the areas we would be riding through and felt that if we left mid morning, we could avoid the heavier rains that were predicted. Both Mike and I had the proper riding gear and staying warm and dry are key to a good ride. Once you get wet here in the Rocky Mountains, your ride is over.

The weather was cooperating and other than some mild showers the trip was going well. A quick stop at the store in Hartsell for some coffee and really good beef jerky. That's one of the best perks about adventure riding. You get to stop and snack as often as you want.

Many years of adventure riding in Colorado has taught me that the weather is ALWAYS subject to extreme changes and being warm and dry is the key to having a good ride. Layering is the only way to go as you can add or remove clothing and gear as needed.

If you're into being fashionable or looking cool, you need to get a Harley or a BMW.

By the time we got to Buena Vista, it was clear that the ride over Monarch Pass was going to involve rain, sleet and snow. We talked to a sport bike rider at the Gunsmoke Truck Stop, and he told us that he had trouble getting across the pass. I could tell that Mike was continuing to have reservations about our plans, but I was confident that things would clear up as we rode Southwest and were hopeing for the best.here to add text.

Even these guys looked at me like I was crazy as we geared up to get back on the road. xt.

By the time we hit the Westbound side of Monarch Pass, it was clear that we would be tested by the blowing rain/snow mix that pummeled us on the ride up to the summit. My summer gloves were not keeping my hands warm and by the time we stopped at the restaurant at the summit, my fingers were freezing. Neither of us had brought winter gloves and we ended up putting some rubber nitrile gloves on as liners. They kept our hands dry and enabled us to continue our journey.

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While taking a break at the summit restaurant, we got into a conversation with this BMW rider. He is in the process of riding his 1976 motorcycle from San Francisco all the way to Michigan. As it turns out he had motorcycle problems while visiting Colorado years ago, and ended up using the services of my current automobile mechanic at VW Unlimited in Loveland Colorado. It truly is a small world.t.

The weather cleared and our ride between Monarch Pass and Gunnison was beautiful. This photo was taken next to the Blue Mesa Resevoir.

It seemed that we were avoiding most of the rain by riding just ahead of the approaching storms. Despite the possibility of rain, it was sunny and reasonably warm and best of all, we were on the road, riding through some of the most spectacular scenery in the USA.

With our late start and constant breaks to warm up and dry out, it was time to find a

motel to settle in for the night. Montrose Colorado is booming and has lots of traffic on the West side of town. This little motel on the East side was ideal for two tired adventure riders. At $50.00 for a clean room with two full size beds, it was perfect. If you are ever passing through Montrose, I highly recommend the Canyon Trails Inn.

After a good meal at a local restaurant, and a welcome nights sleep, we packed up the bikes and prepared for the next leg of our ride. This little pup belonged to one of the residents and seemed cautiously curious about Mike and his KLR. Not sure of the breed, but despite his size, you could tell that we were the visitors on HIS turf.

The ride South towards Ouray was pleasant with a few light showers. Being Summer time, the Colorado highway department was busy taking advantage of the warm weather to do their annual road repairs. We ran into a number of one-lane-closed construction zones and had plenty of time to get off the bikes and take pictures of the scenery.

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The views between Ouray and Silverton were spectacular. I had driven through this part of Colorado a number of times, but experiencing it from atop a motorycle is the only way to truly appreciate it's sights, smells and sounds.

While we may look cold and wet in these photos, we were actually very comfortable. it was wonderful weather for riding, and proof that if you dress properly, weather should not keep you from getting off the couch and seeking more adventures.

Mike has taken up panning for gold as a hobby and the mountains between Ouray and Silverton was once a very active mining area. The large green thing on the back of Mike's KLR is used for panning for gold.

Our stop in Silverton was highlighted by this wonderful 1943 Army half-track. The head of the American Legion came out and gave us a detailed account of how the half-track was rebuilt, restored and legally licensed for use in parades. It's great that there are organizations that do so much to preserve history.

After we had left, I wished I had asked the guy to take us for a short ride down the street. How many times could you say you rode in such a great piece of military machinery.

Before leaving Silverton we had to stop in at the local grocery store and have a warm cup of coffee. It was already beginning to rain and I figured the storm that had been following us was going to catch up before we reached Durango.

Our luck had run out and a heavy rain caught us on our ride into Durango. Luckily we were prepared. By the time we stopped for a short break at this little mom and pop motel, the skies had cleared and we were off towards Cortez.

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Despite the unpredictable weather, we were determined to make it to the Four Corners Monument. Once we got out of the horrible traffic in Durango, the riding was good except for several more construction zone stops.

After 2 days and almost 400 miles, we finally arrived at The Four Corners Monument.

It is literally in the middle of nowhere, but the entry fee is only $3.00. The best part is the scenery is beautiful and the weather is dry and warm.

There were only a hanful of tourists at the Monument. This is one of those places that you choose to drive too as it is not near a major highway, and way off the beaten path.

The monument is well designed and by standing at the middle of the survey point, you are literally standing in 4 states at one time. This is the only place in the United States where you can do that.

Mike takes his turn at The Four Corners Monument.

We have decided to cut our ride a day short and camp here at Four Corners. The camping fee was only $10.00 for two tired motorcycle campers. As it tuned out, we ended up sharing the entire place with only one other couple who showed up at the last minute in a camper trailer. The monument is locked up at night, so no one is allowed in after 8:00 PM.

The first thing to do was get each of our tents up. Mike's was one of those type where the support poles go inside.

In the meantime, I quickly set up my $20.00 Wallyworld tent , which I appropriately named "Hotel Adventure".

Ain't camping great...

Success at last...well, sort of. Mike discovered his "two-man" tent is actually more like a "2-child" tent...sleeping in the fetal position is mandatory...good thing it isn't supposed to rain!

If you are like me and like great open spaces and peace and quiet...this is a great camping spot.

While Mike searches for a cell phone signal, I start boiling water for our Mountain Home reconstituted Beef Strogonoff. It was really good...no kidding.

Despite a few small rocks that found their way through my bed roll and sleeping bag, I slept pretty good. The temps were perfect, but the wind did wake me a few times during the night. The only other time I woke up was when a LOUD Harley came by on the nearby highway and you could hear it for miles. So much for peace and quiet.

We packed up and rode back into Cortez Colorado for Breakfast. The food was great at this Denny's. We then gassed up and heading Notheast towards Telluride.

We eventually rode into Rico Colorado. Like many Colorado mountain towns, Rico has fallen on hard times. While many buildings had been restored, it was obvious that the boom was over.

Just another example of the many beautiful mountain towns in Colorado.

While taking photos we saw this guy and his dog walking up the road. Turns out he and his 6 month old pup are from Seattle Washington. They are hitchhiking across the country. They left Seattle 2 days ago and are already in Colorado.

The dog's name is "Tony Danza". Yep, the guys sister likes to name her dogs after TV and movie stars. Tony was a very smart pup and loves to curl up on people's feet.

I didn't get the guy's name, but I was happy to see him and Tony travelling and seeing our beautiful state. The guy was well prepared for their adventure and I'm sure that having such a cute puppy, he has no trouble hitching rides. You meet such great people on these adventure rides.

Having cut our ride short, Mike hadn't had time to do any panning for gold, but he still liked checking out these old mine shafts that dot the Colorado landscape.

The weather was holding out, but the threat of more rain was all around us. This photo was taken just outside Telluride.

Our return ride took us through more road construction and some light rain showers, but the riding was still theraputic after a long winter.

Back in Gunnison we stopped for gas for the last leg back to Lake George. We ran into this group of rider's that had ridden all the way up from Ft. Worth Texas. They told us that we missed 3" of hail that fell about half-an-hour before we rode in. You just gotta' love this weather!

We stopped at this little store so that Mike could change his shirt. The rain had gotten him a little wet, and at these elevations, wet is a bad thing. While waiting, a guy and his small son came up to admire our big "dirt bikes". Turns out the guy was an ex-professional moto-crosser, who was thinking about getting back into adventure motorcycling. No matter where Mike and I stopped, people would always want to know where we were going and if our bikes were as much fun as they looked. It seems that everyone thinks they would like to escape the day-to-day life that most people live. I can't blame 'em!

Back through Buena Vista where we stopped at the Gunsmoke truck stop for coffee and one of the best Chicken Fried Steaks I have ever eaten. Good food and then back on the road.

After doing nearly 400 miles in one day, we made it back to Mike's house in Lake George. Depsite the unpredictable weather, the 3 day trip was a blast. Both bikes did fine and despite begin loaded down with gear and climbing some very steep mountains, they both averaged about 55 mpg. We met some great people and saw some spectacular scenery. It just doesn't get any better than this...that is, until my next ride!

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