Mr Skunkworks....Loop near Denver?

[Tombstone]

Skunkworks

Hey Alan, What do you think of this loop. Starting in Granby - Garden of the Gods - Buena Vista - Crested Butte - Glenwood Springs/Hanging Lake - Vail/Piney Lake - Silver Thorne - either back to Granby or I-70 to home.
I was toying with the idea of doing it later this summer. I have a ride we do with some old friends every year and by old I mean we're all getting older! Two are now on trikes...so my question would this loop be good not only for two wheels, but also for trikes?

 

[Mad_Matt]

I would skip Garden of the Gods. Yes, it's beautiful, but I would stay in the high country, hit as many Butler roads and alpine passes as possible, and avoid the front range.

Butler G1, G2, & G3 roads.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Two things:

Are you going to plan to attempt the Hike to "Hanging Lake"?
If you are, it requires a Permit to hike (very limited availability) It is also an extremely strenuous hike to get to........It is 1200 feet of climb, straight up the Canyon wall to reach it.

Piney Lake is Private.........You would most likely have to have reservations to stay at the Ranch to be allowed up there?
The road up is dirt (rough in places), and I'm not sure it would be suitable for "Trikes"?

 

[robp]

I would skip Garden of the Gods.

Agree, keep to the back range, plenty of nice rides without heavy traffic. The pass between Buena Vista and Crested Butte was repaved a year or two ago and is very nice ride. From Crested Butte to Glenwood Springs, CR12 (Kebler Pass) has some hardpacked gravel, the rest of the way on 133 is nicely paved and scenic. How much 'easy' gravel is your group willing to do? I've driven to all the locations mentioned in the original post and I and others may have route suggestions if you are open to hardpacked gravel.

You can try to sign up for hiking passes on the Hanging Lake website: https://visitglenwood.com/hanginglake/ (picture attached). The hike is like doing a stairmaster for a couple hours but it's a very pretty hike. When in Glenwood, get some outstanding tacos at Slope & Hatch, and if you have time also check out Glenwood Hot Springs, Iron Mountain Hot Springs or the Glenwood Adventure Park (gondola ride and cave tours).

 

[Tombstone]

Hiking?? Noooo..... We all have bad knees. As for gravel roads, the other two bought, within the last couple months, new trikes. One HD and one Spyder both fully decked out....both very good looking machines......so I doubt they will take their shiny new babies on anything with more than a foot or two of paint chipping rocks or dirt. Plus my wife since last summer has traded being a pillion behind me to being a driver behind me and follows along in my WRX which is a bit low for gravel roads...

(Jeez....reading back over this post I make us sound like a picky bunch! I guess if one is still riding at alllmost 70 you can be a little choosy)

We will be going over to Granby 'wildlife preserve' in a few weeks, and I was looking for some nice rides to go on.....this one might not be what I'm looking for!

THANKS for your input guys!

 

[Sierra1]

. . . . follows along in my WRX which is a bit low for gravel roads...

Apparently, you haven't watched any rally car races. The WRX was designed specifically for off-road.

 

[Cycledude]

Apparently, you haven't watched any rally car races.

Apparently there ain’t no chance of oncoming traffic ?

 

[Sierra1]

"Closed course. Professional driver" I also think they only race one at a time against the clock. I've never seen two cars on the same piece of rode at the same time. In the UK the WRX will also race in the British Touring Car Championship.

 

[Tombstone]

Apparently, you haven't watched any rally car races. The WRX was designed specifically for off-road.

Thanks for the reminder...in fact I think that is my car and that is MY WIFE driving it! No wonder we go through so many tires!