Two Amigos explore southern Utah. Super-Tenere and V-Strom 650.

[SkunkWorks]

I love this part of Utah, where the scenery changes so frequently and you get to experience so many different kinds of Landscapes.















As I continued east on Hwy-12, I got to experience the dips and loops as the road follows the shape of the land.





And then takes you along a "Hogs-Back" Ridge where the Canyons drop off on both sides of the road.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I made my way to the town of Boulder, and took the opportunity to ride over to where the Burr Trail exits this amazing Canyon.
I took a couple pictures that I missed on our ride through there a few days earlier.





I grabbed some Fuel in Boulder, and a quick bite to eat at the convenience-store and continued on towards Torrey, where I would head east on Hwy-24





I turned south at Hanksville on Hwy-95, and rode through Hite and Fry-Canyon.
I knew my son Jacob would get a kick out of seeing this perched high on top of a Butte, so I had to stop and get a picture.





It was getting late in the day, so I picked up the pace a bit as I turned down Hwy-261.
My destination was Muley-Point, and I made it there just as the Sun was setting.



I found a great spot right near the edge, and set up my Tent.
I had a nice relaxing evening as I sat and ate my dinner while overlooking the Valley below, and Monument Valley off in the distance.
It was very calm, and I was thankful it was not a windy day out there.
I enjoyed a showing of Stars while sipping some whiskey to finish off the night.





Here is the basic Map of my Route on this day.



And here's the 3D Video of the Ride.

Stay-Tuned!

 

[Sierra1]

Northern Arizona, and Utah have always been "other worldly" to me. The very first Planet of the Apes movie was filmed in Page AZ, and it looked like another planet.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Northern Arizona, and Utah have always been "other worldly" to me. The very first Planet of the Apes movie was filmed in Page AZ, and it looked like another planet.

I often imagine of the possibility of Mars having a similar landscape.......................I guess we may know someday?

 

[Sierra1]

Probably in the next couple of weeks. They just landed a rover on Mars. Supposed to be sending back pictures soon.

 

[Stantdm]

What an excellent thread. I used to live in Lakewood Colorado and much of your first two days trips was through areas I spent a lot of time in. Your first nights camp was on the North end of where I hunted Elk for many years back in the 70's and 80's. From there on it was places I have been but just passed through without stopping. Yours is a great trip and your photos are really superb. Thanks.

 

[eemsreno]

We found this awesome Slot-Canyon right next to the Road.
We decided to stop and take a walk into it.
The lighting and the colors were amazing!

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Stay Tuned!

Great report.
Mark and Tim if you see this.
This is that slot canyon I was telling you about that we was trying to find.
Now I need to go back and find it.

 

[Sierra1]

That canyon reminds me a little of Antelope Canyon in AZ.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Great report.
Mark and Tim if you see this.
This is that slot canyon I was telling you about that we was trying to find.
Now I need to go back and find it.

It's called "Singing Canyon", and it's easy to miss if you are just riding by on the Burr Trail road.

https://goo.gl/maps/eavZoHc9i24AE4o68

 

[SkunkWorks]

In this picture, it is right about where I put the arrow.

 

[eemsreno]

This is another thing that I have never seen in a ride report. and I need to go see it.

 

[SkunkWorks]

Day-8

260 Miles

I woke up to a gorgeous day, with beautiful views from my Campsite!







Monument Valley in the distance.



I can't say that the entire morning was a wonderful experience..........................
As I was "trying" to enjoy my coffee and breakfast in peaceful solitude, there was a rather persistent "Hermit" (I'll call him that for the sake of keeping this thread clean) in a Truck-Camper nearby, who would simply not stop offering me his ideas and insight into government mind-control experiments, and him being a target for knowing too much....................I wanted to spend more time out there, but this guy would not take a hint and kinda ruined it for me.
I felt it best to avoid raising a confrontational level with him, so I packed up early and left.



The road leading out there was in really good shape.
I heard reports from other riders that it was deep sand in spots, and could be tricky.
I found it to be nicely hard-packed and a super easy ride. I wouldn't hesitate to take my FJ1200 out there.



My plan was to ride "Valley of the Gods" that morning, so I made my way to the Moki-Dugway and rode to the bottom.







Valley of the Gods.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I found the dirt-road through Valley of the Gods to be super-fun!
It was fast and flowing, with undulating dips and hills......................................I almost turned around and rode it back through a second time. (I should have!)
The Buttes and Monuments of rock were intriguing and spectacular to look at. Some of them have quirky names, and if you use you imagination you can almost see the resemblance.
There are many places to Camp along this road. Lots of pull-offs with most of them right up against the base of one of the huge rock features.









There was really no traffic to speak of, which made the riding experience pure joy.

 

[Mak10]

Love this ride report. Brings back great memories.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I rode toward the town of Bluff, and then headed north on US Hwy-191 where I stopped for Fuel and some cold drinks in Blanding. I also stocked up on some snacks and my water-supply.
I continued north through Monticello and La Sal junction, and when I stopped at the Kane Springs Rest-Area I ran into fellow Coloradan and Super-Tenere forum member "Paul466". We chatted briefly and he warned me about the craziness in Moab.
Once I got into town the traffic was backed up pretty far due to the construction on the main road (they are widening it through town).

I made my way out of the north end of town, and pulled in to the BLM Camping area just to the north.
It was still early in the day, but I was worried that since it was a Saturday I might not be able to find a suitable site later, so I set my tent up in a good spot.



I briefly spoke to the fellow that was set-up nearby (who had a considerably sized trailer and tow-rig setup) if he was OK with me setting up my tent there.
He said it was no problem, and we chatted a bit about the riding conditions nearby, and what my riding plans were. He was riding a Triumph Scrambler 1200.

I set off along the Colorado River towards Potash Rd, and the Shafer Trail.
It wasn't long before I made my way past the Evaporation Ponds.





I stopped at Thelma & Louise point for a couple pictures, and then continued along the Trail.





Along here I passed a huge group of BMW Motorcycles (about 25 or 30 of them) going in the opposite direction.
I wondered if it was some national BMW group that had a gathering in town?




The scenery is spectacular along here.



It's a long drop to the River!



It's not long before you enter Canyonlands National Park, and you are faced with the imposing wall of Switchbacks.

 

[SkunkWorks]

I had ridden this the year before, but I loved it so much I figured I would ride it again since I was in the area.

Here's the video I made the previous year.

This year as I rode up there was a lot more soft sand built-up on the road, especially at the tight switchback turns.







These Switchbacks are really steep, and Fun! (unless you don't like heights)
You gain about 1400-feet from the bottom to the top.







After reaching the top, I rode Grand Viewpoint Rd all the way to the end to take in the "Grand View".







White Rim Trail below.

 

[Dons 1911]

I'm loving this! I met some friends in Moab this past September. Three if us were on Moto Guzzi Stelvio's and one on an Africa Twin. We rode the Mooki Dugway, White Rim Trail, Valley of the Gods, etc. Awesome to see some of that great scenery again through another's perspective. Thanks Skunk works!

 

[SkunkWorks]

After the Grand View, I made my way to Upheaval Dome Road.
I rode out to the end and changed out of my riding-boots and Pants.

I hiked the trail out to the overlooks for a view into the Crater.







The theory is that this is an ancient Impact-Crater.
The main Crater that is visible along this trail is about 2-miles across, but the size of the whole crater is around 6-miles across and includes nearby "Whale-Rock"





The hike is about 2-miles round-trip.
After that I geared back up and headed out the main entrance to the Park, and down to Hwy-191.
I made my way over to my Campsite where I enjoyed the Stars, and some peaceful relaxation with some dinner and adult-beverage.





This was actually the Moon and Mars rising together in the night sky, but my iphone-6 took crappy night pictures.


Here's the Map of my Route for the day.



and here's the 3D video of the Ride.

Stay-Tuned!

 

[SkunkWorks]

Love this ride report. Brings back great memories.

Glad you guys are enjoying it.
Some friends and I are planning a trip to ride Idaho this summer.
Perhaps you might have some tips, or neat/interesting places to check out while we are there?
I have a growing list already.

I'm loving this! I met some friends in Moab this past September. Three if us were on Moto Guzzi Stelvio's and one on an Africa Twin. We rode the Mooki Dugway, White Rim Trail, Valley of the Gods, etc. Awesome to see some of that great scenery again through another's perspective. Thanks Skunk works!

This was my third time in Moab (second on a Bike).
I saw plenty of people on Adventure-bikes while I was in Utah this time around.
I absolutely loved this trip!

 

[Dons 1911]

Absolutely! Be sure to get with me sometime. I'm way up north, a bit under 100 miles from Canada. Lots of great riding up here, except for this month!!!