A KLR and KTM hit the Colorado high country

[macgart]

Well after a great trip to Moab last weekend and a return to more overcast crappy weather all week, it was time to get out and clear my head again.  My friend Mark suggested we try to make our way across the Dunckley Flat Tops to check out the high country and see if the road was open.  We're getting a really late riding season this year and all of us up here are getting a bit stir crazy. 

Anyway, we started making our way into the Flat Tops from Oak Creek on RCR25



A beautiful ride up the valley



Once at the top of the pass we were happy to see that the last bit of road had been plowed open






A picture of your author



A shot of the sign at the pass



A view at the top of the pass



A couple of shots of the Flat Tops






Once on the other side of the pass things improved



Mark approaching on the KTM 640 Adventure



Views of Pyramid Peak



Some friendly horses we met along the way






Mark with our bikes



I didn't take any more photos because we began to pick up the pace with ominous clouds forming all around.  We continued down the valley through Rio Blanco County and back into Routt County where we intersected with RCR29 near the Hayden Divide.  We turned east and worked our way back to Steamboat Springs mostly on gravel roads.  The county roads in Routt and Moffat Counties are great riding and most are not heavily trafficked.  We made it home prior to the weather moving in, which is a good thing because the county roads that lack road base turn into grease when wet.

Only about 110 miles but still a lot of fun.  I'm really glad that the higher passes are starting to open up and local exploring is becoming available.  I'm looking forward to catching up with some of the Colorado crowd for some great summer riding.  Hope everyone enjoys the pictures.

[MotoPhoto]

Kewl, great shots, thanks for sharing.

[Hondo]

Looks like a great ride.

Good to see that a pass is open!

[macgart]

Hey Moto, I was thinking of you on that ride.  Hope you're healing up well.  I know from experience that an ankle can take a while.  Take care and I hope to ride with you again soon.

Hondo,  Dunckley only opened about a week or so ago and I don't think Ripple Creek Pass over to Meeker is open yet.  That way makes an even better loop.  I hope to get down to the front range to ride with the Denver Posse sometime this summer.  I was sorry to read about your hand injuries.  Good job that you got your lights sorted out before it set in. 

[Hondo]

Yeah, the light issues ended up being a soaked electronic flasher.

Replaced, RTV'd it, and everything was good.

[zipper]

macgart,
             Nice to meet you in Moab. That looks like a nice ride, I am jealous.

[macgart]

Zipper,

You'll be into the Wasatch soon enough and those are some really beautiful mountains.  I hope to make it out that way this summer.  Indian Canyon south from Deuschane (sorry I can't spell it correctly) is a spectacular ride.

[Green Machine]

Nice ride report 

[graywolf11]

Hey macgart, I'd add some pics and commentary but your shots were all better than mine. More cold weather coming in mid-week but the week-end looks good! 

[caborado]

Nice photos... yep, it is deceiving... warm in the flatlands... head up the hills and you hit snow and cold air...

[bdrake]

Nice report, you guys sure have some nice roads up there in CO!!  graywolf11

[TNC]

Nice report, you guys sure have some nice roads up there in CO!!  graywolf11

Well, grandpa drake...let's load up and get up there...like in August.  Unless, you're scared.

[bdrake]

Nice report, you guys sure have some nice roads up there in CO!!  graywolf11

Well, grandpa drake...let's load up and get up there...like in August.  Unless, you're scared.

I'd be scared alright....but not of the roads!  

 

[root]

nice report, looked like a great ride! Love the flattops, an amazing example of how diverse Colorado really is (I always get swarmed by bugs though)

[macgart]

We had snow again last Wednesday but it has been warm again the last couple of days.  Hoping for some more stuff to open up soon.  I was out on the street bike today and saw several KLR riders out.  Saw a few in Kremmiling and some more in Granby, great day for a ride.

[buzzardco]

I was a cop up there for four years,living in OakCreek. Hunted all over the flat tops from Toponas north. Couldn't afford to live there so here I am in Denver. Your pictures brought back a lot of memories,Thanks,Buzzardco