Day 08 - Gunnison Loop

Today was our last full day in Gunnison. We decided to ride a 330 mile loop around the surrounding mountains with the journey being our destination. The morning started out very cool with the thermometer reading 32F. We put on our heated gear and headed out around 9am. We made a quick stop at the local gas station to fuel up where we ran into a group of the classic cars we’ve seen the last few days.

Our route took us in a counter clockwise direction first heading east along US50 over the Monarch pass. Even at 11,312 feet, the temps at the top of the pass were warmer than at Gunnison which sits at about 7,700 feet. On the way over the Monarch pass, the aspen were beginning to change their colors.

Once over the Monarch pass, we turned north along US285. As we traveled along US285, we were able to see several 14,000 foot peaks. Mount Shavano, Mount Antero, and Mount Princeton.

We continued north along US24 near Buena Vista until we turned west onto Colorado Highway 82 near Twin Lakes.

We passed through the small town of Twin Lakes and began our accent over Independence pass.

We crossed over Independence pass (and the Continental Divide) at an elevation of 12,095 feet. Above the tree line, the landscape reminded us of Beartooth pass in Wyoming/Montana.

As we descended, the treeline returned.

The road on the western side of the pass was quite a bit twistier than the eastern side with parts of the road only wide enough for one-way traffic.

We stopped in Aspen for lunch. While looking for a place to park, a local must have noticed we were having trouble figuring out the parking situation and walked over and told us the “secret” to motorcycle parking in Aspen. Basically at the end of each block downtown, you can park a motorcycle (even though the signs say “no parking”). You meet the nicest people on a Honda. 

After lunch we continued along 82 passing Snowmass and Basalt. We turned south on Colorado Highway 133 and into the White River National Forest and over our third mountain pass of the day, McClure Pass. At 8,755 feet, it was the lowest of the passes today but the scenery didn’t disappoint.

At Hotchkiss we turned east on Colorado Highway 92. CO92 passes through Gunnison National Forest and follows the Gunnison River offering high vista views along a beautiful twisty road.

We stopped at Hermits Rest and were treated with a spectacular view.

We spoke to a couple from Canada who also rode motorcycles and had been thinking of a touring motorcycle. We spoke about the different touring bikes and the various trips we had done. We said goodbye and continued the remaining 50 or so miles back to Gunnison where we ate leftovers from the previous nights.

Tomorrow we head to Steamboat by way of Grand Junction. We’ll probably take CO92 to bypass the US50 dirt motorcross experience which will add a few miles to our trip but the views should be worth it. We heard that parts of Rocky Mountain National Park have reopened, so we may consider a day ride there.