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[Grizzly]

I would love to hear from as many as possible on what route I should plan to take from Moab, UT to Cortez, CO.

Either 191 & 160 in Utah
            or
50, 550 & 160 in Colorado?



I will be touring in mid September so weather could be a factor with the mountains and elevations.


Thanks for your input.

[BT]

I've gone from Moab down 191 and then 46/90.  Nice roads.  Took 145 and turned at 62 so not ridden 145 down to Cortez but the road goes by Telluride.  Any road that goes by a ski hill is likely a good biking road 

[KODAGRIN]

The longest route is most definitely the best!

[dooinit2u]

Don't question yourself, Do BOTH !!!

[Diamondback]

 

Ridden both several times.  Either is great.  I like the 191 route best.

 

[Talon]

Where are you going to after Cortez? Ive done this ride, here a picture from 191 in southern Utah. We left from Loveland Colorado, over to Moab, 191 to Monument, over to Durango, then over million Dollar Hwy,550, to Glenwood Springs and then back home. If you can you should ride 550, it has some great views. If you have time, while in Moab, sign up at the park ranger station for the fiery furnace hike, it's great!

Craig

[Talon]

Here's one from Million Dollar going into Ouray, on Red Mtn pass.

[Screamin]

+1 on the million dollar highway between Durango and Ouray. I've done it twice, once each way, and will surely do it again when I get back.

[9 1/2 Beers]

550 is one of the most beautiful hwy's in the counrty .  That is a fact !!!

 From Moab I would ride north to the 70 east, to the 550 (south) .

 Favorite town would be Ouray !, make sure you go to the "outlaw saloon", also Ouray is known for the hot tub's  

 The road that Talon showed you is tight, narrow, and a must see.

 From durango to Cortez : try and see   Mesa Verde national Park

 IMO this is one of my favorite area's , can you tell ?

 Marty
 

[Grizzly]

Thanks so much for all the great input. 
As much as we would like to do both, we just won't have the time on this trip so we have to choose.

If we stick with Utah's 191 we'll head for Monument Valley before picking up 160 to Cortez.  After that we'll head for Mesa Verde and onto to Durango.  From there we'll head south west on 140/170 into New Mexico and then west over to Chinle for the night.  After that we continue south to Winslow and then into Sedona.  After that we'll do the Grand Canyon south rim before heading along Rte 66 to Kingman and back to Vegas.

If we do Colorado's 55, 550 into Durango, we'll run 160 to Mesa Verde and Cortez and then to Chinle and the rest of the route listed above.

My biggest concern is that we'll be there in mid-September and although the high desert in Utah can be quite warm during the day and cool in the morning, we should be ok temp wise.  However, heading into the mountains of Colorado does concern me with the threat of snow in higher elevations.  We have run into problems at that time of year in Colorado and this time we'll have a rather large group of riders with us so I'm leaning on the side of caution and thinking about the beautiful Monument Valley that we'll miss if we go with the Colorado route.  Also we do plan on another future tour of Colorado from top to bottom, but that'll be in July or August when we do it.

I really appreciate your input, so with this further info please keep 'em coming guys!

Thanks!