Rocky Mountain Loop Road Tour

DAY 1

Colorado is known for its high mountain passes and breathtaking vistas, so on this trip we don’t waste any time delivering the goods. After a short shuttle from Grand Junction we start our week by climbing the scenic and historic Grand Mesa Byway. The byway starts climbing through the picturesque canyon of Plateau Creek to cool evergreen forests 11,000 feet above sea level. The mesa is home to all kinds of wildlife and more than 300 stream fed lakes, so as we climb up to our highpoint we will have beauty all around us to ease the suffering. After topping out and a nice picnic lunch, we begin our descent into the fruit growing town of Cedaredge. From here we bear east and do a bit more climbing through some classic farm land which eventually leads us right to our evening destination.Tomorrow we head to Gunnison.
TOTAL MILEAGE: 64 miles
Elevation Gain: 6,950 feet
Elevation Loss: 5,200 feet
Ride high point: 10,800 feet on Grand Mesa

DAY 2

After a hearty breakfast we begin our journey south towards Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. On scenic Route 92 we wind our way up and down, then in and out through this backcountry byway that seems built for road biking. Very little traffic, a challenging route and fantastic scenery make this day one to look forward to. There is no huge mountain pass today, but the cumulative elevation gain will surely make for some tired legs and hungry bellies. Once we pop out at the Gunnison River, we make our way along Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Curecanti National Recreation Area. We wind through the Gunnison Gorge and with the Elk Mountains to the north, finally roll into the beautiful Gunnison Valley. With a big ranching heritage, and a down home feel, Gunnison will give us a chance to kick back, have a big ol’ cowboy dinner, watch the sun set over the Elks and dream about the high mountain passes of days to come.
TOTAL MILEAGE: 85 miles
Elevation Gain: 5,800 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,800 feet
Ride high point: 8,600 feet on Scenic Rte 92

DAY 3

Today we will head out of Gunnison with Monarch Pass in our sights. This pass sits at 11,312 feet. Monarch Pass is about the half way point along the Collegiate Loop Trail which links together the Colorado Trail and the Continental Divide Trail, much of it is bikeable! The Colorado Trail is a continuous route from Denver to Durango is about 500 miles, It gets hiked and biked. There are some great re-routes for bikers to get around the wilderness areas. From Gunnison the climb represents a 3600 foot vertical gain. The big downhill to our night’s destination in Buena Vista is pure reward for a big day in the saddle. Our lodging is nestled right in the Arkansas River Valley with the mighty Sawatch Range providing the backdrop.
TOTAL MILEAGE: 84 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,000 feet
Elevation Loss: 3,600 feet
Ride high point: 11,312 feet on Monarch Pass

DAY 4

If yesterday’s climb was the “Mont Ventoux” of the Tour de France, then today is the “Alpe d’Huez.” Yes another day of climbing through the legendary Colorado Rockies and yes, another 12,000 foot pass. This time it’s all paved, but not necessarily any easier. Our route takes us up the Arkansas Valley, until we turn west and head up toward Twin Lakes. From here the road twists and turns as it steadily climbs toward the sky. We pass in the shadow of Mt. Elbert (at 14,433 feet it’s Colorado’s tallest peak) and test our legs on the big climb up Independence Pass. Just a few feet lower than Cottonwood Pass, this one will take most of the morning to tackle and most of the evening to talk about. From the top it’s practically all downhill into Colorado’s tinsel town, also known as the town of Aspen. It is nestled right in the heart of Colorado and the perfect place to spend our last night in the Rocky Mountains.
TOTAL MILEAGE: 60 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,100 feet
Elevation Loss: 4,200 feet
Ride high point: 12,095 feet on Independence Pass.

DAY 5

Our final day brings us down valley from Aspen and past the twin summits of Mount Sopris which is the northwestern edge of the West Elk Loop. This magnificent landscape has been home to generations of Native Americans, most recently the Utes. We ride past the earthen coke ovens at Redstone which bear witness to the toil that built the communities of today. White settlers originally came in search of minerals and stayed to farm and ranch. The raging waters of the Crystal River remind us of where all that snow goes in the summer. Today’s final climb over 8,755 foot McClure Pass will give us one final challenge before coming back towards the farmland of Paonia. The riding on this day will feel a bit easier since our elevation stays lower overall, but we still do a good 50 miles before lunch. The trip ends with a picnic lunch at one of our favorite area fruit stands before shuttling back to Grand Junction in the afternoon.
TOTAL MILEAGE: 48 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,800 feet
Elevation Loss: 3,000 feet
Ride high point: 8,755 feet on McClure Pass