DK's Definitive Ride Report - Some of the Best Scenic Roads Out West - Tons of Photo'

[Gray Biker]

Good thing you went out the north route. They were closing Beartooth today for the winter. Its 42 in Red Lodge and feels like 36. By Thursday its going to be 15 for a low.... We went over the end of July on two wheels. ... Went back out for Sturgis, then bought our 12 Triglidewith 5300 miles, when we got back... Got the lift from you, going to be getting shocks and tuner come warm weather. Looks like your having a great trip love your pics and comments. Have fun....

 

[DK Custom Products]

Good thing you went out the north route. They were closing Beartooth today for the winter. Its 42 in Red Lodge and feels like 36. By Thursday its going to be 15 for a low.... We went over the end of July on two wheels. ... Went back out for Sturgis, then bought our 12 Triglidewith 5300 miles, when we got back... Got the lift from you, going to be getting shocks and tuner come warm weather. Looks like your having a great trip love your pics and comments. Have fun....

Glad you're enjoying. We're coming to the end of the trip, but still have a bit more to go.

Beartooth is quite the ride...still Marys favorite road.

Appreciate your business!

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 40-

We're now on our way home. Going to visit a few National Parks in Utah, then make a dash back home to Mississippi.

The rest of the way home is going to be brutally hot. Starting today we're adjusting our schedule to be up when it is still dark, and leaving out soon after sunrise. Then we'll be able to stop early to mid afternoon and avoid the hottest part of the day.

Packing up and saying goodbyes to family (those that were up) we leave Greg and Marci's right after sunrise.

I believe this is our first ever shadow pic taken in the morning...normally they are in the afternoon. lol

This is the route we're taking to Hatch, Utah today. Not the fastest, but it winds around Lake Mead instead of going thru the city of Las Vegas. Then it clips a corner of Arizona and then cuts thru Mt. Zion National Park.

It is a bit strange for me...

...to be riding this early...

...in the morning. I normally am up late and am still sleeping at this time. But it is nice being cooler!

This road going around the lake is nice and winding, and a good surface...

...a look back. Desert scenery is different than the woods, mountains and coast, but it definitely has an appeal.

We're pretty much on the road alone this morning, and the views are great!

And there's a lot of road to cover. We're in a "National Recreation Area" with a slower speed limit, and we're enjoying this morning putt thru it.

More in next post.

Kevin

 

[trikeman]

When wife and I take trike trips we love the mornings. As the temps rise it seems we acclimate to the afternoon heat much better if we start early. Usually have breakfast and are on the road by 7:30 am. Always fill the fuel tank at the end of the day. :wave4:

 

[DK Custom Products]

When wife and I take trike trips we love the mornings. As the temps rise it seems we acclimate to the afternoon heat much better if we start early. Usually have breakfast and are on the road by 7:30 am. Always fill the fuel tank at the end of the day. :wave4:

Yeah, it was a bit of a psychological block for me to get up that early...but I'm thinking I like it better!

Of course, that is in warmer weather. A lot of the weather we ride in is quite chilly, so we'll probably be flexible on future trips, varying, depending on the weather.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 40 continued-

As we were getting close to the 15, a whole group of riders (2 wheelers & trikes) went passed us, heading the opposite way...possible to the Grand Canyon?

Time for us to jump on the 15 for a bit...

We have some miles to...

...chew up before we get to Mt. Zion National Park.

Gotta pass thru Arizona first...

...where there is some interesting road...

...to enjoy...

...before crossing into Utah, land of some amazing National Parks!

Chasing a couple of other motorcycles on our way to Zion.

Getting near the entrance...

More in next post.​​​

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 40 continued-

...of Mt. Zion NP.

Here we go...

...there is so much to see in Zion...

I'm just going to post a few photos of the hundreds Mary took today. We did not take the shuttle down to the river walk. We did last time we were here and you can see those pics in one of our previous ride reports...or search google.

On the switchback ride up the hill to the tunnel, we pulled over in a nice scenic spot for lunch...

...right on that log is where we ate lunch, watching the folks pass by, and taking in the views!

After lunch we're back rolling, taking in the beauty of this amazing place.

This pic gives a tiny idea of how fun the road is, and how BIG this place is!

Headed into the tunnel. It is 1.1 miles long, and was built in 1927.

A look back as we go into the mountain!

Will post more on day 40 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 40 continued-

Inside the tunnel there are "windows" cut in the rock to the outside...gives a nice view, fresh air, and if one is prone to claustrophobia, may help with that. lol

Continuing on thru the park...

...the views are phenomenal.

This is our 4th or 5th time thru Mt. Zion on a bike, and we do not stop much, just take it slow, soaking up all the amazing sights!

Leaving the park...

...headed toward Hatch!

Day 40 concluded in next post.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 40 concluded-

Getting close to Hatch, Utah. That ridge off in the distance is the outside edge of Bryce Canyon National Park.

We like Hatch for a few reasons (this is the 3rd time we'll be staying here), it is nicely situated between Zion and Bryce, they have a "Biker Motel", it is a nice quiet little town in a beautiful setting.

Here we are, just a dot on the map, Hatch-

Just down the road from the C-Store is "The Galaxy".

All the rooms have a biker theme...

...and the place is biker friendly. Check out the Husky "dresser".

Mike, the biker that owns the C-Store, the restaurant, the motel near the C-Store, and "The Galaxy" is good people. We've enjoyed visiting with him over the years, and last time he helped me out with some parts I needed for a malfunctioning shifter rod.

This is our stop for the day. Early in the morning we head to Bryce Canyon!

Kevin

 

[ol' school]

Beautiful amazing photos of the scenery you are traveling thru! Always look forward to checking out your new posts!

 

[DK Custom Products]

Beautiful amazing photos of the scenery you are traveling thru! Always look forward to checking out your new posts!

Thanks man!

Day 41 (coming up) is packed with some great photo's.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 41-

Today we are headed to Bryce Canyon, then as far as we want to go on the 70, heading back home.

Loaded up and leaving out...picture makes it look lighter than it was...sun is not even completely up.

I am still not used to these early mornings...

...sunrise is not something I see a lot of. lol It's 41*, 6:37 in the morning and we're rolling toward Bryce Canyon.

An early morning shadow pic-

Turn-off toward Bryce...

...up the road a bit, before getting to the actual Bryce Canyon National Park Entrance there is this little tunnel....always fun to ride thru it.

We're here!

It's too early, there's no one at the entrance to check our pass, we just roll on thru...After Mary gets a pic of herself in the reflection. lol

Not too far up the road we stop...

...and take a look around.

Will post more of Day 41 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[MDO]

I like that last pic Kevin of Mary walking back toward you. It's a good one.

You could go to Wal-Mart & get a mug or a throw blanket made orag:

 

[DK Custom Products]

I like that last pic Kevin of Mary walking back toward you. It's a good one.

You could go to Wal-Mart & get a mug or a throw blanket made orag:

Thanks! I'll mention to Mary, she may want to do that.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 41 continued-

Back riding thru Bryce...this pic has the moon, a curve, scenic view and you can see a shadow of Mary holding the camera up high to get it all.

More photo's at a stop...

...really enjoying our time here.

Stopped at...

...Natural Bridge...

...to look around some.

​​​​​​​

Just an amazing place, and we're so fortunate this morning, being so early, hardly anyone else in the park.

Back rolling...

...besides being such a beautiful place, the road is really a nice ride too!

Rainbow Point-Elevation 9115 ft.

More of Day 41 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 41 continued-

More of Rainbow Point...

...last time we were here it was hot, we had a nice lunch, and there were a ton of folks milling around. While it was nice, it is amazingly different to be out here alone on a crisp cool morning.

Back rolling...

...3 seconds ago this deer was 10 feet in front of us on the road...

...did not take him long to scramble up the side and stop to watch us. So we did the same. lol

Back rolling, the sights are stunning, the road is great, just a fantastic morning!

It's about 40 miles round trip from the entrance to the end of the road and back to the entrance. Fantastic sights & views everywhere...but we are almost back to the entrance now and saw these deer. Stopped to watch them for a bit.

Back rolling outside the NP now...

...and back thru the Arch-

Rolling the fun 89 toward I70-

More in next post-

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 41 continued-

There's a fair stretch of 89 before we reach the 70...

...and it all is enjoyable to ride this morning...

...fantastic road & sights!

We're on the 70 now.* We've never ridden on it this far west...

...and we are surprised by how scenic this interstate is.

It is some fun too!

Another Triker...

...enjoying the ride-

We take a scenic pull-out.* Have a little snack...

...and have a look around.

​​​​​​​More of Day 41 as time allows.

Kevin

 

[Marc H]

That is an awesome trip with gorgeous views Kevin.Truly beautiful.Thanks for sharing.

 

[DK Custom Products]

That is an awesome trip with gorgeous views Kevin.Truly beautiful.Thanks for sharing.

Thanks man! Good to read that you're enjoying it.

Kevin

 

[DK Custom Products]

Day 41 continued-

Some amazing sights right off I70-

After a nice stop, walk around, snack, re-hydration, back rolling...

We're quite surprised...

...having never traveled this section of Interstate 70 before...

...at how scenic it is.* (this photo is looking back at a small section of the road)

There are also some more bland sections...

...but mostly it is very scenic!

Coming up to a pretty sharp (and poorly cambered) curve for an interstate-

​​​​​​​Day 41 concluded in next post.

​​​​​​​Kevin