Colorado Hwy 141, Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway

[HammerDown]

Perfect day for a 4th of July ride on one of my favorite roads in western Colorado - Hwy 141, also known as the Unaweep-Tabaguache (pronounced tab-uh-wash) Scenic Byway. The route completely encompasses the Uncompahgre National Forest, part of a high plateau topping out above 10,000ft.
The Route:
Route map July 4 2017.JPG

Highway 141 climbs up out of the valley off of US 50 at the town of Whitewater, CO. You gain a few thousand feet of elevation ascending Nine Mile Hill into Unaweep Canyon. Here you have farm and ranch lands in the valley, surrounded by steep rock walls. This section of road can be a little dicey. It takes a pounding in the winter. Watch out for big cracks and pot holes.
Hwy 141 Unaweep Canyon.jpg

In about 30 miles you start the decent into the town of Gateway, CO. There's an upscale resort here, and a gas station and convenience store.
Gas here is expensive, but if you filled up in Grand Junction, you don't need to stop. Most bikes can easily make it to Norwood on a tank.
The Gateway Canyons Resort is owned by the founder of the Discovery Channel. It has a museum featuring his private car collection, spanning about 100 years. It's worth seeing if you have time.
Those are the La Sal Mtns, in the extreme background. Moab, Utah is just on the other side.
Hwy 141 Into Gateway.jpg

Once in Gateway, the scenery turns into Red Rock country.
Gateway CO.jpg

The road soon picks up the Dolores River and winds through a deep and narrow red rock canyon. I wanted to get some pics inside the canyon, but there is no shoulder, and stopping in the middle of a shadowy, winding road is dangerous, to say the least.
Mouth of the canyon:
Attachment 12898