2011 Trip Plans

[vulcans2]

My wife and I have been talking about a 2011 motorcycle trip through Utah--the national parks, Lake Powell, and all. When would be the best time to take this ride? Early, like May/June or later, like September? Thanx in advance.

[skeeter]

starting from where?

[AlabamaNomadRider]

Anytime would be good as long as it isn't too late in the year. I wouldn't start before mid-May as you might encounter some snow. I would wrap it up before September is over. I'm with Skeeter in not knowing where you are starting from. In Colorado and Utah you can have snow as late as May and as early as September. It is beautiful in the fall with all the Aspen leaves changing colors.

[cactusjack]

That region will be hot June-Aug. If you can't handle 100+ degree heat, then go in May or September. Lots of real good roads to ride in southern Utah. The scenery can be breathtaking.

[phot]

My wife and I have just done that trip in mid July, starting in Vegas and ending in Denver, most of Utah and Colorado, a terrific ride in two weeks. It was hot, though not unbearable, helped by "wetting down" (my wife wore a Hydration Vest). Utah was definately hotter as a lot of riding in Colorado is at higher altitudes an thus cooler. We experienced a few short showers towards the end of the days in Colorado, as warned, but only a few and we rode thru them, not bothering to stop or change clothes. We also dipped down into northern Arizona to see Monument Valley, a very worthwhile detour. If you want a detailed route send me a PM.

[cactusjack]

To add to my previous comments, Lake Powell and Zion Nat'l Park would be hot, Bryce Canyon is much higher in altitude and would be cooler. You could hit the north rim of the Grand Canyon easily from that area, it's about 80 miles south of Kanab, Ut. Kanab is between Lake Powell and Zion.

[vulcans2]

We would be coming from the Boise, Idaho area.

Several years ago we did a trip into Zion, Bryce and central Utah, then throughout Colorado. Had a lot of fun and never got too hot. We left Boise the end of May and for the most part, the weather cooperated. Sounds like our best bet would be to go near the end of May and get done before the actual tourist season gets in full swing. Might even include Yellowstone and Beartooth Pass. This summer was just weird for us, but next summer's gonna be fun.

[markpenn1]

GregO; my $.02 worth. Since 98 a small group of us here in Phoenix; Az; have always left for our annual ride the first weekend in June[ weekend after Memorial Day}. Hence, aka: " the June ride ". We have found out over the years that; even though a might toasty here in the valley when we leave, Utah; Colo; Northern N Mex.. etc; etc.. are really; really nice !!! Very little rain; if not any at all. A lot of the Rockies still snow capped. Can be still be a might nip going over the big passes; but doable.
A few of us have tried April; May[ real nice here in the valley]; but to COLD in the higher elevation states. Flip side; tried later in summer and found to HOTand moonsoons which can produce some very brief; but violent stroms. Also be aware that if the above mentionend states got a lot of weather during the winter, there will be more than usual road repair going on.

[vulcans2]

Originally Posted by markpenn1

GregO; my $.02 worth. Since 98 a small group of us here in Phoenix; Az; have always left for our annual ride the first weekend in June[ weekend after Memorial Day}. Hence, aka: " the June ride ". We have found out over the years that; even though a might toasty here in the valley when we leave, Utah; Colo; Northern N Mex.. etc; etc.. are really; really nice !!! Very little rain; if not any at all. A lot of the Rockies still snow capped. Can be still be a might nip going over the big passes; but doable.
A few of us have tried April; May[ real nice here in the valley]; but to COLD in the higher elevation states. Flip side; tried later in summer and found to HOTand moonsoons which can produce some very brief; but violent stroms. Also be aware that if the above mentionend states got a lot of weather during the winter, there will be more than usual road repair going on.

Thanx. I appreciate the good info. Sounds as if late May/Early June will be our target dates for the ride. We will be sure to avoid riding through the Salt Lake City area.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by GregO

Thanx. I appreciate the good info. Sounds as if late May/Early June will be our target dates for the ride. We will be sure to avoid riding through the Salt Lake City area.

Why avoid the SLC area? You can ride the HOV lane if you're on a motorcycle, and just cruise through the valley.

[vulcans2]

Originally Posted by cactusjack

Why avoid the SLC area? You can ride the HOV lane if you're on a motorcycle, and just cruise through the valley.

Those drivers there are insane! After driving through there yesterday I got the impression we were running the gauntlet. Even in the construction area where the posted speed limit was lowered to 55 mph, we were doing 70 and getting passed like we'd just put it in reverse and floorboarded the gas pedal. HOV lane or no, we would prefer to avoid SLC if possible. I have a different route that involves coming in from easter Idaho and riding the back roads to the east of the SLC area, the hooking up with US Hwy 89 just to the south of Salt Lake. That way we avoid the heavy traffic and insane speed limits on I-15. There are "test" areas where the speed limit is posted at 80 mph! Not our style.

[cactusjack]

Ah, I get it. I guess if you aren't used to the big city, traffic can be intimidating. I lived in the SLC area until 1999. I think the drivers there are worse than in the Phoenix area. Traffic/city drivers don't bother me, though.

BD and I rode through Utah on our way back from Custer in 2009. We came in on I-80 from Wyoming and entered I-15 in the southern part of Salt Lake. I was towing a small trailer and we fought a 35 mph headwind and a lot of rain all the way down I-15 to Hurricane. Those 80 MPH stretches were tough with the wind and the trailer.

Hwy 89 through central Utah is a very nice ride, I've ridden it several times. Just watch out for the small towns which are all speed traps. I would have preferred to take that route when BD and I rode through Utah, but we had to cover a lot of miles that day (Green River, WY to Hurricane, UT) and it would have taken much longer.

Sounds like a fun trip, though!