Jim's home | Motorcycle home | Van Trip home
I wanted to find a campsite where I could stay for 2 nights so I could ride Rte 149 on one day, then Rte 92 the next. I've ridden 92 before, and the wonderful sweepers on Rte 50 between the Blue Mesa Reservoir, over Cimarron pass on down to Montrose. Driving my van from Montrose I encountered massive road construction with delays of an hour or more. So much for those sweepers. After a half hour or so delay, I drove my van through the serious road replacement project and found a quiet pull-off along side Blue Mesa Reservoir. No traffic at night. Milky Way plainly visible.
I knew Rte 149 was going to be an epic experience. It's 120 miles from the north end where it meets Rte 50, down to South Fork where it meets 160. Up and over 11,530 foot Slumgullion Summit with fantastic twisties on each side. Do-over time! Huge vistas everywhere. At that summit, you can look west to see the red peaks near Ouray and the "Million dollar highway" (Rte 550). It's an off-road mecca. Lots of enduro or motocross bikes with soft luggage around. ATV rental places too out of quaint, pretty Lake City. South from Lake city is the town of Creede. Another interesting, historic western town with beautiful, old stone buildings.
It was a relatively long day at about 250 miles. Nice to get back to my van. Took a bath with soap and shampoo in the reservoir. Comfortable water temp. Cocktail hour back at the van. Grilled steak for dinner with fried zucchini with onions and garlic. Slept like a baby.
Interesting cliffs near the Blue Mesa Reservoir:
My free campsite on the reservoir:
View out my van door at the free campsite:
Wonderful Rte 149:
Looking west towards Red Mountain, Ouray and the Million Dollar Highway:
The town of Creede:
Slumgullion Summit:
Coming down the north side of Slumgullion Summit:
Just north of Lake City: