McElmo Canyon - Cortez CO to Bluff Utah

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

The name of this ride should be changed to "Highway to Hell". If you are traveling from Cortez when you get to the airport turn around and go back. The road quality past the airport is a minus one. In June of 2018 when we took this road their were many road patches which looked like they had been done by a one armed blind man. Some sections that looked smooth had bumps that would pop you out of your seat at speeds less than the speed limit. While the scenery in the Colorado section of this road not unpleasant it is not worth enduring the agony of the road condition. The closer you get to Aneth the more it turns into a stark treeless moonscape. The only reason to keep this road on MotorcycleRoads web site is to warn people away. If you are riding an off road bike this road may be fun for you but not on a touring or cruising bike.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Contrary to the previous review, we enjoyed riding this two-lane road. It had a decent surface with sweeping curves and constantly changing scenery as you dropped to lower elevation. It's easy to make a small detour to the visitors center at the Hovenweep historic Puebloan ruins. Gas is available in Aneth on 162, but it's 88 octane only.

640 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Nice quiet ride, especially in the Utah section, with the usual rocky scenery. Sparse traffic but the 40 MPH speed limit on the Colorado side is too slow. Mostly sweepers with some tighter turns in Colorado.