2008 Fall Hatfield McCoy Quad trip

I finally broke down and signed up for smug mug..and the first thing posted is pictures of the annual trip to WV's Hatfield McCoy ATV Area.

Enjoy..we did!
http://parocket.smugmug.com/

Thursday West Elk Loop, Gunnison, Crested Butte

Today started as a throw away day and ended up with some good mountian riding both on dirt and pavement.

A late start we headed to Crested Butte Co on rt135, once we hit CB we turned west on CR12 which is a dirt road crossing over to RT92(?) Going up 135 was typical colorado landscape. Once we rolled in CB we got to see many high end mountian homes and just as many low end shack for the seasonal workers.

CR 12 was a well graded dirt road. It had its share of thick gravel and ruts but mostly a good surface for running along checkin out the scenery and the cows who roam open range.

After clearing the dirt we hit a few country road and stopped for lunch in Hotchkiss. Don't recall the name but the grilled cheese and navajo tacos were cheap and good.

From there we were going to hit the Black Canyon which has RT92 carved from the ledges of the canyon. On Sunday we met a couple of GS riders and they said it was a must do, it orginally was not in the plans but I managed to get it in. From about Maher to RT50 its got to be one of the best pieces of twisted pavement ever put down. Turn after turn from very fast to 40 mph turns marked as 20 mph. On top of the riding is super views of the canyon...very close and personal as like so many roads there was nothing but drop off past the yellow line.

After the run down 92 we road 50 back to Gunnison, went for a walk to a great sporting good store and did dinner at Garlic Mike's.

Tommorrow, we are making a b-line to Limon to load up and head home after a cookout with the Colorado gang. I'll be doing an wrap up post early next week.

Wednesday Mex Hat to Gunnison

I added pictures to yesterdays entry as well as added todays info

We're off schedule and we're lost...

So we pulled out the map started to look at how to pick up the pieces. Then that plan fell apart.
We started out in Mex Hat and headed for Natural Bridges. It was a quick run up the state road until Moki Dugway and pass. Its a pass over a desert canyon cliff and its dirt and it has super tight switch backs..and great views once your up a bit.

Check some pictures:

Then we headed to Natural Bridge which was under construction, it was hot and it was really not for the moto touring type...ya had ta walk to see stuff! We donated to the national parks system since out Golden Eagle pass expired yesterday. The bridges were viewable from overlooks and were cool but I think the hikers going down the 1 to 5 mile hikes got their monies worth.

Check some pic.

After that we headed to Blanding and was planning Moab and Arches but decided to turn for home. We both we both had enough "desert" type terrain..we wanted mountains. So we turned at Blanding to Colorado up utah 491 to Co 141 towards US 50. We hit Disappointment Valley and a bunch of other highland type shrubby stuff until we go into the mountians.
We ended in Gunnison checked into a hotel and found a steak joint for dinner. The hostess takled me into crab cakes..what was I thinking??? Hint...don't order food from a place the chef never seen...I bet he seen cows..but not the seas.

Snoozing in Norwood Co and Jenn being artesy.

Don't know where we are going tomorrow...maybe do some local dirt.