Westside SMR Information
Thanks to BJ Ondo for this Page.

SMR Headquarters Site: Salida, Colorado
"August 7th.-11th., 2000"

Westside Routes:

Short Routes:

"Colorado Highway 114 Route":

From Salida, CO. take hwy. 50W. to the hwy. 50/114 intersection (just west of the hamlet of Parlin, CO.). Take hwy. 114 over Cochetopa Pass (10,149) to the town of Saquache (Good cafe just past intersection). Pick up hwy. 285N. to Poncha Springs over Poncha Pass (9,000) to the 285/50E intersection, take 50E. back to Salida. (Appx. 150 Mile Loop)

"Crested Butte, CO. Ride":

From Salida, CO. take hwy. 50W. to Gunnision, CO. Pick up hwy. 135 to the "funky" little mountain town of Crested Butte, CO. Great food and shopping! (Appx. 150 Mile Loop)

Full Day Routes:

"Independence Pass Loop":

Take hwy. 291 out of Salida, CO. to hwy. 285N. and continue on 285N. to the hwy. 285/82 intersection, take hwy.82 over "Independence Pass" (12,095) then continue thru Aspen, CO. to the intersection of hwy. 82/133 at Carbondale, CO. Continue on hwy. 133 over Mc Clure Pass (8,755) to the hwy. 133/92S. intersection at the hamlet of Hotchkiss, CO. On you way down hwy. 92 (which hangs on the back side of the Black Canyon of the Gunnision) stop in the village of "Crawford, CO." and vist the "Mad Dog Ranch Cafe" owned by Joe Cocker (yes, the rock singer) and his motorcycle riding wife Pam, for trip thru their soda fountain :)
 
 

From Crawford, continue south on hwy. 92 to the hwy. 92/50E. intersection and head home on 50E. to Salida. (appx. 300 Mile Loop)

"Black Canyon of the Gunnision/Grand Mesa Scenic Byway Loop":

Take hwy. 50W. from Salida to hwy. 347, the enterence to the "Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument" after checking out the mounment, go back to 50W. towards Grand Junction, CO. to hwy. 141, then I-70E. (short hop) to hwy. 330 to the hwy. 330/65 intersection and down the "Grand Mesa Scenic Byway" to the hwy. 65/92E. intersection, continue on hwy. 92 till the town of Hotchkiss, CO. (92/133) continue down hwy. 92 (check out the Mad Dog Ranch Cafe in Crawford, CO.) to the hwy. 92/50E. intersection and head down 50E. back to Salida. (Appx. 350 Mile Loop)

OVERNITE ROUTES:

"Sliver Thread Scenic Byway/Million Dollar Highway Loop":

Take hwy. 50W. out of Salida to the hwy. 50/149S. intersection toward Lake City, CO., continue on hwy. 149 over Slumgullion (11,361) and Spring Creek (10,901) Passes thru Creede, CO. to the intersection of hwy. 149/160W.at South Fork, CO. Continue on hwy. 160E. over Wolf Creek Pass (10,880) to Durango, CO.

*NOTE: It is recommended to stay "Overnite" in Durango, CO. for the best RIDE over the "Million Dollar Highway" (US550) as daylight hours will give the best "Scenic & Safety"!!

From Durango, CO. take hwy. 550N.(Million Dollar Highway) over Molas (10,910) and Red Mountain Passes (Take your time and enjoy, it's fantastic!) thru the towns of Sliverton and Ouray to end your Million Dollar Highway journey at Montrose, CO., the intersection of hwy. 550/50E. Head back to Salida on 50E. (Appx.450 Mile Loop)

"San Jaun Skyway/Telluride Loop":

Take 50W. out of Salida to Montrose, CO. pick up hwy. 550S. to the hwy. 550/62 intersection at Ridgeway, CO. Continue on hwy. 62 to hwy. 145W thru Norwood and Redvale to hwy. 141. Head south on hwy. 141 to hwy. 666E. (yes, that's 666), take hwy. 666 to hwy. 145N. and head to Telluride, CO. via Lizard Head Pass (10,222), after checking out "ToHellURide" head out hwy. 145 back to hwy. 62 to Ridgecrest, 550N. back to Montrose, CO. and 50E. back home to Salida. (Appx. 125 miles to start point of loop at Ridgecrest, CO. Loop is 225 miles. 125 miles return to Salida.)

*NOTE: A ideal overnighter is to continue on hwy.666 to Cortez, CO. to hwy. 160E. to "Mesa Verde National Park" and stay at the "Inn at the Park". The next day it's your "choice" of back tracking to go to Telluride or take 160E. to Durango, CO. and do the Million Dollar Highway (550N.) up to Montrose, CO. and 50E. back to Salida.