We've taken three mountain bike trips across the Rockies into Moab with San Juan Huts. In 2014 we rode from Telluride and chased after as much singletrack as we could find.
We were ready for our 2014 ride from Telluride to Moab. This time we were fully outrigged with GPS (no more getting lost) and we were all better prepared both mentally and physically. Plus this route is a bit less challenging than the Durango to Moab track. In 2014 we rode as much alternate route as we good fine and were rewarded with a handful of incredible rides.
We left Gateway early & started a long gradual climb to the top of the plateau through beautiful John Brown canyon.
This was one of our better days. We found some great alternate routes including the Elm Creek Trail - which was a good enough track to justify a special trip just to ride again.
After a great day 3 which included quite a lot of HAB (hike-a-bike) we stuck to the main route on day 4 and got to Graham Ranch early. Early enough to grab a beer, eat a bit and head back out for some extra riding.
We found some great alternate routes on our 3rd day. The first alternate was only about 3 or 4 miles in & was a blast. Fun, rolling double-track with great views and a few chances to push the pace. The second alternate was a mix.
Day 2 was a nice ride. Started with a short hike down the opposite side of Last Dollar Hut from where we climbed the day before and led to a pretty easy day on gravel roads. The first 15 miles or so were especially pretty and fun; gentle downhill ride with the San Juan mountains close to our back.
Not really much of a ride on day 1, only 13.1 miles w/ about 2,000 feet of climbing. In fact the ride was almost all climbing.
After a 20 hour plus drive from Minneapolis & Milwaukee to Telluride we finally arrived in town sometime early afternoon. We made a few compulsory stops at the local watering holes, had dinner somewhere and decided to stretch our legs a bit with a ride up to the falls at the end of the canyon.
La Sal Hut to Moab | 36.0 miles | 8,055 ft to 4,000 ft
We left early on day 7 to be sure we'd have the energy and the time for a full ride on the Enchilada.