I had the time to take the Ultra Limited out for a little ride today as the smoke and heat finally subsided. This is a great ride and takes one around the I-70 road construction on Vail Pass. Which brings up a warning, the pass is very dangerous with the road construction taking place. Motorcyclists are advised to use extreme caution and I'd avoid it at night. It really is that bad.

Anyway, the route can be accessed from Copper Mtn. on Rt. 91 if heading west or from Minturn on Rt. 24 if heading East. The intersection of these 2 roads is near Leadville.

I got on at Minturn and started the ascent up to Tennessee Pass. Minturn is a great place to stop for a bite and to fuel up, if needed. Leaving Minturn, you pass the abandoned town of Gilman. It is an old mining town that closed up decades ago due to pollution.


Gilman, Co.

After leaving Gilman the road continues to climb until you reach Red Cliff and cross over the Eagle River. The area is quite scenic..


After leaving that location the road continues thru many twists and turns until reaching the summit. Many streams and mountain peaks are visible along the route.


The road then becomes the 10th Mtn. Div. Memorial Hwy to commemorate the 10th Div. The unit originated at Camp Hale which is along this route.


Tennessee Pass



At the top of Tennessee Pass. Elevation over 10,000'

The road continues on towards Leadville and its junction of Co. 91. The scenery is some of the best the Rockies offers and avoids the hassles and dangers of I-70. There are numerous places to camp, fish and hike along the route. There is off road motorcycling along the ride for those on adventure bikes. Hint for Pan America riders. In the winter snowmobiling is really fun. I'm fortunate that this is my back yard and a fantastic ride. Riders should be aware that road conditions and temperatures really fluctuate a lot here in the high country. SO, if you are riding along I-70 in Colorado and need a break from the interstate, this is a great alternative.

 

I’ve done that heading either north or south from I-70. Leadville is a good stop.
Spectacular!

 

Great pics. I ride those roads and more all the time. Never think to stop and get pictures. We have some fantastic roads around the mountains here. If we could only get the tourists to quit stopping in the middle of the road, on a curve, to take pictures of a herd or Elk that are a mile away. :-)

 

I like seeing where the head waters of major rivers. Colorado and Rio Grande.
I use to take wife and daughter to San Juan Mountains every year. Exploring the off road areas from Silverton over to Lake City when Silverton was still an active mine. And Ouray to Yankee Boy and Telluride.
You can really get lost if you don’t know what you’re doing.
Then I would reward them with a few days in Glenwood Springs old Hotel Colorado and swimming pool.

 

Those are some fantastic roads. I always get a kick out of riding past the elk meadow outside Telluride.

 

 

Love Colorado, beautiful country!! Have family in Denver so get out that way occasionally.

 

Excellent photos and a great read! I'm actually rather interested in this I-70 road report however. I'll be traveling through there in the truck towing a small U-Haul trailer in less than a month, should I expect delays, unusually heavy traffic, road closures, etc.?

 

Keep your eyes on the road reports, I-70 has been closed the past few days due to mud slides.

 

That really bit me in the *** when I went through there yesterday. We took a "bypass" called Cottonwood Pass Rd that was the most harrowing 16 miles I've ever experienced and with a loaded Ram 1500 pulling a loaded U-Haul 4x8 to boot!