My husband and I are planning to rent a motorcycle in mid Sept in Ft Collins, CO. We have 6 days to see the sights. We would like to limit total mileage to less than 1200 miles. We would like to hike at least 2hours each day and a 1/2 day whitewater raft trip would be nice. Any suggestions for a route (loop) that would include RMNP, Pikes Peak, Garden of the Gods, Sand Dunes, Pagosa Springs, Black Canyon, Aspen area and any others we could squeeze in. (Durango, Telluride) Is this feasible? Also any suggestions on campgrounds, restaurants, and scenic routes suitable for motorcycling would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for any help.

I'd skip the Black Canyon. And Durango doesn't excite us. But you'll find the area between Ouray and Silverton spectacular. The trip between them on the Million Dollar Highway is worth every penny of that sobriquet.

We stay in Ouray, and have been going back once or twice a year now for several years. We'll be there the last week in September to catch the Aspens in their yellow, gold and amber fall colors. If you can move your trip back a week or so you'll find it worthwhile.

If you'd like some ideas on the area see
www.twenj.com/ouray.htm

Thanks for the help Ed. We will certainly check out the site you referenced. Unfortunately we cannot change the trip dates. Any chance the Aspens will be turning in other areas of the state? Also are we being too ambitious with this itinerary? Thanks in advance for any help.

There's a chance that aspen could be changing at the higher elevations. Just depends on the weather. We've been having a hot summer, and there seems to be no touch of fall in the air. But, things change quickly.
As for Durango, differing from Ed, we've always enjoyed a one day stop in Durango.However, the distances are quite great that you describe. It's at least an 8 hour drive to Durango from Denver. And longer, since they are doing work on Wolf Creek Pass. I think you might need to choose which areas most interest you. Pikes Peak, whether you drive, hike or take the incline is at least a day's trip. Garden of the Gods can be as short as a half hour, or as long as several hours. Whitewater rafting will be on the low side in Sept. Rivers are currently low, and will be lower in Sept. However, the Arkansas near Buena Vista is popular. For a little easier trip, you can take the Colorado near Glenwood. I think you should leave out the sand dunes. Although Pagosa Springs has nice hot springs, I think Glenwood's are better, and there is more to do around there. Mid-Sept evenings can be quite cold. So, you like need a 4 season sleeping bag in mountain areas. Could go as low as freezing. I suggest, RMNP East side, to Colorado Springs. CS to Buena Vista. Buena Vista to Leadville, and over Independance Pass to Aspen. Aspen to Glenwood Springs, and Glenwood back to RMNP access through Winter Park,and Trail Ridge Road. An alternative drive to the top of a fourteener-rather than driving up Pikes Peak, drive up Mt. Evans. View is spectacular, drive is shorter, and less people. 2 1/2+ hours to C. Sp from Fort Collins. 2 hours to Buena Vista. 2+ hours to from BV to Aspen. Aspen to GS is a little over an hour. GS to Winter Park is about 3 hours. The drive from Winter Park over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park can take a half a day depending on stopping and traffic.

Thanks for the help gb, just the kind of info we're looking for. Is the summit to MT Evans closed after Labor Day? We will probably take your advice and not try to attempt so much at one time.

I don't think the road to Mt. Evans is closed after Labor Day.

Are you planning to stay in a different location each night? You could easily spend 6 days. Visiting RMNP, Glenwood Springs, Aspen, and the Summit County area. Black Canyon is interesting, but not in your time frame. I'd say the same for Garden of the Gods, and second the poster's suggestion of Mt. Evans instead of Pike's Peak. Telluride & Durango you should save for another trip.

The Mt. Evans Road closes after there is a snowfall that doesn't melt within a day, or sometime after mid Sept.When you get to try calling the National Forest Service, or I believe at the MT. Evans exit on I-70 in Idaho Springs, there is a forest service information building.

PS. we just took some out of state visitors up the Mt. Evans road a couple weeks ago. We hadn't been there in about 15 years. (There is now a fee of $10 per car.) But, I think it is worth it, as it is not a "commercial" enterprise, but a maintenance fee by the state. It was really beautiful, with very few people. The road doesn't quite go tho the very top. You have to hike up about 15-20 minutes (depends on conditioning). And we saw the funny thing. A marmot had dug a hole in the middle of the tar road, and kept sticking his head out after the cars passed. It was funny.

Thanks again for all the help. Would we be crazy for attempting to traverse Phantom Canyon Road on a motorcycle? What about Florissant Fossil Beds Nat'l Monument? Worth a visit?

Durango and Telluride may be too far. I would strongly recommend a loop that includes Crested Butte. This is a very popular spot for motorcycle riders whether they visit here or reside full time. Crested Butte is a beautiful town that is not too well known outside of Colorado and vicinity. It would be well worth your while to look into it and you could make a very nice loop.

It's been years since I've been on Phantom Canyon Road. But, as I remember it, it is a graded dirt road, and probably is fine for a motiorcyle. Maybe someone else knows more. But, it is not a fast road, it will take you all day to get from Canyon City, through Cripple Creek and to Florissant. I've never been to Florissant, but I hear it has some nice displays.My experience is that most National parks and monuments are the best of the best of an area. Although Phantom Canyon is lovely, I think there are more scenic routes in Colorado. I went south to north, and don't remember being highly impressed by the scenery (relatively speaking to other parts of Colorado).

PS. You asked about campgrounds. AAA has a guide if you can get one. And I could respond to the condition of the area if not the campground. I suggest that in Sept., it is best to choose a campground lower in elevation vs.higher in elevation due to the cold weather possibility. And unless you stay at a private commercial site or the National Park site, you probably won't find showers. And if I had a choice between Phantom Canyon and Glenwood Hot Springs, the hot springs win hands down.

I've heard that it's $15 per person to see Royal Gorge and that an amusement park is there now. Was told do not go because the natural beauty is diminished due to tourist trapping? True/False? What are alternatives?