Sunrise at Badwater Basin sets the tone — ride out across the salt flats at first light, soak in the otherworldly panoramas and snap photos of the low-angled light on the pan and surrounding Panamint Range. From there, follow Furnace Creek Road and Hwy 190 north, stopping at the Devil's Golf Course turnout and Harmony Borax Works for a quick history lesson before transitioning onto the graded dirt approaches that lead toward the Nevada line.
Cross into Nevada and explore the ghost-town ruins of Rhyolite; pick your way through the famous Bottle House and the old train depot while your bike cools, then head northwest along gravel connectors toward Beatty, using dirt spurs to weave past historic mining claims and alkali flats. Plan a mid-afternoon coffee and fuel stop in Beatty, top off tires and suspension checks, and if time allows detour to the Amargosa Opera House or the shallow springs at Tecopa for a short, restorative soak.
Settle into a local motel or the wild-camp-friendly outskirts near Beatty as dusk paints the desert; enjoy a hearty meal at a local diner and swap route notes with fellow riders who gather here. If skies are clear, take a short twilight ride to a nearby vantage for star-filled skies and the distant glow of Rhyolite’s ruins — an easy, low-traffic final run that keeps tires warm and spirits high for the Tonopah backroads on day two.
Leave Beatty at first light and head north on gravel connectors toward Gold Point and the old mining spurs, enjoying smooth packed dirt and wide desert vistas; stop at the historic Rhyolite Quarry overlook for photo ops and a quick walk among tailings before topping off in Tonopah. Drop down onto NV-376 for a pavement breather, then take the dirt approach toward Lida Summit Road to taste some more lonely high-desert gravel with sweeping views of the Funeral and Monitor Ranges.
After a picnic lunch at the informal turnout near Belmont Peak, follow dust-swept two-tracks that thread past abandoned mine camps and collapsed headframes, making a deliberate stop at the restored Belmont Courthouse and cemetery to soak in mining-era stories. Continue toward Tonopah via the historic Tonopah-Eureka highway spurs, pausing at the Tonopah Historic Mining Park to inspect towering hoists and chat with docents about silver-boom days before checking into town services and refueling both bike and rider.
Park the bikes and take an easy stroll down Main Street to the Central Nevada Museum or grab dinner at a longtime Tonopah diner to sample hearty basin comfort food while trading route notes with other riders. If the sky is clear, drive or ride a short way out to the Desert View turnouts for an expansive sunset and then back to your hotel or a nearby dispersed campsite to prepare for the long gravel day toward Ely tomorrow.
Leave Tonopah after a quick fuel and air check, heading east on the Tonopah-Eureka corridor before peeling off onto the dusty two-tracks that climb toward the Monitor Range. Enjoy wide, empty vistas as you crest ridgelines near Belmont Pass and pause at the Belmont Courthouse overlook for photos and a short stretch among sagebrush — the quiet here feels like a true step back into the mining-era landscape you’ve been tracing since Death Valley.
Drop down into long basin crossings and follow graded gravel toward the historic mining hamlets of Goldbanks and the White Pine county approaches, threading past old drill rigs and collapsed shacks; stop for a picnic near the wide flats west of Ely and scan the horizon for pronghorn or distant peaks. Continue via the dirt-friendly backroads that reconnect with US-6/50 near Ely, timing your arrival to roll through the town’s classic western storefronts and resupply at local pumps and the grocery before the evening unwind.
Settle into Ely with a visit to the Nevada Northern Railway Museum or a stroll along the town’s vintage Main Street to soak up railroad-and-mining history you’ve been riding through all day. Enjoy a generous dinner at a local tavern, check tire pressures and chain slack for the higher-altitude routes ahead, and if skies are clear take a short twilight ride up to the Ely Overlook for a slow, starlit send-off toward Utah tomorrow.
Leave Ely after a last cup of coffee and a quick fuel/air check, heading east on US-50 before peeling onto gravel connectors that climb toward the Schell Creek Range; pause at the Antelope Valley overlook for sweeping morning light and a chance to spot mule deer before dropping into the dirt approach toward Garrison. Enjoy the changing geology as sagebrush gives way to juniper and the first hints of redrock appear near the Utah line, threading quiet two-tracks and historic wagon routes that set the tone for the canyon country ahead.
After a picnic lunch at a scenic turnout, continue across the Pavant Valley using graded dirt spurs that link to the Fillmore/Deltalands — swing by the Left Hand Collet or the Benson Overlook if time and surface allow for a short technical detour; otherwise roll steady toward Fillmore, stopping to inspect old basalt flows and pioneer-era ranch buildings that dot the route. Top off fuel and supplies in Fillmore or Delta, check suspension settings for the day’s rougher stretches ahead, and savor the sense of moving from Great Basin openness into Utah’s more varied, red-hued terrain.
Arrive at your chosen Delta/Fillmore lodging or dispersed camp as the western sky goes orange, then stretch legs with a short ride to the historic Fillmore Territorial Statehouse or the Delta Reservoir shoreline for sunset reflections. Share route stories over dinner in town, run through a final tools-and-spares check for tomorrow’s San Rafael Swell passages, and get an early night — the redrock gravel of the next day rewards rested riders.
Roll out early from Delta/Fillmore and head east on quiet gravel spurs toward the San Rafael Swell, greeting first light on slickrock fins and wide desert benches. Stop at the Wedge Overlook or the Muddy Creek crossing to stretch legs, photograph the striated canyon walls, and pick a line through the Rib and Channel sections where the two-track weaves past hoodoos and old uranium prospect pits.
After a picnic in a shaded wash, punch through the San Rafael Reef via the Temple Mountain or Buckhorn Wash approaches, navigating sandier stretches and short technical ledges while pausing at Little Grand Canyon viewpoints for sweeping shots of the Fremont River cut. Continue east past Goblin Valley State Park spurs if time allows to ride surreal hoodoo-dotted gravel before turning toward the Green River/Hanksville corridor to resupply and scout river access or campground options.
Settle into a campsite or small-town lodging in the Green River/Hanksville area and cool off with a short sunset ride to the River Road overlooks or Goblin Valley’s rim for dramatic evening color on the rocks. Share notes over dinner, top off fluids and tires, and check maps for tomorrow’s crossing into Colorado — the redrock sand and canyon corridors you rode today are the perfect primer for higher-elevation dirt ahead.
Leave Hanksville/Green River at first light and thread the dirt spurs that climb out of the canyon country toward the Henry Mountains foothills, pausing at Temple Mountain or the Little Grand Canyon rim for a last look at the redrock layers you’ve been riding through. Shift into longer gravel stretches as you aim east across the Colorado Plateau, then pick up high-desert two-tracks toward the San Rafael Reef’s eastern approaches before crossing into Utah’s La Sal/Book Cliffs transition toward the Colorado line.
After a riverside picnic near the Green River or a quick refuel in Green River town, follow graded county roads and dirt connectors across the Book Cliffs and into western Colorado, using scenic dirt approaches toward Rangely and the isolated White River valley; stop for photos at the rim above Douglas Pass or explore short side spurs through old oilfield roads and slickrock benches. Time permitting, detour into the McElmo Canyon or drive a stretch of the Rim Rock Drive near Grand Junction for sweeping views, then descend toward the Colorado River corridor as you close in on Grand Junction services.
Roll into Grand Junction or a Rangely-area lodging as dusk settles and warm up with a hearty meal downtown—try a local brewpub in Grand Junction or a ranch-style dinner in Rangely—while you swap notes on the plateau-to-mesa transition you just crossed. Do a quick systems check—fuel, tire pressures and suspension—and if skies are clear take a short twilight ride to the Colorado National Monument rim for a starry, canyon-framed send-off before turning in for tomorrow’s higher-elevation approaches toward Gunnison.
Leave the Colorado Plateau’s rim roads at first light and follow dirt and gravel connectors across the Book Cliffs toward Rangely, then pick up the high-desert two-tracks that climb toward Douglas Pass. Pause on the pass for coffee and wide views of the White River valley below, then string together remote county roads and gravel spurs that take you into the foothills above the Gunnison Basin, watching the landscape change from slickrock benches to juniper-studded high desert and the first hints of spruce and aspen.
After a riverside picnic near the White River or a quick refuel in Rangely or Grand Junction depending on your line, tackle the graded gravel approaches over Kebler and Ohio Creek country as you head toward Crested Butte — expect sustained gravel climbs, occasional washboard, and scenic spurs to old mining sites like Irwin and Gothic for a short photo-and-stretch stop. Continue descending into the Gunnison Valley via dirt-friendly routes that reconnect with CO-135/50 approaches, timing arrival to check fuel and prepare for higher-elevation passes tomorrow.
Roll into Gunnison or a Crested Butte-area lodge as the sun drops behind the West Elk Mountains and savor a warm meal in town—try a local tavern in Gunnison or a hearty mountain bistro in Crested Butte—for a restorative finish to a long gravel day. Run through a quick maintenance check (tires, chain, suspension clearances), swap notes with other riders about tomorrow’s Continental Divide crossings, and if skies are clear take a short twilight ride to a nearby overlook for crisp alpine air and a starlit preview of the high country ahead.
Roll out at first light from Gunnison or the Crested Butte approaches and head up the Kebler Pass/Ohio Creek corridor on high-country gravel, watching aspens (if any gold remains) and spruce frame long switchbacks. Pause near Gothic or the Irwin ghost-camp for coffee and a short walk among rusted mining relics, then tackle the steady climb toward Cottonwood Pass or alternative dirt spurs that feed into the Elk Mountains — you’ll feel the air thin as you approach the Continental Divide.
Cross the Divide via historic dirt routes and alpine gravel lanes, choosing a line that threads familiar high-altitude features like the Cottonwood or Hagerman ridgelines before descending toward the Taylor Park or Twin Lakes approaches depending on conditions. Stop for a lakeside picnic with views of Mt. Elbert/Mt. Massive from a distance, check tire pressures and chain slack after the washboard climbs, and follow backcountry two-tracks that sweep you down into the Arkansas River corridor en route to Leadville.
Arrive in Leadville in late afternoon to refuel and warm up in this storied mining town — stroll Main Street past the Tabor Opera House and historic saloons to stretch legs and pick a cozy spot for dinner. Finish the day with a short twilight ride up to the Mineral Belt Trail overlook or take in alpine light on Turquoise Lake (if accessible), then settle into town lodging to rest before the Front Range backroads toward Pikes Peak tomorrow.
Leave historic Leadville after a warm coffee and a last check of tire pressures, heading down the Arkansas River corridor on scenic Hwy 24 before peeling onto dirt spurs that thread through the Mosquito Range foothills. Stop at the Tennessee Pass overlooks or the small mining relics above Fremont Pass for photos and a short walk among old foundations, enjoying the crisp alpine air as the valley opens toward Twin Lakes and the approach to the Front Range.
Descend toward Buena Vista or take the quieter dirt connectors across Independence Pass approaches (weather permitting) to cross the Continental Divide again, then follow backroads and county gravel through pine- and aspen-studded draws toward the Mt. Princeton and Woodland Park corridors. Pause for a riverside picnic near the Arkansas River at Buena Vista or grab lunch in Woodland Park, top off fuel in Fairplay if you detour through South Park, and taste the changing landscape as the high alpine gives way to Pikes Peak’s granite flanks.
Arrive in the Woodland Park/Cascade area in late afternoon and settle into town lodging or a mountain campground, then take a short sunset loop up Ute Pass or to the scenic overlook above Rampart Reservoir for golden light on Pikes Peak. Enjoy a hearty dinner at a local tavern in Woodland Park, double-check gear and weather for the summit attempt tomorrow, and swap route notes with fellow riders as the Front Range stars come out over the big peak.
Break early from Woodland Park with a hot coffee and a final weather check at the Pikes Peak Visitor Center; if conditions are favorable, take the high-adrenaline run up Pikes Peak Highway (or the dirt Gold Camp Road approach if you prefer a dirt-first line) enjoying tight switchbacks, alpine aspen stands, and sweeping views of the Front Range as you climb. Pause at Glen Cove or the Barr Trail trailhead for stops and photos, then push to the 14,115' summit where crisp air, the U.S. Olympic Training Center below, and panoramic views of Mt. Elbert and the Collegiate Peaks reward the climb.
After summit time for photos and a hot snack, descend carefully via the Pikes Peak Highway or pick a mixed-surface return route that threads down through the timberline, stopping at Crags Campground overlook and the Devil's Playground for geological contrasts and to compare notes on line choice. If the summit run was curtailed by weather, pivot to a scenic backroad loop through Rampart Reservoir and Ute Pass for a gratifying day of granite-lined roads, historic mining relics, and a late-afternoon riverside break in Woodland Park.
Return to Woodland Park or Cascade for a warm, celebratory dinner—try a local tavern for elk stew or a burger—and swap stories of the summit run with fellow riders while you debrief gear and tires. Finish the day with a short twilight ride to the Pikes Peak overlook or a cozy walk along Ute Pass, savoring the frontal-range sunset and planning the gentle pavement or dirt connectors that will take you onward or back home tomorrow.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Badwater Basin (Death Valley) | Free (park entrance fee for Death Valley NP: $30 per vehicle, valid 7 days) |
| Devil's Golf Course turnout | Free (included with park entrance) |
| Harmony Borax Works | Free (included with park entrance) |
| Rhyolite (ghost town & Bottle House) | Free (self-guided); small donation boxes on-site possible |
| Beatty (fuel, coffee, services) | Fuel: $15-40 depending on bike; coffee/snack: $5-12; motel: $70-120 per room |
| Amargosa Opera House (detour near Tecopa) | Free to $10+ donation for gallery; performance tickets vary ($20-40) if scheduled |
| Tecopa hot springs (public soaking) | Free-$10 (some springs are free; commercial tubs/pay sites cost $10-25) |
| Gold Point / Rhyolite Quarry overlook | Free |
| Tonopah (fuel, pumps, town services) | Fuel: $15-40; groceries/basic resupply: $10-40; motel: $70-130 |
| Belmont Courthouse and cemetery | Free (self-guided); small onsite donations possible |
| Tonopah Historic Mining Park | $6-12 per person (small admission/donation typical); souvenirs additional |
| Nevada Northern Railway Museum (Ely) | $10-20 per person (guided tours/rides extra $20-50 if available) |
| Ely town resupply (fuel/groceries) | Fuel: $15-40; groceries: $10-50 |
| Antelope Valley overlook (Schell Creek area) | Free |
| Fillmore / Delta fuel & supplies | Fuel: $15-40; groceries: $10-40; motel: $70-120 |
| Fillmore Territorial Statehouse | $3-8 per person (small historic-site fee/donation) |
| San Rafael Swell overlooks (Wedge Overlook, Muddy Creek) | Free (state park fees apply if entering designated sites; Goblin Valley: $10-20 vehicle/day) |
| Goblin Valley State Park spur | $10-20 per vehicle/day (state park fee) |
| Green River / Hanksville resupply | Fuel: $15-40; groceries: $10-40; motel/campsite: $60-120 (motel) or $10-20 (camp) |
| Temple Mountain / Little Grand Canyon rim stops | Free |
| Rangely / Douglas Pass rim photo stops | Free |
| Grand Junction (services, possible detour to Rim Rock Drive) | Fuel: $15-40; groceries: $10-50; Rim Rock Drive/Colorado National Monument vehicle fee: $10-15; motel: $80-150 |
| Douglas Pass rim / White River valley viewpoints | Free |
| Kebler/Ohi o Creek approaches (Gunnison/Crested Butte area) | Free (access); motel: $90-160; fuel: $15-40 |
| Irwin / Gothic mining sites (short photo stops) | Free |
| Gunnison / Crested Butte resupply | Fuel: $15-40; groceries: $10-50; motel/B&B: $90-180 |
| Cottonwood Pass / Hagerman ridge crossing (high-country) | Free (road may be seasonal/closed; check for county permits) |
| Leadville refuel & town visit (Tabor Opera House/Main St.) | Fuel: $15-40; museum/Opera House entry: $5-15; lodging: $90-160 |
| Tennessee Pass / Fremont Pass overlooks | Free |
| Buena Vista / Arkansas River picnic or lunch | Lunch: $10-20; optional raft trips much more if booked separately |
| Woodland Park / Ute Pass overlook / Rampart Reservoir | Free to $5 (small parking fees sometimes); lodging: $80-150 |
| Pikes Peak Summit (Pikes Peak Highway vehicle/toll and visitor center) | Pikes Peak Highway vehicle fee: approximately $20-$30 per person or $50-$75 per vehicle depending on season and vehicle type; Visitor Center purchases $5-15; if using Gold Camp Road or guided services, no highway fee but conditions/permits vary |
| Gold Camp Road (dirt approach alternative) | Free (road condition dependent; maintenance fees not typical) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | $1,200 - $3,200 (per rider, USD) — estimated range |