Itinerary

Day 1: Colorado National Monument and Unaweep Canyon

Day One’s riding begins on Rim Rock Drive of the Colorado National Monument. The 23-mile drive follows the redrock rim nearly 2,000 feet up a series of canyons above the Rio Colorado. The entire road has been designated a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. It was named by National Geographic as one of the country’s Top 10 Under-Appreciated Parks.
The detailed design for the road was developed in 1932 by the National Park Service for maximum scenic impact, using the National Park Service Rustic style. The road was constructed with almost entirely manual labor by the Works Progress Administration and Civilian Conservation Corps, and represents one of the most significant Depression era public projects. Extensive drilling and blasting was required, and three tunnels were bored. Work was suspended by the Second World War from 1942 to 1948, and was finally completed in 1950. At its height, the project employed more than 800 men. Rim Rock Drive could not be constructed in the 21st century, its expense and environmental consequences would be considered too high.
During the 1980s, Rim Rock Drive was host to a classic mountain stage of the now defunct Coors Classic Stage Race. The stage itself was dubbed The Tour of the Moon. Bernard Hinault and Greg Lemond themselves battled it out on this scenic road.
After Day One’s morning tour through the Colorado National Monument cyclists head into the stunning confines of Unaweep Canyon. Unaweep Canyon is quite possibly the most spectacular road ride in Colorado, it is also one of the least known roads in the state. Geologically speaking, Unaweep was at one time a river channel of the Colorado River before the massive uplift of the Uncompahgre Plateau diverted the river’s course. This is mine expanding geology!
Today cyclists enjoy riding the road where the river once traveled. Although smaller in scale, the experience is akin to riding a bike through the Grand Canyon. The splendid resort of Gateway Canyons (opened in 2005 on the Dolores River) in Gateway, awaits us for dinner and lodging this evening. The beauty of Gateway Canyons Resort must be seen to be believed.
Morning Ride: Colorado National Monument: 23-miles with up to 2,750 feet of climbing
Afternoon Ride: Unaweep Canyon to Gateway (Standard): 18-miles with 2,800-feet of descending!
Unaweep Canyon to Gateway: 38 miles with up to 2,775 feet of climbing

Day 2: Gateway to CampV

We consider the first 25-miles today’s ride to be the most beautiful section of road on all of our tours. The route follows the dazzling scenery of Highway 141 southward. The first 25-miles from Gateway Canyons resort are beneath 1,500-foot Redrock Canyon walls and alongside the Rio Dolores. Many of our guests have called this section the “most beautiful ride” they have ever enjoyed.
Views of the Hanging Flume are visible from Highway 141. The flume is an engineering feat of over 100 years ago and also one of the world’s most extraordinary monuments to human greed and folly. Its purpose was to deliver water to a placer gold mine. Construction started in 1889 and a million board feet of lumber was used. The mine went bankrupt in the early 1890s. Today travelers are awestruck at the lengths gone into the creation of this means to convey water.
Gateway to Camp V (Standard): 49 miles with up to 2,335 feet of climbing
Gateway to Camp V : 57 miles with up to 2,845 feet of climbing

Day 3: Layover Day: Cabins at CampV – Confluence Loop

With a layover day at CampV, today’s ride is a big highlight to the confluence of the Rio San Miguel and Rio Dolores. From our cabins heading north on CO-141 and then diverting onto a section of smooth gravel road past the Hanging Flume. At the wild confluence, located deep within a redrock canyon, the guides will set up a delicious lunch spread. Everyone is invited to jump in the water for a wild swim!
Post lunch we continue our journey south following the Dolores River into Paradox Valley until we reach State Highway 90 and then ride our final miles back to to our luxury cabins at CampV.
Distance: 32 Miles or 44 miles with up to 1,710 feet of climbing

Day 4: Camp V to La Sal

Departing from Camp V the route heads west through Paradox Valley, then over Paradox Pass and into Utah. The mighty La Sal Mountains will loom large to the northwest during today’s ride.
The riding ends at the intersection with US-191 and we then shuttle to Bluff, Utah and our lodging at the Desert Rose.
Distance: 32 miles or 43 miles with up to 4,180 feet of climbing

Day 5: Bluff, Utah to Monument Valley.

From Bluff, we’ll roll out in the soft early morning light southwest towards Monument Valley along US Scenic 163. Ten miles into the day we’ll ride up and over the southern end of Comb Ridge, a 40 mile long geological feature of special interest.
If you have been to Monument Valley before or this is your first time, the landscape is captivating. The mood of the red rock in this harsh landscape varies with the light to reveal both subtle and striking beauty.
We’ll cross the Rio San Juan at the town of Mexican Hat and continue southwest towards Arizona. Tonight’s lodging is on the Navajo Nation at either The View Hotel or Gouldings Lodge
Standard, 40 miles with up to 3,430 ft of climbing
Or 57 miles with up to to 4,520 feet of climbing

Day 6: Monument Valley to (Lake Powell)

Our final day of riding will be without a doubt memorable and much easier then anticipated. Since the ride looses 4,000-feet at a 1% to 2% grade over the final 50 miles, this will be the easiest 100-miles you have ever ridden.
From Monument Valley cyclists roll back into Utah and re-cross the Rio San Juan at Mexican Hat where the route turns north following Route 261. Ten miles north of Mexican Hat Route 261 runs into headwall of the Mokee Dugway.
The Dugway is a 1,100 foot climb in 2.8 miles of packed earth road. There are multiple switchbacks up the Dugway’s 10% grade. From the top of the Dugway on Muley Point the sublime views featuring the Goosenecks of the Rio San Juan, Monument Valley and the Valley of the Gods may be the very best in all of Utah.
Heading north and trending upward from the Moki Dugway on Route 261, the Abajo Mountains dominate the northern skyline while the Henry Mountains rise to the west. Intersecting Route 95 our route turns west.
In writer Edward Abbey’s The Monkey Wrench Gang this is the road where the outlaw George Washington Hayduke walked for three days pulling survey stakes before the road was constructed. It is indeed hard to understand why this road was built since it does not lead to anything in particular. But since the road now exists and the drop dead gorgeous scenery, what better way to explore this region than on a bike? Abbey would probably approve.
The region around Route 95 is chock full of water springs and accompanying Anasazi Indian ruins such as Fry Canyon and Mule Canyon. We pass near the nation’s first National Monument, Colossal Bridges, designated by Teddy Roosevelt in the early 1900’s. Colossal Bridges was renamed Natural Bridges, but Colossal better describes these bridges and the indomitable figure of Teddy Roosevelt.
Edward Abbey’s Hayduke was fantasizing about blowing up Glen Canyon Dam while pulling survey stakes as he walked towards Glen Canyon Reservoir. If anyone in our group of cyclists upon reaching Glen Canyon Reservoir seeks to blow up the dam, they’ll be at the wrong end of the 186 mile long reservoir with nearly 2,000 miles of shoreline. Arriving at the north end of Glen Canyon Reservoir cyclists cross three impressive bridges over the Rio San Juan, Rio Colorado, and the Dirty Devil River. To end the tour a refreshing jump into the lake is highly recommended. Following the end of riding we shuttle back to Grand Junction with dinner at a quirky cowboy bar in Green River, Utah.
Standard, Moki Dugway to Lake Powell, 70 miles with 5,250 feet of descending
Extended, Monument Valley to Lake Powell, 107 miles with 7,660 feet of descending
Monument Valley to Hanksville, 154 miles with 9,800 feet of descending

Optional Low-Level Scenic Flight: To end your Redrock Canyons Bike Tour, treat yourself to a spectacular low-level scenic flight across Canyonlands National Park with Redtail Aviation.
The scenery is incredible and after the flight you will arrive back in Grand Junction at approximately 6:00 PM on Friday evening. Cost is $297 per person for 2024.
We will need each person’s weight to make the reservation. Please note that carry-on luggage is limited to 25 lbs per person.

* This is a general itinerary. Tour itineraries are subject to change based on the group, available accommodations and other unforeseen circumstances such as the weather, local conditions, government intervention, that may affect the quality of the trip and/or safety of the participants. Please view this itinerary as an outline as to what to expect on this tour.

Lodging

Redrock Canyons Tour

Days 1 & 2: Gateway Canyons Resort, Gateway
Day 3: Camp V, Naturita
Day 4: Desert Rose Inn & Cabins, Bluff
Day 5: The View hotel, in Monument Valley

Meeting Location: On Day 1 cyclists meet the guides and support vehicle at 8:00am at the Courtyard Marriott next to the airport in Grand Junction, Colorado. The Marriott has an airport shuttle and full hot breakfast.

Ending Location: The tour ends at the Marriott on Horizon Drive in Grand Junction, Colorado after Day 6’s stage to Lake Powell. Cyclists are shuttled from Lake Powell back to Grand Junction.

Pre- and Post-Tour Lodging: Riders are responsible for their own lodging for night preceding and following the tour.

Included:

• Five nights lodging.
• All meals, (except 1 dinner) energy food, liquid refreshments
• Entrance fees.
• Guide service and mechanical support
• Luggage transport

Not included:

• Night before and after the tour not included.
• Bike rental. Be sure to bring your own helmet. We have a very limited supply and will only pack them if special arrangements are made ahead of time.
• Flights to and from the trip.
• Gratuity guides.
• Alcoholic beverages

Pricing / Tour dates

Tour price 2024: $ 3520.-pp. Single fee $ 895.-
Bike rental:
Scott Addict 10 $ 250.- per week
Scott E-bike road bikes with straight bars $ 395.- per week
Extra option: scenic flight on day 6: $ 297.- See day 6 itinerary.
Tour dates 2025:
27 Apr – 02 May
04 May – 09 May
11 May – 16 May
18 May – 23 May
25 May – 30 May
31 Aug – 05 Sep
08 Sep – 13 Sep
14 Sep – 19 Sep
21 Sep – 26 Sep
28 Sep – 03 Oct
05 Oct – 10 Oct
12 Oct – 17 Oct
19 Oct – 24 Oct

Conditions

Deposit $ 950.- pp
The deposit payment for a tour must be paid within two weeks after the booking is confirmed.
The remaining payment is due 90 days before the start of the tour.
For tours that are booked within 90 days before the start of the tour you will pay 100% of the tour price

Information

Weather and the Redrock Canyons Tour:
The bike touring experience is about one’s attitude. In 2010, three of the Redrock Canyons Tours were run in near record heat, near record cold and “perfect weather.” The tours that were run under extreme conditions ended up being exceptionally memorable and fun. It is the “war stories” that are told around the Thanksgiving table five years down the road. Bonding occurs through adversity creating life long friendships. The weather will do what is does.
Spring Weather Synopsis: Spring in Canyon Country begins in earnest during the month of March with bright warm days and cool to cold nights. By April daytime highs reach the upper 70’s with lows in the 40s and 50s. In May, temperatures reach the mid to upper 80s and by the end of the month even low 90s. As the summer solstice approaches in June long days translate into temperatures that are regularly in the upper 80s to mid 90s with nighttime lows in 60s. Early morning roll-outs in early June make for memorable sunrises with early afternoon arrivals at the hotels.
Through the middle of May spring snow storms can still effect the high mountains above Redrock Canyon Country. The mountains rise 7,000 feet above the desert and as a result the effect of late season storms on sensible weather down in the canyons usually results in 8 to 16 hours of unsettled weather such as wind and thunderstorms. Spring is generally a windier and drier season then fall in the desert.
Fall Weather Synopsis: Temperatures in early September are no longer as hot as mid-summer, but can still feel quite warm with afternoon highs reaching as high as the low to mid-90s. By the end of September temperatures are averaging in the mid to low 80s. By the end of October temperatures are usually in the upper 60s to low 70s. (good weather for long rides). October sunlight is radiant as the slanted post autumnal equinox rays sustain brilliant light even at mid-day. In mid-October, the Cottonwood trees along the rivers burn yellow against the azure desert skies.

As for the threat of fall rain, from mid-September through October, low pressure systems will occasionally spin through the high mountains 6,000 to 8,000 feet above canyon country. These storms dust the high peaks with the first snows of the coming season. These weather systems translates into about 8 to 16 hours of unsettled weather down in Canyon Country. Weather events in the desert can best be described as brief and intense in nature.

Meals:
We provides most meals on all tours (unless otherwise noted) including breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Guides will prepare a daily lunch en route for nearly every tour, both road and off-road, as well as provide nutritious snacks at periodic aid stations during the day.
Most of our road tours utilize local restaurants for all meals and occasionally guides may prepare a dinner or two during a tour. Due to the nature of being “off the grid”, most of our off-road tours feature guide prepared meals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. FUN NOTE: When guides prepare a meal in camp and the guests sit around and watch, this is called “Guide TV”.

Lunches: Our guides prepares healthy lunches to keep you going. We will serve you fresh organic fruits and veggies, salads, hummus, sandwich fixings, nuts, gourmet cheeses and, of course, plenty of salty/sweet snacks such as chips and cookies.

Dinners: On our road tours,We sources our favorite restaurants in each town that we visit. Our guides focus on establishments that offer fresh and local ingredients and guests choose whatever they desire to eat off the menu including: appetizer, salad, entrée, and of course, dessert… yum! Also, while on tour if a guest wants to dine early before the group and go to bed, this is fine. We understand that on some days sleep is the most important post-ride element