Itinerary

Day 1: Grand Junction to Gateway Canyons Resort

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 and was named by National Geographic as one of the country’s Top 10 Under-Appreciated Parks. NOTE: Cyclists ride the 23-miles of the park’s unsupported.
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 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.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, Colorado awaits us for dinner and lodging this evening. The beauty of Gateway Canyons Resort must be seen to be believed.
Colorado National Monument, 27 miles with up to 2,750 feet of climbing
Unaweep Canyon to Gateway, 43 miles with up to 2,775 feet of climbing
Colorado National Monument to Gateway, 84 miles with up to 5,925 feet of climbing

Day 2: Unaweep Canyon Out & Back (road bike), or Bull Canyon Out & Back(MTB)

With a layover day at the Gateway Canyons Resort, there are three ride options offered this day. The first is to pedal 30-miles round-trip up and down Highway-141 through magnificent Unaweep Canyon to Gateway Canyon Resort’s Stables. In the spring and after rain storms there are multiple waterfalls on the west side of the canyon. Look for a waterfall near milepost 122 and then again near milepost 132 at Fall Creek. Riders will also have the option to Reach the Summit by riding a few miles past the stables to route’s high point at the Unaweep Divide to extend the ride which makes for a 47-mile round trip road ride.
A third more epic option is an off-road adventure to ride gravel on a mountain or gravel bike from Gateway to the Bull Canyon Dinosaur Tracks Overlook and then back. This route travels from Colorado into Utah and then back and offers tremendous views of the La Sal Mountains and Bull Canyon.
After the rides, guests can luxuriate in the Gateway Canyons pool, take in a spa, tour the magnificent auto museum or simply relax. There is so much to do, or not do, at the resort!
Standard, Unaweep Canyon Road Ride, 30 miles with up to 2,370 feet of climbing
Extended, Unaweep Canyon Road Ride, 47 miles with up to 3,160 feet of climbing
Gateway to Bull Canyon Gravel Ride, 46 miles with up to 6,495 feet of climbing

Day 3: Gateway to Camp V

The riding on this day continues following the dazzling scenery of scenic byway Highway 141 southward. The first 30-miles of riding from Gateway Canyons resort are beneath 1,500-foot Redrock Canyon walls. Many of our guests have called this section the “most beautiful ride” they have ever enjoyed.
The road riding is high above the Dolores River and tight against vertical sandstone walls. It is quite simply one of the most stunning roads in the country. We finish our ride near Naturita, Colorado and check into our lodging at Camp V.
Standard, Gateway to La Sal, 50 miles with up to 3,500 feet of climbing
Gateway to La Sal, 90 miles with up to 6,070 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: 62 miles with up to 4,525 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.
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 $287 per person for 2023. 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

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, 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 2023: $ 3350.-pp. Single fee $ 675.-
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: $ 287.- See day 6 itinerary.

Tour dates 2023:
24 Sep – 29 Sep
01 Oct – 06 Oct The October 1st Redrock Canyons tour will be specifically designed to be a Electric Bike tour. Pedal bikes are of course welcomed
09 Oct – 14 Oct fully booked
15 Oct – 20 Oct
Tour dates 2024:
28 April – 3 May
5 May – 10 May
12 May – 17 May
19 May – 24 May
26 May – 31 May

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

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