Advice needed-Western US summer trip
Hello all, We are planning our first big RV road trip and I need some help. We will be leaving from Central Florida in June, and have about 28-30 days total. We have traveled quite a bit in the pas...
Forum Discussion
Chromedome wrote:
7 days total in Durango (5 full days) to include the railway,
Telluride, and maybe a side trip to Moab with the bike one day
I don't know if it's just you or more of your family doing the mountain bike thing. If it's just you, Slickrock trail in Moab is OK. But there are other options you might consider. If your kids are going along and are over 5 or 6, you might consider going to the Klonzo area a little north of town. This is our go-to place when we travel with inexperienced mountain bikers. Mostly beginner and intermediate trails. If everyone has a degree of comfort with mountain biking, the Bar M/Brand Trails just off the highway north of Arches is a good bet. A good selection of difficulties from easy to harder. Great views of the fins of Arches NP. You can even have distant views of a few of the arches. These areas both require less skill and much less oomph than Slickrock, where your kids might find themselves pushing a lot. For maps and more info, check this website and PM me for more info.
For a fun family ride outside of Telluride, check out the Galloping Goose Trail just west of town. This goes up an old railroad grade and thus has a gentle grade. Great views. Easy.
Along the river through town and then westward, there is a bike trail. Generally easy. Going west from the western parking lots in town gets you into the forest and away from civilization pretty quickly. IIRC, when you continue eastward from town toward the head of the valley, there are a few historical information markers. The part of the trail through town is very easy. In many ways, it's easier to park in one of the western parking lots and use your bikes to explore town.
There is also a free gondola from town up to the bike trails on the mountain at Mountain Village. Info here.
If it's a hot day, bring, buy, or rent inner tubes and float the San Miguel through town (assuming it's not running too high). Catch the free bus back upstream and do it again! Or do a bike ride in the morning and cool off in the river in the afternoon.
