Trails of the West Lite 2011-CO, UT, WY

[DockingPilot]

Originally Posted by 10Cup

Hey Frank, where you guys going next year??

West Coast for something different. Same theme, but Wash/Ore and coastal northern Cali and gold rush country.

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by DockingPilot

West Coast for something different. Same theme, but Wash/Ore and coastal northern Cali and gold rush country.

I grew up around the gold country. If you want to ride those trails, you better be aboard a KTM 200 smoker...

[DockingPilot]

Or very carefull planning !

[The Toyman]

Sorry for the delayed report, We pack up and get ready to head out of Meeker



We head out with Oleary in the lead, all of a sudden my bike starts coughing and sputtering and dies, I coast to the side of the road. I tear into my tool pack and check to see if the carb bowl has fuel, wooo water in my fuel when I drain it, still won't start so I pull the plug and it has some deposits, I clean them off and stick it back in and she fires right up, my that was luck. Just as I am getting it put back together Oleary is looking for his lost sheep. We head out and it stutters some more and my maximum speed is 45 to 50 so I lead and Oleary follows.



What a beautiful moring!





Yup he is still back there




Another great View




Kenny Reservoir north of Rangley, Co.



As Mr Oleary stated this mud hole was a challenge and we finally figured a way around it through a shorter section to the east of it and it was still a challenge.


Only to find this one around the corner, does not look like much but that was one slick and mucky mess and we made it though sith ease and a few rooster tails flyin


More beautiful scenery




Oleary still hot on my trail




Little did we know that this was the beginning of the most breath taking views of the trip for us.










Breathtaking but there is more!


Yup here comes


This is what memories are made of






Oleary taking it all in


Even my Pig enjoys the view






Oleary getting a closer view of the Yampa river



Echo Canyon Camping area


Heading out of Echo Canyon





Storm a brewing to the west




We just rode through this rain storm just south of Vernal, could not see the front fender of my bike at times.


We pull into this scenic pull off on Hwy 40 and dry out


We head on into Vernal and find a place to stay and food, what a wonderful day of riding and with a good riding partner Oleary.

[10Cup]

Great Pictures and report there Toyman! Glad I missed the mud, not sure where you guys got into that but I didnt' have any. Instead I got into 8" silt and that was a huge mess.

[The Toyman]

Well we load up and get ready to head out and we visit with a guy that is riding with his freind on Harleys



We don't get very far and Oleary needs more insulation in the brisk cool morning


Looking back on Vernal


Oleary takin in the cool morning and the veiw from atop of the hill


Taking in more vistas


Oleary getting close to the old building for a photo.


Off we go to Marshalls Draw







We finally make it out and stop for a snack break along the rocks, just plain Awsome!




If you look behind my big head you can see the draw we just came out of, very impressive draw.


Green River and as far as the eye can see is the Swinging Bridge, there were some guys fishing just above the bridge, what a fine day to do so.





Looking back to the mountains where we came through Marshalls Draw


Short pavement section over the hill to Flaming Gorge

Another view of Marshalls Draw from the overlook



My partner in crime


Upper end of Flaming Gorge lake


The Dam, notice it is getting dark and then it starts to rain, did I mention it has rained on us every day.


We out run the rain and get to Red Canyon Lodge and enjoy the outdoors on the deck and have a great lunch



Oleary taking care of Business

More rain coming so we wait it out for a while and it passes



And we are off to Mustang Point campground and take a few photos along the way


Home sweet home away from Home, we make camp with a beautiful view.



Oleary tending the fire, which felt good when the sun went down



End of day three, we hit the hay early, but the Chanting music was too much so I listened to my Ipod and slept so good that Oleary beat me up the next morning. Whew it has been fun thus far.

[Wolfgang55]

This is good

[OLEARY]

Originally Posted by 10Cup

Great Pictures and report there Toyman! Glad I missed the mud, not sure where you guys got into that but I didnt' have any. Instead I got into 8" silt and that was a huge mess.

It rained pretty good overnight when we were in Meeker. I think it was just silty mud that had run off from the rain the night before. It was like a slurry that had run across the road.

[OLEARY]

Nice job Toyman! The photos are outstanding. Its funny how someone elses photos put a whole new lite on the trip. No more photos of me eating tho Man. That is gross!

[The Toyman]

Originally Posted by OLEARY

Nice job Toyman! The photos are outstanding. Its funny how someone elses photos put a whole new lite on the trip. No more photos of me eating tho Man. That is gross!

You aint seeeen nothing yet

[The Toyman]

Well we get up early and give the obnoxious late night noise makers a wake up call with our bikes and head to the showers, then we are off to the Green River Outfitters for breakfast

Remind me to not interupt Oleary while he is eatin



And were off towards Farson, Wyoming.




North end of Flaming Gorge Lake




Notice the small dot in the picture on the road, thats Oleary, just shows the massive views.







To put this into perspective, that is an SUV on the point on the lake.


looking back to the southwest on the upper end of Flaming Gorge lake




Looking Northwest


Just north of Flaming Gorge lake, We were in awe of the solitude and beauty










Just north of Rock Springs we take a short cut to dirt?


Another vista, notice the sand dunes in the background, once we pass this the roads became very sandy and loose, man that will make your arms sore, then we hit Farson for a gas and lunch before heading to Mary Hays Cabin.




We decide to ride on past Mary Hays Cabin and hit the Immigrant Trail


We hit the Continental dive road and catch up to some DS riders from Iowa


Bumpbump's ride


We visit a bit then head on, notice the dark clouds forming in the southwest, also note we are riding the Great Divide aka The Big Empty and the name fits the terrain.



This was my last photo of the day, we tried to out run mother nature, she had none of that, the rain got us again, lighting struck less than 300 feet from me and the dirt flew, then the 50 mph plus winds, hail and rain. I felt like a flat tracker leaning going straight. The wind was so strong it would blow you to the left side of the road and you had to actually turn the handle bars to get back to the other side of the road and start over, then I could see the sunlight ahead, wheeew that was close. We rode like mad and out run the storm this time and landed in Rawlings. We fueled up when we got there and you had to hold your bike up the wind was so strong so we decided to get a hotel room, good thing we did as it stormed during the night. Man we seen a lot of scenery today and weather, we were so tuckered out neither one one of us new when we passed out.

[Copperjohn1962]

Awesome pics Toyman!

[OLEARY]

Awesome Pics is right! I guess I need to work on my table manners! That was a good one! You failed to divulge that I set that one up for you! But who is going to believe me now tho huh!

[The Toyman]

Well its the last day this will be hard to outdo the last 4 days. Well remember on day 2 how I had water in my tank and it ran like crap over 50 mph, well I found the problem this morning it seems when I drained my carb bowl I kinked my fuel line to the carb. Fixed that and it ran like a top. We left Rawlings early and headed towards Georgetown.


Antelope along side of the road, these rascals ran beside me for about a mile when I speed up they did too we ran side by side at 45 mph



Seems like this road goes on forever and so did the wind whoa.


Medicine Bow National Forest, finally some trees.


Oleary right behind me, we lucked out on the dust as we had very little the whole trip.


We round a turn and run into this road block, no one was around but the stacking boom was running, if I had to wait much longer I was going to climb aboard and move it, would have been fun but as my luck would have it the skidder operator shows up and snags it a clears the road, oh well next time



Aspen Alley




This is looking from Battle Mountain overlook




On the way to Hayden



Will finish this report tomorrow, can't keep my eyes open

[OLEARY]

Awesome photos and your comments are pretty funny as well. I am still laughing about the one of me getting ready to devour a breakfast sandwich. Great ride! I am ready to do it again.