Where to travel off-road in Western USA?

[KevinK]

Yes...I dream of Morocco, I long for Ushuaia...but I have to pay for a mortgage.

So. I've got about a month to do some riding/camping in the Western US instead. I hope to ride blacktop to link up moderate length off-road stretches (one or more days on gravel or other dual track). I could plan for any possible combination of Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Texas....

But I can't find much info, on the HUBB or elsewhere. There is the TAT, but that sounds a bit too gnarly for a loaded KLR, and is east - west in orientation, whereas I plan to head south from Vancouver, Canada, and then back up north. The Transcontinental Divide is mostly blacktop (am I correct on that?).

I've been to the White Rim in Canyonlands, but that is pretty hot right now.

Does anyone have any ideas for me? Places to research online? Suggestions? Money for the mortgage -- er, I guess this is probably the wrong thread for that one.

Thanks in advance!
Kevin

[mollydog]

All the US states you listed have alot of off road stuff. Some more technical
single track, some just forest service roads. Sounds like you are more interested in forest service roads.

These are usually shown on good local maps. If you can get local
forest service maps relevant to where you are, you should have no
problem staying busy for months. Check in at Ranger Stations, they sometimes can be helpful. Every National Forest or BLM area should have an
office. They have maps too.

Idaho has some of the best dirt bike riding in the whole country. Coming from
Canada, that would be my first pick.

I only know California, and really only part of it. Big place.

Fires could really impact your access. Be very aware of whats going on in this regard. In fall, I'd go to Utah. Too hot now but that goes for much of the west in general. High Altitude is best to beat heat.

Go to Thumpertalk or other rider forums to learn more.
Find local forums too. Check Yahoo groups or other places where
dual sport/dirt riders hang out. You won't get much help here I don't imagine.
Mostly street riders here.

Have fun,

Patrick

[yuma simon]

Kevin, I know I have mentioned it on other threads, but much of the Navajo Nation is doable on dirt roads. Get a decent map of Arizona, the most detailed is from Benchmark Maps, and you can map out a very good ride taking in all the sights. Two places on the "to do" list would be Canyon de Chelly (Chelly is pronounced "shay") and Monument Valley. I wish I had the time, and the proper distance bike, and I would go with you, and anyone else interested to see the sights, as I lived there for two years in a town called Pinon. Purchase a map from Benchmark if this would sound interesting to you, and in fact, the Benchmark Arizona Atlas would have the entire state to check out.

Even though I lived near the Arizona/Utah/Colorado/New Mexico (4 corners) border, I can't tell you first hand of the dirt roads of the other states, but can assure you they would be very good to check out from people I knew that had ridden/driven on them. I understand Nevada has some good roads, too. Start with a detailed map that shows dirt roads, and that is a good start.

[liketoride2]

Kevin,

There are two or three organized north-south, largely unpaved, routes through the western states I would suggest you consider. The Great Divide Mountain Bike Route runs from Banff, Alberta to the US-Mexico border and is about 90% unpaved, most of that being two track in national forests or on BLM land. Although it was laid out by mountain bikers, the great majority of it can be ridden or driven by motorized vehicles (there is a very occaisonal exception - I recall one section in Montana that was off-limits to motorized travel but not bicycles.) I've ridden it as far as the Montana - Canada border to central Wyoming, and highly recommend this route. The Adventure Cycling Associatin (www.adventurecycling.org) publishes a guide book and seven maps of the route.

The Oregon Back Country Discovery Route runs north - south through Eastern Oregon, form the state border near Walla Walla to the southern border near Lakeview, Or. Maps and gps waypoints can be obtained thorugh the Oregon Off-Highway Vehicle Association (www.oohva.org). This route is about 700 miles long, is very winding, and is about 90% unpaved, most being two track.

There is a second unpaved route that has been established from the Canadian border to Mexico, somewhat west of the Great Divide route, but I don't recall it's name or a source of info on it. And, of course there are thousands of miles of unpaved roads in our western states that aren't in organized routes. Unfortunately it can be difficult to plan routes on many of these roads because many are found on national forest maps only, and each national forest, of which there are dozens, has it's own map.

I hope this is of some help. Please don't hesitate to email me if you would like to discuss this further.

Mike
Idaho
www.rtwrider.net

[KevinK]

Thanks for your ideas; it gives me a good place to start my planning. I have been looking through the national forest webpages, and they are, indeed, very fragmented.

I've ridden Monument Valley twice, and count it among my favourite places; although some other spots in Utah, like the White Rim Road, are more fun riding, few offer more stunning rock formations.

Kevin

[yuma simon]

Kevin, you should contact member 'toowheel' from your parts. He came through this area from Vancouver last spring into Mexico, and got as far south as, I don't recall, but it was near the state lines of Baja Sur and Baja Norte in Mexico. On the way out, he came this way, went westward to meet up with a friend in Fontana, Calif. and continued north/slight east through the Navajo Nation (Canyon de Chelly, etc) and back to Vancouver.

[Spyrochete]

This might be some help to you. The trail is totally made of dirt roads.

www.transamtrail.com

Good luck.

[ct_miller13]

The Trans America Trail runs through some of the states you mentioned. Also, check out some of the National Forest/Park topo maps. You can link a number of trails, old railroad grades, logging roads, etc. to connect a lot of your travels.