My 2019 Motorcycle Trip that was originally called Wyoming Loop 2019 as the plan was to ride from Lake Elsinore, CA through Nevada, Utah, Colorado into Eastern Wyoming. However, due to significant mechanical failures just west of Ely, NV and in Utah, the trip was replanned for a touring loop of Utah instead.
This video wraps up the Utah Loop 2019 Motorcycle Trip. Today I rode from Zion National Park to Lake Elsinore, CA. Mostly on Interstate 15.
This trip had some major setbacks starting on day 2 with the trip not resuming until day 5 due to repeat mechanical breakdowns and the long distance tow from Ely, NV to Washington, UT. The 3 day trip stoppage forced a change in plan from traveling to eastern Wyoming to adding one vacation day and exploring Utah. While I greatly dislike being stranded roadside, the diversion proved to be worthwhile as Utah is an awesome state to ride motorcycle.
The scenery, nice roads, and curvy roads made Utah my favorite state to ride in, thus far.
I ride through Zion National Park in the late evening on Day 9 of my Utah Loop 2019 Trip
I depart my campsite at Hi-Road Campground, which is just outside of Zion National Park. It was interesting riding through the park so late in the day as the setting sun makes interesting lighting contracts on the canyon walls and mountain tops.
Today I roll out the campsite near Torrey, Utah and roll south on Utah Highway 12 – Journey Through Time Scenic Byway. This is one truly entertaining road with outstanding scenery. I captured what I thought was the best of this scenic route in this video.
Another video of jaw dropping Utah scenery. I love riding in Utah!
I end the day setting up camp at Hi-Road Campground on Utah Highway 9 just outside of Zion National Park. A dedicated video will cover riding through Zion National Park.
I depart Moab, Utah heading south on US Highway 191 through Monticello, Utah. I then turn onto Utah Highway 95 just south of Blanding, Utah and ride that amazing rode through Hite Canyon and into Hanksville, Utah were I pick up Utah Highway 24 and roll east to near Torrery, Utah where I camp for the night.
Utah Highway 95 and Utah Highway 24 offer up some spectacular Utah scenery.
Today I ride and explore a portion of Canyonlands National Park. Like on Day 6, I stayed on the paved roads due to the fact that Dexter is a 2005 Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic, not ideal to riding the gravel roads / trail in Canyonlands.
I would like to return someday and explore this park more in depth and other areas around Moab and Utah, but on a touring adventure bike (which I do plan to add to the roster soonish, maybe 2025). I admit that riding Canyonlands National Park only on the paved roads is a serious injustice to the greatness of this National Park. But, that is ok. Now have a great excuse to come back to Moab again in the future! 🙂
The paved roads had some enjoyable curves with some areas having spectacular scenery, though not really visible for the pavement itself and hence, the really epic view were not capture on GoPro. However, I did take photos of the canyons and are at the end of this video at time mark 26:56:17 to include my campsite and pics of my tasty steak dinner I cooked .
Today I ride through Arches National Park (main paved roads only) and hiked for a few hours on some of the trails.
Honestly, video and pictures do not do justice to the magnificent landscape of this National Park, truly a spectacular place to visit, feels almost other worldly. It was quite warm on this, about 95 degrees Fahrenheit but with the low humidity was not back hiking (also had my camelback of water with me).
The Trip Resumes After the first breakdown east of Ely, NV due to a failed stator and the tows to Ely and Washington, UT causing a 2 day delay, and the breakdown in Beaver, UT due to a failing shifter shaft (teeth on shaft shearing off) resulting in another day lost (3 days delayed total) the trip has resumed on Day 5.
Trip Scope Change This trip was originally entitled Wyoming Loop 2019 as the plan was to ride from Tonopah all the way to Moab, UT, spend a day in Moab and then ride from Moab to Douglas, WY to explore the Powder River Basin area in eastern Wyoming. My other significant hobby (and possibly primary hobby, certainly my oldest since 1978) is Model Railroading and general interest in railroads. The Powder River Basin in eastern Wyoming is coal country with numerous coal trains operated by the railroads BNSF and Union Pacific.
Due to the 3 day delay, I did not have enough time available to continue the trip as planned. Thus this trip became Utah Loop 2019 with a focus on touring and sightseeing in Utah. Also the original trip was planned to be 9 days total but I was able to add 1 more day by the grace of my employer at the time.
New Trip (Utah Loop 2019 now had me spending to full days in Moab, then taking the long scenic route to near Torrey, UT where I dispersed camped for one night. Then ride south on the epic Utah Highway 12 to near Zion National Park where I camped at very pleasant Hi-Road Basecamp campground. That night and part of the next day I briefly explored Zion National Park (staying on the main roads). Utah has some amazing scenery and the 3 and half days dedicated to exploring Utah was not nearly sufficient. Honestly, one could spend a week or two just exploring around Moab itself. I bypassed completely Bryce Canyon National Park, Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument (though I did ride through Escalante itself). Utah is on my bucket list of must repeat states for riding, I hope to return someday (and not just passing through as I did in USA West 2020).
Wanderlust Lyfe 