FULL RECOVERY TOUR

A self-contained, back roads, bicycle tour of

The Western United States

May - July 2008

 

 

 

     A note from Adventure Cycling Association regarding the crossing of Nevada: "The route in Nevada, along U.S. Highway 50, was described some years ago by a LIFE magazine writer as 'The Loneliest Road in America'. . . This section of the Western Express Route is considered very difficult due not only to terrain, but also due to lack of water, temperature extremes, and long mileages without services. Carrying a water purifier is strongly advised for any water access outside of towns. Nevada is extremely dry and has no shade except for three trees east of Fallon."

 

 

SECTION ONE

CENTRAL VALLEY, NORTHERN CA  to SEDALIA, CO
(2192 miles)

 

DAY 1 (May 25) – CENTRAL VALLEY, CA (elevation 50') – INDIAN GRINDING ROCKS SP, CA (elevation 2555') - (53 mi.)

·                    via Hwy 88

·                    via Jackson, CA (el. 1206’)

·                    via US 88E

·                    via Pine Grove, CA (el. 2542’)

·                    STOP - Indian Grinding Rocks SP (2555’)

 

 

DAY 2 (May 26) – INDIAN GRINDING ROCKS SP, CA (elevation 2555') – SILVER LAKE - EL DORADO NF, CA (7267’) - (40 mi.) (95 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 88E

·                    via Pioneer, CA (3001’)

·                    via Cook’s Station, CA (el. 4982’)

·                    via Ham’s Station (5444’) (enter El Dorado NF – alt. CG)

·                    via El Dorado NF – Lumberyard Ranger Sta. alt. CG)

·                    via Tragedy Springs (el. 7947’)

·                    STOP Silver Lake (el. 7267')

 

 

DAY 3 (May 27) – SILVER LAKE, CA (elevation 7267') – CRYSTAL SPRINGS, CA - TOIYABE NF, CA (5972’) - (24 mi.) (119 mi. cumulative)

·                    via Carson Spur (el. 7975’)

·                    via Kirkwood, CA (el. 7708’)

·                    via Caples Lake (el. 7835’)

·                    via Carson Pass (el. 8598')

·                    via Hope Valley (el. 7109')

·                    STOP – Crystal Springs CG (Toiyabe Nat. Forest) (5972’)

 

 

 

DAY 4 (May 28) – CRYSTAL SPRINGS CG TOIYABE NF, CA (5972’) – DAYTON SP CG, NV (el. 4362’) - (47 mi.) (166 mi. cumulative)

·                    via Woodfords, CA (el. 5630')

·                    via Emigrant Trail E

·                    via Foothill Rd N

·                    ENTER NEVADA (el. 4865’)

·                    via SR 206 N

·                    via Genoa, NV (el. 4785’)

·                    via US 385N

·                    via Carson City, NV (4700')

·                    via US 50E (“Loneliest Road”)

·                    via Moundhouse (el. 4988’)

·                    STOP Dayton, NV State Park CG (el. 4362’)

 

 

 

DAY 5 (May 29) – DAYTON, NV SP CG (4362’) – FALLON, NV (el. 3973') - (50 mi.) (216 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Silver Springs, NV (el. 4209’)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via - Lahontan Reservoir SRA (4172’)

·                    STOP Fallon, NV (el. 3973')

 

 

 

DAY 6 (May 30) - FALLON, NV (el. 3973') – MIDDLEGATE STA., NV (el. 4610’) - (48 mi.) (264 mi. cumulative) (NO SERVICES BETWEEN FALLON AND MIDDLEGATE – 50 mi.)

·              Via US 50E

·                    via Salt Wells (3963’)

·                    via Sand Springs Pass (4638’)

·                    via Frenchmen Valley (4157’)

·                    via Drumm Summit (4630’)

·             STOP Middlegate Station, NV (4610’)

 

 

 

DAY 7 (May 31) - MIDDLEGATE STA., NV (el. 4610’) – BOB SCOTT SUMMIT, NV (el. 7222’) - (72 mi.) (336 mi. cumulative) (NO SERVICES BETWEEN MIDDLEGATE AND AUSTIN – 65 mi.)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via SR 722E

·        via Carroll Summit (7482’)

·                    via SR 722E

·                    via Peterson Station (6086’)

·                    via Railroad Pass (6442’)

·                    via Reese River Valley (5728’)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Austin, NV (6695’)

·                    via Austin Summit (7484’)

·                    STOP – Bob Scott Summit CG (7222’)

 

 

DAY 8 (June 1) - BOB SCOTT SUMMIT NF CG, NV (el. 7222') - EUREKA, NV (el. 6500') - (63 mi.) (399 mi. cumulative) – (NO SERVICES UNTIL EUREKA)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Cape Horn Overland Stage Station (el. 5728')

·                    via Hickison Summit (el. 6594')

·                    Stop - Hickison Petroglyph SRA (el. 6580') (optional CG)

·                    via Devil’s Gate (el. 5985’)

·                    Stop - Eureka, NV (el. 6500')

 

 

DAY 9 & 10 (June 2 & 3) - EUREKA, NV (el. 6500') – ELY, NV (6400’) (77 mi.) (476 mi. cumulative) (NO SERVICES – 77 mi.)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Pinto Summit (el. 7407')

·                    via Pinto Canyon (el. 5955’)

·                    via Pancake Summit (el. 6521')

·                    via Sulphur Springs Pony Express Station. (el. 6135')

·                    via Little Antelope Summit (el 7460')

·                    via Illipah Reservoir BLM (el. 6840') (optional CG)

·                    via Illipah Flat (el. 6371’)

·                    via Robinson Summit (el. 7619')

·                    STOP - Ely, NV (el. 6400’)

 

 

DAY 11 (June 4) - ELY, NV (el. 6400') - CATHEDRAL GORGE SP, NV (el. 4800') - (120 mi.) (596 mi. cumulative) (NO SERVICES FOR 93 mi.)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via US 6/50E

·                    via Connors Pass (el. 7740') -  near Great Basin NP and Wheeler Peak (el. 13063’) to the east

·                    via Majors Station, NV (consists of one building – a bar! 93 mi. to Pioche)

·                    via US 93S

·                    via Lake Valley (el. 5930’)

·                    via Pioche, NV (el. 6060')

·                    Stop - Cathedral Gorge SP CG (el. 4800')

 

 

DAY 12 (June 5) - CATHEDRAL GORGE SP, NV (el. 4800') - ENTERPRISE, UT (el. 5328') - (63 mi.) 659 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 319E

·                    via Panaca, NV (el. 4755')

·                    via Panaca Summit (el. 6769')

·                    Enter UTAH (el. 5735’)

·                    via SR 56E

·                    via Modena, UT (el. 5478’)

·                    via SR 18S Jct. (el. 5191’)

·                    STOP - Enterprise, UT (el. 5328')

 

 

DAY 13 (June 6) - ENTERPRISE, UT (el. 5328') - HURRICANE, UT (el. 3245') - (59 mi.) (718 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 18S

·                    via Big Mountain Summit (el. 6154')

·                    vai Dan Sill Hill (el. 5917’)

·                    via Dixie NF

·                    via Central, UT (el. 5326')

·                    via Veyo, UT (el. 4473')

·                    via Snow Canyon SP (el. 3900')

·                    via SR 18S

·                    via St. George, UT (el. 2766')

·                    via Washington, UT

·                    via Telegraph St.

·                    via SR 9E

·                    STOP - Hurricane, UT (el. 3245')

 

 

DAY 14 (June 7) - HURRICANE, UT (el. 3245') — JACOB LAKE, KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST, AZ (7880’) - (85 mi.) (803 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 59S

·                    ENTER ARIZONA (5070’)

·                    via SR 389S

·                    via Colorado City, AZ (4948’)

·                    Enter Kaibab-Paiute Indian Reservation

·                    via Pipe Spring National Monument (4966’) (alt. CG)

·                    via Fredonia, AZ (4678’)

·                    via US 89A south

·                    STOP – Jacob Lake, Kaibab National Forest (7880’)

 

 

DAY 15 - 16 (June 8 & 9) - JACOB LAKE, KAIBAB NATIONAL FOREST, AZ (7880’) — NORTH RIM GRAND CANYON NP, AZ  (el. 8333') - (43 mi.) (846 mi. cumulative) – (NO SERVICES)

·                    via SR 67S Hill (8850’)

·                    via Telephone Hill (8850’)

·                    via Pleasant Valley (8530’)

·                    via VT Hill (8800’)

·                    via DeMott Park (8743’)

·                    Enter Grand Canyon NP – North Rim (8835’)

·                    via Fuller Canyon (8109’)

·                    STOP – North Rim CG — Grand Canyon NP (8333’)

 

 

DAY 17 (June 10) - NORTH RIM GRAND CANYON NP, AZ  (el. 8333') — JACOB LAKE CG, AZ (7880') - (44 mi.) (890 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 67N

·                    via Fuller Canyon (8109’)

·                    Exit Grand Canyon NP – North Rim (8835’

·                    via DeMott Park (8743’)

·                    via VT Hill (8800’)

·                    via Pleasant Valley (8530’)

·                    via Telephone Hill (8850’)

·                    STOP - Jacob Lake CG (alt. CG) (8168’)

·                    via US 89A north

 

 

DAY 18 (June 11) - JACOB LAKE CG, AZ (7880’) — PAGE, AZ - LAKE POWELL - WAHWEAP CG (3736’)  (86 mi.) (976 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 89A east

·                    via House Rock Canyon (5385’)

·                    via Marble Canyon - Vermillion Cliffs (3160’)

·                    via Bitter Springs - Echo Cliffs (5120’)

·                    via Page, AZ (4000’)

·                    STOP - Lake Powell, AZ (Wahweap CG) (3736’)

 

 

DAY 19 (June 12) - LAKE POWELL - WAHWEAP CG (3736’) - KANAB, UT CG (4930')  (70 mi.) (1046 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 89W

·                    ENTER UTAH

·                    via Big Water, UT (4180')

·                    via Five Mile Mountain (5400')

·                    via Petrified Hollow (5459')

·                    via Vermillion Cliffs Nat. Mon. (5400')

·                    STOP - Kanab, UT (4930')

 

 

DAY 20 & 21 (June 13 & 14) - KANAB, UT (4930') - RED CANYON CG (7288') [BRYCE CANYON NP (el. 7975')] - (76 mi.) (1122 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 89N

·                    via Mount Carmel Junction, UT (5192’)

·                    via Glendale, UT (5837’)

·                    via Long Valley Junction, UT (7471’)

·                    via Hatch, UT (6927’)

·                    via SR 12E

·                    STOP - Red Canyon (7320’) (alt. CG)

·                    via SR 63S

·                    STOP – BRYCE CANYON NP (7961’)

 

 

DAY 22 (June 15) - BRYCE CANYON NP (el. 7975') - CALF CREEK SRA (el. 5351') - (63 mi.) (1185 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 12

·                    via Tropic, UT (el. 6309')

·                    via Canyonville, UT - SR 12 (el. 5893’)

·                    via Henrieville, UT (el. 6050')

·                    via "The Blues" - Grand Staircase - Escalante Nat. Mon. - SR 12 (el. 7594') (14% Grade)

·                    via Escalante, UT (el. 5885') (Optional CG at SP - 43 mi.)

·                    Stop - Calf Creek SRA (el. 5351')

 

 

DAY 23 (June 16) - CALF CREEK SRA (el. 5351') - CAPITOL REEF NP - FRUITA, UT (el. 5400') - (61 mi.) (1246 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 12N

·                    via The Hogback - Grand Staircase - Escalante Nat. Mon. (el. 5351' -  6780') (14% Grade)

·                    via Boulder, UT (el. 6740')

·                    via Dixie NF

·                    via Boulder Mountain Summit (el. 9686')

·                    via Bowry Flat (el. 8528')

·                    via Wildcat Rangers Station (el. 8628')

·                    via Grover, UT (el. 7115')

·                    via Torrey, UT (el. 6843')

·                    via SR 24E

·                    Stop Capitol Reef NP (el. 5400')

 

 

DAY 24 (June 17) - CAPITOL REEF NP - FRUITA, UT (el. 5400') - HITE - GLEN CANYON NRA, UT (el. 4047') - (85 mi.) (1381 mi. cumulative) – (NO SERVICES AFTER HANKSVILLE – about 40 mi.)

·                    via SR 24E

·                    via Hanksville, UT (el. 4300')

·                    via SR 95S

·                    STOP - HITE - GLEN CANYON NRA, UT (el. 4047')

 

 

DAY 25 (June 18) - HITE - GLEN CANYON NRA, UT (el. 4047') - NATURAL BRIDGES NM, UT (el. 6258') - (52 mi.) (1433 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 95

·                    STOP - Natural Bridges NM

 

 

DAY 26 (June 19) - NATURAL BRIDGES NM, UT (el. 6258') - MEXICAN HAT, UT (el.4328') - (52 mi.) (1485 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 261S

·                    via Cedar Mesa (el. 6509')

·                    via SR 163S

·                    Stop - MEXICAN HAT, UT (el. 4328')

 

 

DAY 27 (June 20) - (MEXICAN HAT, UT (4328') - KAYENTA, AZ (el. 5685') - (43 mi.) (1528 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 263S

·                    ENTER ARIZONA

·                    via Oljato Monument Valley (el. 5246’)

·                    STOP - Kayenta, AZ (el. 5685')

 

 

DAY 28 (June 21) - KAYENTA, AZ (el. 5685') - CORTEZ, CO (el. 6153') - (123 mi.) (1651 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US160E

·                    via Dennahotso Rec. Area (5082')

·                    via Mexican Water, AZ (49956')

·                    via Four Corners (AZ, UT, CO, NM) (4830')

·                    via Ute Mountain Indian Reservation (old US 666)

·                    STOP - Cortez, CO (6153')

 

 

DAY 29 (June 22) - CORTEZ, CO (el. 6153') - MESA VERDE NP - DURANGO, CO (6946') (49 mi.) (1700 mi. cumulative)

·                    VISIT Mesa Verde NP

·                    via US160E

·                    via Mancos, CO (7042')

·                    STOP - Durango, CO (el. 6910')

 

 

DAY 30 (June 23) - DURANGO, CO (el. 6910') - PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO (el. 7233') (54 mi.) (1754 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 160E

·                    via SR 184E

·                    via Chimney Rock (6572')

·                    STOP - Pagosa Springs, CO) (el. 7233')

 

 

DAY 31 (June 24) - PAGOSA SPRINGS, CO (el. 7233') - SOUTH FORK, CO (el. 8200') - (46 mi.) (1800 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 160E

·                    via Wolf Creek Pass (Continental Divide (10850')

·                    via Rio Grande River

·                    STOP - South Fork, CO (el. 8200')

 

 

DAY 32 (June 25) - SOUTH FORK, CO (el. 8200') - SLUMGULLION PASS CG, CO (11,321') - (62 mi.) (1862 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 149N

·                    via Wagon Wheel Gap (el. 8444')

·                    via Creede, CO (el. 8785')

·                    via Spring Creek Pass (Continental Divide) (10,901')

·                    STOP - Slumgullion Pass CG (11,321’)

 

 

DAY 33 (June 26) - SLUMGULLION PASS CG, CO (el. 11,321') - GUNNISON, CO (7703')(64 mi.) (1926 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 149N

·                    via Lake San Cristobal

·                    via Lake City, CO (8644')

·                    via SR 149N

·                    via Blue Mesa Reservoir

·                    via US 50E

·                    STOP - Gunnison, CO (el. 7703')

 

 

DAY 34 (June 27) - GUNNISON, CO (el. 7703') – SALIDA, CO (el. 7058') - (66 mi.) (1992 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Parlin, CO (7954’)

·                    via Gunnison NF

·                    via Sargents, CO (8439’)

·                    via Monarch Pass (11,312') - Continental Divide

·                    via US 50E

·                    via San Isabel NF

·                    via Maysville, CO (8250')

·                    via (Jct. US 285) Poncha Springs, CO (7484')

·                    STOP – Salida, CO (7082’)

 

 

DAY 35 (June 28) - SALIDA, CO (7082') - SMITH CREEK CG (SAN ISABEL NF, CO (el. 7400') - (74 mi.) (2066 mi. cumulative)

·                    via US 50E

·                    via Howard, CO (6740’)

·                    via Coaldale, CO (6472')

·                    via Cotopaxi, CO (6358')

·                    via Jct. SR 69S - Texas Creek, CO (6180')

·                    via Hillside, CO (7500')

·                    via Jct. SR 96E - Westcliff, CO (7848')

·                    via McKenzie Jct.

·                    STOP - Smith Creek CG (San Isabel NF) (7400')

 

 

DAY 36 (June 29) - SMITH CREEK CG (SAN ISABEL NF, CO (7400') - ROCK CREEK PARK CG (EVERGREEN FOREST, CO (6300') - (48 mi.) (2114 mi. cumulative)

·                    via SR 96N

·                    via Wetmore, CO (6107')

·                    via SR 67N

·                    via Florence, CO (5167') - Jct. SR 115N

·                    cross US 50

·                    via Penrose, CO (5343')

·                    via SR 115N

·                    via Red Creek Canyon (Mountaindale CG & Cabins - alt. CG)

·                    STOP - Rock Creek Park (Golden Eagle Ranch CG)

 

 

DAY 37 (June 30) - ROCK CREEK PARK CG (EVERGREEN FOREST, CO)(6300') - SEDALIA, CO (el. 6409') - (78 mi.) (2192 mi. total miles - SECTION ONE)

     SEE MAP DETAIL for Shooks Run Trail and Santa Fe Regional Trail

·                    via SR 115N

·                    via Colorado Springs, CO (el. 6007')

·                    via Jct. US 85N

·                    via LEFT E. Brookside St.

·                    via RIGHT S. Tejon St.

·                    via Underpass I-25

·                    via RIGHT E. Fountain Blvd.

·                    via LEFT Shooks Run Trail

·                    via Continue North on Shooks Run Trail/Santa Fe Regional Trail

·                    via Monument, CO (el. 6960')

·                    via New Santa Fe Regional Trail

·                    via Palmer Lake, CO (el. 7270')

·                    via SR 105

·                    via Perry Park, CO (el. 5450')

·                    via SR 67S

·                    Stop - Phelps' Home - SR 67S - Sedalia, CO (el. 6709')