Overall Route Rating
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2.5 out of 5 Rider Rating 2.5
2 Reviews

McElmo Canyon - Cortez CO to Bluff Utah

Motorcycle Route Author

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By wadenelson (49 McR Points) on Jun 05, 2014

Rider Reviews

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Plattman
2 McR Points
June 12, 2018
The name of this ride should be changed to "…
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shercomike
2 McR Points
October 1, 2019
Contrary to the previous review, we enjoyed…
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Written Directions

In Cortez Colorado turn west towards the airport on Road G and just keep going until you hit Aneth Utah. From there continue on to Bluff Utah.

Scenery

A beautiful canyon with a river, wineries, shade trees, and every twisty known to man, rights, lefts, tights, sweepers, decreasing radii, hoop-de-do's, uphill corners, downhill corners

Drive Enjoyment

Two years ago it was a five. The portions in Utah don't get as much maintenance and it just depends on how long since they last paved.

Tourism Opportunities

There is a winery in McElmo Canyon itself, and convenience stores in Aneth Utah and Bluff Utah. Great restaurants in Bluff and a Dairy Bar that's sometimes open. The Recapture Lodge is a funky place to stay in Bluff.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

Forget Mesa Verde with its rangers, parking, tourist busses, and ARAMARK. Bluff has just as many cliff dwellings and you are free to climb on them, hike in, etc without the "look don't touch" of Mesa Verde.

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Plattman
June 12, 2018
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
The name of this ride should be changed to "Highway to Hell". If you are traveling from Cortez when you get to the airport turn around and go back. The road quality past the airport is a minus one. In June of 2018 when we took this road their were many road patches which looked like they had been done by a one armed blind man. Some sections that looked smooth had bumps that would pop you out of your seat at speeds less than the speed limit. While the scenery in the Colorado section of this road not unpleasant it is not worth enduring the agony of the road condition. The closer you get to Aneth the more it turns into a stark treeless moonscape. The only reason to keep this road on MotorcycleRoads web site is to warn people away. If you are riding an off road bike this road may be fun for you but not on a touring or cruising bike.
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shercomike
October 1, 2019
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Contrary to the previous review, we enjoyed riding this two-lane road. It had a decent surface with sweeping curves and constantly changing scenery as you dropped to lower elevation. It's easy to make a small detour to the visitors center at the Hovenweep historic Puebloan ruins. Gas is available in Aneth on 162, but it's 88 octane only.
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