Grand Mesa - Colorado State Route 65 - By Bill Belei

I rode this route on Oct 5, 2017 with my father as part of an annual "Father Son motorcycle trip." The route was only ranked 21 of 65 in Colorado at the time and by the fact that when you are approaching the route (from the south at the intersection of 92 and 65) it looks pretty desolate. DON'T BE FOOLED BY THAT!!! This is a gorgouse route with fantastic scenic diversity ... you drive through mountain climbing switch backs through breathtaking fall foliage (if you time it right ... late Sep through Mid Oct would probably do it most years) and up to the mesa which has lush alpine scenery (dark green forests, pristine lakes and rivers), and great great views of the low lying areas around the mesa. Then the northern route (after you descend from the mesa and keep heading northwest towards Grand Junction) offers you incredible canyon riding along high cliff walls on one side and a beautiful flowing river on the other all topped off with what looked to be brand new pavement (had to be done in 2017 or 2016 at the latest) and little traffic. This is a SOLID 5 STAR ROUTE!!