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15 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I've ridden the Blue Ridge Pkwy, the Dragon, Texas Hill country, the Sierras and the Trinity Alps of NorCal, all over AZ, CO, NM, WY, etc. I've even done the real Alps three times. I tell you that so you'll have a sense that I know what I'm talking about when I say that riding the Escalante Grand Staircase is just about the best motorcycling you can do in America. If you haven't been you need to make the effort to get out there ASAP. Guaranteed, you will never forget your first run across the Staircase. The only thing I'd mention is that you should go east out of Torrey on Hwy 20 and ride it all the way to Hanksville. That's a spectacular part of the ride too as is continuing south to Mexican Hat (just dont do that in the middle of summer!).

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

The route south from Boulder UT to Escalante UT includes an absolutely amazing stretch of road. You ride a high ridge line with cliff faces dropping away from the road on both sides. There are several miles of tight twisties as you ride your way down to the bottom of the gorge. This is the best piece of road I have ever ridden. There may be roads that match this one, but not that exceed it.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Excellent technical road!!!!! I had a blast even with 30mph winds!!! Right up front, if you have issues with heights, no guard rails, 1000ft. cliffs, or extremely narrow twisty roads with lots of rent a motor home tourist traffic, don't ride this road. Oh did I forget to mention high gusting winds, sand/gravel on the road, and slippery tar snakes. This road is NOT for a new rider! I'm making my partner an "I survived the Hogs Back" T-shirt as he put aside his fear of heights to ride this road with me. Once he survived he said he would ride it again!We started in Torrey and road north to south May 2010. Boulder Mountain summit is 9600ft. This section of road is a wonderful winding Mt. road. Shortly after Boulder you will cross the "Hogs Back", 5 little curves with cliffs on each side, and as Ken mentioned it is a "hair raiser". Then twisting though the rocks down to Escalante was lots of fun. Riding from South to North puts you on the inside of the cliffs most of the way, so it may seem a little less hairy. Bryce Canyon is a must see.

4 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Rode this magnificent route in late May, 2014. Couldn't agree more with the other reviews! While in Utah, add Zion, Bryce Canyon, and Arches National Parks to your "Must See List". Cedar Breaks Monument is breath taking as well!

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

We did this trip June 2012 and it was one of the most spectacular motorcycle roads I have been on. All the curves and bends combined with some of the most spectacular vistas imaginable. The road down from the top of the "Escalator" down to the valley floor was the prime spot on this trip. Drop off to the left and the right made the adrenaline flow.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Scenery is off the chart. This road is considered one of the top 10 in North America by various travel magazines. The road runs south from Torrey, over Boulder Mt. Great views of Capital Reef Nation Park, looking east. From the town of Boulder, you go along the "Hog's Back" which will make the hair on your back stand on end!!! Nothing but beautiful sandstone, pine and red rock scenery...you have to see it to believe it. Boulder is a good half way place to stop of food, fuel, or lodging

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

This is one of the best motorcycle roads to ride. Elevations climb from Torrey heading south to the 9000' range among the high meadows and aspen forests of the Dixie Natioanl Forest. Then you descend down to Boulder and enter the Grand Staircase Escalante Nat'l Monument and the temps rise dramatically. We left Torrey at 8am and the temps on top of the mountains were in the high 40's to low 50's but as we descending into the Escalante they rose to 95 degrees by noon. So be prepared for a 50 degree change in less than a 100 miles of road. The scenary here is extremely diverse and well worth the ride. Be sure and try to ride up and over Hwy 14 from Long Valley Jct to Cedar City if you are in this area as its another wonderful road close by. The downgrade into Cedar City is long and steep so watch the brakes and enjoy the ride.

2 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Awesome ride, take your time to appreciate it especially while going over hogs back

20 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

This is one of the most scenic riders you will take. From Escalante to Boulder, you ride through many curves and a highway built on the boulders. There are many scenic turn outs to view the scenery. From Boulder to Torrey, you travel through the mountains so do this in the summer. Again, there are many scenic turn outs. Your sidewalls will get a work out on the mostly curved road.

197 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Likely the best riding in Utah as far as twisties, elevations, and fun. Lightly traveled everytime I have been on it. Between Bryce Canyon Entrance and Torrey, UT it is awesome. Aspens, Pines, Firs, a neat State Forest, and the Grand Staircase, Escalante National Forest. You can make good time and not worry about LEO enforcement. Pavement is good, Curves great, good view and clear. A couple places of a very narrow road along the top of a ridge with VERY high cross winds! Be careful there. Scenery and Geography constantly changing. South is different than north. West is different than East. Tops are different than valleys. Great road and highly recommend it. Some camping and cabins along the way, but sparse. Besure your tank is topped off at Bryce. Take some food and water along because there "ain't" much until Torrey. Stay in Torrey and then the next day ride down along the Capital Reef. Another Amazing ride.

20 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I have ridden this route many times. The area from Escalante to to Boulder is one of the most scenic rides you will ever take. There are many photo opportunities and lots of great corners to wear the outside of your tires on. Stop in Boulder for a bite to eat.

519 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Could not recommend this ride any more highly. Scenery like nowhere else I've been. I continued on the Hanksville and spent the night there. VERY small town.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I rented a goldwing in Salt Lake the 2nd week in Sept 07.
We mad a loop down to Bryce, Zion, Canyon Land, MOAB back to SLC. The ride through Escalante was fabulas. We must go back.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

I rented a new Goldwing in Phoenix first weekend of May and made this drive. One of the best and most scenic roads I have been on, highly recommend.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

we made this trip from az to sturgis, every turm was nothing short of breathtaking, 12 scenic byway and 24 scenic byway, will definately do it again.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Enduro

My great grandfather was part of the first pioneer party sent to this area and my family and I are planning a reunion ride/4x4 trek next summer. We are planning to ride the original 'Hole-In-The-Rock' Trail. Do you ave any insight on resources, guides, maps... anything that may help us. We are a family group with experience in off-roading but this area is going to be a new experience for us all.. Any help would be much appreciated.
- Marty

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

As we drove through this area on a longer trip, we decided it was worth a return visit dedicated to this route alone. We came back later that summer and camped in Escalante for 4 nights. Two days we rode back north towards Capitol Reef and did various hikes and activities along the way. Two days we rode south and west towards Bryce Canyon for other hikes and attractions.The views from the roads are amazing and there's even better scenery to be seen a light walk off the highway. Some of the best views we've enjoyed on a bike tour. Campground in Escalante was affordable and comfortable, not to mention an extremely convenient base location to spend a few days in the area. Everyone in our group loved this trip!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

One of if not the best ride in Utah. For a side trip take the Burr Trail, paved for a few miles, at Boulder just north of Escalante on HWY 12.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Did the ride May 2013. Very beautiful ride and road was in great shape. Add it to your Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon Park ride, you won't be disappointed.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Did the ride May 2013. Very beautiful ride and road was in great shape. Add it to your Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon Park ride, you won't be disappointed.

2630 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Beautiful country as all of southern Utah is. The scenery varies from forests to desert to semi-arid country with much exposed colorful layers of sedimentary rock. Each layer has a history of its own. This route is so colorful, you can almost get sensory overload. Also, each direction seems like a different ride.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Awesome stretch of why. We plan to do it again. I was to caught up in the scenery to notice the dangers.

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Well, this route is officially one of my favorite rides! I compare it to San Juan Skyway (Million Dollar Highway) and Beartooth Highway in Montana. This one has it all, but mostly, it has a fantastic variety of canyons (which Utah does SO WELL), alpine cool summits (9600ft.) with Aspen trees and amazing views, small towns with great food (must stop at Burr Trail Cafe for lunch), exhilarating overlooks (while riding!) and excellent picture taking opportunities. Each time I've ridden this road, I've met people from various countries. Red Canyon, Bryce, Capital Reef (is so close) and Anasazi ruins are right there too. So plan to take more time time that you think you'll need, take layers if you are so inclined, or simply just ride the Grand Staircase-Escalante "All-American Road". Anyway you want it, you'll have a blast.

4 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

We left Bryce Canyon National Park enroute to Torrey, UT through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Forest. This has got to be one of the best motorcycle rides in the country. With the switchbacks, scenery, and a stretch of the road that runs along a ridge with 1000 ft drop-offs on both sides and no guard rails. Wife was having a lot of anxiety during that stretch. Truly a boss-jock motorcycle ride!

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Absolutely fantastic riding. Did this in two days starting in Blanding. Would come back to Utah just to ride this again.

14 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

This has to be one of the most spectacular rides on planet earth. From the high mountains to the low desert, you see everything in between. The razorback ridge is... words just can't do it justice. I've gone through twice and surely hope to do it again and again.

112 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

I've ridden this road several times, and enjoy it every time! UT 12 is a rock & roll adventure. The scenery is unbeatable, with the red rocks and grand vistas. The pavement is maintained so very well, and the twisties are always a thrill.

3912 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Other

Author describes it well! Fantastic scenic ride, with plenty of twists! We didn't have much traffic. One of the many highlights of our trip!

27 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

good ride

62 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

|On my must ride and would return list. All about the road and scenery but a couple of tourist stops along the way. One of the most unique landscapes I have ever seen.

5 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring

Enjoyable ride for all rider types. Some parts outstanding.

93 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

This route had some of my favorite scenery in the entire United States.

145 McR Points

Motorcycle Type :

hwy 24 to Hanksville then 95 to Blanding and Moab

141 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Touring

Great road A+

44 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Great ride, little chilling later in the evening. Probably to do it better midday.

44 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Beautiful ride! I love the diversity of the scenery.

2630 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Just a note: You cannot ride in this country if you aren't in a convertable or a bike. Can't.

345 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Adventure Touring

a fav, many changes in senery