Motorbiking Across Sand and Surf

One of the coolest little stretches of unpaved road anywhere is located in a very out-of-the-way corner of southeastern Utah. Riding north out of Mexican Hat on Highway 261 the road seems to dead end into an imposing cliff side. Signs along the way warn the drivers of Houses On Wheels and pickups pulling fifth wheel trailers that the road ahead is probably unsuited to their vehicles. The signs do not warn motorbikes to turn around, however, and they shouldn’t.

The unpaved portion of the program is called the “Moki Dugway” and it’s a section of dirt road switchbacks and inclines that is simply a blast to run. Dual sport bikes can make excellent time, for them the road is not nearly lengthy enough. Street bikes do well to take it slow, as the road is gravelly and loose.

The vistas from atop Moki Dugway are spectacular with views all the way south to Monument Valley.

The paved road that takes over from Moki crosses the Grand Gulch Primitive Area and is just a joy of a ride. The blacktop is curvy enough to keep the senses sharp and allows for decent speed. Halfway across Grand Gulch is a nice ranger station with clean bathrooms and plenty of information.

At Natural Bridges National Monument a left on Highway 276 heads straight for the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell. The approach to Lake Powell is a very nice section of road that traverses some amazing geology, the road is so well made that it’s smooth as silk.

The near-term destination is Hall’s Crossing and the ferry across the Lake. There’s something just plain fun about a motorbike on a boat on a lake. The $10 ferry is a quick half hour ride across one of the wider sections of the still green water and skirts a small city of houseboat moorings. The ride offers views of the tree-less lakeside and many happily recreating boaters. The boat docks seamlessly and Highway 276 continues north alongside the triple snowcapped peaks of the Henry Mountains.

The long-term destination for this day’s ride is Capitol Reef National Park, another area with almost other worldly geology. The road into Capitol Reef winds through a narrow, deep canyon and the nearby town of Torrey offers the rider a wide variety of places to stay and restaurants to try. The Rim Rock Café located between Capitol Reef and Torrey gives diners an unbeatable view from just about every table and has expertly grilled steaks and salmon that are served piping hot.

So, here’s to a motorbiking theme day of sand and surf and steaks and salmon.