May 21-25: Southern Utah National Parks Tour

[Eric Wolf]

Hey South Coasters,

Pack your gear and get ready for an unforgettable weekend ride to Cedar City, Utah, the perfect basecamp for exploring some of the most stunning landscapes in the American West. Cedar City offers easy access to the BEST National Parks in the country!: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Capitol Reef, Grand Staircase Escalante, and Cedar Breaks.

We’ll basecamp (hotel) in Cedar City and spend the weekend riding out to explore.  Whether it’s hiking among the hoodoos of Bryce, carving twisties near Cedar Breaks, awing the vast dam, or being mesmerized by the heights of Escalante’s Staircase, there’s something here for every rider.

There are options for one National Park per day or two parks.  What a great way to celebrate our nation’s 250th Anniversary.  Come out and take in some of our National Parks!

 

Buy your National Parks pass here if you don’t already have one.

 

Signup on the Events page here.

 

Hotel: Wingate by Wyndham

1204 S Main Street, Cedar City, UT, 84720

• Point of Contact: Holly/Amanda, 435 867-8877
• The rooms are under Steve Leo’s name and booked for SCBMWRC.  Your card will NOT be charged until you check in.  You can cancel up to the day before.  To reserve your room, call the hotel and give them your info and credit card.
• We have 12 rooms reserved:
  • 8 – Double Queens
  • 4 – Kings
• $89.00 per night + taxes

 

Day 1, Thursday, May 21

Irv Seaver to Cedar City, UT

Meet up Points:

• 1st Meetup:  Arrive at Irv Seaver’s in OC by 7:00.  KSU by 7:30.
• 2nd Meetup:  Klatch Coffee, 3840 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92336, is just west of I-15 at Sierra Ave. Arrive by 8:00; KSU at 8:45.
• 3rd Meetup:  Viva Zapatos Mexican Restaurant, 3826 E Craig Rd, North Las Vegas, NV 89030.
  • For the Vegas crowd, meet us here for lunch at 12:45 on Thursday.  We’ll ride the rest of the way together.
• Via I-15, 435 miles, arrive to the hotel by 5:00.

 

Day 2, Friday, May 22

Cedar City to Bryce Canyon National Park AND Cedar Breaks National Monument,

• KSU at the hotel at 8:00.
• Stops include:
  • Bryce Canyon Visitors’ Center
  • Natural Bridge
  • Bristlecone Loop
  • Chessman Overlook in Cedar Breaks
  • Lunch at Ruby’s Inn
• 215 miles; return to the hotel by 5:30.
• Google Map

 

Day 3, Saturday, May 23

Cedar City to  Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument, Short Day,

• KSU at the hotel, 8:00.
• Lunch at Kiva Koffeehouse.
• Return by 4:30.  275 miles
• Google Map

Cedar City to  Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument AND Capital Reef National Park  Long Day Loop.

• • KSU at the hotel, 7:00.
  • Coffee at Kiva Koffeehouse.
  • Stop at Capital Reef Visitors’ Center.
  • Lunch your choice: Slacker’s Burger Joint, Rock Reef Cafe; top it off with ice cream from Color Ridge Creamery.
  • Return at 6:30. 370 miles.
  • Google Map

 

Day 4, Sunday, May 24

Cedar City to Zion National Park  AND Kolob Canyons loop.

• KSU at the hotel at 8:00.
• Zion Entrance Passes:  Standard, Annual, or America the Beautiful Pass.
• Motorcycle daily pass is $30
• Lunch at Red Rock Grill, Zion Canyon
• Return to the hotel by 5:00, 155 miles.
• Google Map

Cedar City to Zion National Park  AND Kolob Reservoir Road, Dirt loop

• KSU at 8:00.
• This route will loop up to Kolob Reservoir after Zion NP.
• The entire group will ride together through Zion and have lunch together.  After exiting the park, this group will break off at the Kolob Reservoir turnoff.
• It includes about 25 miles of smooth dirt road suitable for auto traffic.
• 155 miles, return to hotel by 6:00.
• Google Map

 

Day 5, Monday, May 25

Cedar City, UT to home.

• Via I-15, 432 miles, 8 hours
• Members are free to join others for the return or set their own route and times.

Attachments:

1. Day-1-Thu-to-Wingate-Hotel-2.pdf
2. Day-2-Fri-Bryce-Canyon.pdf
3. Day-3-Sat-Escalante-Short.pdf
4. Day-3-Sat-Escalante-Capital-Reef-Loop.pdf
5. Day-4-Sun-Zion-Kolob-Overlook-Loop.pdf
6. Day-4-Zion-Kolob-Reservoir-Dirt-Route.gpx
7. Day-4-Zion-Kolob-Reservoir-Dirt-Route.pdf
8. Day-1-Thu-to-Wingate-Hotel.gpx
9. Day-2-Fri-Bryce-Canyon.gpx
10. Day-3-Sat-Escalante-Short.gpx
11. Day-3-Sat-Escalante-Capital-Reed-Loop.gpx
12. Day-4-Sun-Zion-Kolob-Overlook-Loop.gpx

Topic

[Randy Van Vliet]

Eric,

That’s more miles per day than I’m comfortable riding, day in and day out.

Please remove me from the list. Thanks in advance… Randy.

[Eric Wolf]

Hi Everyone!

We already have 11 South Coasters signed up for this ride.  It will be amazing!

I know there are some long days getting to and from Cedar City, and don’t feel bad if you want to break that up and split it into two days–I’ve already heard from some who are doing that.

Moreover, I’ve tried to give you short day options out of Cedar City.  For those who want to squeeze a lot in, there are options for hitting two National Parks in one day.  Very flexible weekend.  Make it work for you and make it your own.

[Ron Zablocki]

Hi Eric – Room is booked!

[Ron Zablocki]

Eric – Is there another meeting point a bit further north for us LA/Long Beach area folks?  Doesn’t make sense to drive south only to come up north again.

[Eric Wolf]

Thanks Ron,

You are absolutely correct.  I’m one of those who live north so this helps me also.

Klatch Coffee, 3840 Sierra Ave., Fontana, CA 92336, is just west of I-15 at Sierra Ave. 

This will be a second meetup spot.  I’ll repost this in the topline of this thread.

[Ron Zablocki]

Many thanks El Presidente!

[Ron Zablocki]

Eric – I’m in the process of creating GPX files.  Let me know when you setup the KSUs, lunch breaks, etc.

[Eric Stoddard]

Room is booked for wife and me in Cedar City, UT. . . what a great trip!  We are both looking toward riding with SCBMWRC again!

We also are breaking up the outgoing and return 400 mile plus ride . . . reservations made at a good half way point @ the M Resort in Henderson for the afternoon / evening the 20th and the afternoon / evening of the 25th.

Just drove back from baseball spring training in Phoenix and between the traffic and distance – damn near killed me at around 400 miles last Sunday . . . and that was in a comfy sedan!

[Eric Wolf]

Great to have you Eric!  It has been awhile.  I’m glad you both will be riding with us.

[Cruz Guerrero]

Eric, so excited for this trip. Room booked for the wife and I. We will meet you at the café.

[Eric Wolf]

Thanks Cruz!  It’s been awhile.  Looking forward to riding with you again.

[Eric Wolf]

Hi South Coasters!

Note that I have changed the routes a little to make the days more managable, fewer miles, and more time for sight seeing.

Also, the Zion Canyon shuttle service started last month, running through the summer months.  No vehicles are alowed to drive into the canyon.  The shuttle is free and no passes are required (as in previous years), simply show up and catch one every ten minutes or so.

[Ric Magrath]

Hi Eric,

Joe R and I were planning on leaving Wednesday and overnighting in sin city, arriving Thursday in Cedar City around check in time.

Taylor and Kathy Otto are ridding down from Seattle and joining the Group some time Friday afternoon.

I have booked Taylor and Kathy’s room and my room.

(At the end of the tour I depart Cedar City and head to San Francisco to start my George Wyman Memorial Tour, so I will not be riding home with the group.)

Many thanks for putting this together, very much looking forward to this adventure.

Ric M

[Dave Tymn]

Hi Eric and all,

I just signed up and made hotel res. My current plan is to truck my Honda CRF450L and meet you all in Cedar City. I’ll be up for street and some dirt road options. Looking forward to seeing GPX files. I thought there were some google maps links previously, but I don’t see those?

Looking forward to exploring more of Utah. Went last year and was blown away at the natural beauty !

Cheers, Dave Tymn

[Eric Wolf]

Glad to have you coming along Dave!

[Torbjorn Corell]

Hi Eric and all,

I have booked hotel in Cedar City and will also depart on the 20th for Vegas.

Staying at the M resort that someone mentioned. Drive up next morning to Cedar City.  Should be an amazing ride and looking forward to see everyone.

All the best,

TC

[Eric Wolf]

We are inside of a month for this trip.  If you have thoughts of going.  Call, text, or email me and lets talk through it.  The excitement is building and we are going to have a great time!

[Dave Tymn]

Hi Eric. All signed up all good. I’d be curious to see the updated GPX or Google map routes when ready. I’m planning on trucking my dual sport 450L, but depending on routes I may switch it up to the GS1200. Thanks Dave

[Eric Wolf]

Hi Dave,

The routes are posted now.  The only planned dirt section is north of Kolob Reservoir.  It is suitable for Prius travel so you may want your 1200 after all.

[Harry Hoffman]

Eric and fellow South Coaster’s,

I have carved out some riding time in my schedule and looking forward to attending this fabulous Utah ride!

For hotel arrangements, would anyone like to split the hotel room cost with me? Please call/text me, as this is my first option before I book my own room.

It will be great to ride with you all, and having the chance to catch up with Taylor and Kathy, as well! I’m getting the K1600 ready, as it’s been too long since putting some good road miles on it.

I’m also interested in making the first leg of the ride a 2-day journey. Let me know what plans have been made and I will look into possibly joining that group.

Thank you Eric for putting this all together. Very exciting club ride and National Parks adventure!

• Harry H
• 657-600-5555

[Dave Tymn]

Hi Eric, On second thought I am going to trailer my GS to this ride. Should be more funererer !

Thanks Dave

[Eric Wolf]

Hi Everyone!

Well, we are two weeks away from this epic trip.

Note that I have updated the topline of this thread with gpx and pdf files.  Please reveiw these and let me know if they work and are accurate.  I likely missed something so would appreciate a second set of eyes.  Otherwise, it is probably best to wait a week before you load these to your navigator.  There could be corrections between now and then.

Also, review the daily schedule.  The more familiar you are with our routine each day, the easier it will be to keep 20 bikes and 27 people on track and on time.  Thanks for that!

Shortly, I’ll send an email to my list asking for confirmation of a few things.

[Willis Ho]

Harry, need a roommate for the ride?

Willis

714.767.7960

[Ron Zablocki]

Hello South Coasters!

Because this extended UT trip is a bit more complicated than most, I’m attaching “GDB” files out of Garmin BaseCamp.  These files are very similar to the GPX files attached up in post #1, but with an important difference.  These GDB files can only be imported into BMW and Garmin GPS navigators.  What these GDB files offer over GPX files is keeping the KSU, departure, arrival and layover times in the actual routes.

And while the GPX files posted above will work just fine in BMW and Garmin navigators, you won’t get the various times I mentioned for the GDB files.  So for those using BMW, CarPlay or other devices for navigation – you must use the GPX files in post #1.

Feel free to let me know if you have any questions on these!

UPDATE – Currently GDB files can’t be uploaded here to the website.  It’s being looked into!

[Randy Van Vliet]

UPDATE – Currently GDB files can’t be uploaded here to the website.  It’s being looked into!  

 

Ron, is it possible to just email those .GDB files as an attachment to those on the list for this ride, instead of posting here?  Might give it a try and see.

[Willis Ho]

Just got back from Taiwan, wondering if still room available for the 5 days ride!

Willis

714.767.7960

[Willis Ho]

Just booked a double queen, if anyone interested sharing the room?

Willis Ho

714.767.7960

[Steve “Perk” Perkio]

Rob Tripp and I have booked and signed up.

[Tom Watson]

What a weekend! The rides were absolutely fantastic with some new scenery each day. Great camaraderie and I think this is the biggest turnout we have had in a long time. Well done, Eric.

Tom

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