Experience: Moab

Moab is the jewel at the end of all itineraries from and through Denver, and with so many different routes to choose, you can visit year after year and experience a new journey each time.

For those who are of the “want to get there fast” frame of mind, take I-70 all the way into Utah and then take Exit #214 to Scenic Byway 128 (described below), which delivers you to Moab.

If you a taste of the Rocky Mountains and some curves, without adding too much time, then Exit I-70 at Glenwood Springs and head south through Carbondale, Redstone, over McClure Pass through Hotchkiss and toward Delta. Take Hwy 65 north through Cedaredge, over Grand Mesa and rejoin I-70 east of Grand Junction. Continue west on I-70 and take Exit #214 to Scenic Byway 128.

Want even more mountain scenery, history, a lot of curves and plenty of choices? If so this route has it all and more. From I-70 west, you have a choice of two routes to Leadville. You can choose Exit #195 through Copper Mountain and over Fremont Pass; or take Exit #171 through Minturn and over Tennessee Pass. From Leadville, continue south on Hwy 24, until the road splits, take Hwy 285 to the Hwy 50 junction and then proceed west on Hwy 50 through Gunnison and on to Montrose. From Montrose, you have many choices. You can go through Delta, where you will then have the choice of Hwy 65 through Cedaredge and Grand Mesa returning to I-70; or stay on Hwy 50 to Grand Junction and to I-70. Another route to consider is heading south from Montrose and travel through Ridgway, Placerville, Norwood, Naturita, and Gateway, then rejoin I-70 in Grand Junction. Whichever path you choose, take exit #214 off I-70 to Scenic Byway 128.

Scenic Byway 128 along the Colorado River is the preferred route into Moab from Interstate 70. You start your journey across the open desert with a few sweeping curves, until you reach the Colorado river where considerably sharper turns will command your attention. The route crosses the mighty river near the historic Dewey Bridge. Built in 1916 and used until 1986, this suspension bridge is on the National Register of Historic places and is now only open to foot traffic. A nearby rest area makes this a perfect stop to stretch your legs. Beyond the bridge, the byway continues to follow the Colorado River with more twists and turns, before giving way to a straight, but spectacularly scenic, section. Along this stretch, you will pass the majestic Fisher Towers and the famous Castle Rock, a finger-like spiral to the southwest, which was the location for...

We hope that you enjoyed reading this excerpt from "Moab". If you would like to read the entire article and more, you can order a back issue of April / May 2007 where this article was originally published.

availabilty: sold out