Denver to Boise this week-end

[CRocker]

I have a meeting in Boise next week...and am going to ride my C10 up there...or, is it down there from Denver?  I'm thinking about US40 to Vernal, UT...then Utah 35 up Wolf Creek Pass to Kamas...and down I-80 into SLC for In-n-Out (never eaten there) Sat night.

Sunday looks BORING riding from SLC to Boise...all interstate...

Any suggestions...?

TIA...

[George R. Young]

Caveat: never done this myself, but I'd do anything to avoid interstates.

Looks like if you poke north a bit, you can go through the Grand Teton National Park, which seems to be the south end of Yellowstone. Might be a bit longer.

[sherob]

Not all slab is bad... that stretch of I-80 on the east side going into Park City is a hoot... and blowing down I-80 into SLC is fun to.    I love Raton Pass on I-25, great sweeping curves... and some sections of I-70 are pretty nice too. 

Now I'll pretty much avoid anything in Kansas.   

[CRocker]

George...Unfortunately, time won't allow for that this trip...darn it!

Sherob...I agree with your statement...all of those are good interstates...but...no offense to anyone... have you ever been on I-84 in between SLC and Boise?   

[sherob]

Yes, unfortunately.  Wish I could give you a decent alternative.  

[Two Skies]

Dunno if you'll see this before tomorrow night.  However, East Canyon/Monte Cristo/Bear Lake/Mink Creek might provide you with an interesting side trip.  This would add several hours to your ride though...

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-80+E&daddr=I-80+E+to:UT-65+N+to:Hwy+30%2FOld+Hwy+Rd+to:W+Center+St%2FMonte+Cristo+Rd+to:US-89+N%2FMain+St+to:E+800+N%2FE+8th+N+to:S+5th+Ave+to:I-84+W&hl=en&ll=41.306698,-111.934204&spn=2.616082,4.367065&sll=43.297198,-115.683289&sspn=1.26735,2.183533&geocode=FX4_bQIdZvVV-Q%3BFdLRbQId_mBX-Q%3BFfV6cAIdp4hZ-Q%3BFcDJcwIdlhBW-Q%3BFX6beQIdlsdf-Q%3BFUpChQIdMjJc-Q%3BFZaPggIdtvtU-Q%3BFZgOjgIdsklM-Q%3BFeoumQIdorIR-Q&t=h&mra=mi&mrsp=8&sz=9&z=8

This is a very scenic detour, with some fun roads, if you are into that sort of thing..

Here's a shorter version, which does not include Mink Creek, but still includes the trip to Bear Lake.

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=I-80+E&daddr=I-80+E+to:UT-65+N+to:Hwy+30%2FOld+Hwy+Rd+to:W+Center+St%2FMonte+Cristo+Rd+to:US-89+N+to:I-84+W&hl=en&ll=41.166249,-111.610107&spn=2.621707,4.367065&sll=41.662653,-111.884766&sspn=1.300895,2.183533&geocode=FX4_bQIdZvVV-Q%3BFdLRbQId_mBX-Q%3BFfV6cAIdp4hZ-Q%3BFcDJcwIdlhBW-Q%3BFX6beQIdlsdf-Q%3BFbLpfwId9v9b-Q%3BFWo7mQIdQJIR-Q&t=h&mra=ps&z=8

While passing through Garden City (which is next to Bear Lake), I'd recommend stopping at Merlins (home of the Merlinator).  A Merlinator (aka a big honkin' burger) might not be a good idea for a long road trip, but they do have tasty shakes and other food!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eastbelt/7486570000/#in/photostream/

The Ride up I-15/I-84 would put you pretty close to Promontory Utah, which might be worth a side trip.  This year is the 150th Anniversary of the formation of Union Pacific, BTW!
http://www.nps.gov/gosp/index.htm

On a related note (and on the way), there is the Ogden Railway Museum (Union Pacific has a major rail yard in Ogden, and several static displays at this museum).  They are closed Sundays, though...
http://theunionstation.org/

[Sgt Mac]

Dunno if you'll see this before tomorrow night.  However, East Canyon/Monte Cristo/Bear Lake/Mink Creek might provide you with an interesting side trip.  This would add several hours to your ride though...

This is a very scenic detour, with some fun roads, if you are into that sort of thing..

Here's a shorter version, which does not include Mink Creek, but still includes the trip to Bear Lake.

These are both great side routes. If you choose to take them, here are a few notes, take them for what they are worth.

East canyon can be a bit dirty at times, taken at appropriate speeds, it's not an issue. Monte is an amazing road and worth the detour all by itself. There are a few 20mph corners a you approach Bear lake, that for some reason, tend to bite several riders each season. Take them easy, no problem. Mink Creek is wonderful as well, worth the trip, very smooth, fast and fun.