Zirkel Circle
Discover the beauty of Southern Wyoming and Northern Colorado!
Departure August 17 - August 20
$2200
Arrive Saturday night 8/16 in Fort Collins
23 hours of total saddle time, 560 Miles, Intermediate skills
Take off on a thrilling adventure motorcycle journey through some of the most striking and picturesque landscapes of the American West. Experience the breathtaking beauty as we travel through some of our incredible local ranching history and the impressive vistas of the Medicine Bow Mountains, the Mt Zirkel Wilderness area around Steamboat Springs, and down towards the Gore Range, outside Vail, CO. We will conclude the trip with a spin over Trail Ridge Road, the highest elevation paved through road in North America, as it traverses the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park!
As if we are traveling through the set of Yellowstone, what separates this adventure is the beauty of the surrounding ranch lands with high mountain backdrops. We will traverse some of the most wild yet serene lands far from the bustle of our cities.
This is a fully supported off-road motorcycle experience, where you’ll travel through some of the more secluded and untouched areas of the West. Forget hotels and crowded campsites—this is about sleeping in the backcountry, cooking around a campfire, and truly disconnecting from the commotion of the modern world.
Come join us for an unforgettable experience that takes you beyond the ordinary and immerses you in the true spirit of the West.
Day 1 – Ft. Collins to Laramie River (Camping in Wyoming)
As we roll out from the agricultural hub and college community of Fort Collins, the mountains ahead beckon. We will cruise along the shores of Horsetooth Reservoir and we will get our first taste of what Colorado mountain dirt roads have to offer, with a spin over Buckhorn Rd. eventually passing through the local vacation haven of Red Feather Lakes, a tranquil area filled with dense forests and sparkling lakes. A quick stop for a walk at the Deadman Fire Tower, to whet the appetite with a view towards where we will be in a couple days time, we then push up into Wyoming, riding along the banks of the famous fishing destination, the Laramie River. We will spend our first night under the stars along the banks of the river in Wyoming. Here, we can relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings as we unwind under the stars!
~ 120 miles
Day 2 – Laramie River to Hog Park Reservoir (Southern Wyoming to Northern Colorado)
As we kick off the second day, be prepared for all that the rolling hills of southern Wyoming has to offer. We will hit a couple of true local highlights, like Snowy Range Pass and on to the Spruce Mtn Fire Lookout and Rob Roy Reservoir. After passing through one of the largest recent forest fire scar areas, we will head for our next evening’s camp near Hog Park Reservoir.
After a restful night camping by the river, we move out early, ready to tackle a big day filled with the rolling hills of southern Wyoming and some stunning mountain views. A quick stop for fuel in Centennial, Wyoming, sets the stage for our ascent towards Snowy Range Pass, where the views are jaw-dropping, overlooking alpine lakes and the imposing jagged peaks of Sugarloaf Mountain. We then dive into a network of fun dirt roads through thick forests, eventually arriving at Spruce Mountain Fire Lookout, and views over all of southern Wyoming and the Medicine Bow Range. Continuing along, we pass Rob Roy Reservoir, a peaceful mountain lake before we ride through the aftermath of the massive 2021 Mullen Fire—an intense and striking landscape of blackened trees contrasted against a blanket of green as the forest begins its recovery. We then cross back into Colorado near Hog Park Reservoir, where we will set up camp for the night. It’s a perfect place for a refreshing late afternoon swim in a mountain lake and enjoy the canopy of stars overhead as we doze off.
~ 135 miles
Day 3 – Hog Park Reservoir to Sheep Mountain (Steamboat Springs and the Gore Range)
Day 3 will have us rolling through Steamboat Springs. We will cross the famed Colorado River at Radium Hot Springs before traversing along the northern boundaries of the Gore Range and on to the Winter Park area for camp in the nearby meadows.
The morning brings more adventure as we wind through the alpine meadows of the Crane Park area before descending into Steamboat Springs, a charming town famous for Billy Kidd, the early skiing legend and its world-class ski slopes. We will even stop at the base area of the famed ski area for a quick view before heading off as we follow the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route (CO BDR) south towards the mountains of central Colorado, passing the well-preserved Rock Creek Stage Coach Stop and crossing the famed Colorado River at Radium Hot Springs. We will ride through the northern reaches of the Gore Range, with spectacular views of rugged peaks, as we make our way toward the Winter Park area. Our campsite for the night is near Sheep Mountain, where we'll set up camp surrounded by stunning alpine scenery.
~ 178 miles
While we will make every effort to ensure this is the route we follow for your trip, we reserve the right to alter the route due to road/trail conditions/closures, weather conditions, rider ability, timing, safety, etc. Please remember the variables that none of us can control and prepare yourselves! We look forward to sharing an adventure with you.
Day 4 – Sheep Mountain to Ft. Collins (Rocky Mountain National Park and Trail Ridge Road)
Our final day will see us exploring Grand Lake, the western entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park, before we head into this national gem and over the renowned Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through road in North America. With incredible views and possible elk sightings, we descend on into Estes Park, the well known town on the eastern boundary of the park, famous for the Stanley Hotel (Stephen King’s inspiration for his book The Shining) and elk roaming the streets of downtown.
After a dash down through the soaring canyon walls of the Big Thompson River, and a ride full of natural beauty, we make our way back to Fort Collins for a celebratory meal to wrap up this incredible journey.
~ 127 miles
Minimum Gas Range per tank necessary - ~ 170 miles
For those wishing to continue the adventure, the Overland Expo Mountain West kicks off in nearby Loveland on Friday, August 22nd — a perfect chance to check out some of the coolest backcountry rigs and gear around.