I have been reading about the Dragon road in No Carolina/Tennessee and got to thinking about similar roads I have experienced recently out here in the West. Unfortunately I drove these in the camper van but will try to get back to them in the MINI.

The wildest is in SE Utah near Mexican Hat and is called the Moki Dugway. I think it is an 1100' vertical drop in less than 2 mile horizantal. The road literally zigs down the face of a cliff. It is on Utah Highway 261 and is gravel but both raods leading to the cliff are paved. I don't think I would race on it--no guard rail

The next is in North central Wyoming, no name (that I knowof) Alt Highway 14, East of Lovell. It drops off the Bighorn Mountains at about 9500' down to around 5000' in 14 miles. Beautiful road, very curvy.

The best is the Beartooth Highway, US 212 South of Red Lodge Montana. Red Lodge is at 5550' and the top of the pass is 10900' The mountain scenary is superb and the road is great! It's not too far from Billings if you are motoring by there on the Interstate. You can keep going South and end up in Cody, WY and see a lot more really nice country or enter the NE corner of Yellolwstone Park. Not to be missed!

Anybody else have some favorite Western Dragons?

 

I was just on a "driving" vacation last week in Northern California and ran on several incredible roads.

Look at my post here https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...4&page=4&pp=25

Last page - last post

California Highway 1 - 22 miles from above Rockport to Leggett - 357 turns in 22 miles plus some fast sections with near triple digits. Race track like asphalt with no loose rocks -no cars - no cops. Saw a big black bear, though. So much fun I did it three times.

Highway 36 from 101 on the coast to 5 at Red Bluff in the middle of the state. I did 132 miles in 2 hours 40 minutes with a couple of camera stops - passed a couple of bikers too. 30 miles east of Red Bluff - fantastic roller coaster road where I felt like I got air more than once.

Quincy - Oroville highway Again, incredible pavement quality out in the middle of nowhere. Smooth high speed sweepers.

Sonora Pass (Highway 108) going east from 6000 feet up to the summit at 9564 feet and then back down till it connects with 395. So much fun, and I can't believe my MCS ran so well above 9000 feet. Did that one three times too.

Caliente-Bodfish road in Kern County. See here http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/Caliente-BodfishRd.htm

http://www.pashnit.com is the "Bible" for great California (and surrounding states) roads. If it works for bikers it works for MINI's

 

Thanks for the Pashnit.com link. What a great site. I guess I'm spoiled. I live in Sonoma County, and don't have to go very far to find loads of dragon like roads.

Skaggs Stewarts point is a favorite, as well as Coleman Valley, Jenner to Fort Ross, etc. etc. etc..........

 

Currently the Dynamic Mini Collective and New Mexico Mini's are currently planning the Twist and Shoot Tour 2005 (T&S05) NMM's is Running the route this weekend I beleive. and I will be running it the weekend of Sept 24-26 if anyone cares to join in. Although I plan to take my time and watch the leaves turn in this part of AZ. Happens very early in the year due to the altitude.

The Road: HWY 191 in AZ and NM. Old Devils Highway 666. Still is in some parts. Runs basically down the eastern side of Arizona.
When: Eithier the first weekend of October or one of the last couple of September.
The Gathering. Likely to be in Springervlle. Unlike the Dragon there are not many resort or hotel to be host to this event. Both clubs are doing research and will be making joint announcement in the future.

I have ventured to North Caralonia and I dare to say Hwy 191 is the western equivlant to the Dragon. Hwy 191 is just as twisty and will take you most of the day to run from Springerville to Globe.

The Dragon has a lot to offer that will make it an event to travel to for many years and I hope to build an yearly event equally worthy of attending.

Watch this space as well as http://www.dynamicminicollective.com/board/ for updates.

For the curious I can be contatct at WCSolan@***.net

I will post contact infor NMM when I can find it.

Bill

 

asodestrom -

Skaggs - Stewart Point road, that's the one that goes to Lake Sonoma, right? I forgot about that one!! Marked 30 MPH and every single turn a smooth banked sweeper? I have never seen a road like that one. You are so lucky living up in that area!!

 

I agree that there are plenty of such roads out here in CO, WY, MT and elsewhere. MINI5280 does have a ride planned on Sept 24, 25, 26 this Sept with the NM Mini club, and other rides on some of these roads on Sept 12 and then during the Colorado Conclave on Sept 18 and 19.

CNWE, if you want to plan something for early Oct up that way - leaving NorColo and into WY and back, let me know. I can get the word out and the group together and we can do something that way.

Thanks .

JPS

 

Now I know what to do tomorrow afternoon

 

Yeah, that is one awesome road, even at night! I can't believe how smooth it was, and the lack of traffic. It's kind of a dead zone. It was soooo much fun!

There are some great highways in Oregon connecting the Coast roads with I-5, that are great twisties, with constant radius curves and smoooth asphalt!

Down south here, Palomar Mountain is my Local Dragon, and maybe better!

BCNU,
Rob in Dago

 

Rob -

South Grade of Palomar is another outstanding road with those long sweepers that just keep going and going and going.... Going up I have passed bikers (well cruisers) easily in the MCS and going down, you wish you had that big brake kit cause your brakes are smoking by the time you reach the bottom.

For those in other parts of the country see here - http://www.pashnit.com/roads/cal/Palomar.htm

It could be our California Dragon except for the traffic and that it is not far enough out in the boonies. You've got to pick your times. If you get stuck behind three trucks and two SUV's it can be a waste of gas, like Ortega Highway in the OC. Try Caliente Bodfish road in Kern County.

That is why the Northern California roads were so fantastic. Great quality asphalt and no traffic to speak of and no cops except in small towns.