Colorado is home to 26 designated scenic byways that show off the state’s spectacular mountain views and gorgeous natural scenery. One of Colorado’s lesser-known scenic byways is the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway. Despite being a less-popular route, this byway is one of Colorado’s most unique and beautiful stretches of road.
Read on to learn more about taking a motorcycle ride through the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway.
Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway
The Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway is a 133-mile scenic and historic byway established in 1990. This route follows Highways 145 and 141, passing through the following cities:
- Placerville
- Norwood
- Naturita
- Nucla
- Uravan
- Gateway
- Whitewater
Riding this byway on your motorcycle should take you around three hours if you don’t stop. However, this route is filled with historical attractions and beautiful views that you’ll want to take at least a few minutes each to enjoy.
Places to Stop Along the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway
As you ride your motorcycle along this beautiful byway, you will have plenty of opportunities to stop at scenic and historical attractions. Here are a few of the must-see attractions along this route:
Dolores River Canyon
The Dolores River canyon is a 30-mile stretch of red rock canyon near Bedrock, Colorado. This canyon is just a short drive from the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway, making it an easy stop on your motorcycle trip.
The Dolores River Overlook is one of the most beautiful spots near the canyon. This scenic overlook provides stunning views of the Dolores River Canyon and includes picnic areas, camping facilities, restrooms, and other amenities.
Hanging Flume
The Hanging Flume is an expansive water chute that runs ten miles along the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers. This flume features towering 150-foot sandstone walls that a Colorado mining company built between 1887 and 1891. Its original purpose was to carry water to a nearby gold mine.
This historical attraction is a unique testament to the innovative work methods of the 19th century. Workers used bull teams to haul the lumber to the river ford, then constructed one section at a time. Unfortunately, the five years of labor resulted in only three years of use, as the flume failed to be profitable.
Driggs Mansion
Driggs Mansion is a sandstone house in the Unaweep Canyon that serves as a geographical landmark. This mansion was built in 1918 for Laurence Driggs, a New York attorney and aviation advocate.
The construction of the Driggs Mansion consisted of stone from the Mayflower Canyon, semi-coursed sandstone blocks, and cement plaster. The house had six rooms and was around 1,200 square feet total. However, Driggs only lived in the house for a few months before continuing his career as an American aviation expert.
You can experience the ruins of the Driggs Mansion at a pullout along the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic Byway. This overlook also offers beautiful views of the Unaweep Canyon.
Directions for the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway
If you’re looking to motorcycle ride the Unaweep Tabeguache Scenic and Historic Byway, you can follow these simple directions:
- Begin on Highway 141 near Whitewater.
- Follow Highway 141 south.
- Continue on Highway 141 as it turns into Highway 145.
- End the route in Placerville, CO.
We recommend dedicating an entire day to traveling this scenic byway, stopping at the natural and historical attractions along the route, and taking in the beautiful canyon views. Once you make it to the end of the route, you can head back the way you came or continue on to view more Colorado scenery.
If you’ve been a victim of a motorcycle accident, contact Law Tigers motorcycle accident attorneys today at 1-888-863-7216 to schedule a free consultation.
