The Four Corners Chapter of the Southern Cruisers serves the four
corners region of
the United States where the
borders of Colorado, Utah
Arizona and New Mexico all meet.
Four Corners Chapter is based in Cortez, Colorado. Cortez is known as
the "Archeological Center of the United States." Just south is the Four
Corners Monument where you can stand in four states at once (of course,
you'll have to use your hands too :>). Cortez is the gateway to both Ute
and Anasazi Ancestral Pueblos which are yours to visit with a Ute guide.
Walk where the Ancient people walked. Also, Mesa Verde National Park,
established by Congress on September 29, 1906, is the first national
park set aside to preserve the work of humankind. With its world
famous, ancient cliff dwellings, you can experience the world of the
ancient Anasazi and their very unique lifestyle. Click the picture at
right for Mesa Verde park information.
Other cities in the region include Durango and Ignacio Colorado, which you probably know host the Iron Horse Rally, now known as the "The Rally in the Rockies", each year. Durango is 42 miles from Cortez and is the home of the famous Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, which makes scheduled runs all summer from Durango to the old mining town of Silverton, CO. Taking this train ride is a great experience, as you leave Durango and wind up through mountain canyons to Silverton, a living testament of Colorado's past, and experience the majesty and beauty of Colorado first hand, and learn about its history. Ignacio Colorado also hosts the Sky Ute Casino for more gaming fun in the Four Corners.
For a day or
two-day ride, the San Juan Skyway is a designated scenic byway located
in southwest
Colorado. Two legs of the byway create a circle which begins and ends in
Durango or Cortez, your choice. The eastern half of the skyway travels
US Hwy 550 from Durango to Ridgway, passing over Red Mountain, Molas,
and Coal Bank passes, each over 10,000 feet, and passing through
Silverton, and Ouray. The western half of the route leaves Ridgway on
Colorado Hwy 62 and travels through Telluride after intersecting to Hwy
145, over Lizard Head Pass (The Continental Divide), and through Rico
and Dolores, to arrive in Cortez. The entire skyway trip is a 197 mile
drive through some of the most beautiful mountain and mountain valley
scenery in the country. Gas, food and lodging is available throughout
the route, as well as many stopping spots to take a break and enjoy the
scenery.
This area of Colorado boasts pretty much the best of all worlds, with the beauty of red rock canyons and desert country very close, and also the majesty of the Rocky Mountains, national forests, and natural and man-made mountain lakes and rivers. The Continental Divide is a short 60 miles from Cortez, with some of the most fabulous scenery in the world. The wildlife in this area is abundant and beautiful.
Further south and east, Farmington, New Mexico is also only about 70
miles from Cortez and hosts several biker events each year, and a
usually warmer climate. The towns of Cortez, Shiprock, Farmington and
Durango form the points of a very nice ride called the Southern Loop.
You get some really great variations in scenery on this loop, varying
from majestic rock formations of the southern Colorado and northern New
Mexico desert to the lush forest land in the northern part of the
loop.
You can also divert from the loop temporarily at the Junction of Hwy 160, 20 miles south of Cortez, and cruise over to the Four Corners monument. It's about 18 miles west of the junction. You also have a choice of routes from Farmington to Durango. We recommend the Hwy 550 route which brings you directly into Durango. The other route (Hwy 170 out of Farmington, turning to Hwy 140 as you cross into Colorado) brings you out at Hesperus, about 15 miles west of Durango. This route can be used as a shortcut and has some great scenery in its own right.
The Southern Loop is about 160 miles from start to finish, and there is gas, food and lodging available throughout the trip.