Colorado Backcountry Discovery

Duration: 5 nights and 6 full days Price: $4,195 Food: Food/Lodging: Included Difficulty:

Moderate

All US-based Rawhyde training tours include private accommodations by default. Double occupancy is available upon request.

There is simply no place in North America, or the world, that offers such an incredible concentration of adventure riding opportunities as Colorado, well – maybe Idaho which will become a focus of Rawhyde soon! Several years ago, Rawhyde chose Park County, Colorado as the home for our newest training and touring center. With thousands of miles of unpaved roads and trails, high mountain passes, massive aspen forests, and historic mining towns, Colorado delivers everything an adventure rider could ever want.

As a training company first, Rawhyde uses Colorado’s varied terrain as a natural classroom. Riders receive real time coaching before major terrain transitions, learning proper body positioning, traction management, momentum control, and safe techniques for climbing, descending, and navigating high alpine passes. The result is a riding environment that is not only breathtaking but also ideal for skill development.

We offer a wide range of opportunities for adventure motorcyclists in Colorado, and we are excited to include the Colorado Backcountry Discovery Route as part of our lineup of inspiring training-tours. Welcome to Rawhyde’s version of the COBDR. This six day journey begins and ends at our Rocky Mountain facility and stands as one of the most adventurous and stunning rides available anywhere in North America, blending world class terrain with continuous skill building and expert coaching along the way.

Rawhyde's Colorado Backcountry Discovery Itinerary

Arrival Sunday

Hartsel, Colorado

Whether you’re flying to Colorado, or riding your own motorcycle we need to have you plan for an arrival in Hartsel, Colorado about 5 PM on the day before your trip commences.

Day 1 - 300 miles

Rawhyde to Cortez, Colorado

Depending on the weather, the day begins with a scenic dirt ride from Rawhyde to Salida, Colorado. This opening section includes a few shallow water crossings, giving Rawhyde coaches the opportunity to review proper approach, body positioning, throttle control, and line selection before riders tackle each crossing. It is a fun and engaging way to start the training-tour and ease into the terrain for the days ahead. From Salida, we transition to a beautiful paved ride toward Durango, Colorado. Along the way, coaches reinforce pavement riding fundamentals such as cornering technique, visual scanning, and smooth braking as the route winds through mountain scenery. We arrive in Durango in the afternoon and settle in for our first night, ready for the adventure that lies ahead.

Day 2 - 124 miles

Cortez to Ouray, Colorado

We leave Cortez early today, as this is our first true off road day and an ideal time to get the group into the rhythm of traveling together. Before we hit the dirt, Rawhyde coaches review group riding protocols, spacing, communication, and key off road fundamentals so everyone begins the day with confidence and clarity. As we climb higher into the Rockies, the scenery becomes nothing short of spectacular, with sweeping views and historic mining remnants scattered throughout the mountains. We make a quick stop in Telluride for fuel, then continue up and over the incredible Ophir Pass. At the base of the pass, coaches provide instruction on loose rock navigation, momentum management, and safe line choice for high alpine terrain. The descent on the opposite side is just as dramatic, offering even more opportunities to apply off road skills in real time. From there, we connect to the famous Million Dollar Highway and ride its stunning curves into Ouray, our home for the night. It is a full and rewarding day that blends world class scenery with purposeful skill development in the heart of the Rocky Mountains.

Day 3 - 186 miles

Ouray to Rawhyde

Today’s ride is nothing short of extraordinary. You will cross at least nine high altitude mountain passes, with five topping 12,000 feet and two rising above 13,000. We will cross the Continental Divide at least twice and visit the historic mining towns of Pitkin and Tincup, where relics of Colorado’s rugged mining past still dot the landscape. This is one of the most diverse and scenic days of riding anywhere in the Rockies. Because this is a Rawhyde training-tour, coaches make intentional stops before major climbs and descents to review high alpine riding techniques, including momentum management, traction control on loose rock, proper body positioning at elevation, and safe line choice for narrow mountain passes. Riders get to apply these skills in real time across some of the most dramatic terrain in the state. We cross the Continental Divide again at Cottonwood Pass and then transition to pavement as we head into Buena Vista for fuel. The day wraps up on smooth, fast dirt roads bordered by shimmering aspen groves as we make our way back toward Rawhyde. It is a full day of skill application, breathtaking views, and the kind of mountain riding that makes Colorado legendary.

Day 4 - 180 miles

Rawhyde to Gypsum

This is a spectacular day of riding, and we leave Rawhyde early to allow plenty of time for scenic stops and skill-focused instruction along the way. We begin by climbing over beautiful Weston Pass, where Rawhyde coaches review high altitude riding techniques, line selection, and traction management before riders tackle the ascent and descent. Dropping down from Weston Pass brings us into Leadville, Colorado, the highest incorporated city in the United States at just over 10,000 feet. Leadville’s rich mining history is visible everywhere, with relics from its boom years scattered throughout the area. We stop here to refuel and take a short break before heading back into the mountains. From Leadville, we climb toward Hagerman Pass on the Continental Divide. Before entering this section, coaches review momentum control, body positioning, and approach strategies for sustained off road riding at elevation. From Hagerman Pass, we enjoy a long dirt section that allows riders to apply these techniques in real conditions before transitioning back to pavement for the run into Gypsum, wrapping up a full and rewarding training-tour day in the Colorado high country.

Day 5 - 173 miles

Gypsum to Steamboat Springs

Today we head toward Steamboat Springs along the Continental Divide Trail. This segment runs at lower elevations compared to earlier days, with the highest point just over 9,000 feet. The ride is beautiful and varied, featuring deep water crossings, classic Colorado aspen forests, wide open vistas, and some of the most peaceful scenery in the Rockies. Because this is a Rawhyde training-tour, coaches provide instruction before key terrain features, especially the water crossings and forested sections. Riders receive guidance on proper approach angles, body positioning, throttle control, and visual scanning to safely navigate changing surfaces and moisture conditions. The lower altitude and flowing terrain make this an ideal day to refine fundamentals while enjoying a relaxed and scenic stretch of the Continental Divide.

Day 6 - 190 miles

Steamboat Springs to Rawhyde

We have borrowed a page from our Continental Divide training-tour to bring you back to Rawhyde. Leaving Steamboat Springs, we climb to the top of Rabbit Ears Pass on the Continental Divide. At just over 12,000 feet, Rawhyde coaches pause to review high altitude riding techniques, line choice, and momentum management before we turn south and continue on the Continental Divide Trail in the dirt. From Rabbit Ears Pass, the route leads to the town of Kremmling, where riders refuel and prepare for the next off road section. The trail then continues due south toward Breckenridge, crossing historic Boreas Pass and returning once again to the Continental Divide. This section offers flowing dirt roads and classic high country riding, allowing riders to apply the skills they have built throughout the training-tour. From Boreas Pass, it is roughly an hour ride back to Rawhyde, wrapping up an unforgettable journey through Colorado’s high country and bringing the training-tour to a fitting and scenic conclusion.

Colorado-Backcountr-Discovery-Expedition

Hagerman-Pass-Colorado-Backcountry-Discovery-Expedition-RawHyde

Hagerman-Pass-Colorado-Backcountry-Discovery-Expedition-RawHyde-2

Ophir-Pass-Colorado-Backcountry-Discovery-Expedition-RawHyde

Reviews from our riders

Jeff Camacho

"I was lucky enough to work with this amazing team." It was a great event. So many talented riders from all over the US came to RawHyde Adventures fo...

Daniel Schneider

"I'll be back!" Thank you all for the awesome Intro Course last weekend. Great bunch of instructors and staff. I'll be back! I also want to thank you...

David Haydock | Cambria, CA

"BMW motorcycles and Rawhyde go hand in hand!" Anyone that asks about my bike or talks about getting an adventure bike, I say two things... Get a BMW...

Mats Ceder | Chicago, IL

"Show up Friday, put away my car keys and my wallet, and enjoy the weekend!" I have attended several training classes and events at RawHyde. It remin...

Bill Bergman

"Simply the best experience thus far on my bike." RawHyde Off Road... Simply the best experience thus far on my bike. Why? Here are a few reasons. ...

Kimiko Krekel | Austin, TX

"I truly enjoyed being off road and felt the confidence I had been missing. What an amazing experience!" I came into the Rawhyde training with a bi...

Tony Goble | Tracy, CA

"The time with Rawhyde exceeded our expectations! " Rawhyde is a wonderful place to begin, or advance your adventure riding skills! The instructors a...

Gideon Weinberger

"I had an absolute blast!" I had an absolute blast! I wish I had known how much fun this would be years ago. The scenery was breathtaking, the bikes ...

Gary Isaac

"Great places to ride and train" Jim, It was a wonderful class, It was fun, helpful and challenging at the same time. I had an absolute blast. I tol...

Nigel Thompson | Aspen, CO

"Best Day Ever on a Motorcycle!" We had an amazing Next-Step (level 2 training group) thi, nobody was the best, nobody was the worst. Everybody rocke...

Read All Reviews

Have questions?

"*" indicates required fields

URL

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Name*

Phone*

Email*

Untitled

CAPTCHA