Rick, I only do gravel when I don't know any better and there's no pavement to be found ... gravel scares the hell out of me!
Most of the gravel roads are hard pack gravel/sand/dirt/clay around here. Nothing like a gravel driveway!
June 29, we have a small group riding up from Alburquerque(sp?) through Four Corners, up the MDH with final destination to Crested Butte.
That's 400 miles of curvy twisty roads from my place, I might show up VERY late, if at all. hint hint
MDH, stop at Silverton for a break. It'll be fairly touristy in the summer, but it's a very cool town none the less.
Leaving Silverton and on the MDH, watch the road not the trees. 2' tall guardrail in spots, narrow road, sharp turns, sheer drop offs.
BTW, Lizard Head pass (we 'name' a lot of our roads according to the passes) is to the west of MDH, it might be a pleasant four hour detour?
Northern terminus of the MDH:
1) Turn right at Montrose, continue to CO-92 and turn left. Sweet road
At Hotchkiss, turn right, proceed to the Kebler Pass turn off (I don't know the number, but it's just before the lake/reservoir). This is 'gravel', and a back way into Crusty Butt.
Or
2) Continue on 550 to Delta, take a right, then proceed to CO-92. Stop in Crawford, say 'Hey' to Pam and Joe Cocker, continue on CO-92 to US-50, turn left toward Gunnison and Crusty Butt.
Slumgullion Pass (Lake City, S of Gunnison) may be worth a trip. Watch yer speed in towns, you've been warned.
And then there's Royal Gorge toll bridge W of Canon City . 1000+ feet above the river. And it's on the way to Pikes Peak too
Rick