Fort Collins to Flaming Gorge "The Back Way" - Any ideas?

So I'm trying to plan out a bit of an overland-style trip for myself before the winter comes around too badly. Trying to get from Fort Collins to Flaming Gorge, taking the "roads" less traveled.

Anyone have any good ideas on how to start planning this? I've got a DeLorme altas for Colorado and Wyoming, but it's not that great when the roads start getting a bit smaller. Google maps doesn't seem to be a huge help either - really have to zoom in to get to roads, and I think it's missing some things as well, based on where I've driven around Red Feather way.

Or maybe someone has done a similar trip before.. anything will help!

My biggest concern at the moment is gas. I can see myself easily being 200 miles without a fillup. At first glance, that doesn't seem so bad, but on these roads it's going to be something like 6-7 hours of driving potentially. Do I need to find a couple of 5 gallon tanks or something for some spare gas? Will one tank get me that far?

 

Playing with my options a bit, I'm looking at Cherokee Park to Creedmore Lakes to Deadman Road, which should take me to Four Corners.

From there, pop up 103 to Honholz Lake Rd to Kings Canyon.

Take 127/125 to Cowdrey and then 6W on up to Hog Park Reservoir, which puts me right by the continental divide. Probably pop up to Encampment if I need to (also gives me an OUT if necessary).

Then potentially 70 back down towards Colorado and from there, I'm still searching...

 

Sounds like you got a good start. My brother ran from Steamboat to Fort Collins on a '74 Honda Trail 90 a few years ago touching as little pavement as possible.

Anyways, from Hog Park Resevoir, I would suggest heading towards Stemboat lake either via 550 (gravel road) or Ellis Jeep Trail (fun road!) and Big Red Park. From them, you could go over Sand Mountain into California Park. From there, either south to Hayden, or North to 70 and Baggs. Beyond that, you're past my old stomping grounds, and I can't help you much, but I think that would add some fome wheeling to your trip!

 

Also, just remembered; I need to talk to my brother, but somewhere he had read a trip report on going from Hayden to Dinosaur all offroad, may help you out.

 

Yeah any info you could give would be great!