Theophilus Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Assuming we survive the Texas August heat on the Houston, TX -Clovis, NM first leg of the trip, I will be in Colorado for about a week on an 1100RT the second full week of August. The primary trip idea is to hit as many of the high mountain passes as possible. We have a route that we like pretty well that will accomplish that goal. What else is there that we might want to consider seeing/doing with our time there? Here is our current list: Cadillac Ranch (Texas) Santa Fe, NM Durango-Silverton train trip USAF Academy Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park Four Corners Mesa Verde National Park Pikes Peak Mount Evans Black Canyon of the Gunnison If you have anything to add, I am all ears. If you have any particulars about anything on this list, likewise, I would be interested in hearing about it Many Thanks, Tommy Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Try not to miss Independence Pass, between Aspen and rt. 24. IMHO Four Corners is just so you can say you've been there. Link to comment
TEWKS Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Royal Gorge Bridge and Park The Gateway Colorado Automobile Museum Rt 141 from Naturita to Gateway! Pat Link to comment
Theophilus Posted July 25, 2011 Author Share Posted July 25, 2011 Thanks, Paul. Yes, Independence Pass is on the list, and Four Corners is understood to be exactly as you say. It is optional at this point. Link to comment
ERdok Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 Did a ride out there last summer. Here's some suggestions: From 550 in Ridgway take 62 W, 145 N/W, 141 N thru Gateway then on to Grand Junction. The original True Grit was filmed near Ridgway and the ride along Dolores Canyon is awesome and then there's Colorado National Monument in Grand Junction. (I'm ready to go back) From Grand Junction: I-70 E, 65 S, 92 E, 133 N to Carbondale then 82 E/S to Aspen then Independence Pass. Also, the ride through Glenwood Canyon east from Glenwood Springs (on I-70)is the best interstate ride you'll ever do... Link to comment
Richard_D Posted July 25, 2011 Share Posted July 25, 2011 I stopped and saw this guy and his castle. http://www.moosh.net/mark/castle/ Link to comment
Rinkydink Posted July 31, 2011 Share Posted July 31, 2011 +1 on Royal Gorge and I70 east from Glenwood Springs. Also from Durango go east to South Fork. Take 149 north thru Creede, Lake City to Gunnison. Link to comment
bobbybob Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 You already have Mesa Verde on the list but put a *do-not-miss* star next to it and allow a few hours there and take a tour down into the dwellings. It really felt kinda mystical to me. And looks like you'll probably be taking US550(million $ hiway) if you're going to Durango/Silverton--fun little run up thru Ouray. Black Canyon of the Gunnison is one you could miss if you were running behind--it's "ok" but don't go too far out of your way. The roads around RMNP are great--budget extra time there! I am jealous. Edit: We made a fun loop from Estes Park east on 34 and then went north on 287 to pick up 14 up the Poudre Canyon to Walden, then 125 back south to Granby and took 34 north back over the "top" into Estes Park. What a view. Link to comment
Woodie Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Just came back through CO (minivan + trailer + family/dog)... I really enjoyed the pass from Durango eastwards. Very pretty, even (especially?) in the rain. I have heard it's prettier to do it headed west (towards Durango). I was not impressed w/ four corners, and it was hot/painful getting there across Arizona. Not worth that distance. Mesa Verde NP +. We really liked camping in Central City, CO...just west of Denver, campground on the top of a mountain, with view of bigger ones all around you. If you go there (KOA), say hi to Chuck. Link to comment
K12LTS Posted August 1, 2011 Share Posted August 1, 2011 Took the same trip from Indiana last year about this time and all the things you have listed are worth a look. We didn't ride the train but the road from Durange to Silverton and on to Ouray is not to be missed. Link to comment
Sweendog Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 Million Dollar Highway The ride between Durango and Ouray on Route 550 should not be missed if you make it to the southwest side of the state! Otherwise, you've got a good list going, anything along the Peak-To-Peak highway you will like! Link to comment
Joel Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 A little off the beaten paths, and better for riding vs. seeing/doing: CO 131 between Wolcott and Steamboat Springs CO 14 between US 40 and Fort Collins (more interesting east of Walden) Larimer County Rd 27 (Stove Prairie / Buckhorn Rd) between CO 14 and US 34 If you're approaching Estes Park from the east, get off US 34 at Drake and take Larimer County Rd 43 through Glen Haven instead. (Be sure to be in 1st gear for the first hairpin west of Glen Haven.) If you wanna go canyon carving for a day, you can string together (from north to south): CO 14 (Poudre), LCR 27 (Buckhorn), US 34 (Big Thompson), LCR 43, CO 7 (St. Vrain), US 36, Lefthand Canyon Rd, CO 72, CO 119 (Boulder), CO 46 (Golden Gate), and US 6 (Clear Creek). That'll put some wear on the sides of your tires. On your list, if you go to Black Canyon of the Gunnison, take the East Portal Rd. down to the river, and DO NOT MISS a chance to ride CO 92 between US 50 and Hotchkiss. Link to comment
Mrs. Caddis Posted August 2, 2011 Share Posted August 2, 2011 If you wanna go canyon carving for a day, you can string together (from north to south): CO 14 (Poudre), LCR 27 (Buckhorn), US 34 (Big Thompson), LCR 43, CO 7 (St. Vrain), US 36, Lefthand Canyon Rd, CO 72, CO 119 (Boulder), CO 46 (Golden Gate), and US 6 (Clear Creek). That'll put some wear on the sides of your tires. The only change I'd make to this list is skip CO 119 (Boulder Canyon, often has heavy traffic out of Boulder) and change it to the continuation of Rt 72 as it heads up/down Coal Creek Canyon south of Nederland. Much less traffic, more hairpin turns and lots of smiles. There is a fantastic view just west of Wonderview, where the hairpin turns start,and a good cafe in Wonderview. Link to comment
litigator Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 My new find this Summer was Route 65 from Delta up to I-70 over Grand Mesa. Unlike the other wonderful up and down passes, you stay on top at about a cool 11,000 feet through the pine forests and Alpine lakes for miles. Really special, especially getting out of the Summer heat for a while.. Link to comment
roadscholar Posted August 3, 2011 Share Posted August 3, 2011 We came over Grand Mesa from north to south on Forest Roads then emptied out onto 65. The part we saw was beautiful, will get back to do the rest another time. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.