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Goin' to Colorado - Looking for ideas - What are we missing?


Theophilus

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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

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Paul Mihalka

Try not to miss Independence Pass, between Aspen and rt. 24. IMHO Four Corners is just so you can say you've been there.

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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.

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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) :grin:

 

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...

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+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.

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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! :thumbsup:

 

I am jealous. :P

 

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.

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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.

 

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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.

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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!

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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.

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Mrs. Caddis
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.

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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..

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roadscholar

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.

 

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