1st big trip will be Colorado, but what route?

Get Mountain Directory West for help in planning your route.

We were in Western CO in September. One surprise was the number of wineries around Grand Junction especially in Palisades. It reminded me of the Napa Valley 40 years ago...you can visit the tasting rooms, picnic by the vinyards, and people are unpretentious and welcoming.

There are excellent state park campgrounds nearby such as Fruita.

LewBob, I can sleep well at 60 degrees. Thanks, we may make the whole South swing. I think Mesa Verdewould be an unforgetable experience.

likesadvice wrote:
LewBob, my concern going that far SW was getting out of the mountains and into the summertime heat.

Durango and Mesa Verde are 6500-7000 feet in elevation. Summer high temps occasionally hit the low 90s with nights in the 50s or low 60s. The San Juan Mountains just to the north are cooler and spectacular.

Wow, DesertHawk! Thanks much! I'm bouncing back and forth between your post and my map. Thanks also for all the links. Very helpful. I showed my wife the link to Lizard Head and she is 100% in for a night of boondocking. The video of U.S. 550 makes me weary of attempting that route with the TT in tow. Thanks again for all the info.

Your choice sites could be done easily enough. One rough U shape trip from CoSpgs with a side up to Ouray.

Lots of Sites & Sights in the Colorado Springs Area. Normally, we have stayed in the Woodland Park Area to see CO Springs Area.

One could drop by Cañon City on the way to Ouray via US 50 or bypass Cañon City via US 24 out of CoSprs (through Woodland Park). We enjoyed the Royal Gorge Rail Road Train ride in 2012.

North of Montrose, Colorado Nat'l Mon't by Grand Junction..has a nice small campground (no hookup or showers very Scenic. We have enjoyed seeing it as well as camping there. :C Sights & Sites. Should be worth the drive to see it. A day trip could work.

We drove from the Telluride area to Ridgeway to Montrose, toward Gunnison & the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Prk (but didn't go to it) on US 50. lack Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l Park sounds like something worth see as well.

Ouray is a nice area, never stayed in Ouray (spend a few day at Ridgeway State Park). Silverton is a must see to see & the drive is really neat to get to it. Never ridden the Steam Train down Durango, but have ridden one in Chama, NM much like it & really enjoyed it. A day trip (or longer) would be nice from Ridgeway over to Telluride, to the west southwest of Ridgeway is a neat area as well.

Take CO 62 to CO 145 from Ridgeway to reach Telluride. 145 will lead you to US 160 (West of Durango). Not as steep of a drive, only one pass, Lizard Head Pass at 10,222' after Telluride. Mostly down Southbound after Lizard Head Pass.

http://www.visittelluride.com/things-to-do/camping

I've read about boondocking sites at Lizard Head Pass area: LizardHead ___________ Ditto

We camped at a San Juan Nat'l Forest CG along the Dolores River which was just off 145, South of Lizard Head Pass. Can't remember the name of it now. Camping San Juans But Clayton Campground seems to be the one, below the Pass & by the river, etc. Matterhorn Campground might be nicer. We had bikes with us & in riding along a forest road to the east of the Pass, we found Trout Lake & road by it as well. We were able to drive our van on the roads as well.

The section from Silverton to Ouray is frequently called the Million Dollar Highway with Red Mountain Pass (elevation 11,018'). Beautiful country with many waterfalls & Uncompahgre Gorge. Ouray is a neat little village as is Silverton.

Video Just Cruisin' - Uncompahgre Gorge

Just remember speed is the enemy, do not get into having to ride your breaks, use lower gears, do not let the rig get going too fast. Keep calm. Be happy. Enjoy. Take it S L O W.

Montrose Elevation: 5806 feet, Ridgway elevation 6,985 feet, Ouray Elevation, 7,792 ft, Silverton Elevation 9,308 ft & Durango is 6,512 feet.

Never been to Vail.

Rocky Mountain NP was very neat (only did a day trip to see it from Loveland, but did drive across to Grand Lake). From Vail one could very easy enter the Park via Grand Lake. But can also be done via the east side at Estes Park.

Padredw, thank you for the good info and comments. As for Vail, no real reason to go there other than a name I recognize. Your comment about flooding makes me realize I should also incorporate that info into my planning. Wasn't there also a huge fire in the Northern part of the state? We will be staying at a relatives property near Poncha Springs for a few days, and then have a week to travel Colorado. Any more recommendations you think my wife, 2 young kids and I might enjoy would be greatly appreciated.

LewBob, my concern going that far SW was getting out of the mountains and into the summertime heat.

Just to stick with the specific points on your itinerary:

There are two good possibilities from Colorado Springs to Ouray:
1> Take US 24 West out of C.S. to the intersection with US 285 near Buena Vista, then 285 to US 50 West at Poncha Springs through Gunnison to Montrose where you take US 550 South into Ouray.

or

2> Take Colorado 115 to intersection with US 50 near Canyon City. From there stay on US 50 West as above.

I have been over both routes several times towing a 34' fifth-wheel trailer. I can't see any problem with these routes in July.

There would be nice overnight stops in Buena Vista and/or Gunnison, and Ouray is a great destination.

From Ouray to Vail you would take US 550 back north all the way to I-70 East at Grand Junction. Follow I-60 E. to Vail.

One possibility from Vail to Estes Park would be to pick up US 6 near Central City, then CO 119 North. This route is called the "peak to peak highway." It is very winding and up and down, but I always enjoy it. It will be slow but scenic. The highway number changes a couple of times as you get near Estes Park, but I won't go into that detail here. If you are interested, I'll be happy to respond to a PM.

I've never had much interest in Vail, but you may have good reason to make that a stop. Anyway, it's on the way to Estes Park.

Remember that Estes Park was devastated by floods last year; many roads were completely cut off. Be sure to check all that out before going into E.P.

Let me know if I can make further suggestions or comments.

Don't overlook the southwestern portion of the state: Durango and Mesa Verde National Park.