I just reread through the entire thread, and many of your suggestions make more sense now that I've researched a bunch.
One area that I missed fitting in was this post from 4runnerguy:
Also, consider some 4x4 activities in the Salida area. Particularly fun is to leave the "ghost" town of St. Elmo, go over Tincup Pass, past Mirror Lake to Tincup. Then head south over Cumberland Pass and start up Hancock Pass. Part way up the pass, take the left to the Alpine Tunnel. You'll be driving along an old railroad grade that you'll be amazed that they constructed back in the 1880's. Then return to the junction, go over Hancock Pass and back to St. Elmo. A great day of 4x4, sight seeing, and plenty of places to stop for the kids to poke around old mining areas. Link
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I sort of boxed myself in and allowed only 2 driving days from Ridgway to RMNP. I should have given a day in there for this loop. I could take a day off the from of our RMNP reservation, leaving us with 4 nights there. Advice? thoughts?
