Arches Nat'l Park>>>>>>>Estes Park CO

Three 1000' climbs/decents at 6-7%.

robnmar wrote:
Pulling a 38' fifth wheel would we be ok taking 119 to 72 to 7 ?

Works but for me - RT 128 to I-70 to Monument of Colorado then Ouray to Buena Vista/Leadville out Rt91 to Peak to Peak to Estes.

Is there any other way;-)

MAP

Let's make the trip as good or Better than the Destination.

JMHO,

robnmar wrote:
Pulling a 38' fifth wheel would we be ok taking 119 to 72 to 7 ?

Yes! This is a fine drive, you have a 3500 pulling that 5th wheel, should be no problem at all. Yes, there are ups/downs. Nothing is overly steep. Yes there are curves, but no really tight hairpins. There are a few broader ones between Black Hawk and Nederland, but it's still not going to be a problem for you. It's a great drive, but with one caveat. As you approach Estes Park, from the Boulder/Larimer County Line, the roadway gets narrow and is rough in spots. When I say narrow, there's a minimal shoulder. And there is a long decline into Estes Park. It's about 7 miles total that I'm talking about.

If you advise what your final destination is in Estes, I can perhaps give you some tips about getting around town. Just got home today from my Memorial Day trip to Rocky and Glacier Basin. In town was crazy busy with an art show going on.

Yep it is 3500 we are towing with,. Staying at Mary's lake

robnmar wrote:
Yep it is 3500 we are towing with,. Staying at Mary's lake

If you're staying at Mary's Lake, then this should be no problem for you. Mary's Lake Road intersects with CO 7 by the Lodge and Condos, you'll go around the side of the lake and the campground will be on your right -- can't miss it. One of the better places to stay in Estes Park, if for no other reason than it's run by the Town of Estes Park Recreation and Parks Department, and has the most reasonable rates in the area.

For getting around town, when you leave the CG, make a right and take Mary's Lake Road down a hill until you get to Riverside Ave. Make a right there and take Riverside to the downtown area. There's a couple of parking areas as you get toward the middle of town, you'll be on the south and east side of town on Riverside Ave. If the parking lots along Riverside are full, there's also parking in the vicinity of the Police Dept/Town Hall/Library complex. There's also on street parking but be aware of the myriad "no parking" signs all over.

Thanks for the excellent information

Hey, I lived in Estes Park but left in 2003. My advice, trust Thom for info in that area. And I agree with him about 98% of the time! :-)