cannesdo wrote:
I'm thinking it might be easiest to go south to 64 in New Mexico, then cut up 17, which is a climb but doesn't look nearly as steep. Has anyone taken 17 or both 17 and 160 who can compare? 160 looks like a hard slog.
This could be a viable alternative to you. Taking US 64 out of Pagosa Springs is not a difficult drive with that size rig, and you could stop in Chama for some sightseeing and pics of the Cumbres & Toltec Railroad if you're interested in that sort of thing.
The drive up 17 from Chama has 2 passes to cross (Cumbres Pass - a great sightseeing chance there to see the train at one of it's high points, and La Manga Pass) but neither of them are particularly difficult; lots of RV/Trailer traffic on this route, handle it with ease. The drop down on the NE side is also not difficult and you'll get down in a valley and then it's a real easy drive down thru Mogote and on in to Antonito. There's a few campgrounds in the Mogote area, and IIRC, there's one at the base of the drop down into the valley from coming down from La Manga Pass; just can't remember the name of it off hand. Those could be some good areas to stop if you're so inclined. In Antonito, you can also view the trains for the Cumbres & Toltec, since that's the eastern terminus.
ETA: As far as any comparison between the 2 routes (160 vs 64/17), personally, I find your alternative route (64/17) more scenic, for some of the reasons I noted above. It is not scenic if one has to focus attention more intensely on driving over a pass that one is not familiar with. While Wolf Creek is a main E/W thoroughfare for RV/trailer travel, that can also be daunting, with all the traffic AND the truck traffic that uses that route as well. There's more to a pass than just the climb/descent. If you're more comfortable with the alternative route you found, I say "go for it and enjoy your trip!"
