Buena Vista, CO to RMNP

OP, from a previous post it sounds like you are headed to Steamboat after RMNP. If so I would take 285/9/40 to Grand Lake and day trip to EP in your Class B. Granted I'm not a fan of EP and all of it's tourist traps.

I don't see much difference between 34 and 36 driveability (Boulder traffic excepted. I Haven't been on it yet this year but I've heard since 7 carried so much traffic after the floods its in pretty bad shape and will be worked on with major delays this year. Might check road condition reports on that one.

Now this is a question I feel qualified to answer! Lived in Estes Park from 1980 to 2010. Then moved to Buena Vista. Began visiting EP in 1969. Started RVing in and out of EP in 2003 and still do from BV.

Since this is your first MH experience I won't tell you about some of the back ways in to Estes Park via Trail Ridge Road.

The route I travel to this day in and out of EP from BV is US 24 to Leadville Colorado 119 to Breckenridge (I-70). You do not want to take US 24 to Minturn. That route is no fun besides then you have then go over Vail Pass which I hate.

My alternative route is US 24 to Leadville and Colorado 119 to I70 does take you over Freemont Pass which is short and pretty much a yawner.

Take I70 to I470 to US 6 (Golden) and Colorado 93 to Boulder and catch US 36 to EP. The only caveat to this route is DON'T HIT BOULDER DURING MORNING OR AFTERNOON RUSH. Mid day traffic in Boulder is not a real problem.

Now, if you are very comfortable driving your MH by the time you hit I70, I would exit I70 at Central City Parkway. Then take Colorado 119 to Nederland, and take Colorado 72 to Colorado 7 to Estes Park. This is the most scenic way in. Colorado 72 and 7 offer spectacular views of the Indian Peaks. It is somewhat twisty and up and down. You get stuck behind RVs, lot of old hippies driving old Subarus, overloaded pickup hauling wood and every imaginable conveyance. It is slower than taking the Boulder route but worth the effort for a first timer to the area.

PM me if you have additional questions.

Thanks for your help in shaping the route!

Thom02099 nails it perfectly. We lived in Estes and loved the Peak To Peak drive.

AZRick wrote:
Driving new MH (first one), would prefer to take a relatively "calm" route. I've driven some challenging routes in smaller rvs (Slumgullion), but would like to ease into this.

Google suggest taking 24 up to I-70 to 36. In another thread, someone pointed out Boulder traffic would best be avoided.

Google's second suggestion is to take 285 to 470 to 36, which sounds like a gentler route (285) but still the Boulder issue.

I don't want to take Hwy 34 for the reason mentioned in para. 1.

How would 24->I-70->119/72 thru Black Hawk/Eldora/Lyon and into Estes Park be?

I realize there may be no perfect option, but would appreciate your thoughts if you are familiar with these routes/

Thanks!

Rick

From padredw:

I've posted on this topic before. Since my daughter used to live in Buena Vista, and since we used to go to Estes Park almost every year, I'm made the trip with our 34' fifth wheel several times.

Here is my preferred route:

Up to Leadville on US 24, Colorado 91 to Copper Mountain, I-70 east to US 6, to CO 119, to CO 72, US 7/CO 7, to Estes Park.

The section from CO 119 -- US 7 is called the "Peak to Peak Highway." I always enjoy the drive, though I take my time. I have told friends, "There is not a level place or a straight place on this highway, but it's a lot of fun to drive."



This. And just for clarification, you would not go near Eldora, but rather Nederland, and there's no need to go down to Lyons either.

The Peak-to-Peak is a good drive, no significant climbs or steep hills to go down. Yes, you're in the mountains and there will be ups and downs and twists and turns, but that's part of the allure of coming to Colorado! If you want straight roads, they're out on the eastern plains!

Only note to add for the Peak-to-Peak, CO 119 goes from Blackhawk to Nederland, where it then turns east and goes down Boulder Canyon. You don't want to go that way! You'll pick up CO 72 in Nederland and it will take you/end at CO 7 near Raymond. You'll make a left and take CO 7 to Estes Park. Near the Boulder/Larimer County line, the road narrows and gets rougher, so take that in to consideration with your speed. And finally, there's a goodly downhill heading in to Estes Park, so make sure you gear down for the ride down.

if you are worried about traffic, shoot for a weekend day (not during winter on a powder weekend and not on a bronco sunday home game if you're traveling on I-25 N).

despite the Indian-Spanish heritage, just don't call it Bwaina Vista.
the locals truly call it Byuna Vista.

I've posted on this topic before. Since my daughter used to live in Buena Vista, and since we used to go to Estes Park almost every year, I'm made the trip with our 34' fifth wheel several times.

Here is my preferred route:

Up to Leadville on US 24, Colorado 91 to Copper Mountain, I-70 east to US 6, to CO 119, to CO 72, US 7/CO 7, to Estes Park.

The section from CO 119 -- US 7 is called the "Peak to Peak Highway." I always enjoy the drive, though I take my time. I have told friends, "There is not a level place or a straight place on this highway, but it's a lot of fun to drive."

We go to Estes Park every year,we come in from loveland on hwy 34 and leave on hwy 36 both roads are very scenic and not hard to drive.