concord 05 wrote:
Driving a 31 ft motorhome with a tow vehicle. Would appreciate some input on driving from Fort Collins over to Walden. Also looking at coming down 125 to Granby and up 34 to Grand Lake. Finally taking 40 back down to 70. Thanks in advance.
Practically in my back yard! I've driven that route many times, last time in Poudre Canyon was last month. Here's what I can tell you:
First, it's not a difficult drive and is very scenic. From the junction of CO14/US 287 (Ted's Place) to Poudre Park, there's the Lower Narrows section you'll go through, with steep canyon walls on either side, and some twisties, but nothing daunting.
From Poudre Park to Rustic, you're in a combination of canyon and open valley, difference being in steep walls vs more widespread meadows areas. Again, not a difficult drive. The only issue in the lower part of the drive is that the road surface is a bit rough, as it's not been repaved for a while, and you will also be passing through some of the High Park Fire burn area from 2012, that caused damage to the road (heavy firefighting equipment and mud/rock slides).
Once you get to the Rustic area, the drive from there up to Chambers Lake is quite beautiful and much more open. You'll be in the upper canyon area and there won't be near as much of that closed in feeling from the lower area. Again, a good drive and the roadway is much better, having been repaved over the past several years.
The road does get steeper as you approach Cameron Pass, which tops out at about 10,400 feet. Again, though, it is not difficult, there's no hairpins or anything like that, it's a good road surface up there.
After reaching Cameron Pass you'll drop down into Gould, which is about 7-8 miles from the summit. It's not overly steep, just remember to gear down. I usually go down it in 2nd gear in my Tahoe, and rarely have to use my brakes.
Once you get to Gould, it's 22 miles to Walden, and it's a beautiful drive across North Park, with great vistas in all directions.
From Walden down CO 125 to Granby is an easy drive, lots of Aspen stands (though probably devoid of leaves by now) and a gradual climb to Willow Creek Pass, barely noticeable by Colorado Pass standards. Downhill to Granby, it's not steep, some twisties but nothing significant. With colourful leaves, it's a recommended drive, without them, it's uneventful.
US 34 from Granby to Grand Lake is a pleasant drive, mostly flat with just a few hilly areas. Same thing is true doubling back to Granby and going on to Winter Park area. Mostly flat, some hills, but you're basically in a valley most of the way.
From Winter Park you'll climb up and over Berthoud Pass (11,300 feet). There's twisties and it's steep on both sides, but there's climb lanes and CDOT puts a lot of effort into that pass and keeping it open.
Two things to be aware of: fuel and weather.
There's a fueling station at Ted's Place at the junction of US 287/CO 14. There's fuel in Poudre Park, in Rustic, and at Archer's Resort, west of Rustic. That's it. There's nothing in Gould, next fuel is in Walden. From Walden to Granby, there's no fuel. If your rig is diesel, that could also place more limits, I don't think either Rustic or Archer's offers diesel fuel; I know one of the 2 stations in Walden does.
You don't indicate when you're doing this trip, I can only presume soon. Weather could be a factor in Poudre Canyon, particularly the upper canyon area above Rustic to Cameron Pass. They get snow much earlier than other areas, and it has already snowed up there, back in late August and September. When I was up there, there was no snow, but just be aware that it can be very changeable.
It's a fantastic drive, very beautiful in all seasons. Hope you have a good safe trip! :)
