Colorado & New Mexico Rt 17

Joe2222 wrote:
Planning a trip to the Cumbres & Toltec RR. Looking for information about the RT 17 from Antonito CO to Chama NM.

It's a good drive, and going from northeast to southwest, you'll have diverse scenery. Heading out of Antonito will be in the high desert and heading up a valley, where you'll climb to La Manga Pass at about 10200 feet. Some twisties up top but nothing extraordinary. You'll be at higher elevation and next will be Cumbres Pass at 10000 feet. As passes in Colorado go, these are not difficult. Cumbres Pass, you'll have an incredible photo op to get pics of the train on the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad; well worth trying to time it correctly to see the train. The drop down in to Chama is also not difficult, and will parallel the railroad for a goodly portion. All in all, a very enjoyable drive.