Forum Discussion

helvitican's avatar
helvitican
Explorer
May 01, 2014

Colorado pull from Pueblo to Hartsel

First, Greetings one and all. New to RVing and looking forward to crossing of roads/paths with some of you folks in the future!

Have a 27 ft 5th wheel the Wife and I will pull from Alabama to Florissant Colorado. I am pretty familiar with the Southern route we will be taking from Alabama thru Memphis, Ft. Smith AR, OK City and on to Aamarillo.

I intend to then cut NW up to Peublo CO.

The leg from Pueblo (altitude 4869) to Canon City (altitude 5328) on hwy 50 sounds and looks to be fairly routine both in the grade change and the highway. Where I am concerned is that last pull from Canon City to Harsel (taking 9 NW) is an uphill pull from 5328ft to 9420ft. Can't really tell if the grade is gradual or a series of roller coaster up and downs with any REALLY SERIOUS INCLINE PULLS!

I have a stout F250 Diesel and a just pulled this 27ft 5th wheel from Buffalo NY through Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee and into home here in 'Bama. Plenty of hills, but I don't think I pulled uphill 4100ft!

Anyone travelled this route? Any pull offs available on 50 or 9? Fuel stops, traffic issue at certain times of the week/weekends, rock slides, construction??? etc. Or am I being overly paranoid!!! :{)

All help is most appreciated....
Roads and Routes

9 Replies

  • edm3rd's avatar
    edm3rd
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    Please be aware of I-40 construction both in Memphis and West Memphis.
    See thread I-40 Little Rock to Memphis, both of these are long-term construction sites.
  • helvitican's avatar
    helvitican
    Explorer
    May 02, 2014
    My sincere thanks to one and all that answered my questions/concerns.

    My daughter lives in Florissant and I am aware of the route 24 trip. If I can avoid driving in the Springs with 27 feet behind me, I'll opt for the alternate trip. Maybe a few more miles but I am banking on the scenic values and have never used the Southern access before.

    New adventures are always welcomed!!! And I have seen where the traffic can be nasty on 24 at certain times of the days as well.

    To the responder with the graphic charted depiction of this trip, that is a priceless piece of information. Many thanks!

    Once again, my thanks to all that have replied. Really am looking forward to the drive now that I have a bit better handle on what to expect.

    I will be checking Amazon for that Mountain Guide that was recommended as well.

    Mike
  • Canuckistani's avatar
    Canuckistani
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    Travelling highway 9, this shows an elevation profile between Canon City (on the left end), and Hartsel, CO on the right end:

  • 2010Liberty's avatar
    2010Liberty
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    We like to use 24 from the Springs up Ute Pass to Divide and into Florissant mainly because we come in from the east. When you get it Florissant eat at the restaurant that looks like a house catty cornered from the bar. Make sure you see the fossil beds. We really like Teller County. Now if you are coming in from the west a fun little park is TravelPort in LAke George. Carry in meals on Sat. evening. 4100' is almost sealevel out in CO. Ute Pass is approx. 9200'and that is in Divide. Cripple Creek is approx. 10,000' If you are hikers find out about the Crags south of Divide and turn in toward the Church Camp than on about 3 miles from the hywy. I would suggest parking in the trail head parking but walking on the road to the camp ground and go in through there. the trail head has a steep climb to begin with OK for the return trip.
  • Martyn's avatar
    Martyn
    Nomad
    May 01, 2014
    SR9 is pretty good. As previous poster said, most of climb is early on, but is not in big serious grades - it is all gradual and there are no really sharp curves. I would pull my 5er up there any time. The road from Park County border on to Hartsell was resurfaced a couple of years ago so is pretty good.

    Obviously there is a gradual haul upwards most of the way, but there are a few downhill stretches as well. Hartsel to Florissant (my DW used to live there) is a good road, but you will go up and over Wilkerson Pass. Pretty easy pass- have done it numerous times.

    The route you suggest is a very pretty drive. Have fun.

    An alternative route, would be to continue on up I-25 to Colorado Spings and then take Highway 24 straight up to Florissant, via Woodland Park. It is quite a haul up what we call 'the pass' between CoSpgs and Woodland Park, but I have done it sevaral times towing double with the 5er and boat in my signature and it's an easy drive. It's quicker than the Hartsell route.

    Personally I would prefer the Hartsell route if I was coming from Pueblo - less freeway and prettier.

    "You pays yer money and you takes yer choice!" :B
  • Money2Burn's avatar
    Money2Burn
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    Instead of the route your planning I would take I-25 to Colorado Springs, and then take 24 west. it will be just as fast and you will have an easier time off it. Also there are three state parks you could stay at on the way. Pueblo State Park, Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs and Mueller State Park in Divide on Hwy 24. Also there is a camping world on I-25 just south of Colorado Springs. Have driven all of the routes and believe this is best one.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    May 01, 2014
    Mountain Directory - West

    Hwy 9 is an easy drive with a RV. If you're going to be driving a lot in the western mountains you might want to consider purchasing the Mountain Directory - West. It will give you a mile by mile on what to expect on highways of concern. We love driving in the mountains but we continue to read up on the route before taking off. Have a good trip!
  • obgraham's avatar
    obgraham
    Explorer
    May 01, 2014
    50 from Pueblo to Canon City is just fine -- a US highway. Fairly heavy traffic, often slow trucks.
    Can't speak to SR 9, but looking at it on Google Earth most of the climb is early on, and the road follows a river valley. Google Street View shows good surface, shoulders, etc. I don't see a bunch of hairpins. The latter part of the segment is more open, rangeland, with plenty of pullouts and farm intersections.

    I wouldn't hesitate to take that route. You just climb each 100 feet at a time. So what if it is slow for a bit?

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