Colorado Route suggstions needed.

RTrider wrote:
Planning my fall trip from Ontario out to Arizona, and need some advice on trailer friendly roads As you can see in my signature my rig is quite capabile, but remember I haul about 1000lbs in the bed of the truck (m/c, loader/bicycle/etc). The truck hardly notices the grades on I75 in KY and TN.

We will be comming down I25 from WY in mid September and looking to set up twice for a few days of sightseeing on the motorcycle.

I am looking for the first stop (for a few days) somewhere along I70 just west of Denver which should be an easy -no event- pull. Have not chooseen a campground yet, so any suggestions there will be helpful.

Then I am looking to get over to the Durango/Cortez area for another sightseeing stop, again for a few days to sightsee on the motorcycle. Then when finished there we will want to take #160 into AZ, heading for the grand canyon. Again any good campround suggestions in the Cortez/Durango area will be most welcome.

The biggest question is how do I get from I70 west of Denver to Durango/Cortez area pulling the trailer. I have been on some of those roads on a m/c trip about 10 years ago, and the only thing I remember is that it was a blast on the m/c, but am apprehensive about towing on some of those roads. Any suggestions???

The route I am looking at is I70 to #141 (just east of Grand Junction/at Clifton) down to #666 at Dove Creek, then south on #666 into Cortez.

I know, a lot of questions, but I know there is a lot of knowledge here that will be invaulable for this portion of the trip.

Thanks, Gary

Regarding places to stay "just west of Denver", check out this linkwest of Denver/Golden area as the best resource for that area. Several good ones on that list; Chief Hose CG is the oldest campground in the USofA, and is a bit more rustic. It also has a lot of highway noise, but can be enjoyable.

The route you noted is certainly doable, though boring (the part from Grand Junction to Cortez). Plan gassing up accordingly, I wouldn't get on 141 without a full tank of gas. Also note that, Hwy 666 has been renamed, it's now Hwy 491, but some maps still show it as 666.

An alternative and much more scenic route would be to take US285 south from the Denver/Golden area, through Fairplay and on down to Poncha Springs. Continue on down into the San Luis Valley area, if you wanted to stop in Alamosa, that would be a good place, or further west to South Fork/Monte Visa/Del Norte area. You'll pick up US 160 in Del Norte and that will take you in to Durango via Pagosa Springs and Bayfield.

Yes, there's passes to go over, but none are that difficult to negotiate, certainly no more so than what you'll encounter from Denver to Grand Junction via I-70. On US 285, there's Kenosha Pass as the first one out of Bailey, but that's an easy climb from Bailey, and tops out about 10200 or so. The drive across South Park through Fairplay is breathtakingly beautiful, one of my favourite places in all of Colorado. You'll be in a high altitude valley, but it's not a difficult drive at all. Couple of minor passes til you get to Poncha Springs. Poncha Pass south of there is barely noticeable, dropping down into the San Luis Valley. You can stay on US 285 to the CO 112 cutoff to Del Norte, or you split off US 285 onto CO 17 and take that down to Alamosa. From Del Norte, you'll go up and over Wolf Creek Pass, you're highest point on this trip (tops out under 11000), and drop down in to Pagosa Springs. The pass itself isn't difficult, just take your time and watch your gears. RVs/Trailers do it all the time, it's a major east/west thoroughfare for travel in southern Colorado. Pagosa Springs in to Durango is another scenic drive.

As far as camping in Durango area, here's another link to help:
Durango area camping My personal preference is Lightner Creek CG, but there's lots to choose from and I'm sure you'll get similar recommendations.

Another alternative, if you're planning to go to Mesa Verde, is to stay at the CG inside the park.

Whatever you're choice, hope you'll enjoy our Colourful Colorado!