Colorado Springs to Breckenridge

cgaskins wrote:
Thank you for the information - sounds like a pretty steep grade.

One difference to consider is that the 7% grade on I-70 is continuous for seven miles, while on Hoosier Pass, you have about one mile of steep switchbacks, then the grade eases for a mile or so, then maybe a half mile of switchbacks. Beyond that the grade is relatively easy (by Colorado standards) into Breck.

4runnerguy wrote:

I'm not sure if you're meaning CO 145. Max grade on CO 145 is only 4.1%. As a comparison, the grade down into Silverthorne is 7% for 7 miles on I-70. The grade on CO 9 down into Breck is 8%. However, I think that although CO 9 is steeper, it is no more difficult than I-70. Coming down off the pass you'll need to stay in lower gears through those first few switchbacks off the top. You'll be going slow at the top anyway, so just stay slow.

Thank you for the information - sounds like a pretty steep grade.

-Chris

cgaskins wrote:
I have done I70 just fine. I have not done Independence Pass, Slumgullion Pass or the Million Dollar Highway. We were in Durango last summer and elected not to make that drive on the Million Dollar Highway. I went the long way around to Montrose from Durango taking Colorado 145 over Lizard Head Pass dropping in near Telluride - that was a heck of descent!! How does this compare to Colorado 145?

I'm not sure if you're meaning CO 145. Max grade on CO 145 is only 4.1%. As a comparison, the grade down into Silverthorne is 7% for 7 miles on I-70. The grade on CO 9 down into Breck is 8%. However, I think that although CO 9 is steeper, it is no more difficult than I-70. Coming down off the pass you'll need to stay in lower gears through those first few switchbacks off the top. You'll be going slow at the top anyway, so just stay slow.

Thom02099 wrote:


Hey Chris,

Just a minor correction...it's US 24 that goes from the Springs up to Hartsel. It meets up with CO 9 just west of Hartsel.

In any event, it's a good, scenic drive, not overly difficult as Colorado routes go. The climb up from the Springs to Woodland Park is not difficult, and you'll go over Wilkerson Pass, at about 9200ft -- barely noticeable. You'll be in the south part of South Park, so it will be a gradual, but relatively flat crossing to Hartsel, and then on to Fairplay. Fairplay is cool, if you get a chance check out South Park City.

From Fairplay to Breck is not difficult, it's a good road and even though Hoosier Pass is about 11500 ft, it's not a bad climb. You'll be following a valley for much of the climb up on the south side of the pass, and then drop down into the Blue River Valley. Yup, there's some switchbacks and there's some 8% grades on that side, but it really isn't difficult; not like Independence, Slumgullion or other passes on the Million Dollar Highway. And once you get down to the actual valley where you're running with the Blue River, it's just a sweet drive on in to Breck.

If you've done all those ups and downs on I-70 before with your rig, this will be far easier than I-70.

Have a good trip -- hope you enjoy your time here!

Hey, thanks for the reply and the correction. Yes, I meant US 24 not US 29.

I have done I70 just fine. I have not done Independence Pass, Slumgullion Pass or the Million Dollar Highway. We were in Durango last summer and elected not to make that drive on the Million Dollar Highway. I went the long way around to Montrose from Durango taking Colorado 145 over Lizard Head Pass dropping in near Telluride - that was a heck of descent!! How does this compare to Colorado 145?

-Chris

cgaskins wrote:
Hello. We are making a 2 week run up to Colorado on Saturday. I was contemplating taking a different route from Colorado Springs to Breckenridge. In the past I have taken the interstate Route via Denver. However, I was wondering how an F250 with a 39 foot 5er would do on the following route:

- US 29 from Colorado Springs to Hartsel
- Colorado 9 to Fairplay and continuing on to Breckenridge

On Google Maps, there appear to be quite a few switch backs on 9.

Any advice or words of wisdom?

Thanks,
Chris

Hey Chris,

Just a minor correction...it's US 24 that goes from the Springs up to Hartsel. It meets up with CO 9 just west of Hartsel.

In any event, it's a good, scenic drive, not overly difficult as Colorado routes go. The climb up from the Springs to Woodland Park is not difficult, and you'll go over Wilkerson Pass, at about 9200ft -- barely noticeable. You'll be in the south part of South Park, so it will be a gradual, but relatively flat crossing to Hartsel, and then on to Fairplay. Fairplay is cool, if you get a chance check out South Park City.

From Fairplay to Breck is not difficult, it's a good road and even though Hoosier Pass is about 11500 ft, it's not a bad climb. You'll be following a valley for much of the climb up on the south side of the pass, and then drop down into the Blue River Valley. Yup, there's some switchbacks and there's some 8% grades on that side, but it really isn't difficult; not like Independence, Slumgullion or other passes on the Million Dollar Highway. And once you get down to the actual valley where you're running with the Blue River, it's just a sweet drive on in to Breck.

If you've done all those ups and downs on I-70 before with your rig, this will be far easier than I-70.

Have a good trip -- hope you enjoy your time here!