Denver-Moab-Mesa Verde-Colorado Springs
Last 2 weeks of July we are planning a trip to Colorado. 2 nights each in Golden, Moab, Mesa Verde and CS with a 3rd night in one of those. The DW and kids 21, 19, 17, and 10. Looking for suggestions ...
Forum Discussion
CR-142 is the dirt Shafer Trail -- don't attempt it in anything other than a 4WD with decent ground clearance, and definitely not towing anything. The switchbacks up to the canyon rim are barely over one lane wide but nevertheless carry two-way traffic, and scare most people silly. Here's one of my photos of Shafer Trail when the light was unfortunately coming from completely the wrong direction:
Yes, that dropoff in the foreground is every bit as huge as you think it is, and it's actually steeper than vertical as the shelf is slightly undercut in several spots. The switchbacks in the background aren't much better.
At the time that photo was taken the switchbacks were in pretty good shape. The stretch from Potash to the junction with the White Rim Road (which BTW passes "Thelma & Louise Point" from the final scene of that movie) was a bit less so. Conditions will vary substantially based on recent weather and what effect that weather has had on the road surface. Driving times will therefore vary considerably as well.
Yes, that dropoff in the foreground is every bit as huge as you think it is, and it's actually steeper than vertical as the shelf is slightly undercut in several spots. The switchbacks in the background aren't much better.
At the time that photo was taken the switchbacks were in pretty good shape. The stretch from Potash to the junction with the White Rim Road (which BTW passes "Thelma & Louise Point" from the final scene of that movie) was a bit less so. Conditions will vary substantially based on recent weather and what effect that weather has had on the road surface. Driving times will therefore vary considerably as well.
