I tow a 6000 lb trailer (loaded) with a half ton gas pickup running at about 80-85% of its spec values in terms of payload. Being from Texas where things are flat or at best some rolling hills, my wife is concerned about the some of these CO routes both in terms of how tough they are on our towing set up as well as how unnerving they are for fairly squeamish passengers. Your comments are welcome:US-160 from South Fork to Pagosa SpringsUS-160 then US-550 Pagosa Springs to DurangoUS-84 Chromo to Pagosa SpringsPueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)I understand many of you are much more experienced than we are, so I'd appreciate answers from the perspective of a rookie, rather than a grizzled veteran. Thank you!

US-160 from South Fork to Pagosa SpringsUS-160 then US-550 Pagosa Springs to DurangoUS-84 Chromo to Pagosa SpringsPueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)US 160 South Fork to Pagosa Springs. This is Wolf Creek Pass. I have towed over it several times each way pulling 34' fifth wheel. It is a major pass, but a good highway. I have never had any difficulty with it, but I have had a good bit of experience with mountain driving.Should be no problem at all from Pagosa Springs to Durango. Pretty level elevation.US 84 Chama, NM then Chromo, CO is one of our favorite routes. Beautiful ranching country. You should enjoy this drive with no difficulty.From Texas we never go on up to Pueblo on our way to Buena Vista, but I will comment on both possibilities. We usually turn just past Walsenburg and take Colorado 69 through Gardiner and Westcliffe to join US 50 near Texas Creek. There are many sharp curves along the Arkansas river, but no problem if you watch your speed. The route from Pueblo is longer and includes even more of the canyon driving.You should know that route 69 is about 85 miles with only Westcliffe as a pretty good town and Gardiner as a very tiny village. I always fuel up at the exit just past Walsenburg.I have made this route from Texas and back more times than I can number, so if I can offer any more suggestions or answer any questions I'll be glad to respond to email or PM.I will also add that Raton Pass might be a very good first experience with mountain driving. I-25 is an excellent road over the pass with lanes for passing. We often stay at the RV park at the top of the pass. I believe they now call it "Raton Pass RV" It used to be called "Cedar Rail."

padredw wrote:US-160 from South Fork to Pagosa SpringsUS-160 then US-550 Pagosa Springs to DurangoUS-84 Chromo to Pagosa SpringsPueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)US 160 South Fork to Pagosa Springs. This is Wolf Creek Pass. I have towed over it several times each way pulling 34' fifth wheel. It is a major pass, but a good highway. I have never had any difficulty with it, but I have had a good bit of experience with mountain driving.Should be no problem at all from Pagosa Springs to Durango. Pretty level elevation.US 84 Chama, NM then Chromo, CO is one of our favorite routes. Beautiful ranching country. You should enjoy this drive with no difficulty.From Texas we never go on up to Pueblo on our way to Buena Vista, but I will comment on both possibilities. We usually turn just past Walsenburg and take Colorado 69 through Gardiner and Westcliffe to join US 50 near Texas Creek. There are many sharp curves along the Arkansas river, but no problem if you watch your speed. The route from Pueblo is longer and includes even more of the canyon driving.You should know that route 69 is about 85 miles with only Westcliffe as a pretty good town and Gardiner as a very tiny village. I always fuel up at the exit just past Walsenburg.I have made this route from Texas and back more times than I can number, so if I can offer any more suggestions or answer any questions I'll be glad to respond to email or PM.I will also add that Raton Pass might be a very good first experience with mountain driving. I-25 is an excellent road over the pass with lanes for passing. We often stay at the RV park at the top of the pass. I believe they now call it "Raton Pass RV" It used to be called "Cedar Rail."Thank you, this is very helpful. Are all of those (including your Co 69 "shortcut") 4 lane roads? I am curious to see if I am begging for a 3/4 ton diesel as we make this trip. ;-)

NO! I should have said. That road from Walsenburg to US 50 near Texas Creek is a pretty narrow 2 lane road, but it cuts off so many miles that we always take it. There is very little traffic, so the fact that it is only two lane is not much of a problem.

texasAUtiger wrote:Pueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)I wouldn't necessarily take any of the three. I'd head south to Poncha Springs, then east on US 50 all the way to Pueblo. I agree with taking CO 69 instead of 96 if you choose to go through Westcliffe. Hardscrabble Canyon on 96 is pretty steep and windy. If you do take the route through Westcliffe, keep an eye out for the turn onto CO Rd 1A. There's a sign saying Cotopaxi 7 and that's where you'll turn. (I make this drive four or five times a year.) If you're coming the other from Salida, the turn isn't obvious until you're right on it. It's just past the liquor store and just before the Cotopaxi Store.As far as four lane roads, even US 50 is two lane most of the way, as are big stretches of the other roads you've asked about.

Yes, I hasten to say that I always take the Cotapaxi cut off. I was just keeping my comment general about the road. I agree completely.

Difficulty of some CO routes? | Good Sam Community

padredw
Nomad
Jul 07, 2015
NO! I should have said. That road from Walsenburg to US 50 near Texas Creek is a pretty narrow 2 lane road, but it cuts off so many miles that we always take it. There is very little traffic, so the fact that it is only two lane is not much of a problem.
texasAUtiger
Explorer
Jul 07, 2015
padredw wrote:

US-160 from South Fork to Pagosa Springs

US-160 then US-550 Pagosa Springs to Durango

US-84 Chromo to Pagosa Springs

Pueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)

US 160 South Fork to Pagosa Springs. This is Wolf Creek Pass. I have towed over it several times each way pulling 34' fifth wheel. It is a major pass, but a good highway. I have never had any difficulty with it, but I have had a good bit of experience with mountain driving.

Should be no problem at all from Pagosa Springs to Durango. Pretty level elevation.

US 84 Chama, NM then Chromo, CO is one of our favorite routes. Beautiful ranching country. You should enjoy this drive with no difficulty.

From Texas we never go on up to Pueblo on our way to Buena Vista, but I will comment on both possibilities. We usually turn just past Walsenburg and take Colorado 69 through Gardiner and Westcliffe to join US 50 near Texas Creek. There are many sharp curves along the Arkansas river, but no problem if you watch your speed. The route from Pueblo is longer and includes even more of the canyon driving.

You should know that route 69 is about 85 miles with only Westcliffe as a pretty good town and Gardiner as a very tiny village. I always fuel up at the exit just past Walsenburg.

I have made this route from Texas and back more times than I can number, so if I can offer any more suggestions or answer any questions I'll be glad to respond to email or PM.

I will also add that Raton Pass might be a very good first experience with mountain driving. I-25 is an excellent road over the pass with lanes for passing. We often stay at the RV park at the top of the pass. I believe they now call it "Raton Pass RV" It used to be called "Cedar Rail."

Thank you, this is very helpful.

Are all of those (including your Co 69 "shortcut") 4 lane roads?

I am curious to see if I am begging for a 3/4 ton diesel as we make this trip. ;-)
padredw
Nomad
Jul 07, 2015

US-160 from South Fork to Pagosa Springs

US-160 then US-550 Pagosa Springs to Durango

US-84 Chromo to Pagosa Springs

Pueblo to Buena Vista (three routes shown here... best one?)

US 160 South Fork to Pagosa Springs. This is Wolf Creek Pass. I have towed over it several times each way pulling 34' fifth wheel. It is a major pass, but a good highway. I have never had any difficulty with it, but I have had a good bit of experience with mountain driving.

Should be no problem at all from Pagosa Springs to Durango. Pretty level elevation.

US 84 Chama, NM then Chromo, CO is one of our favorite routes. Beautiful ranching country. You should enjoy this drive with no difficulty.

From Texas we never go on up to Pueblo on our way to Buena Vista, but I will comment on both possibilities. We usually turn just past Walsenburg and take Colorado 69 through Gardiner and Westcliffe to join US 50 near Texas Creek. There are many sharp curves along the Arkansas river, but no problem if you watch your speed. The route from Pueblo is longer and includes even more of the canyon driving.

You should know that route 69 is about 85 miles with only Westcliffe as a pretty good town and Gardiner as a very tiny village. I always fuel up at the exit just past Walsenburg.

I have made this route from Texas and back more times than I can number, so if I can offer any more suggestions or answer any questions I'll be glad to respond to email or PM.

I will also add that Raton Pass might be a very good first experience with mountain driving. I-25 is an excellent road over the pass with lanes for passing. We often stay at the RV park at the top of the pass. I believe they now call it "Raton Pass RV" It used to be called "Cedar Rail."

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