Florida to Steamboat Springs, Co in Sept

Thom02099 wrote:

stickdog wrote:
If you go up to Laramie Wy then South on Wy 230 to it turns into Co 127 to Co 14 just South of Walden to US 40 west to Steamboat you only have Rabbit Ears pass 9426 ft. Climbing up to Rabbit Ear from the East is not bad, from the pass down to Steamboat is a bit more of an altitude change.

^^^ This. It's the most direct/easiest way to get there, if time is an issue for you.

If no time constraints, consider taking CO 14 from Fort Collins through the Cache la Poudre Canyon. Though twisty/curvy (it IS a canyon), the sights ae magnificent and as you get higher up toward Cameron Pass (10600 feet), the colours will be near peak. Beautiful drive across North Park to Walden, then on to Muddy and Rabbit Ears Passes. Not overly difficult, a somewhat long decline in to Steamboat Springs.

If you do consider going to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, consider this: August and September are the 2 busiest months for tourists, with well over 700,000 visitors each month. Why? August since school is out and most families like to visit before it starts up again, and September, due to the changing of the leaves and the beginning of elk rutting season. The roads in Rocky are particularly clogged in September and October, as people forget their manners and disregard laws and stop in the middle of the roadway for that just perfect photo op.

^^^^^^As is normally the Case thom has Good Info^^^^^^

Don't miss the Aspen if at all possible.

stickdog wrote:
If you go up to Laramie Wy then South on Wy 230 to it turns into Co 127 to Co 14 just South of Walden to US 40 west to Steamboat you only have Rabbit Ears pass 9426 ft. Climbing up to Rabbit Ear from the East is not bad, from the pass down to Steamboat is a bit more of an altitude change.

^^^ This. It's the most direct/easiest way to get there, if time is an issue for you.

If no time constraints, consider taking CO 14 from Fort Collins through the Cache la Poudre Canyon. Though twisty/curvy (it IS a canyon), the sights ae magnificent and as you get higher up toward Cameron Pass (10600 feet), the colours will be near peak. Beautiful drive across North Park to Walden, then on to Muddy and Rabbit Ears Passes. Not overly difficult, a somewhat long decline in to Steamboat Springs.

If you do consider going to Estes Park and Rocky Mountain National Park, consider this: August and September are the 2 busiest months for tourists, with well over 700,000 visitors each month. Why? August since school is out and most families like to visit before it starts up again, and September, due to the changing of the leaves and the beginning of elk rutting season. The roads in Rocky are particularly clogged in September and October, as people forget their manners and disregard laws and stop in the middle of the roadway for that just perfect photo op.

Addition to prev.reply. Going west on I-70 near Denver airport if you are going to go north on I-25 you will see a toll road sign that does not show fees.We took it and received a $ 40 something charge for our 5er and TV. I-70 out and I-80 back break the monotony of the long flat parts, I-80 is much prettier.

Try Rocky Mtn. NP at Estes Park either coming or going and you will stand a good chance of hitting the aspen trees color change and the elk rutting season. Both are spectacular. Most of the tourists are leaving by the middle of Sept. I would not try driving any RV over the main east-west road through the park. Some folks do but they are crazier-braver than I.

September is a fantastic month in Colorado. Come a little early and stay a little late if you can.

Toppdogger wrote:
My neice is getting married in Steamboat Springs, Co Sept 26th. We are thinking of driving our 40ft Tiffin Phaeton from Florida to Steamboat Springs. We have a 380 Cummins. Has anyone else driven this? Or, are we better off just flying? Thank you!

Drive - the Coach - catch the Aspen - Aspen

Great drive - I've got 15 or 20 trips in various RV's over the Years, before I start to leave I start to Plan the Return Trip.

JMHO,

If you go up to Laramie Wy then South on Wy 230 to it turns into Co 127 to Co 14 just South of Walden to US 40 west to Steamboat you only have Rabbit Ears pass 9426 ft. Climbing up to Rabbit Ear from the East is not bad, from the pass down to Steamboat is a bit more of an altitude change.

From central Fla it's 2000 miles I-75, I-24, I-70 to Silverton CO and then 9. The only long grade is west of Denver up to Eisenhower tunnel and it's not that steep so no problem. Unless you make it a 4++ week trip, fly.

The trip will be pretty flat and low in elevation until you hit the Front Range west of Ft Collins.