From Loveland CO to Steamboat Springs CO

danoren wrote:
During the next summer as a part of our RV trip we will be pulling the signature 5W from Loveland to Steamboat Springs.
What is the suggested route avoiding as much as possible steep roads.
Thank you

The most direct route and definitely scenic route is to take CO 14 out of Fort Collins, through the Poudre Canyon, over Cameron Pass, down into North Park/Walden area, and continue on CO 14 to the intersection with US 40, continuing WB over Rabbit Ears Pass and dropping down into Steamboat.

Poudre Canyon is not a difficult drive. You are paralleling the river, so for a goodly part of it, it's a fairly gradual climb. There are 2 "narrows" areas, where the canyon walls are close in, but it's not anything to be concerned about, just be aware that, in those areas the road will be twisty. Once out of the 2nd narrows, the valley area opens up and it's a beautiful, not overly steep climb to Cameron Pass, which tops out ~10,200 feet.

You'll drop down to Gould on a good downhill, and go across the North Park area from Gould to Walden, and on to the intersection with US 40, at Muddy Pass (elevation ~8800 feet) It's flat across North Park, and a gradual climb to meet up with US 40 at Muddy. Then it's on up to Rabbit Ears Pass at ~9400 feet, but good roadway and not overly steep going up. From the top of Rabbit Ears, you'll drop down on US 40 to Steamboat. It's a somewhat long drop down, but not overly difficult and not overly steep, with 3 lanes.

There are alternatives, using I-70 west from Denver to either US 40 at Empire, or continuing on to CO 9 in Summit County and going north to join US 40 in Kremmling. However, this doesn't avoid steep and has substantially more traffic than CO 14 through the Poudre Canyon.

There are also ways to go up through Wyoming, but are out of the way, and only avoids Poudre Canyon and Cameron Pass, while adding a lot of miles extra.