Gallup to Rapid City

dalenoel wrote:
JFNM, thanks. I've gotten very comfortable being slow and having the dashcam pick up on those who NEED to get in front of me. It is amusing when we look at it later.

Indeed!! Lives are being destroyed by the 30 second delays that we cause. :-)

FYI once you get to Rapid City: SR-16 (Mt. Rushmore Blvd through town) was totally torn up - building a brand new blvd - last September when we were there. Major city project. We then always took 16-A at east end of town off I-90 which loops around and picks up SR-16 to Rushmore west of all the city street construction.

JFNM, thanks. I've gotten very comfortable being slow and having the dashcam pick up on those who NEED to get in front of me. It is amusing when we look at it later.

dalenoel wrote:
We're from the flat lands of Michigan normal hills west seem a little bigger for us.

In that case... if I may... it's been said a hundred times but do not get in a hurry (on the hills). Some people feel "rushed" by other traffic - don't - especially coming downhill. Pay attention to the curve warning speed signs - I have found that any faster than those posted warning speeds becomes uncomfortable in my coach. On the downhills, find a speed that is comfortable and stay at it. Don't accelerate on the straight sections just to have to slow down for the next curve.

This will likely now turn into a 'how to drive in the mountains' thread and I apologize for that. A couple tips always turns into a thousand... :-)

dalenoel wrote:
Thank you for all the suggestions. I just found the perfect answer to my question.

Google Elevations calculates the grade, distance, and other parameters for the trip. I did need to break it into sections but the answers are there and hardly any spot is over 6% for any length.

Good resource.

You might try this also - https://www.flattestroute.com/

The map will highlight the mountain Passes. which IMHO, makes it much easier to Read.

Will be interesting as to the route you take, and stops you make along the way?

IMHO if you were to Take the DW through the Colorado Mountains, maybe not all of my route, but a portion, she will enjoy the drive, and even more the Beautiful Sites along the Way.

Best of Luck, and just stay comfortable in your driving decisions.

Thank you for all the suggestions. I just found the perfect answer to my question.

Google Elevations calculates the grade, distance, and other parameters for the trip. I did need to break it into sections but the answers are there and hardly any spot is over 6% for any length.

Good resource.

Guys, thanks for all the suggestions. We're from the flat lands of Michigan normal hills west seem a little bigger for us. The coach handles the hills well, engine brake serves well is starting in a lower gear. We have a week from Phoenix to Detroit and I want to be sure to show DW Rushmore, Crazy Horse (Not that big a deal), and some of the stuff once we start east.

I've been out here working over the years and have seen some but we'll hit the biggies on the way.

Thanks for all the help. The Cummins 300ISB is not a powerhouse but will get the job done.

fanrgs wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

dalenoel wrote:
We are trying to avoid the real mountain passes yet not too concerned over 4-6% grades.

Catch Telluride - Slide over to Ouray for the Hot Springs - now to Black Canyon of the Gunnison - then to Buena Vista and the New Browns Canyon NM - with the possible side trip in the Toad over Independence Pass for a day trip to Aspen and Maroon Bells - Leadville - Quincy's for dinner - Turquoise Lake - Possibly Camp Hale and Red Cliff - then down to Silverthorne and the Lake - or Tiger Run - on up to Krimmling - with the Possibility of Grand Lake and RMNP/Estes Park for a day trip in the toad over Trail Ridge - then to Walden, could slip over to Steamboat/Steamboat Lake SP or Stagecoach SP - could stay at Glendo Reservoir - now to Mt Rushmore or Custer and the Black Hills MAP

By my map, this only takes the OP over Lizard Head Pass (>10,000 ft.), Monarch Pass (>11,000 ft.), Independence Pass (>12,000 ft), Fremont Pass (>11,000 ft), Trail Ridge Road (12,000 ft), Willow Creek Pass (9,000 ft), and Muddy Pass/Rabbit Ears (10,000 ft.). Should be no problem for someone who just wants to avoid passes in the mountains!

Come on - did you read the Post - Day trips in the Car to/over Independence Pass (>12,000 ft), Trail Ridge Road (12,000 ft), , and Muddy Pass/Rabbit Ears (10,000 ft.) - so that takes them out.

Lizard head is only tough if you hike to the top of the Lizard Head Mountain, and might just be the easiest Pass in Colorado. I had driven it three times before someone told me it was a "PASS", to me it was just a beautiful Drive around Silverton.

Willow Creek - is just a hill in Colorado - (actually didn't even know it was called a Pass) Come on 9,000'

I will give you Monarch but, that is such a Beautiful drive, I Don't/Didn't even notice the Pass (Well maybe the Ski Resort on the top:S), and this is Colorado, so you do go over the mountains.
with the long well maintained highway it sure is easy in a Diesel.

Fremont Pass doesn't count as it is as gradual as they get, as you are coming out of Leadville and are at 10,000 to start.

So I guess it would be sooooo much more fun to drive around all those Beautiful Cool Crisp Mountains in the end of July - Driving Mile after Mile on the HOT Desert I's.

Sorry, just an option that I'll Take EVERY TIME, if that route bothers you then you are driving a severely underpowered rig.

Sorry, it must just be me, I love those drive, actually I Dream about those drives, and Am just Jealous that you live there and I have to Fly or Drive for days just to enjoy your Back Yard.

IMHO that is as tame a drive as I can do and still be in those Mountains you Call Home.

JMHO,

Busskipper wrote:

dalenoel wrote:
We are trying to avoid the real mountain passes yet not too concerned over 4-6% grades.

Catch Telluride - Slide over to Ouray for the Hot Springs - now to Black Canyon of the Gunnison - then to Buena Vista and the New Browns Canyon NM - with the possible side trip in the Toad over Independence Pass for a day trip to Aspen and Maroon Bells - Leadville - Quincy's for dinner - Turquoise Lake - Possibly Camp Hale and Red Cliff - then down to Silverthorne and the Lake - or Tiger Run - on up to Krimmling - with the Possibility of Grand Lake and RMNP/Estes Park for a day trip in the toad over Trail Ridge - then to Walden, could slip over to Steamboat/Steamboat Lake SP or Stagecoach SP - could stay at Glendo Reservoir - now to Mt Rushmore or Custer and the Black Hills MAP

By my map, this only takes the OP over Lizard Head Pass (>10,000 ft.), Monarch Pass (>11,000 ft.), Independence Pass (>12,000 ft), Fremont Pass (>11,000 ft), Trail Ridge Road (12,000 ft), Willow Creek Pass (9,000 ft), and Muddy Pass/Rabbit Ears (10,000 ft.). Should be no problem for someone who just wants to avoid passes in the mountains!

dalenoel wrote:
Want to go to Rushmore on the way home from Phoenix and debating the best route. 37' A with toad only traveling up to 67 mph.

First choice but longer is I-25 N to I-90 then East.

Second choice takes I-25 to Trinidad, CO71 to I-76, CO113 to US386 to SD79.

I have no problem with most US highways but not sure on the state routes. Most are alright but have not traveled this area.

We are trying to avoid the real mountain passes yet not too concerned over 4-6% grades.

Thanks for the help in the planning. Will be doing this last week of July.

MAP

Here's the route I'd take with 1,500 miles of FUN - Think I missed all the big Passes - few that are so Gradual I don't even remember them, when we did this drive.

Canyon de Chelly and Monument Valley - Then over to Mesa Verde -
Catch Telluride - Slide over to Ouray for the Hot Springs - now to Black Canyon of the Gunnison - then to Buena Vista and the New Browns Canyon NM - with the possible side trip in the Toad over Independence Pass for a day trip to Aspen and Maroon Bells - Leadville - Quincy's for dinner - Turquoise Lake - Possibly Camp Hale and Red Cliff - then down to Silverthorne and the Lake - or Tiger Run - on up to Krimmling - with the Possibility of Grand Lake and RMNP/Estes Park for a day trip in the toad over Trail Ridge - then to Walden, could slip over to Steamboat/Steamboat Lake SP or Stagecoach SP - could stay at Glendo Reservoir - now to Mt Rushmore or Custer and the Black Hills.

While in the San Juan's and the Collegiates it will be Cooler and refreshing - again when you get to Grand Lake and Steamboat - Usually the Black hills a warmer but not Oppressive late in the Summer - Keep in Mind that the Sturgis Bike rally is from around the 4th to the 14th, so you will want to stay down near Custer - say Custer's Gulch.

Hope this is of some help, You can be sure it will be BEAUTIFUL and FUN.

JMHO,

MAP