Gallup to Rapid City

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