getting to Arches/Canyonlands from Florida

Just for comparison: We tow a 34' fifth-wheel with a Chevrolet Duramax/Allison--both about 7 years old. The primary driver is 82 years old.

We have been over both your routes several times each. Monarch Pass is a major pass, but we have been over it many times. There are passing lanes as you ascend from Salida so faster traffic can get around you. As with all such passes, the greater care is to be taken going down on the other side. Again, going down toward Gunnison, the road is wide even though the curves are tight near the top. I will just say that we have no dread of Monarch.

Similar comments in regard to Towgatee Pass between DuBoise, WY and Moran and the Tetons. I think we have towed three different fifth-wheels over Towgatee, and have been over it both ways. It is our preferred route into the Tetons from Colorado.

Now to Route #2: Taos and Durango are some of our favorite places to visit (add Santa Fe)--not just as routes, but as desitinations. I would consider all these as easy highways. If you go that way you might want to visit Taos (but if so, you would need an overnight--parking in Taos would be difficult)

You have two good routes. We would select on the basis of where we wanted to visit/stay over. Gunnison is a favorite of ours as is the upper Arkansas Valley (Salida, Buena Visita, Leadville). Will be glad to answer specific questions you may have--via private messages.

Timeking wrote:
We have pulled our 5200lb trailer with our V8 Trailblazer over 40,000 miles so far. Now we are going back west to hit what we missed. We have to choose to either go over Monarch Pass etc., or backtrack from Pueblo CO (must go there) back into NM, and get further west that way, mainly because of being scared of the passes. Afraid we are throwing away the baby with the bathwater. Which way is "best"? Advice?

Route #1

Prospectors RV to Curecanti - US50 17 miles west of Poncha Springs there is a 10 mile 6% climb with many 30-35 mph curves to top of Monarch Pass. Big parking area at summit of monarch pass is Monarch Tramway, $7 each to top at 12,000 ft, "pets welcome". The descent is 9 miles 6% with numerous 30-35 mph curves

Park Pioneer RV to Tetons - 5 mile climb of stair-stepping 5% followed by 4 mile climb 5-6% (9 miles total) to summit of Togwotee Pass. The descent is 9 miles unsteady 6% rolling hills followed by 8 miles 6% with signs every mile or so (17 miles total)

To Butte Montana on I-90 - 5 mile 6% climb to Rest Area atop Homestake Pass. The descent is 3 miles steady 6% into town.

Route #2

US 64 between Eagles Nest and Taos - 2 miles 4% climb followed by 2 miles steady 6% and constant 20mph curves. Descent is ¾ mile 6% with 15 mph hairpin turn at bottom. Road is narrow to Taos.

US64 between Tres Piedras and Tierra Amarilla - 6 mile climb 5-6% followed by few miles 3% with 35mph curves to summit. At milepost 193, descent is 5 miles 6% with 30mph curves, then eases to 4% for couple miles, followed by some 3%.

US 160 leaving Durango CO - 5to6 mile climb at 6%

What time of year for your travels?

Your post is a bit confusing. In the title you indicate Arches/Canyonlands as a destination. In route #1, you discuss going up and over Monarch Pass (one of the easier passes, as Colorado passes go), but I'm not seeing where you're going after you get down the west side of Monarch other than Curecanti, and how that translates to Arches/Canyonlands. Are you planning on continuing from Curecanti on US 50 to Montrose, Delta, and Grand Junction, then getting on I-70 west to Utah?

If that's your intended route, Monarch Pass will be your biggest challenge, and really, not that bad. Climb/decline lanes, not overly curvy, and the stop at the top and taking the tram is worth it for the views.

Just going by your subject line, I'd advise go west Albuquerque and turn NW (550?) To Cortez, and continue NNW.

paulj wrote:
Just going by your subject line, I'd advise go west Albuquerque and turn NW (550?) To Cortez, and continue NNW.

OP said that he has to go to Pueblo CO. That would have been my suggestion as well!

We intend to leave late March-early April from FL. My wife wants to go to the big bridge west of Canon City CO, which is why I said Pueblo. If we stuck with Rte 1 we'd go to Grand Junction then to Moab, and eventually north to Glacier NP(thru Tetons and Yellowstone). If we go Rte 2, we'd go thru Pagosa Springs, Durango, to Moab up 191, then on to Glacier. 550 goes thru 3 summits, so don't think we'd go that way.

We don't go to restaurants or shop. We are just into scenery and doable hiking (I'm 66 with 2 bad knees). So which route has the best scenery, wildlife, outdoors stuff? I looked at Curecanti and that just looked like a boat ramp, and if we go Rte 1, we planned on bypassing Curecanti and stay in Gunnison NP.

US550 north from Durango is not for the weak RV. But the route NW from Cortez is fine. I think that was 666 at one time, but has been changed. Closer to Moab it is US191.

US191 north of Moab has some climbs (and scenery) in northern Utah. A more RV friendly choice is US6 to SLC and the freeways north.

Wolf Pass is the main way across the Rockies in southern Colorado.

Timeking wrote:
We intend to leave late March-early April from FL. My wife wants to go to the big bridge west of Canon City CO, which is why I said Pueblo. If we stuck with Rte 1 we'd go to Grand Junction then to Moab, and eventually north to Glacier NP(thru Tetons and Yellowstone). If we go Rte 2, we'd go thru Pagosa Springs, Durango, to Moab up 191, then on to Glacier. 550 goes thru 3 summits, so don't think we'd go that way.

We don't go to restaurants or shop. We are just into scenery and doable hiking (I'm 66 with 2 bad knees). So which route has the best scenery, wildlife, outdoors stuff? I looked at Curecanti and that just looked like a boat ramp, and if we go Rte 1, we planned on bypassing Curecanti and stay in Gunnison NP.

OK...that clears up a lot. Comments below are based upon an arrival in March or April, and depends on how much time you're planning to allow for travel between Florida and southern Colorado. If you are going to meander and your arrival in Colorado won't be until May, then the below points will be moot!

Royal Gorge Bridge. It's open all year, but it's "season" usually runs from mid March through October. There was significant damage around the bridge (but not the bridge itself) during the fire of 2013. Many of the facilities around the bridge were under reconstruction last season; I didn't get down that way, so I don't know how much progress they made, but the fire damage was extensive. In March/April, many of the facilities not associated with the bridge may not be open -- too early in the season.

The timeframe you stated is during 2 of the snowiest months in Colorado....March and April, March being the snowiest of all. There will be practically no hiking available except at lower elevations, with few exceptions. The tramway at the top of Monarch Pass, IIRC, is seasonal and likely won't open until some time in May.

Taking US 50 is certainly doable, but you'll need to keep a close eye on the weather. Timing is critical to get through the area between Salida and Montrose in between potential storms.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP has camping available all year at the south rim, seasonal at the north rim.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP

The 2nd route would probably be better, and as posted previously, going to Albuquerque and then NW to Pagosa and Durango, would probably be a safer route. You'll still need to keep an eye on the weather, as northern NM and southern CO can still get goodly storms that time of year.

Overall, I think your timetable is a bit early to really maximize the enjoyment of the trip you have planned, as many things to see and do will still be closed/snowed in. I'm sure others will offer some suggestions for other portions of your planned itinerary.

OK, thanks good info to mull over. I think we need to leave and pokey along until we get out there in May. A few years ago we hit Yellowstone in late May and lucked into a blizzard, roads closed and all.

Two questions:

1. Which would be more scenic? Cutting over on 50 or cutting over through northern NM?

2. If we do decide to go down 50, would it be better to stay in Curecanti or Gunnison?