Going to Colorado Springs up the Raton Pass

Raton should be no problem for you. It's an easy one.

Two Hands wrote:
We haven't been over all the passes in Colorado, but Raton is definitely the easiest of those we have crossed. Perhaps you are thinking about some other pass. No need to unhook for the Raton.

Agree.

We haven't been over all the passes in Colorado, but Raton is definitely the easiest of those we have crossed. Perhaps you are thinking about some other pass. No need to unhook for the Raton.

I fully agree with above. We tow our 5er that route every summer. Raton Pass is really only steep the last mile or so from the top. And even that is not bad. And once you reach Trinidad at the bottom of the north side there are no more grades of any consequence the rest of the way. If you want to unhook, then hook back up in Trinidad (or at the top of the pass as noted above).

As Colorado passes go, Raton Pass is not a difficult pass. Topping out at under 8000 feet, and per CDOT website, the grade is a maximum of 6%. There really is no need to unhook a toad for the climb; that said, if you want to do so, you could certainly re-connect once you get down to Trinidad. You could even re-connect at the top of the pass, as there is an area to pull off.

If this pass is uncomfortable for you, an alternative to getting to Colorado Springs, assuming you're coming from Texas, would be to take US287 north from Amarillo to Lamar,CO, and then take US50 over to Pueblo to get on I-25, to go north to Colorado Springs.