Forum Discussion

2112's avatar
2112
Explorer II
Mar 19, 2016

Help Me Plan Our CO Trip

We are planning a family road trip to CO in the last week of April and first week of May. Currently the plan is spending a night in Santa Fe, NM, 3 days in Durango, 3 days in Gunnison, 2 days in Buena Vista and 2 days in Cripple Creek. Nothing is cast in stone so any of this can change. We are hoteling it so no camper this trip but we are scouting camp sites for a future trip.

We are traveling in a 4WD 4-Runner in search of scenic drives, off-road activities, hot springs, accessible lakes and anything else of interest.

At this point the itinerary in Durango is the narrow gauge railroad, Drive to Mesa Verde, drive to Silverton (the train only goes half way this time of year), TRY to drive/hike to Silver Lake, hang out on Mineral Creek, check out the ghost towns, the girls will shop no doubt, and seek out some off road fun. What else is there to do in the Durango area?

Moving to Gunnison up 550 and then east on 50. We plan on driving to Crested Butte and some of the forest roads. Any advice on the best scenic routes and other activities here would be helpful. I don't believe we want to drive the whole Elk loop.

from here we are just killing time in Buena Vista and Cripple Creek looking for whatever we can find. We have ridden the Cripple Creek train in the past so no interest there.

Suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Roads and Routes
  • Bionic_Man's avatar
    Bionic_Man
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2016
    Sounds like a good trip as long as the off roading isn't one of your main draws. There are very few 4x4 trails that you are going to be able to do that time of year. Way too much snow for that.

    And it will be mud season in most of the resort type towns. After the ski season has closed, but before most of the summer activities have begun.

    Not telling you to not make the trip, but your activities are going to be limited.
  • agesilaus's avatar
    agesilaus
    Explorer III
    Mar 19, 2016
    Get this book: 4WD Trails

    It's apparently out of print but there are plenty of used and cheap copies available. There are three versions of the book that cover different sections of CO. And if you are interested in Utah there is an even better version for there.
  • Busskipper's avatar
    Busskipper
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2016
    2112 wrote:
    IDman wrote:
    Be prepared for snow, as Spring doesn't get to the mountains until June or later.
    Thanks.
    This is another reason to hold off at least a few weeks. I tried to reach Silver Lake in May before but too much snow prohibited it.

    I'll query all parties involved this weekend to see how this impacts their schedules and maybe decide on a later departure date.


    Not to come in late but - unless you are going thru the high passes and then camping there you will likely be fine. It may snow but the spring snow is like the early fall snows comes and goes quickly. take a look at the CDOT CAMS and you will see the roads are for the most part clear.

    Yes you can and will get snow late (the natives will tell you they often get a snow to mess up the tulips) but it is usually short lives and if you just are prepared it (IMHO) will be great.

    If you are worried,about the weather, then come up to GSDNP and have Buena Vista as the focus and branch out from there as weather permits.

    My bet is you will have a great trip, and even better weather.

    BOL,
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2016
    If the bus tour is operating I would take the bus to Silverton and take advantage of the info broadcast by the drivers.
    For more tourist info I would do a Google search for `______ tourism' and put Silverton or whatever in the blank space. Three days in Silverton seems like overkill to me.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Mar 19, 2016
    IDman wrote:
    Be prepared for snow, as Spring doesn't get to the mountains until June or later.
    Thanks.
    This is another reason to hold off at least a few weeks. I tried to reach Silver Lake in May before but too much snow prohibited it.

    I'll query all parties involved this weekend to see how this impacts their schedules and maybe decide on a later departure date.
  • 2112's avatar
    2112
    Explorer II
    Mar 19, 2016
    Tin-bender wrote:
    Cumbres and Toltec railroad between Chama NM and Antonito CO is the best train ride in Colorado bar none.

    Tinbender
    Great suggestion. This is the type of information I'm looking for.

    Unfortunately, it doesn't start running until the end of May.
    I'm starting to think we may want to push our trip out a few weeks.
  • IDman's avatar
    IDman
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2016
    Be prepared for snow, as Spring doesn't get to the mountains until June or later.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Mar 19, 2016
    This time-period is still early for some of those regions. If you get to Crested Butte take the highway up to Taylor Park...nice camping up there for future reference.
  • Tin-bender's avatar
    Tin-bender
    Explorer
    Mar 19, 2016
    Leadville and the mining museum. The train ride there is worth it if you are there anyway.

    Cumbres and Toltec railroad between Chama NM and Antonito CO is the best train ride in Colorado bar none. If the cost isn't too high opt for the best seats/tickets in the combine car, well worth the extra cost but book early as there are only 18-20 seats available on each trip.
    Ride the train from Antonito to Chama and take the bus the other direction, depending on where you stay of course.
    Tinbender

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