Not a Clue wrote:
We are currently in Cortez, Co. and need to be in
West Yellowstone the
end of May.
No other time frame.
We would like to see the
Flaming Gorge area in Utah.
*****..... I always have enjoyed the Marina CG on the West side of the Lake - Dinosaur NM is a MUST SEE on this route.
What about taking the 191 all the way up to West Yellowstone? Has anyone ever taken the hwy?
*****.....Yes is an Option BUT you have 50 Days, thinking we might add a few twists and turns along the way.
Or cut west and take hwy 89 north. We have already been to Page and the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion. But have not been North of that on the 89.
*****.....Again is an Option but you have seen/been there --- Let's see, I'm thinking Let's do it Differently!!!
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
TIA.
Let's see if I am on the right Page;
7 weeks to go from Cortez to YNP
Flaming Gorge is a MUST See
191?
89?
*****.....No Problem - Good Roads
Seen Southwest Utah
It's April and you are driving a Class"A"
You are asking "How would we do it"?
Answer - thought process for me - First it is April - so elevation is cold and Likely Snowy - But we have 50 days to fill (this is good, too many will try this trip in the Summer in three weeks, and includes drive out and back from some distant place) - So First we Look at the CDOT photo map -
http://www.cotrip.org/map.htm#/default?StillCameraId=136 - I don't see snow till Leadville, then it's only on the ground - I love the Snow, and I love the Mountains - so for me this is GOOD.
Next thought is to KEEP AN EYE, EAR ON THE WEATHER - It's still WINTER in the Mountains!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Option 1
So you could run over to Leadville and catch Durango - Pagosa Springs - Great Sand Dunes - Salida - Buena Vista - Collegiates - Leadville - total drive 300 miles, great drive - Great towns - Great Mountains - Great time, snow will still be on most mountain tops - Beautiful.
Option 2
You could run up to Montrose along the easy drive that will take you by - Rico - Trout Lake - Dunton - Telluride - Ridgway - Montrose - Total drive less than 150 miles - Another Great drive - little more snow, but roads are clear - Telluride and Ouray in the Winter are just Beautiful - Not sure but Ridgway SP if open should be easy to get in - Black Canyon of the Gunnison - possible trip on RT 133 to Aspen - snow has melted in the valleys but still on the slopes.
Option 3
Cortez to Mexican Hat and Monument Valley before heading to Moab - Backtracking - but we have 7 weeks - Thinking this might be the route you are looking into by the RT's you had questions on - Moab - Rt 128 - Canyonlands - Good weather - cool but still some warm days - You could easily spend a week or two here - but we still have a good bit of time left.
Names to think about
Colorado National Monument
Rifle SP
Rifle Falls SP
Glenwood Springs
Maroon Bells
Aspen
Vail
Kremmling
Grand Lake
RMNP West Side
Rabbit Ears Pass
Steamboat Springs
Graig
Dinosaur NM
Flaming Gorge
Park City
SLC
So by now you are thinking -"This Guy has lost his mind" - Probably Right! - but .........I'm really not sure where, (short term memory loss)........ so for me I would Watch the weather - Look at the Calendar - ask the DW - then .........DO -- SEE -- TOUCH -- SEARCH - through as much as possible, as I have been to all of the places mentioned and just can't wait to Get Back, as everytime we go it's just Different, More Beautiful, More Memorable.
You are Truly Lucky, enjoy every day, take thousands of Pictures and return to share your adventure.
Best of luck,
