Hwy 24 to Leadville,Co

Appreciate the good advice. Plan on camping near Leadville or in Buena Vista and later take Monarch Pass over to Ouray/Telluride area and later head to Cortez or Durango before returning home. After driving Tennessee Pass, should be ready for Monarch Pass. Again, thanks for your advice.

You have good advice and encouragement. I can't add much to that but I do have a story that relates.

Once, returning from Estes Park to Buena Vista, we missed our turn near Copper Mountain to Hwy 91--still can't understand why. But we took the next exit -- You know I am kidding. That mistake took us over Eisenhour Pass, no problem we've done that several times each way. But our next opportunity was to take US 24 near Minturn.

That made us late so we stopped for lunch at the "ruins" of the old Mountain Division. At that point we had quit blaming ourselves for a stupid mistake and were enjoying the "different" route.

So you have good advice, just don't miss the turn onto US 24 or you may have to enjoy that mistake as we did ours.

We travel this route at least a half dozen times a year. Yeah, you lose 3% to 4% HP per 1000' in elevation, but not too worry, there's lots to see on your route. As noted, you turn off at Minturn before you even get to the beginning of Vail Pass. There are a few hairpin curves, but they've got the speed limit down through them so you won't be holding up much traffic. The steeper sections are interspersed with more gentle grades, unlike some passes that are nothing but UP.

Not far above Minturn you'll go by the ghost mining town of Gilman, perched on the side of a mountain. Not open to the public, but was obviously once a real company town.

Before you get to the pass, you'll go by Camp Hale where the 10th Mountain Division was trained in winter fighting techniques before deploying to Europe in WWII. Informative signs worth stopping and reading. Mostly what is left is foundations and the "streets". Many of Colorado's ski areas were founded and developed by veterans of that group of men.

Once you get over Tennessee Pass, it's not far to Leadville with only a 300' drop in 10 miles (the easy side of the pass).

You could also stop in Grand Junction and do the Colorado National Monument. Then shoot down to Montrose to the Black Canyon and then continue on 50 to 24 and then go north. This is a very scenic route and Monarch Pass is not supposed to be too bad. I crossed 70 coming the other direction last fall and it wasn't bad either. I didn't notice any power loss, just crossed La Veta pass (only 9400 ft) a couple of days ago. People say there is a huge loss, but I'm not noticing it and have crossed a half dozen 10000 ft plus passes in the last 8 months.

You will have no problems getting to Leadville via I-70 to CO 24. Just be prepared for some slow driving up and down the passes and use your gears wisely - not your brakes.

You might want to get the 'Mountain Directory' online since you're not experienced in the West. It gives mile by mile on what to expect.

Mountain Directory

Jayco23FB wrote:
Some pretty steep grades on Hwy 70 coming in from the west.
You will loss about 1/4 to 1/2 of your rated Hp with a gasser at high altitude. Leadville is near 10,000'. Take your time.... nice views.

BUT - Highway 24 leaves I 70 BEFORE "the steep grades" - Vail Pass etc.

24 itself is prety good road with some togh climb just out of Minturn (where you leave I 70). Once up the hill it is great traveling. Stop and learn the history of "the Mountain Division" at the site of Camp Hale.
Just enjoy!

Some pretty steep grades on Hwy 70 coming in from the west.
You will loss about 1/4 to 1/2 of your rated Hp with a gasser at high altitude. Leadville is near 10,000'. Take your time.... nice views.