Kanab, UT >>>> Manitou Springs, CO

flguppie wrote:
We are currently in Kanab on our bucket list tour out west. We went to Bryce and Zion while here and enjoyed every minute. We are pulling a 26' tt (5900LB-wet) with our 2010 5.4L 2010 F150 and it has done great (so far).

Anyway, we are leaving Friday for Manitou Springs, CO. We have 3 days to make the trip. Our original thought was to take 89 up to I-70 then over to Grand Junction and then down to 50 ....to Gunnison and over to Salida and on to Manitou Springs.

Are there better routes and things we need to see? We are skipping Moab & Arches due to crowds, road construction there and lack of a place to stay. I drove a little bit of hwy 12 today after going to Bryce. That was beautiful. How's the rest of 12 going east?

DW mentioned seeing 4-corners and Monument Valley. That would put us on a southern route but need to head up somewhere.... but don't want to get the tt and older truck into a mountain nightmare.

Any travel route suggestions? Should we stay with our original plan?

Will not try to do more than give you an Old Man's insight;

Drive through Moab - (Passport America Utah option for Moab ) There are many places to stay and for $17 not too much.

At least drive around/through Arches - then out of Moab of Rt 128 along the Colorado River then back up to I-70.

RT 128 Is My favorite Drive in Utah (Ranks in the top anywhere) - and to not see the Arch - even if from afar is not fair to your Passengers (JMHO)

Any way to squeeze out a few more days???????? Please............ just sooooooo much to see and do on this route.

Will assume you said YES and will give you more than just a few options;

Colorado Monument just outside Grand Junction - worth the effort, especially as you head south into the Mountains.

Ouray is the Destination - But Ridgway State Park is just fun for the Kids - Ouray is the Swiss Alps of Colorado.

Silverton is Heaven - will suggest the drive here in just the TV as it can intimidate some.

Hikes/4X4 Trails/Mountains/Lakes just a Vacation Paradise (Telluride - Trout Lake - Dunton - Lake City - Alpine Loop................)

After a frantic day or so here then Up to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.

Gunnison to Crested Butte - Then on to Salida - short hop to Buena Vista - The Collegiates - Maybe Independence Pass (Little snow) - RT 82 into Aspen/Maroon Bells (TV only, restricted route) - Back, more hikes and Beaver Dams, gravel roads just beautiful, wild spaces - white Water Rafting - to miss this is just not fair.

Sure hope you have found a way to make the Days longer and the Trip Better so as to at least see this and schedule it all for the Next trip - Once you see it it's hard to not want to just come back .... Again and Again.

MAP of the ADVENTURE

Sure hope you are able to Create a few more days - as IMHO this is some of the Best in the WORLD!!!!!!!!!!

Best of Luck,

Edit note; Steal time from Manitou Springs, (Sorry this is just not, IMHO, nearly as Good or Rewarding as the areas you will have driven through, to get here)

Food - Quincy's and K's are worth the effort.