Forum Discussion

pjberny5's avatar
pjberny5
Explorer
Mar 12, 2018

Monarch Pass vs Vail/Eisenhower

Looking for the easier pull with my 2013 Ram 2500 diesel pulling 3260 Bighorn at the End of April. Will be traveling East on I-70 making my way to Colorado Springs. At Grand Junction can continue on I-70 East and go over Vail and Eisenhower Pass thru Denver to Colorado Springs or take Highway 50 south and west and go over Monarch Pass to get to Colorado Springs. About 1 to 1.5 hrs longer in time going over Monarch put not concerned with the time difference.

Recommendations.
Roads and Routes
  • F-TROUP's avatar
    F-TROUP
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2018
    Monarch for us and we tow double only reason for time difference is Hwy 50 is mostly 55 mph us to 65 in sections.
  • IDman's avatar
    IDman
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2018
    I would go Monarch because the traffic on I-70 will drive you nuts!! Semis, RVers, speeding cars, etc.

    Weather is the same factor on either route. Could be 70 degrees or a blizzard. Scenery is great for either route.

    Going via Monarch you will have many places to pull over for lunch, rest, viewpoint photos etc. without having the interstate exit ramp hassles.
  • tchil's avatar
    tchil
    Explorer
    Mar 12, 2018
    Watch the weather and if there is any question at all I think the interstate would be safer. End of April can still be snow and ice and then interstate will prob clear faster.
  • Allworth's avatar
    Allworth
    Explorer II
    Mar 12, 2018
    Grades on the Interstate are easier. Scenery on Monarch is far better.

    Downgrade Eastbound on Monarch may be a test. Some fairly long runs between pulloffs. I have run it several times both ways (I avoid Denver) with 13,500# on the back, but I'm running a Duramax/Allison.

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