Oh that's easy and ignore Google maps for directions but definitely for street views.
Do the back way, starting on 7 south of Estes Park through Allens Park through Nederland down to 70 east to 470 skirting Denver to 285/17 straight in. Eat at Sweet Basilico in Estes Park If timing is right do the Meadow Mountain Cafe for breakfast in Allenspark. All the locals and rangers eat there. There are great NFS campgrounds along the way like Olive Ridge. The roads are good. Stay in the Mountains most of the way down. Definitely get to the Great Sand Dunes down Alamosa way.
