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mikefos's avatar
mikefos
Explorer
Aug 16, 2016

Red River NM to Salida CO

Howdy,

We are leaving this weekend for a 3-week northeastern New Mexico and southern Colorado trip w/ a 35' TT and long-bed crew cab truck. Route chosen from Red River to Salida is: NM 522-> CO 159 to Ft. Garland ->CO 160 to Alamosa -> CO 17 to Salida (actually staying in Howard). How is this route? We've driven the other side of the mountains from Walsenburg to Cotopaxi. Is this western route similar? Thanks!

Mike
Roads and Routes
  • jrp's avatar
    jrp
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2016
    You'll be fine on that route. Most of your elevation change will be on the short initial section from Red River to Questa. After that you're out in a broad valley all the way until Poncha Pass just before the 285-50 junction. Its a small pass by Colorado standards. These roads are similar to 69 you used on the other side of the mountains, except the busy 160 section, and this side is not as scenic as 69.
  • mikefos's avatar
    mikefos
    Explorer
    Aug 16, 2016
    jrp wrote:
    You'll be fine on that route. Most of your elevation change will be on the short initial section from Red River to Questa. After that you're out in a broad valley all the way until Poncha Pass just before the 285-50 junction. Its a small pass by Colorado standards. These roads are similar to 69 you used on the other side of the mountains, except the busy 160 section, and this side is not as scenic as 69.


    Thanks Jim. We'll be coming home (Fredericksburg, TX) on CO 69 to Raton Pass -> Lubbock TX -> FBG TX.

    Mike
  • welove2drive's avatar
    welove2drive
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2016
    We just got back from Twin Lakes / Leadville, CO which is just to the North of Salida. If you go sightseeing up that way the Leadville Railroad allows dogs. It is a beautiful trip up 1,000' in to the mountains for $37.

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