Rocky Mt NP to Mesa Verde

Padlin wrote:
Looking for someone that knows the roads in the Rockies in the Denver area.

Doing some early planning for a trip from Ma to Ut late next Sept for a couple months. Early plan is spend a few days east side of RMNP, then drive to Timber Creek on the west side for a few nights, then to Mesa Verde before hitting Ut. Google shows it's doable but it doesn't take into consideration one is towing a trailer.

I do have the option to leave the trailer on the east side and stay at a hotel in Grand Lake for a couple nights, returning to the east side before heading to Mesa Verde.

Questions: How's 34 from the east to west side of the park, when towing?


Google shows a few option to get from Grand Lake to MV,
285/160
70/50/62/145
and 70/191/491
Are any of these viable towing my FW, or should I use plan B and figure on going the hotel route.

To answer your specific question about US 34/Trail Ridge Rd, in RMNP from east to west -- it is doable. Much depends on your experience and comfort level. A goodly portion of this drive is above timberline, so there is a lot of exposure to winds. Also, there is a LOT of shelf road, very narrow road with no shoulder and drop-offs in the hundreds of feet and no guard rails. Even though the crowds are less in September, you'll still have to contend with traffic, particularly on the weekends.

You mentioned late September of next year. I was just up there last weekend, it was very cold while I was up there, and alternately in clouds/fog and bright sunshine. There was also some snow, particularly on the west side by the Alpine Visitor's Center. This is the usual weather for late September/early October, and it can be very changeable, and very quickly.

Additionally, this past weekend saw Saturday as a free day in RMNP and it was a total madhouse as far as traffic. Bumper-to-bumper traffic, Estes Park was an absolute zoo, even on the Sunday when we went up there (I never go up on a Saturday). RMNP usually does the free day this time of year.

Timber Creek campground is not what it used to be. Formerly, it was in a forest of pine, but due to beetle kill, all of the trees were cut down, and frankly, it's ugly. Granted, it's not busy there, but getting there from the east can be...daunting. I would recommend driving solo over to Grand Lake and not tow across.