Suggested Routes Salt Lake - Santa Fe via CO

Hi Tim,
Great advice. Checking that route this morning and will make reservations at Santa Fe Skies.

Gary

We drive the SLC to Santa Fe route every year for the past 5 years. Our favorite route is
SLC to Moab--I15 to US 6/191 to I70 to US191.
Moab to Durango--US 191 to US491
to US160 (we don't stay in Durango, we head a little further to Vallecito Lake and Blue Spruce RV Park)
Vallecito Lake to Santa Fe--US 160 to US 550 to I25
Hint in Santa Fe to avoid driving downtown, take the NM 599 around town to the west.
Best place to stay in Santa Fe--Santa Fe Skies that is south of town.
Have a great trip in the beautiful Southwest!

FunTwoDrv wrote:
Hey, thanks for the input. Buss, we'll be in Estes from late May to June and then up to Spokane in early July. The time in Estes is to look for real estate....
So, we'll be coming through Salt Lake in the middle of July.
4runner, I'm leaning towards the Leadville/Salida route. We could spend a week or so in that area before heading down to Santa Fe...thanks for your suggestion.

Thanks all,
Gary

Not to just beat Estes up - but - It's not what it Used to Be.

Might want to check with locals as to it's character and if that is that is what you are looking for.

Trust me it is Great Country - but - just too many people for me. We still visit at least a couple times a year but very limited and usually just for a day Hike. Colorado has some BEAUTIFUL Options,
just think about it before you jump in.

JMHO,

Hey, thanks for the input. Buss, we'll be in Estes from late May to June and then up to Spokane in early July. The time in Estes is to look for real estate....
So, we'll be coming through Salt Lake in the middle of July.
4runner, I'm leaning towards the Leadville/Salida route. We could spend a week or so in that area before heading down to Santa Fe...thanks for your suggestion.

Thanks all,
Gary

I assume you're doing this trip in the spring/summer. From SLC to Santa Fe, the shortest route would head south on I-15 -> US 6 -> US 191 -> US 491 etc. Unless you detour through Ouray, you won't be on the tough part of US 550. If you do this route, you'll go by Moab, where you could spend several days exploring those NP's, although in mid summer, it's hot. Along this route, consider Mesa Verde NP, Anasazi Heritage Museum, Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge RR. Quite a few Native American ruins in the Durango/Mancos/Cortez area.

The route through Salida and Buena Vista is quite a bit further. You'll also have Tennessee Pass to go over. Salida and BV lots of activities such as hiking, fishing, mountain biking, 4x4, exploring ghost towns, but no NP's, ruins, and the like.

Overall, I'd say the scenery north of Durango around Silverton and Ouray is somewhat more spectacular (rugged) than in the Upper Arkansas River Valley. Durango is more of a zoo with tourists everywhere. Salida is a fun town to spend some time in. Better rafting in Salida area. Can't go wrong with either choice.

You did not say WHEN you are going. April and May are still heavy snow months in Colorado.

Try this Link to older post on Colorado

FunTwoDrv wrote:


Back for more advice.

We will be spending a day or so in Salt Lake and then heading to Santa Fe.

We have a week or so to spend back in CO. (we're spending five weeks in Estes Park already)

We are torn between heading through Durango/Pagosa Springs vs Leadville/Buen Vista.

Learned a lot from this recent thread...

and may just follow that advice.

I'm not too excited to travel 550. We've driven that road a few times but at 48' with the tow,

I'm not that comfortable with tackling it again.

Thanks,
Gary

? what are you looking for?

Five weeks in Estes, may I ask why?

One week in the SouthWest part of the state - I'd hook that for Five Weeks - so much more to do and so less crowded.

You can avoid RT 550 through Silverton by going around, to the West, through Rico, Trout Lake and Telluride. Just some of the most beautiful Mountains in the Country (JMHO)

Suggestion is to spend the week in Estes and the Five Weeks in the SouthWest. just IMHO, Better use of your time. (Unless you have relatives in Estes)

Will check back to see what we are able to help with.

Best of Luck,