Suggested Routes Salt Lake - Santa Fe via CO
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 to...
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
