Trip to Colorado

Coach B wrote:
Someone recommended Tiger Run Resort in Breckenridge. Would that be a good place to stay 5 nights?

Yes, it is a nice campground but pricy as it is the only game in town. We have stayed there a couple of times over the years.

Short of weather the worst grade is the final few miles up to the Eisenhour tunnel. Thin air of high altitude & steep grade will have you wondering when it will level out. Essentially from Denver to the tunnel is uphill. You can almost watch the fuel guage drop. One steep section of 70 just west of Denver can be avoided by going up Clear Creek Canyon out of Golden. Steady grade. Very spectacular canyon with a few tunnels.

Keep in mind that March & April are Colorados snowiest months. Pay attention to weather forcasts. I 70 is no place to be caught in a snowstorm or icy roads though CDOT does have equipment, & they use it.

It will still be winter that time of year...even out on the plains a heavy spring storm could cause a lot of trouble. Up in the high country it will be beautiful. It has been snowing almost every day in the high country.

You will need to have chains onboard and be prepared to put them on or wait out a storm down in Denver in case they put the chain law in effect. You may also want to have a set of chains for your car if you are towing. The highways and streets are kept in good shape but maybe not bare and dry so some snow packed streets or highways are possible.

The grades on I70 aren't too bad but if you aren't used to mountain driving be aware your rig will be a bit oxygen starved. Today's computers in rigs can help but still be prepared to be chugging along.

And for the human aspect...you will feel a bit low on air and energy too. Drink a lot more water than normal and keep movement to a minimum. It takes a few days to get used to the altitude but if you'll only be there a few days you may not get to feeling great until you are about to leave.

Since it will be still very cold in the mountains be sure your rig is winter ready, propane full, have a snow shovel inside, not in the lower bay. In the mountains they count snowfall in feet not inches!

Enjoy your winter outing!

Someone recommended Tiger Run Resort in Breckenridge. Would that be a good place to stay 5 nights?

Having come up from Lubbock and Amarillo in the past, I would go with the 287 to Limon also. Watch the Weather Channel and keep in mind that a wet spring storm can close the entire eastern plains. Be very mindful of going down Floyd hill (start the decent at 35 mph) and coming out of the Eisenhower tunnel (also start at 35mph) Parking will be tight in March, if your friends don't have space you should be able to overnight in the Gondola lot with not many questions asked. Carry a shovel, some chains and a few bags of cat litter to be safe.

Thanks, I am kind of worried about grades in a gas motorhome and regular brakes. I assume I will need to be in towing gear most of the time. Appreciate your advice.

Truckers use US 287 to Limon Co. then I-70 to Denver...no grades to pull...but once just wes t of the city, about the Lakeside exit, you'll have to get on it...lots of grade work, so make sure your rv is mechanically correct.

Barring snow or ice, should that be an easy and safe route?

That would certainly seem to me to be the best possible route, and I don't see any problem except for the weather. You would have Raton Pass just after you hit I-25 but that is considered an "easy" pass. You will have the Eisenhower Tunnel on I-70 before you get to Frisco. I think it all depends on the weather.

We always go up from Amarillo through Dalhart to Raton where we pick up I-25. We usually spend a night at the top of Raton Pass at the Cedar Rail RV park.