colorado mountain passes
In June, DW and I are planning on travelling to Colorado via I-70 to Rocky Mountain NP, to Colorado NM, to Black Canyon and down to Durango via US550, then back through Pagosa Spings and Wolf Creek pa...
Forum Discussion
This is the reply I gave you on 'the other' forum. :)
"Quote:
Originally Posted by vacationer04 View Post
Am I understanding this right that St. Rte 62 and St. Rte 145 are better than US550? I would expect a US road to be better. I am not feeling good about coming down 550 from Grand Junction at this point. I am not afraid but after seeing the videos posted on YouTube DW says she doesn't want to go that way."
Yes, 145 is much better than 550. We've driven both many times with our 40' motorhome.
The YouTube you probably watched was of 550 from Ouray to Silverton/Durango. You will not be on any part of that section of 550 if you plan to take 145 to Cortez.
I'd also recommend that you purchase the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. Even though we drove those highways many times we always refreshed our mind of what's to come before driving them again.
From Grand Junction via 50 to Delta to 550 at Montrose to Ridgway is very easy driving. No 'hills' to speak of. No big turns. No drop-offs. Nice wide highway with businesses all along it. You mentioned you want to go to Ouray. That would also be a very easy drive. When you hear mentioned to stay off 550 - folks are only warning about the part from south of Ouray. From Grand Junction to Ouray is a perfectly good, easy drive. However, if you want to take Hwy 62 to 145 at Placerville/Telluride (still easy, so far to this point) down to Cortez you will then have the downhill beginning at Telluride but it's a easy one as far as mountain passes go. Really!!
In my opinion I-70 from Denver west is more of an issue than 145 will be.
Have a good trip! Relax. You'll see hundreds of other RVers on these highways. Just remember not to ride your brakes on the downhills. Downshift before even starting to go down.
"Quote:
Originally Posted by vacationer04 View Post
Am I understanding this right that St. Rte 62 and St. Rte 145 are better than US550? I would expect a US road to be better. I am not feeling good about coming down 550 from Grand Junction at this point. I am not afraid but after seeing the videos posted on YouTube DW says she doesn't want to go that way."
Yes, 145 is much better than 550. We've driven both many times with our 40' motorhome.
The YouTube you probably watched was of 550 from Ouray to Silverton/Durango. You will not be on any part of that section of 550 if you plan to take 145 to Cortez.
I'd also recommend that you purchase the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers'. Even though we drove those highways many times we always refreshed our mind of what's to come before driving them again.
From Grand Junction via 50 to Delta to 550 at Montrose to Ridgway is very easy driving. No 'hills' to speak of. No big turns. No drop-offs. Nice wide highway with businesses all along it. You mentioned you want to go to Ouray. That would also be a very easy drive. When you hear mentioned to stay off 550 - folks are only warning about the part from south of Ouray. From Grand Junction to Ouray is a perfectly good, easy drive. However, if you want to take Hwy 62 to 145 at Placerville/Telluride (still easy, so far to this point) down to Cortez you will then have the downhill beginning at Telluride but it's a easy one as far as mountain passes go. Really!!
In my opinion I-70 from Denver west is more of an issue than 145 will be.
Have a good trip! Relax. You'll see hundreds of other RVers on these highways. Just remember not to ride your brakes on the downhills. Downshift before even starting to go down.
