Black Canyon of the Gunnison to Glenwood Springs, CO

[Tony_DiannesRV]

Howdy!
We are spending the next few days at South Rim Campground at Black Canyon. From there, we are moving north to Glenwood Springs. Can someone give us the route north with the 5'ver on our backs?

As always, thanks ever so much for all your input. We are on the road, and your Colorado highways just aren't as flat as they appear on printed maps, hehe. -Tony

[jolooote]

Hopefully u'r right. lol

[Thom02099]

jolooote wrote:
Yes, I know where 141 is, but why would anyone go that way to get from Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l park to I-70? Is there something very special to see on that long round-a-Bout route?

As 2lazy4U pointed out, there's the route to I-70 through Montrose and Delta and on to Grand Junction/Clifton area on US 50, and taking the CO 141 cutoff to Clifton. As you pointed out, there's the route to take if one wants to go over McClure Pass. Simply a matter of offering 2 views on getting there. OP may not want to go on a two-lane road over a pass, hence the alternative. OP may not want to drive extra miles, hence your alternative. Different strokes...:) And moot point, since the OP went the GJ route...

[padredw]

US 50 to Clifton, to get on I-70.

I think the 141 refers ONLY to that cut off between US 50 and I-70 at Grand Junction, not to the entire route of 141.

At least, this makes sense to me. Am I right?

[jolooote]

Yes, I know where 141 is, but why would anyone go that way to get from Black Canyon of the Gunnison Nat'l park to I-70? Is there something very special to see on that long round-a-Bout route?

[Thom02099]

jolooote wrote:
141 from Gunnison Black Canyon Nat'l Park?

CO 141 in the GJ area runs north off US 50 to Clifton, to get on I-70.

[jolooote]

141 from Gunnison Black Canyon Nat'l Park?

[Busskipper]

Tony&DiannesRV wrote:
Thank you for your replies. For what it's worth: We followed the advice of 2lazy4U, taking the 141 cutoff and then I70 all the way to Glenwood. We met a couple from Glenwood Springs while we were in Black Canyon who recommended the same drive. Took us about 3 hours with 2 potty breaks and what a beautiful ride!

Both are great but - we have always loved Rt 133 and the little Camp Ground in Marble - Hit it one year for the Marble Marble and it was awesome.

Enjoy Colorado, IMHO not a bad road in the state,

JMHO,

[Tony_DiannesRV]

Thank you for your replies. For what it's worth: We followed the advice of 2lazy4U, taking the 141 cutoff and then I70 all the way to Glenwood. We met a couple from Glenwood Springs while we were in Black Canyon who recommended the same drive. Took us about 3 hours with 2 potty breaks and what a beautiful ride!

[2lazy4U]

I would go the freeway route and then use my tow vehicle to drive from Glenwood up the Crystal River and on to Marble. Way less stress. I live in Glenwood and have driven both routes literally hundreds of times, maybe even more.

[jolooote]

Rt. 550 to Delta. Rt. 92 to Hotchkiss & 133 to Carbondale. 82 to I-70. On Rt. 133 at McClurepass is a wonderful Forest CG on the river called Bogan Flats. When we went thru there the sign was gone from the Hyway & we had to guess of the turn off. Well worth a stop 4 a few nights. Sites for big rigs. The drive back to the town of Marble is very interesting. Its Called Marble because you can see at one point the entire side of the mountain is solid white marble quarry.

[2lazy4U]

Pulling a fiver, you'll want to go to Grand Junction, take the Clifton turnoff, and get onto I-70 all the way to Glenwood.

You could come the scenic route over McClure Pass, but it won't be worth the windy climb.

And if you have plans to bike the river bike path through Glenwood Canyon, be aware it's partly closed from flooding.