Co. Rt.133/92 Carbondale to Delta ?

[jolooote]

Hi again. Hows Rt.133 from Carbondale to Hotchkiss? Will be heading west, last week of June, on I-70 heading to Montrose in a 34' Class'A' gasser w/TOAD. Thinking the scenary may be better than going to Grand Junction and down Rt.50. 😄

[Engineer_Guy]

I drive both Routes all the time between 2 Houses. 133 is absolutely more scenic; it's a stunner. Outside Carbondale is flat, pretty Ranch Country. The lil Village of 'Redstone' is neat in that there's some old Coke (Coal) Ovens Road-side in that old Mining area. There's plenty of large turnouts. McClure Pass is steep, but it's up and down in a hurry. Maybe 3 Miles to the Summit, and the same distance on the steep side past the Summit. The keen Eye will see the old RR Grade on the South side of McClure Pass. Then, it gets very moderate, and goes by scenic Paonia Reservoir. I tow up and over it all the time. More importantly, full size Fuel, Lumber, Cattle and Food Service Trucks all navigate it just fine. Gear down and enjoy. Both Paonia and Hotchkiss are neat lil Towns.

There is no 'Emergency Lane' from Paonia to Hotchkiss, but there is on the rest of your intended Route.

Re: my answer on I-70 the other day. I see DPs with large Cargo Trailers in tow going up and through the Eisenhower Tunnels every Trip just fine. I have seen some pulled over, cooling down, but not often. I see more Diesel Trucks w/5th Wheels pulled over, and plenty of Semi Trucks pulled over on Vail Pass on I-70.

If I got it right that you're traveling this week, there is >1' of Snow forecast for the Rockies and the Continental Divide starting later today. See those Webcams I linked for you in my I-70 answer to check actual conditions.

[Busskipper]

jolooote wrote:
Hi again. Hows Rt.133 from Carbondale to Hotchkiss? Will be heading west, last week of June, on I-70 heading to Montrose in a 34' Class'A' gasser w/TOAD. Thinking the scenary may be better than going to Grand Junction and down Rt.50. 😄

Great Route -- couple of spots to throw into the mix -- Marble -- Redstone two great little spots. if you have a lot of adventure try to get on the 4X4 trail to Crystal Mill this is a great area to just take some time and allow yourself to just become surrounded with some of the Beauty of Colorado. To see more click on Sparkers photo album (he is in the post that is opened with Crystal Mill)and follow his pictures and some of 4runnerguys advice in his posts.

I think you will find that most of these roads will handle you and your vehicle -- but the big question is are you comfortable driving on these roads? If you are then it just keeps getting better.

BOL,

[jolooote]

8%!!! WOW:E

[paulj]

http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/maximum-grades-on-colorado-mountain-passes.html
lists an 8% grade for McClure Pass.
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Carbondale,+CO&hl=en&ll=39.121138,-107.279434&spn=0.034693,0.074329&s...