Denver to Ridgway Colorado

[capriskier]

We are traveling from Denver to Ridgway State Park towing our 39 ft fifth wheel. Would like advice on the best route.

[capriskier]

Thank you for all the responses. We ended up taking 285 to 50 to 550. It was very beautiful. One mountain pass was high as described but we did not have any issues. Only downside was there was a lot of road construction on 285 south FairPlay and at 50.

[Thom02099]

AJBert wrote:
I can give you the shortest route but are you trying to avoid going over the highest passes?

285 down to 50 over to 550 down to Ridgeway. You will go over Monarch Pass which is over 11,000 feet, though. You'll also go over a couple of other passes that are below 10,000 feet.

This ^^^^^ "Best" is always subjective, depending on what one's point of view is. This is an easy drive, is incredibly beautiful, and worth it to see a goodly part of Colorado.

Taking US 285 out of Denver, it's 4-lane up to Evergreen. There's some twisties and turns, but not a significant problem heading up. There will be some hills, and ups and downs, and a fairly good "down" from Pine Junction down to Bailey; just let your engine help you and drop down to a lower gear. Certainly doable, RVs do it all the time.

From Bailey to Kenosha Pass is an easy drive, you'll be following the North Fork of the South Platte River up to Grant and then start going up Kenosha Pass. This pass is a "must see" when you get to the top. There's a parking area just over the top, a fantastic photo op to get pictures of one of the most brilliant views in all of Colorado -- South Park opening up before your eyes.

Dropping down from Kenosha Pass, it's a relatively flat drive across South Park to Fairplay, which is worth a stop to see South Park City, a collection of over 30 buildings brought there from other areas and tracing the history of the region with fascinating artifacts. You'll be at ~9000-9600 feet in the South Park area, so take that in to consideration; the air does get a little thin at this elevation, particularly for those not accustomed.

Along the way across South Park, you'll have Red Hill Pass just before Fairplay and Trout Creek Pass as you drop down to the Buena Vista area. Both are barely noticeable.

If you have the time, spend some time in Buena Vista -- well worth it! And also, further down the road is Salida, also worth spending some time there.

Monarch Pass is another "not difficult" pass. As mentioned above, at the top there's a gondola/aerial tram (the Monarch Crest Tramway) that takes you to an observation area. IIRC, it's $7 for adults/$6 for seniors (over 55). Another of those spectacular locations for a memorable photo op.

Dropping down from Monarch is Gunnison and the Curecanti Recreation area as well as the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. All definitely worth the time to spend there, if you have the time available. It's an easy, beautiful drive down from Gunnison to Montrose, where you'll pick up US 550 and head south to Ridgway. While staying in Ridgway, you could always double back on this route and explore the Gunnison Valley area, including the locales above.

Hope you have a safe and enjoyable trip!

[joe_b_]

Several good routes as mentioned above. We lived in Ouray, just south of Ridgway for about 10 year prior to moving here to the swamp country. I had to make numerous business trips to Denver, year around. In the winter, from Denver I would often drop south to Colorado Springs, go west on Hwy 24 to 285, just north of Poncha Springs, south to Hwy 50 and west to Montrose and south on Hwy 550 to Ridgway. Most of the time Hwy 285 is a fine way out of Denver headed west.

Monarch is one of the friendlier of the high, over 10,000 ft passes in Colorado, IMHO. Good shoulders on most of the highway going over. It is not one of the shelf highways like you can find in other passes. I especially like Monarch when the road is snow and ice covered in the winter, much better places to slide off the road that aren't 500 ft down from the road. LOL

Fun gift shop and chair lift at the top of Monarch Pass, called Monarch Crest. Good RV parking is available as well they make fudge there that is worth the stop as well. Use good mountain driving skills on the downhill side of any of the high passes. Before we moved from Ouray, we had a Class A Winnie, that we would usually take the toad off at the top and my wife would drive it to the bottom. The brakes on that rig had a real tendency to over heat. With your 5th wheel, just take it slow and easy geared down. People get in trouble getting in too much of a hurry.

[jrp]

Quote below is the route I would also use. Monarch Pass is high but very good roadway and an easy pass compared to some others. Staying on I-70 all the way to Grand Junction and then 50/550 south to Ridgway would be another option, a bit longer drive but once you're over Vail Pass, an easy drive.
The "best route " is in the eye of the beholder, depends on your personal preferences, what areas you want to see and your mountain driving experience.

PS: If you're thinking of going south after Ridgway on 550, be sure to read about Red Mtn Pass before trying it while pulling 39 ft.

AJBert wrote:
I can give you the shortest route but are you trying to avoid going over the highest passes?

285 down to 50 over to 550 down to Ridgeway. You will go over Monarch Pass which is over 11,000 feet, though. You'll also go over a couple of other passes that are below 10,000 feet.

[Busskipper]

capriskier wrote:
We are traveling from Denver to Ridgway State Park towing our 39 ft fifth wheel. Would like advice on the best route.

Your best and my best may be different, so my best will be a fun drive - meaning going through some fun/neat/beautiful areas.

I always leave Denver on Rt 6 jumping on I-70 at Idaho Springs - then I-70 through Eisenhower Tunnel to Rt 91 then to Leadville - Buena Vista turns into Rt 285 to 50 in Salida through Gunnison - to Rt 550 to Ridgway State Park.

Going Home - a little change up Taking Rt 550 to Delta jumping on Rt 133 pass Marble - through Red Stone - on to Glenwood Springs and then I-70 to Denver.

These routes will give me the opportunity to see so much of the Colorado I Love.

Canyons
14'ers
Ski towns
Lakes
Passes
Creeks
Rivers
Alps
Towns
Restaurants
Engineering Marvels
and just plain Beautiful country.

The first suggested route is fine just misses a lot (IMHO)

So now you have three options - which will be your "Best".

BOL,

[AJBert]

I can give you the shortest route but are you trying to avoid going over the highest passes?

285 down to 50 over to 550 down to Ridgeway. You will go over Monarch Pass which is over 11,000 feet, though. You'll also go over a couple of other passes that are below 10,000 feet.