bjburkhalter wrote:
Just curious how bad is it to drive 70 all the way across Colorado. We will be in a class A motorhome, Coachmen Encounter, 38' gas, with no toad. Any recommendations or insight would be helpful and appreciated.
Thanks
Brent,
This may be way off your interest list but............ as an alternative to just driving straight out I-70 to GJ and just visiting family.
Let's make this a loop trip with most of the ride being just BEAUTIFUL and allow you to see some of Coloradoโs beauty.
You still need to miss the traffic out of Denver into the mountains on Friday.
When coming through Denver on 70 look at getting off on exit 265 Rt 58 heading towards Golden, this will give you the option of spending the night at Golden Clear Creek -- Coorsโs tour, or pushing through -- 58 runs into Rt 6 that will get you into the mountains. Then on to 70.
Nice drive along Clear Creek to Idaho Springs where you will get back on 70.(exit 244) This is an easy drive along Clear Creek and through I think 6 tunnels with the high Canyon Cliffs on both sides -- just love it ( I've driven my old 37' gasser and the Diesel in my signature so you should have no problem)
Once you get back on 70 you will go through the BIG tunnel and down towards Breck. After passing through Breck, Could stop here too with Tiger Run in town and enjoy the ski town - Great spot, so another option for spending the night or you can push on.
Next continue on 70 to exit 195 Rt 91 towards Leadville, this gives you the chance to be in the highest incorporated town in the US 10,000 feet. Depending on the time of Day (Quincyโs could be dinner, think they open at 5:00) before heading to a Campsite just outside of town, or Turquoise Lake, another Beautiful site, or you can push on.
Because you have no toad I can't send you for the day trip on Independence Pass to Aspen and Maroon Bells and your Coach is too large to legally/safely drive on the road. But weโll try to catch that on the way back.
Now down to Buena Vista on Rt 24 with the Collegiate Peaks โ lots of options for CGโs and a number of great restaurantโs.
You can also catch some rafting on the Arkansas River which could be worth the trip to Colorado on their own. Heading down 24 to Poncha Springs and Rt 50 towards Gunnison. This is a good road in the mountains with views you will never forget.
Arriving in Gunnison, the question is do you run up to the town of Crested Butte? (Bud Light commercial) at least put your foot into Blue Mesa Reservoir , One more big decision Black Canyon of the Gunnison is just around the corner????????? so you can say you did or just head on to Lake City or Ouray โ Lake City is in one of the wildest parts of Colorado and if you rented a 4x4 you could just get into the San Juanโs and discover why we all LOVE this part of Colorado.
Or, Ouray to Spend the night in town with the Hot Pools/tubs and great Restaurantsโ. At least drive into Ouray even if time will not allow you to spend time. Or just push on.
Back to Montrose then up to Grand Junction and the Colorado National Monument, and relatives.
Now I have done this trip in a day and also in a month โ trust me the month was so much more fun and more like a vacation.
Now when it is time to head home Take 70 remembering to stop along the Highway just east of Glenwood Springs for some great looks at the Colorado River. If possible head over to Maroon Bells to hike and photograph the most BEAUTIFUL ROCKS in Colorado. Then on to Vail catch the tram to the top then if you enjoyed Rt 6 jump off and take it in the other direction โ totally different and head back home.
So the question is 175 miles 3.5 hours on I-70 or 450 miles and two or three days of the BEST of Colorado? While it would be a lot more fun to take a couple of weeks to get this far from home and not see this is justโฆโฆโฆ
JMHO,
Ps to find out any detail on these areas, just do a search with the name of the town adding 4runnerguy or me as the poster and you will find a wealth of info. Many of these post are well over a year old โ hasn't changed much.
Busskipper
Maryland/Colorado
Travel Supreme 42DS04
GX470-FMCA - Travel less now - But still love to be on the Road
States traveled in this Coach