Forum Discussion

Floridafrances's avatar
Floridafrances
Explorer
Aug 05, 2017

East side of Colorado Rockies

Hi all,

This is what the Trip Planner on the Good Sam site came up with. Most seem straight forward and logical but... I would love to have verification - especially for #5.

1. Sterling to RMNP: CO-14 to I-25. I-25 to US-36. US-36 to where it splits from US-34 and entering RMNP via Beaver Meadows VC.
2. After our 3 nights at Glacier Basin we'll go to Poudre Canyon KOA for 1 night. Couldn't get that night at our next stop - Mountain Park CG. We're there for 4 nights. Back out to US-34. US-34 to US-287. Then US-287 to CO-14.
3. Mountain Park back to RMNP and Glacier for 4 more nights. Basically the reverse of the above without the side trip to the KOA.
4. RMNP to Denver West/Central City KOA: Have a night here because we couldn't get it at Golden Gate Canyon where we'll be for 4 nights. Peak to Peak highway down to Central City and follow KOA's directions to them. Per Golden Gate reservation directions we'll use Gap Road to get to Reverends Ridge CG.
5. Golden Gate Canyon to Snowy Peaks RV Park in Buena Vista for 5 nights: Get back to CO-119. CO-119 to I-70W. I-70W to CO-91 South. CO-91 to US-24. (This is the one where I can see more than one way to get there.)
6. Snowy Peaks to Mueller SP for 3 nights: US-24 to CO-67.
7. Mueller to Lathrop SP for 3 nights: Get back to CO-67. CO-67 to US-24/CO-67. Get on I-25-BL South. I-25-BL South to US-160.


Thanks. :)
Roads and Routes
  • Thom02099's avatar
    Thom02099
    Explorer II
    Aug 05, 2017
    Floridafrances wrote:
    Hi all,

    This is what the Trip Planner on the Good Sam site came up with. Most seem straight forward and logical but... I would love to have verification - especially for #5.

    1. Sterling to RMNP: CO-14 to I-25. I-25 to US-36. US-36 to where it splits from US-34 and entering RMNP via Beaver Meadows VC.
    2. After our 3 nights at Glacier Basin we'll go to Poudre Canyon KOA for 1 night. Couldn't get that night at our next stop - Mountain Park CG. We're there for 4 nights. Back out to US-34. US-34 to US-287. Then US-287 to CO-14.
    3. Mountain Park back to RMNP and Glacier for 4 more nights. Basically the reverse of the above without the side trip to the KOA.
    4. RMNP to Denver West/Central City KOA: Have a night here because we couldn't get it at Golden Gate Canyon where we'll be for 4 nights. Peak to Peak highway down to Central City and follow KOA's directions to them. Per Golden Gate reservation directions we'll use Gap Road to get to Reverends Ridge CG.
    5. Golden Gate Canyon to Snowy Peaks RV Park in Buena Vista for 5 nights: Get back to CO-119. CO-119 to I-70W. I-70W to CO-91 South. CO-91 to US-24. (This is the one where I can see more than one way to get there.)
    6. Snowy Peaks to Mueller SP for 3 nights: US-24 to CO-67.
    7. Mueller to Lathrop SP for 3 nights: Get back to CO-67. CO-67 to US-24/CO-67. Get on I-25-BL South. I-25-BL South to US-160.


    Thanks. :)


    2. After our 3 nights at Glacier Basin we'll go to Poudre Canyon KOA for 1 night. Couldn't get that night at our next stop - Mountain Park CG. We're there for 4 nights. Back out to US-34. US-34 to US-287. Then US-287 to CO-14.

    This is a bit confusing. Leaving Glacier Basin, you'd likely want to take US 34 down to Loveland, and then take one of several ways to get to the Laporte area and the Poudre Canyon KOA (PM me, I can give you some back roads if you'd like, save having to go through the heart of Fort Collins on US 287/College Ave). Poudre Canyon KOA is at the junction of US 287/CO 14. Mountain Park CG is up Poudre Canyon and is an excellent campground.

    PS - which site do you have at Glacier Basin and Mountain Park? For Glacier Basin, I'm partial to D loop as it's in the open and has outstanding views in all directions.

    PPS - For Mountain Park, you're going to be there 4 days. You may want to fuel up at the station across from the KOA. There's only 2 other places to get fuel in the Poudre Canyon - Rustic Resort and Archer's Resort, both of which are west of Mountain Park. If you branch out with some exploring, there's also fuel in Red Feather Lakes.

    #3 and #4 are spot on. For Reverend Ridge in Golden Gate Canyon SP, you're coming in from the west, and you'll go past the old KOA CG (which is now Darby Hill or Derby Hill or something like that), and then just a few miles in to Rev's Ridge.
  • Floridafrances's avatar
    Floridafrances
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2017
    Thom,

    Thank you for the quick reply. I was hoping you'd see this.

    I sent you a PM about the routing to Poudre KOA.

    At Glacier we're in D140 the first time, then D140 for 2 nights and D139 for 2 more. I originally had D140 for 3 nights but decided to add a 4th. Couldn't get the same site so decided if we were going to have to move, might as well split it up 2 and 2.

    Any thoughts on the route to Buena Vista from Golden Gate?

    Really looking forward to this. Time is getting short before we leave for Nebraska and the eclipse. Hoping for fair skies for everyone along the entire path.
  • Busskipper's avatar
    Busskipper
    Explorer
    Aug 05, 2017
    Floridafrances wrote:
    Hi all,

    This is what the Trip Planner on the Good Sam site came up with. Most seem straight forward and logical but... I would love to have verification - especially for #5.

    1. Sterling to RMNP: CO-14 to I-25. I-25 to US-36. US-36 to where it splits from US-34 and entering RMNP via Beaver Meadows VC.
    2. After our 3 nights at Glacier Basin we'll go to Poudre Canyon KOA for 1 night. Couldn't get that night at our next stop - Mountain Park CG. We're there for 4 nights. Back out to US-34. US-34 to US-287. Then US-287 to CO-14.
    3. Mountain Park back to RMNP and Glacier for 4 more nights. Basically the reverse of the above without the side trip to the KOA.
    4. RMNP to Denver West/Central City KOA: Have a night here because we couldn't get it at Golden Gate Canyon where we'll be for 4 nights. Peak to Peak highway down to Central City and follow KOA's directions to them. Per Golden Gate reservation directions we'll use Gap Road to get to Reverends Ridge CG.
    5. Golden Gate Canyon to Snowy Peaks RV Park in Buena Vista for 5 nights: Get back to CO-119. CO-119 to I-70W. I-70W to CO-91 South. CO-91 to US-24. (This is the one where I can see more than one way to get there.)
    6. Snowy Peaks to Mueller SP for 3 nights: US-24 to CO-67.
    7. Mueller to Lathrop SP for 3 nights: Get back to CO-67. CO-67 to US-24/CO-67. Get on I-25-BL South. I-25-BL South to US-160.


    Thanks. :)


    Thom knows Colorado Highways so listen to his advice it will be spot on.

    BUT - IMHO, you really need to see a little more of "Colorado" - although many spend years and never see even a small part of this Extraordinary Park, My advice is to get into a couple more sections of this Amazing State - there are many GREAT spaces that while not Designated as National Parks are IMHO as beautiful and actually even more fun than many of Our National Parks, and to come all this way and only see RMNP is Just Not Fair.

    So I might suggest looking into the Steamboat area - the Buena Vista /Leadville/Collegiates Area - or the San Juan's - or possibly Aspen Marron Bells -these all have Taken My Breath Away with the Pure Majesty and Beauty, that each of these areas possess.

    On a drive on the Alpine Loop - MY DW said that it was the Single most beautiful Drive I had ever taken her on - and we have been in 48 of the 50 states with 50 years of exploring, so that's pretty high praise.(Although it was a close second the changing of the Aspen on Independence Pass and Maroon Bells in late September one Year)

    SO without trying to Hijack the OP question on the routing - just would like you to give it a thought - just so much more to see after driving over 2,000 miles to get into the state, take a little time and at least give it a thought.

    Best of Luck,
  • Floridafrances's avatar
    Floridafrances
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2017
    Hi again, Busskipper.

    Don't worry, we're not spending all our time near RMNP. After RMNP, Mountain Park, RMNP, and Golden Gate Canyon, We're heading to Buena Vista. Then on to Mueller and Lathrop State Parks before going back to Florida.

    When I first posted about this trip it was going to be in June. Then I changed it to the end of July into the middle of August, ending it with the eclipse. Then we decided to do the eclipse first. You gave me some good advice (on 2 forums) that I included in my notes.

    Back then I had managed to book a night at the Silver Queen CG to see the Maroon Bells. Nothing but a walk-in available for when we'll be in that area now, but we'll still go as part of a day trip.

    We got to spend some time on the western side when we stayed near Grand Junction a couple of days getting new tires on the Jeep, then in Ouray for a week or so in 2011. Still a ton we want to see on that side. Guess we'll just have to plan come back again. ;)
  • Thom02099's avatar
    Thom02099
    Explorer II
    Aug 06, 2017
    Floridafrances wrote:
    Thom,

    Thank you for the quick reply. I was hoping you'd see this.

    I sent you a PM about the routing to Poudre KOA.

    At Glacier we're in D140 the first time, then D140 for 2 nights and D139 for 2 more. I originally had D140 for 3 nights but decided to add a 4th. Couldn't get the same site so decided if we were going to have to move, might as well split it up 2 and 2.

    Any thoughts on the route to Buena Vista from Golden Gate?

    Really looking forward to this. Time is getting short before we leave for Nebraska and the eclipse. Hoping for fair skies for everyone along the entire path.


    I sent you a PM with some directions/advice.

    D140 and D139 are good sites to get. I've gotten D145 several times that I've been there, which is just a few sites from the ones you'll have. A Suggestion -- go in backwards. It's a one way road counterclockwise. Go in clockwise. Lots of folks do this and you'll have a much better view, since you're going to be inside the loop. There's also outstanding restrooms nearby with flush toilets and running water. A shame they didn't put in showers as well. I think you'll really like D loop.
  • Floridafrances's avatar
    Floridafrances
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2017
    fanrgs wrote:
    For things to see and do along CO 91/US 24, take a look at my blog HERE.


    Your blog was already bookmarked in my trip folder. :D I discovered it while doing research for this trip. I picked up some good info from you.

    Thanks.
  • Floridafrances's avatar
    Floridafrances
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2017
    Thom02099 wrote:

    I sent you a PM with some directions/advice.

    D140 and D139 are good sites to get. I've gotten D145 several times that I've been there, which is just a few sites from the ones you'll have. A Suggestion -- go in backwards. It's a one way road counterclockwise. Go in clockwise. Lots of folks do this and you'll have a much better view, since you're going to be inside the loop. There's also outstanding restrooms nearby with flush toilets and running water. A shame they didn't put in showers as well. I think you'll really like D loop.


    Thanks, good to know. Yes, too bad about no showers. I'm not worried about running out of water, or filling up our waste tanks - we have good capacity on all 3. But if we could shower elsewhere, it would cut down on power consumption via water pump, igniter for water heater, etc. Not biggies, but every little bit counts.
  • fanrgs's avatar
    fanrgs
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2017
    On your #5 route, there is an alternative route that doesn't go back into Denver and can avoid I-70 and the Eisenhower Tunnel. Take CO 119 from GGCSP to US 6/I-70 only to Idaho Springs, then stay on the I-70 frontage road (old US 6) all the way to Georgetown (this is the road we had to use to go skiing before I-70 was built!). At Georgetown, take the newly paved Guanella Pass Scenic and Historic Byway to Grants on US 285. US 285 then takes you directly across South Park and into Buena Vista.
  • Heisenberg's avatar
    Heisenberg
    Explorer
    Aug 08, 2017
    fanrgs ... thanks for the info on that route. Frisco to Fairplay is nice but "been there done that". I never considered CO 381 because of the curves "on the map" and State Highway designation. Past experience has been State highways are great. However it helps to know that some have used it in the RV.

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