Grand Canyon to Denver to Salt Lake City

[sunfan03]

On a trip now with our family of 5 (DH and 3 DDs) in our 29' Class C. Heading to Zion and Bryce and we already have reservations for Grand Canyon mid-Sept. for a few nights. Now I'm reconsidering what we do after that.

Had a friend that mentioned this route:

Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde (2 nights) then Colorado Spring/Denver (to see family) then Moab (Arches/Canyonland, 2 nights) then Salt Lake City (more family). From there, we'll head up North to Coeur d'Alene before heading home in Seattle.

Are we going to be okay with the elevation gains on that route? We've never traveled from GC through Mesa Verde to Denver...would we be better off going through Colorado Springs then to Denver? Other suggestions on things to see along the way?

I haven't had as much time to plan this trip as others, so I really appreciate the input.

[Busskipper]

sunfan03 wrote:

fanrgs wrote:
May be too late now to answer your question since you seem to be moving very fast. Look at the Accuweather long-term forecast for the time you may be in Arches. If it is going to be <80 degrees and you are only going to stay one night, just dry camp at Arches (although it is probably already full).

If it is going to be too warm, you can get electric sites at one of the most spectacular state parks in the nation--Dead Horse Point State Park. The views are incomparable--Grand Canyon with two big rivers instead of just one.

Incidentally, if you are not already in Denver, it would be a shame to drive all the way to I-25 on US 160 and not stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Your daughters are at the perfect age to climb the dunes, then slide down on cardboard or some other flat object. The NP has only dry camping, but the nearby San Luis State Park has hookups if you can manage to add another night to your schedule.

Thanks for the advice, especially about Great Sand Dunes. I was wondering if it would be a worthwhile stop. We'll try and make that happen.

Kids will love the Dunes, is a great stop ad will be the perfect time of year. So much to see in Colorado.

We should start more suggestions for the trip back to Utah. When you enter Utah on I-70 if you get off on exit 214 you can take 128 and follow the Colorado River into Moab, one great drive with some CG's along the way. Glenwood Springs and the over under I-70 is a great stop to plan on stretching your legs, and if you are able to find a CG Maroon Bells is the most photographed Rock in Colorado, with the Aspen it is the BEST in late September.

Enjoy your trip,

[sunfan03]

fanrgs wrote:
May be too late now to answer your question since you seem to be moving very fast. Look at the Accuweather long-term forecast for the time you may be in Arches. If it is going to be <80 degrees and you are only going to stay one night, just dry camp at Arches (although it is probably already full).

If it is going to be too warm, you can get electric sites at one of the most spectacular state parks in the nation--Dead Horse Point State Park. The views are incomparable--Grand Canyon with two big rivers instead of just one.

Incidentally, if you are not already in Denver, it would be a shame to drive all the way to I-25 on US 160 and not stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Your daughters are at the perfect age to climb the dunes, then slide down on cardboard or some other flat object. The NP has only dry camping, but the nearby San Luis State Park has hookups if you can manage to add another night to your schedule.

Thanks for the advice, especially about Great Sand Dunes. I was wondering if it would be a worthwhile stop. We'll try and make that happen.

[fanrgs]

May be too late now to answer your question since you seem to be moving very fast. Look at the Accuweather long-term forecast for the time you may be in Arches. If it is going to be <80 degrees and you are only going to stay one night, just dry camp at Arches (although it is probably already full).

If it is going to be too warm, you can get electric sites at one of the most spectacular state parks in the nation--Dead Horse Point State Park. The views are incomparable--Grand Canyon with two big rivers instead of just one.

Incidentally, if you are not already in Denver, it would be a shame to drive all the way to I-25 on US 160 and not stop at Great Sand Dunes National Park. Your daughters are at the perfect age to climb the dunes, then slide down on cardboard or some other flat object. The NP has only dry camping, but the nearby San Luis State Park has hookups if you can manage to add another night to your schedule.

[sunfan03]

Thanks everyone for the great ideas! Especially on places to overnight.

I should have mentioned that we have only 2 nights to get from Grand Canyon to Denver. So I was planning on overnighting in the Cortez area, then spending the following day/night in Mesa Verde, then heading to Denver.

DDs are 9, 11 and 13 and LOVE educational displays so we'll check out Anasazi.

Thanks for the reminder on the Aspens. We happened upon them a few years ago on another road trip (no motorhome) and they were BEAUTIFUL.

Our main concern is just getting through the grade of the mountain passes since we're a V8, 29' Class C. Slow and steady, I guess.

I think we're leaning towards taking 160 E out of Mesa Verde, then up 25 N to Denver. I'm guessing that we'll catch the colors of the Aspens when we visit Rocky Mtn. NP and then when we head west on I-70.

We want to go to Arches too on our way to SLC. We'll spend one day driving from Denver to Arches area, overnight and then a full day/night for Arches. Any suggestions on where to stay? I was thinking we could dry camp, but if it's hot, then I know electric hookups would be ideal.

Thanks again for your help.

[4runnerguy]

How old are your kids and what do you like to do? There are some suggestions above, but if your kids are all under 5, that's a whole lot different that three teenagers!

[fanrgs]

You didn't say how old your daughters are. Would they enjoy a museum with exhibits on the Anasazi designed for children, including interactive videos and even microscope slides of 1,000 year-old pottery? If so, you should visit the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, 10 miles north of Cortez, after your tour of Mesa Verde. You can get electric RV spaces at Juniper Campground at McPhee Reservoir, which is located just west of the museum.

You can continue north from Dolores on CO 145 to Telluride to ride the gondola to the top of the ski area and drive up the canyon to view Bridal Veil Falls. From there, take CO 145 to Placerville, CO 62 to Ridgway, and US 550 and 50 to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (NP has a campground with electric hookups).

From Black Canyon, continue east on US 50 over Monarch Pass to Salida and down the Arkansas River canyon/Royal Gorge to Canon City. Then you can take CO 115 to Colorado Springs and I-25 to Denver. Cheyenne Mountain State Park is located right on CO 115 just before Colorado Springs and has both electric=only and full-hookup sites for $22-24 a night.

[kalynzoo]

You and the family will love Mesa Verde and the Durango area. Travel the 89 to the 160 through Monument Valley. Then up to Mesa Verde. Follow the 160 east to the 25, then up to Denver. You DO NOT want to take the 550 over the mountains. Then west to Salt Lake City on the 70. There are so many places to visit along the way it would take a book or travel guide to name them all, and even then you would miss many. The Air Force Academy, Vail, Golden, Pikes Peak...on and on. In Salt Lake take the drive to Antelope Island. We had so much fun there.
Enjoy and Happy Trails.

[Busskipper]

sunfan03 wrote:
On a trip now with our family of 5 (DH and 3 DDs) in our 29' Class C. Heading to Zion and Bryce and we already have reservations for Grand Canyon mid-Sept. for a few nights. Now I'm reconsidering what we do after that.

Had a friend that mentioned this route:

Grand Canyon to Mesa Verde (2 nights) then Colorado Spring/Denver (to see family) then Moab (Arches/Canyonland, 2 nights) then Salt Lake City (more family). From there, we'll head up North to Coeur d'Alene before heading home in Seattle.

Are we going to be okay with the elevation gains on that route? We've never traveled from GC through Mesa Verde to Denver...would we be better off going through Colorado Springs then to Denver? Other suggestions on things to see along the way?

I haven't had as much time to plan this trip as others, so I really appreciate the input.

Great time to be in Colorado but you need to get a few more days in the Mountains. September's last couple weeks are the time to see the Aspen turn GOLD. How comfortable are you with mountain driving? If you are OK look to drive over every pass possible just to see the colors.

Leaving Mesa Verde you have three choices for color - Rt's 145 - 550 - and 149 all three would be spectacular late September. head on up to Buena Vista and Leadville with a run into the Collegiate Peaks. Out of Leadville head to 91 and back to I70 at exit 244/Idaho Springs Rt 6 to Golden then you are in Denver, or at least 10-15 miles from downtown. This route will put you in the middle of some pretty large Aspen Groves and with any luck it will be an experience you will never forget. (if you have time you could catch Independence Pass over to Aspen but if can get really narrow on some stretches)

If that works I can get back to you on what to see on the way out latter.

BOL,