How is hwy 50 from Pueblo to Montrose Co?

[quiltlady]

Planning a trip thru Colorado. Thinking about taking hwy 50 to Montrose area. How is the road for driving a 38FT MH with 2 flat landers driving?
A couple of years ago we stayed in Durango and drove a car to Ouray. White knuckle ride all the way. Would never attempt this in a MH. How are the curves and elevations?

[Heisenberg]

In '03 I thought west bound over Monarch Pass was much easier than east bound was. It could have been compounded by "going home".

[quiltlady]

Thanks so much for the feedback. We will have to give this route a try. There seems to be a lot of great scenery in Colorado.This forum is so helpful for feedback. Thanks everyone.

[RCMAN46]

Should be no problem.

Just keep your speeds under control going down Monarch pass. Start out slow a get below posted speeds well before the curves. Best to be going too slow entering a curve than to fast. Braking hard in a curve can get you in very big trouble.

[KA4EBU]

Harley, car and several rvs - Beautiful and easy.

[edm3rd]

About 225 miles from Pueblo to Montrose, figure around 5 hours plus stops. From Pueblo to Salida, road follows the Arkansas River for part of the way, and easy sweeping turns with minimal reduction in speed. West of Salida you begin the climb to Monarch Pass, very few if any sharp curves, 2 lanes uphill for part of the climb. Single lane downhill from the summit, again sweeping curves. West of Gunnison you follow the Gunnison River and a crossing of Morrow Point Reservoir, with little abrupt elevation change to Montrose. Mostly an easy and scenic drive. Enjoy !

[obgraham]

Agree -- just drive it.

I suggest folks who have a question like this, load up Google Earth and drive the route in street view, in the comfort of your living room. You can see the curves, elevation, road surfaces, shoulder widths, etc.

[Thom02099]

quiltlady wrote:
Planning a trip thru Colorado. Thinking about taking hwy 50 to Montrose area. How is the road for driving a 38FT MH with 2 flat landers driving?
A couple of years ago we stayed in Durango and drove a car to Ouray. White knuckle ride all the way. Would never attempt this in a MH. How are the curves and elevations?

Your trip on US 50 will NOT be like the drive from Durango to Ouray! It's a good road, with the only pass being Monarch Pass, which tops out at about 11,300 feet. But it's not a difficult drive at all, for a flatlander or otherwise. As passes go, Monarch is a fairly easy one, good approaches on both sides.

If you're picking up US 50 in Pueblo or Canon City, it's a good drive up the Arkansas River Valley, very scenic and not difficult at all. Curves, yes...it is the mountains, after all, but very easy drive, probably no different than other drives you've experienced.

From the top of Monarch pass to Montrose, you'll basically be going downhill, with some beautiful country to see. If you're not in a hurry, stop and take in the sights around Gunnison. Also, at the top of Monarch Pass, there's a parking lot and an aerial tram that will take you to the crest of the pass for some incredible vistas of the Lower Sawatch Range. There's a gift/snack shop up there as well.

[JnJnKatiebug]

We have driven that road many times with our MH and Jeep. It is a good two land mountain road with lot of curves. You have to go over Monarch Pass which is a long way to the top and a long way back down. Just take your time and you will not have any problems.

BTW-I have also driven my MH pulling the Jeep from Durango to Ouray several times. You just have to take your time and go slow.