More Colorado route questions

I agree with Joe on taking your trailer on 550. But, as several others have said, there are alternative routes from the south into Montrose even if you don't use 550.

I would second the idea of using US 84 from the Espanola area to Pagosa Springs, then US 160 to Dolores, CO 145 to Telluride, and CO 62/US 550 to Montrose. Except along 160, you won't have a lot of other tourist or RV traffic. But you will see some beautiful scenery--from high desert at Abiquiu/Ghost Ranch (Georgia O'Keefe country) to the spectacular box canyon of Telluride and the Dallas Divide views of Mt. Sneffels.

Campgrounds along that route could include Abiquiu Lake (Corps of Engineers), McPhee Reservoir (BuRec; at Dolores) (both w/electric HU and 1/2 price for >62), and Ridgway State Park south of Montrose (68 FHU sites and electric-only at 161 others; one of our favorite SP campgrounds in Colorado). Along CO 145, you can also find the rarest of all Federal campgrounds--Forest Service campgrounds with electric hookups (3 of them on one road!) and also 1/2 price for >62.

That route also has a month's worth of activities and sights to see. There is Ghost Ranch near Abiquiu; the Cumbres & Toltec NG RR at Chama and the Durango & Silverton NG RR at Durango; the hot springs pools at Pagosa Springs and Ouray; Chimney Rock National Monument between Pagosa and Durango; Mesa Verde NP at Mancos; the absolutely not-to-miss Anasazi Museum at Dolores; Bridal Veil Falls at Telluride; fishing in the San Juan, Animas, Dolores, and San Miguel Rivers and Navajo, McPhee, Alta, and Trout Lakes; and the previously-mentioned jeep or ATV tours of the San Juan mining districts from Telluride and Ouray.

If it weren't for the 10 feet of snow on the passes, I have just talked myself into leaving for Abiquiu right now. Who wants to wait until June?

The Colorado state DOT recently, within the last few weeks had Hwy 550 closed a few miles south of Ouray for two days. They were doing a vehicle and body recovery operation. They got the largest wrecker on the West Slope from Grand Junction and in combination with a large wheeled crane, were able to retrieve both car and deceased driver.

Exact cause of the accident has not been released, but self inflicted is a possibility. The years I worked for Ouray County as a road deputy for the Sheriff's Dept, and as a deputy Coroner, that road held a special fascination to some people not enjoying good mental health. You don't want to get in their way as you could go with them. I have a lot of respect for Hwy south of Ouray and how it often gives travelers only one "oops".

The OP has said he has no intention of trying to pull his trailer over, Hwy 550, Durango to Ouray, as he has seen it, sounds like a smart man to me.

I am still with 4runnerguy on his suggestions.

So from Montrose, I'd head north to I-70 and head east to take the Peak to Peak (CO 119/72) highway up to Estes Park,

We always enjoy the Peak to Peak drive although it is a very crooked and ever changing-level roadway. Nothing to compare with US 550 coming into Ouray, just crooked and unlevel. If you just adjust to that from the beginning of the drive you should enjoy it. At least we do.

You could come back over Monarch Pass to Salida and Buena Vista and then go up through Leadville to hit I-70 and then take the Peak to Peak. That is the way we almost always go. I would recommend a visit in the Buena Vista area: Collegate Peaks on the western horizon and the Arkansas River valley with the opportunity for rafting. You could stay there several days.

You could stay in Ouray to make the jeep drives and also the drive over to Durango (leaving trailer in the RV park) and over to Telluride on another day. But there are many different variations of these plans.

When you have tacked down a specific itinerary, I'd be happy to comment on our experience any of the roadways you plan to travel.

Guardrail, for me, is visual perceived safety from the next stop being 500+ feet down. Also if some guy comes with his half out of the middle, most likely that guard rail is going to save my life.

Trail Ridge Road also has some tight hairpin turns on the west side, along with all the gawkers and other issues.

And, unfortunately, the pine beetles have made it to the east side as well according to my friends there. We have not been there for a few years.

There are few roads that compare with the exposure on US 550 from Silverton to Ouray. While the road is actually wider than other flat places down between Ouray and Ridgway, the drop off can be bothersome. With regards to the absence of a guardrail, I'm always inclined to ask how often one uses the guardrail to stay on any road. I'm not one to play bumper cars with a guardrail as I go down the highway. ;) So that being said, none of the other routes I've suggested to and from Montrose should be an issue for you. Just remember to use your transmission when heading down grade rather than heating up your brakes. If you're comfortable with pulling the in Smokey's, the Rockies are just higher in elevation but the passes start a lot higher, too.

As for RMNP, the road through the park, while not terribly difficult, does have places without drop-offs that can unnerve some. Dealing with someone coming from the other direction who is taking their half out of the middle can be a bigger problem. But in reality, the best part of the park is on the east side. While it is also the side overrun with visitors, it is the prettier side now that the pine beetle infestation has decimated the trees around Grand Lake. The east side trails also reach lakes in far shorter distances than the much longer trails on the west side. So from Montrose, I'd head north to I-70 and head east to take the Peak to Peak (CO 119/72) highway up to Estes Park, set up camp, and explore. I-70 from Grand Junction to Denver, while an interstate, has far better scenery than most interstates in this country. Sure, there are a couple of high passes, but amazing views. From Estes Park head east when you're ready to leave (either US 34 or 36).

They typically try to have Trail Ridge Road plowed open by Memorial Day, so by mid June you should be good to go. Some of the higher portions of the hiking trails may still be a bit muddy. It's been in the mid-60's already in Estes Park, so unless we get a real major snowstorm, things should be dry. As for bears, they are around (even in town) but keep a clean camp and you won't have problems. If you don't need hookups, check out Moraine Park CG in the park. But it is getting quite late to get reservations, so book now.

If I had one suggestion, it would be to spend two to three weeks in CO. You're retired and coming quite a distance from Alabama, so stop and do some exploring elsewhere. Do a search here on "Salida" and 4Runnerguy to see some of my recommendations in that area. Spending at least a few days there is worth your time.

I agree with others on staying in Central and South Central areas. So much to do and see here. Beautiful country!

Thanks for the suggestions and guidance. Let me clear up 2 questions:

1. if we tried to go to RMNP, we would add some days on to the end of the trip. We're newly retired, and every day is Saturday except Sunday.

2. Several questioned how comfortable a flat-lander like me is on mountain roads, and that goes right to the point of most of the questions. We've pulled the trailer in the Smokey Mountains quite a bit and I was raised there so I know what that is and am comfortable with that. But, the Rockies are something else.

NMDriver brought up a point that we can use as a reference point. We went to Durango in 2006 (solo in a 4-runner) and did the 550 run from Durango to Ouray. Spectacular drive, but no way would I pull my trailer thru that, especially from Silverton to Ouray. I can handle the up and down inclines, but the tight turns and no pull-outs for problems give me pause with the trailer. We were fascinated with the absence of guard rails and were told they don't use them because when the avalanches hit them they tear the road off the side of the mountain --- hardly a comforting explanation.

So with that as a reference point, does that change any of your suggestions?

Again, I really appreciate your help.

Ken (4runnerguy) is very accurate on CO. I agree with him here and agree with him about 98% of the time! :-)

Referance Q4 part C. Instead of using 285 up the CO middle valley go up US 84 to Pagosa Springs to catch 160 over to Durango and use 550 to get to Montrose. Coal Bank, Molas, and Red Mountain Pass, will provide a Rocky Mtn Park like view and going North over Red Mountain is not as intimidating as going South.

The middle valley in CO is not all that scenic on the southern end and neither is northern NM along 285. You can see mountains in the distance but you are in high desert sage brush most of the way.

1) Santa Fe to Montrose - I agree with 285; if you stay on 285 to Salida, Poncha Pass is very mild by Colo standards, but then you face climbing up & down Monarch Pass 11.300 ft. Hwy 50 over Monarch is very good road, but a long climb. an alternate is cutting off 285 in Saguache on 114 over to 50. 114 is 2 lane in a canyon that cuts through the mountains, has no steep sections, but lots of twisty turns. You mention 160/149 via South Fork, Creede & Lake City to hit 50 near Blue Mesa Reservoir. That's a good option also, and probably the most scenic in that area. You will have a very steep descent (8-9%) from 11,530 ft Slumgullion Pass down into Lake City.

any of those is doable with your 32 ft rig. you can't travel that part of Co without some steep up/down. each option has its pluses/minuses, its more a personal preference choice. I live in South Fork, Co and have used all 3 routes in my travels.
I didn't mention the 550 option, since I never send flatlanders with unknown mountain experience over Red Mountain Pass. Its certainly doable, I do it twice a year in my MH, but for many not used to that exposure, its a frightening experience.

2-3) I would use 24 to Manitou Springs, its shorter & quicker. hwy 50 from Salida to Canon City follows the Arkansas River with lots of twists & turns, and at that time of the year is clogged with lots of rafting traffic. unless you want to add a raft trip on the Arkansas, I would avoid it.
As far as the Alpine Trail (I do it on my ATV once a year) I would consider doing it from Lake City if you use the 160/149 option above. Lake City has several good RV parks, a couple full service jeep rental outfits and its less crowded & less expensive than Ouray.