Roads thru Colorado

[Jones714]

Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

[RAS43]

You haven't listed any intended routes or highway #'s but one warning: you DO NOT want to travel from Aspen on CO82 with your rig. It is a narrow 2 lane mountain pass not made for the size of your motorhome/toad. Others have already commented, I didn't see them. ??

[Busskipper]

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

FYI click your settings - you do not allow private Messages.

Busskipper

[Busskipper]

Picture of RV Restricted Rt 82


Yes that's about 18-20 feet wide on that curve and no way you would pass a large RV.

Busskipper wrote:

Busskipper wrote:

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

Simple answer to the Question with the info given.


– Independence pass is a day drive in the Toad – restricted length road –beautiful drive just not room for cars to pass each other much less RV’s.

BOL and I hope this helps,

Busskipper

To really enjoy this trip you will need TIME>

Thought I was Pretty Clear on that.......... but never can be over emphasized.

Map showing RV - Coach Routing

So One more time Rt 82 Toad only.

JMHO,

Busskipper

This is a Great trip,

[Busskipper]

Busskipper wrote:

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

Simple answer to the Question with the info given.


– Independence pass is a day drive in the Toad – restricted length road –beautiful drive just not room for cars to pass each other much less RV’s.

BOL and I hope this helps,

Busskipper

To really enjoy this trip you will need TIME>

Thought I was Pretty Clear on that.......... but never can be over emphasized.

Map showing RV - Coach Routing

So One more time Rt 82 Toad only.

JMHO,

Busskipper

This is a Great trip,

[Thom02099]

padredw wrote:

One thing you don't want to do is take Hwy 82 southeast out of Aspen. You wouldn't like Independence Pass.

In all the fine suggestions, DO NOT overlook this one. You CAN NOT tow your coach over Independence Pass, so you cannot go directly from Aspen to US 24: Buena Vista, Salida.

THIS ^^^^^ Heed this advice!!!

From the CDOT website:

Note: Oversized and overweight vehicles are strictly prohibited from using the Pass at any time due to narrow and winding roads and steep inclines. Absolutely no vehicles over 35 feet in length (this includes a vehicle and trailer that, together, exceed 35 feet) may use the Pass at any time. These pass restrictions lie between MP 42 (Aspen side) and MP 84.2 (Leadville/Twin Lakes side, about one mile west of the junction with US 24).

There was a news blurb last fall on the Denver local news about the Pitkin County Commissioners passing a law that prohibits vehicles over 35 feet in length AND assessing a fine up to $1600 for violation. This is enforced by the Pitkin County Sheriff's Department, and presumably the Colorado State Patrol.

What's the alternative? Taking CO 82 back north to I-70, EB to US 24 and then south on US 24 over Tennessee Pass and on to Leadville, Buena Vista and Salida. It's a very beautiful drive. Yes, there's other alternatives, but this drive would probably be the easiest for your coach/toad combo.

[padredw]

One thing you don't want to do is take Hwy 82 southeast out of Aspen. You wouldn't like Independence Pass.

In all the fine suggestions, DO NOT overlook this one. You CAN NOT tow your coach over Independence Pass, so you cannot go directly from Aspen to US 24: Buena Vista, Salida.

[Busskipper]

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

Simple answer to the Question with the info given.

South on 131 nice easy drive through the lower mountains to I-70 then West on 70 to Glenwood Springs – Rt 82 - funny exit here have to sort of drive through town but you will be fine, street will handle you drive to Aspen, where will you stay? Not a really friendly RV town? - after Aspen head out 82 north – Independence pass is a day drive in the Toad – restricted length road –beautiful drive just not room for cars to pass each other much less RV’s. Rt 82 north to Rt 133 heading to Delta but don’t miss Red Stone for Lunch on the Creek and Marble for the might or a week if you enjoy just quiet, wild and beautiful places. One additional option is to slide of and visit Black Canyon of the Gunnison, one of those sights that just adds to Colorado’s lore as an amazing state.

So now a big issue – The San Juan’s – how do you RV without spending at least a week here???? Ouray – Lake City – Silverton - Telluride – 4X4 trails –Train Ride – just things everywhere – one of the last great wild spots in the US, to miss it is just wrong.(IMHO) But I digress – Salida is your destination. You will take Rt 50 out of Montrose to with a little mountain driving in Monarch Pass- not an issue – to Salida then drive north to Buena Vista with the Collegiate’s to your west – I’d advise unhooking and spending a week or so here just exploring – it is Great with very tame Gravel roads to travel in your toad and hiking to die for. Now that you are unhooked for a while head on out to Rt 82 and see Aspen from this direction Independence Pass is worth another trip.

K’s in Buena Vista and Quincy’s in Leadville for lunch and Dinner Turquoise Lake maybe then follow Rt 24 back through Minturn to 70 – or if in a hurry take Rt 91 to 70 and on to Denver, I’ll recommend getting off on Exit 244 – Rt 6 to Golden so you get your last taste of the Rockies before getting back to civilization.

That’s my short version – Thom – will also have a more detailed post if you need more info – this is a drive I will take EVERY TIME POSSIBLE it is just beautiful. (and yes I do it in My Coach)

BOL and I hope this helps,

Busskipper

To really enjoy this trip you will need TIME>

[Busskipper]

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

Simple answer - most of the roads are asphalt the grades will be from say 5,000' to 12,000' with the higher ones being the passes (Lot's of Passes) if you have an engine brake then the hard part of the passes - the going DOWN will be a lot easier.

IMHO - all the roads in Colorado are GREAT - you being from Jersey should have no issue (I've been on a lot of your bridges and the turnpike - nothing like that in Colorado - maybe Sunday after fresh powder on I-70 into Denver.

Thom answered your question correctly - you really need to give us more info - what do you LIKE - What do you enjoy doing, seeing.

Suggestions - Hike up to Maroon Bells - Ride the Arkansas River in a Raft - Do a few 4x4 trails in the San Juans - see RMNP - Great Sand Dune NP - Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - Dino NM - Ouray - Silverton - Telluride . if you still have time at least drive the Toad on Independence Pass and Berthoud Pass - Get a steak Dinner at Quincy's and a Burger at K's - maybe Farmers Market in Boulder - and last get a Coors Beer and drink it on Clear Creek.

If you do all that then when you come back we'll tell you where to find MORE.

BOL,

:? :B 😛

[Thom02099]

Jones714 wrote:
Traveling in a 40ft coach and towing. We will be heading from Steamboat Springs south to Aspen then east to Denver through Salida. Looks like a fairly common route logistically. Can you tell me what the roads will be like. Grades and heights being my only big concern. Thanks.

Perhaps if you provided more info on what routes you were considering, we could assist you in assessing the routes. What "fairly common route logistically" are you looking at?

[Lauren]

Good advice from 2gypsies.

Keep in mind, you are in the Rocky Mountains -- there will be grades and heights.

Hwy 82 from Aspen over to Hwy has length restrictions of 35 feet so you cannot go that route.

[2gypsies1]

If you still have time, I'd suggest ordering this mountain directory. It's a great resource and you can get it in many forms.

http://www.mountaindirectory.com/

One thing you don't want to do is take Hwy 82 southeast out of Aspen. You wouldn't like Independence Pass.