Vernal to Estes Park (and/or Denver)

[TravelHawk]

We love scenery and secondary routes, and I'm fine with mountain roads and high passes when they are worthwhile. But in a class A + towed, some roads are not worth the fuel or hassle.

So, of the several routes between Vernal UT and Estes Park (or general Boulder/Denver area), what is recommended to consider, or avoid?

I could go north from Vernal to I-80 in various ways, or south to I-70 in various ways. Both of these Interstate segments would be new to us. Or I could go east on US-40 to...where?

[Thom02099]

TravelHawk wrote:
We love scenery and secondary routes, and I'm fine with mountain roads and high passes when they are worthwhile. But in a class A + towed, some roads are not worth the fuel or hassle.

So, of the several routes between Vernal UT and Estes Park (or general Boulder/Denver area), what is recommended to consider, or avoid?

I could go north from Vernal to I-80 in various ways, or south to I-70 in various ways. Both of these Interstate segments would be new to us. Or I could go east on US-40 to...where?

If you're an experienced mountain driver, then Trail Ridge is doable. One frequently sees various sizes and types of motorhomes and trailers up there. Just depends on when you're passing through, the day of the week, time of day, etc, as well as your comfort level on driving on a shelf road with no guardrails and significant drop offs. Some times/days are busier than others. Over the next several weeks they are planning on doing chip seal work from Many Parks Curve (about 7 miles up from the east entrance) all the way to the Alpine Visitor's Center, so there will be delays of 30 minutes or more in both directions. They are also finishing up some curve/wall construction closer to the Alpine Visitor's Center, with a traffic light set up there (yup, at 11000 feet!).

An alternative for you could be to take US 40 from Steamboat, up and over Rabbit Ears Pass, then get on CO 14 and take that down into Walden in Jackson County and North Park. Gorgeous scenery that way, Walden is a funky little town to stop. Continue on CO 14 through Gould and up and over Cameron Pass and take it down the Poudre Canyon, following the Cache la Poudre River on it's trip down to the flats. Again, beautiful views, diverse terrain, you'll be going down hill so GREAT fuel mileage! It's about 60 miles down the canyon, from the top of Cameron to the intersection with US 287 outside Laporte, but it's not all just being in a walled canyon. There's lots of open meadows and straight portions that offer a wide variety of views along the way. There's actually only just a few places where you'll have walled canyons...appropriately named the Big Narrow and the Little Narrows. Roadway is fine, just very curvy. And there's lots of picnic areas as well as USFS campgrounds along the way.

Once you get down and on US 287 into Fort Collins, you can go out to I-25 down to Denver or stay on US 287 and go down to Longmont and on to Boulder.

[Busskipper]

TravelHawk wrote:
We love scenery and secondary routes, and I'm fine with mountain roads and high passes when they are worthwhile. But in a class A + towed, some roads are not worth the fuel or hassle.

So, of the several routes between Vernal UT and Estes Park (or general Boulder/Denver area), what is recommended to consider, or avoid?

I could go north from Vernal to I-80 in various ways, or south to I-70 in various ways. Both of these Interstate segments would be new to us. Or I could go east on US-40 to...where?

The logical (My Route) choice, would be Vernal to Yampa SP on 40 then to Steam Boat. from SB to Stagecoach SP, Beautiful, little used park.

Then to Stillwater Camp Ground on Lake Grandby.

I'm not usually one to suggest Camp grounds but on this route I make and exception. beautiful drive, great Camp Sites and gets you from Vernal to Trail Ridge.

Personally I drive Trail Ridge in my coach and love it, but I still suggest the drive in the Toad, just to allow you a great view.

If you drive over my next stop is in the Town of Lyons they have a small park right in town on the river. (check the status as the flood likely did damage to the CG.

If you decide to head south to 70 then you are back on the beaten path and are on your own (we usually get off 70 just after Idaho Springs to Rt 6 into Golden) and will stay there in the in town RV Park on Clear Creek.

Usually when we are in this neck of the woods - leaving Grandby we would head on over to the Leadville , Buena Vista area and spend a week.

Hope this is of some help - just remember you said you were good with not having to stay on the Interstates.

BOL,

[greg121]

It is allowed and possible - when the road is open. I see big rigs there regularly. When might you be going? Getting into fall it may or may not be open.

Now, whether its advisable or not is up to the individual and rig. It can be a long slow up and down with traffic, drivers in tourist mode and no place to park a big rig (depending on time of year/day)

Myself I find it a whole lot less stressful on me and the rig to get across another way and go up in the toad.

[TravelHawk]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've heard that driving a big rig THROUGH RMNP is not advisable. Some have said it is not allowed or not possible (like it's not possible to drive the primary route through Yosemite due to clearances). Can anyone confirm/deny?

[1mtnman]

The most scenic route is Hwy40 and Hwy34 to Estes Park. It is very hard to beat the scenery over Trail Ridge Road.