HWY 50 from Royal Gorge to Grand Junction Co

[craig7h]

Am planning a trip from Royal Gorge to Zion National Park. I would like to avoid going up to Denver to catch I70. How is traveling on HWY50 between Royal Gorge and Grand Junction?

[tatest]

It is a great trip, if you are not in a hurry. Not that it is slow going, rather there is so much to stop and see along the way. We took four days to go from Canon City to Grand Junction, three overnight stops. The driving time directly through, with no stops, is something like five and a half hours.

Driving, there are long sections of grades up to Monarch Pass, which will probably not slow you much below the posted speed limits, but if you get caught behind a truck (much slower than a RV) you might find it difficult to accelerate back up to speed for the passing lane.

[RedRocket204]

4runnerguy wrote:

RedRocket204 wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:
Monarch Pass is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Colorado, tops out ~11,300 feet. At the top, there's an aerial tram that goes to the top of Monarch Ridge at ~12,000 feet. Spectacular vistas from up top there, highly recommended for some real Colorado photo ops.

And also the beginning of the Monarch Crest MTB Trail, a classic IMBA Epic 100, 35 miles mountain bike trail ride. Yes, the ride starts at 11,300 feet elevation. It's a real lung burner.

Sorry, couldn't resist :B

Do it right and ride up Monarch Pass before you get on the trail. Riding the loop is much more of an accomplishment than taking the shuttle. 😉

Never actually done it that way, but we have ridden up Marshall Pass and completed the loop down the Rainbow Trail/Silver Creek Trail. Only get up to 10,800', but you've definitely earned your turns coming back down.

Haha, yeah, I'm absolutely sure it is much more of an accomplishment! 🙂

If you look at the shuttled Monarch Crest ride, specifically the elevation loss/gain, most believe it is primarily downhill. Granted, there is a lot of downhill but those thinking there is not much climbing will be very disappointed. Here is the gain/loss from my Garmin during the ride:

2,687 ft Elev Gain
6,293 ft Elev Loss

And that includes the final 4-5 mile run-out, which is all downhill on a road. Whatever the case, it is a very fun trail but one where I'd suggest a very good quality full-suspension. It could easily be done on a hardtail but a quality full suspension would be a much funner ride.

I was close to 50 when I last did M.C. and planning to ride it again once the snow clears this summer. But I'll choose to shuttle it again. Heck, the first time I was on Loveland Pass was via a road bike during the Courage Classic so I'm not afraid of climbing at altitude. I do love being out in the CO air!!!

[4runnerguy]

RedRocket204 wrote:

Thom02099 wrote:
Monarch Pass is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Colorado, tops out ~11,300 feet. At the top, there's an aerial tram that goes to the top of Monarch Ridge at ~12,000 feet. Spectacular vistas from up top there, highly recommended for some real Colorado photo ops.

And also the beginning of the Monarch Crest MTB Trail, a classic IMBA Epic 100, 35 miles mountain bike trail ride. Yes, the ride starts at 11,300 feet elevation. It's a real lung burner.

Sorry, couldn't resist :B

Do it right and ride up Monarch Pass before you get on the trail. Riding the loop is much more of an accomplishment than taking the shuttle. 😉

Never actually done it that way, but we have ridden up Marshall Pass and completed the loop down the Rainbow Trail/Silver Creek Trail. Only get up to 10,800', but you've definitely earned your turns coming back down.

[RedRocket204]

Thom02099 wrote:
Monarch Pass is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Colorado, tops out ~11,300 feet. At the top, there's an aerial tram that goes to the top of Monarch Ridge at ~12,000 feet. Spectacular vistas from up top there, highly recommended for some real Colorado photo ops.

And also the beginning of the Monarch Crest MTB Trail, a classic IMBA Epic 100, 35 miles mountain bike trail ride. Yes, the ride starts at 11,300 feet elevation. It's a real lung burner.

Sorry, couldn't resist :B

[4runnerguy]

US 50 is good. Another option is to take US 50 to Salida, north on US 285 to US 24 to I-70. A longer route mileage-wise, but not much difference in time. And certainly no less scenic. The big plus is Tennessee Pass is a much easier (more gentle) grade than Monarch, esp. if you're going east to west.

[fanrgs]

For campground and sightseeing ideas along US 50 between Canon City and GJ, take at look at my Colorado blog HERE.

[Busskipper]

craig7h wrote:
Am planning a trip from Royal Gorge to Zion National Park. I would like to avoid going up to Denver to catch I70. How is traveling on HWY50 between Royal Gorge and Grand Junction?

Your route will work fine - BUT - there are other options that could be suggested if we knew the Mission and what else you are after on this trip.

Is Moab in the cards or Possibly Monument Valley/Page/North Rim?

Ouray - Telluride - Mesa Verde................

Just thinking.......

Best of Luck,

[2gypsies1]

Downshift before even starting to go on downhills. Don't try slowing down big time in the midst of the downhill. Use your breaks sparingly.

Agreed.... it's the only way to go - a beautiful drive.

[F-TROUP]

Our son lives in Canon City and we've pulled double over 50 a dozen times or more not a problem. Spend the night in Montrose at Cedar creek rv park and have dinner at the Mex resturante across the street, try the Zarapas.

[TexasShadow]

Good road. and beautiful. There is a city park in Gunnison, right on 50 on the east side as you come into town. you can pull over and park along the curb and take a nice break if you're ready.

[Thom02099]

Monarch Pass is considered one of the most beautiful passes in Colorado, tops out ~11,300 feet. At the top, there's an aerial tram that goes to the top of Monarch Ridge at ~12,000 feet. Spectacular vistas from up top there, highly recommended for some real Colorado photo ops.

That's the major pass you'll encounter and is not a difficult one; 3 lanes on both sides/2 lanes climbing on each side. A bit twisty, but that's to be expected with any Colorado pass. Good roadway, no steep drop offs.

[Lwiddis]

Scenic! Take it.

[IDman]

Good hiway with beautiful scenery. A couple of passes but nothing you won't be able to handle easily. Good fuel stops in Salida, Gunnison, and Montrose.
Enjoy your drive!