Next month some of us will be driving from Chicago to Durango, CO. At Colorado Springs we can go more northerly on US 24 (more scenic but slower?) to Salida, or the southerly route on Hwy 115 (quicker but not as pretty?). Any comments/suggestions about those two routes?

After Salida we will take 50/149/160 to Durango.

Heading north out of Durango to Carbondale we will go through Montrose. At that point we can continue north up to Delta then east to Hotchkiss, or via Cimarron and Crawford to Hotchkiss. Comments/suggestions about that part?

After Carbondale we will swing down through Aspen and Leadville on the way to Breckenridge.

Leaving Breckenridge we'll take I-70/40/34 through Rocky Mountain National Park.

Much of this route looks like it has the potential for some high speed cruising, but we don't want to leave any of our buddies in jail. Suggestions on where to let the horses out, and where to be cautious?

Thanks for the help!

 

Can't help you w/ the later part of your trip, but out of Colorado Springs, if you take 115 to Penrose, then get on 50, there is a bit of scenery just out of CS, you get to see Cheyenne Mountain on the right, but it flattens out pretty quickly. One benefit of going 50 is that you can cross the Royal Gorge.

If you go 24, it is more scenic, but keep in mind, in the mountains, even though you're on a highway, it can be very slow going, parts of 96 that I've travelled extensively (a bit south of your rte) there are many curves w/ 30mph speed recommendations (and you might want to heed them, if you go off, no one can see you from the road). And if you get behind a slowpoke, forgetaboutit.

You're gonna see a ton of the same type of scenery after Salida, so why not break it up w/ 115/50? Get some flat, high speed terrain, the Royal Gorge, and you can even do a side trip to Florence to visit w/ your favorite high profile criminal (Unabomber, Richard Reid, Terry Nichols, and Moussoui, among others ). Part of 50 runs along the headwaters of the Arkansas River, and thats a nice drive.

You really can't go wrong either way.

 

If you go up through 24 from Colo. Spgs, there is a nice flat section after Wilkerson pass to Hartsell. I used to take it on the way to Breckenridge in the winter. Although it is a one lane each way road, it is usually not too busy. You can really open it up on that section.

That is one beautiful ride you are going on

Cheers,

Todd

 

Ride the Harley up there a lot. Make a jaunt to Cripple Creek if you have time, it's a very short, but pretty and curvy drive, plus the casino town is really cool.

Whatever you do, make sure you run 50 between Canon City and Salida. The river runs by the road for 15-20 miles and I swear that when I'm near death, I'm going to make that ride on the bike one last time and straight into a cliff. It is very peaceful for whatever reason. Avoid weekends though, as the rapid riders can make the run slow and crowded...there are about 3 different rental spots that get busy.

 

When I was out there last year I took I 25 south out of Colorado Springs to US 160 over to Durango. 160 was a beautiful road with lots of great scenery. The road north out of Durango is a trip. I'm go back to Colorado the week after next. Spending two weeks traveling around the northern part of the state.

 

ill see ya out there

 

My dad was born and raised in Salida.. we used to go up there alot when I was a kid.... Monarch Pass over to Gunnison ain't bad either!

 

Once you get to Durango you need to go north on the "million dollar highway" to Silverton then Ouray. Words can't describe the scenary. Spectacular and the drive will be a blast!!!!!

 

As a former CO resident, I vote for the Durango to Ouray via Red Mountain Pass (Silverton) also. Not a better road anywhere. Then from Ouray you can jump out and catch 50.

 

Ouray is one of my favorite places, as well as Creede. The scenery doesn't get much better. And degaux, Monarch Pass to Gunnison is a sweet ride!

 

Agreed. Creede has some of the best scenery that I've seen anywhere.

 

If you run 50 from Pueblo to Canon City watch out for the LEO's. They hide behind the hills and nail you as you come into radar range. When I was there last year they were everywhere. Once you get out of that area you don't see that many.

We just got back from Yellostone last week and on the way home we drove from north to south on hwy 50 and 550 and it was beautiful as usual. Went through Ouray, Silverton and Durango. Great trip. Jimmy

 

This is my favorite!

 

Regarding which way to get to Salida from Colorado Springs, I have driven both ways scores of times, and your choice is pretty equal in terms of scenery. If you have a little time to spare, I would choose the Highway 50 route and make a short detour to the Royal Gorge Bridge just west of Canon City. After leaving, you will be driving along the Arkansas River for many miles and will see lots of rafters on the river. It's a beautiful drive, but you get slowed down a bit by RV's (especially in the summer) and trucks, and it can be tough to find a place to pass because of the narrowness of the canyon. Watch out for bighorn sheep grazing by the side of the road; they can be hard to spot because they blend in so well with the rocks and vegetation. Getting to Salida via Highway 24 is longer in terms of miles, but may be a little faster because you can really fly once you get west of Wilkerson Pass (stop at the top of the pass and look to the west if you want to know where the word "panorama" came from). You should also usually see buffalo and/or pronghorn antelope on this stretch of 24, especially when you get close to Hartsel. Going this way, you could also make a short detour to Fairplay, home of the South Park TV show (you're in south Park County). After you reach Buena Vista and turn south towards Salida on 285, you will see three of our "fourteeners" on the right side of the highway. Regarding your trip to Hotchkiss, I would opt for the Crawford/Cimmaron route. You will be going along the Gunnison River and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Monument (make time to at least stop at the visitors' center if you can). The drive from Hotchkiss into Carbondale is very scenic. Regardless of which options you take, you're in for a great trip. Hope this helps.

 

Damn it. Now I want to go! Thanks a lot Jim .

 

You're welcome!


Our family rented an RV and drove through part of this area about 15 years ago, the RV was a POS but the scenery was wonderful. With the kids grown up we figure the C6 is a better tool for the job...
Us midwesterners need to get out west more often!

 

I'm going to Durango from KS next Saturday. My favorite route out of Colo Springs is 115 (LEO Land sometimes)to 50. The curves on 50 along the Arkansas river between Canon City and Salida are great if you are there at a good time ie:early AM on a week day or Sunday. 285 to 112 to 160 is smooth and mostly straight somewhat interresting esp if you like potato fields. Rarely a LEO in my experience but YMMV. 160 west say from Del Norte to Pagosa is beautiful over Wolf Creek pass with a great view as you near the bottom on the west and Treasure Falls waterfall pulloff on your left after the valley overlook can be worth the stop. When you are in Durango be sure to eat lunch(weekdays) or dinner at Ken and Sue's 636 Main. A local favorite. Great New American / Contemporary with some traditional (Great meatloaf) to Asian. You will not be sorry. North on 550 out of Durango is beautiful. Watch for the steam engined "Silverton Train- (Of C W McCall fame-remember "Convoy"? )on the narrow Gauge RR you will follow for much of the route to Silverton. Ouray area is beautiful too as is Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP at around 550 and 50. 82 between Aspen and Leadville is gorgious, steep and very narrow and curvy in spots as you get up around Independence Pass....weeee... (Gas in Aspen is Very expensive BTW, so gasup in Montrose or somewhere) Leadville is interresting at 10000' MSL and Breckenridge is fun even in the Summer esp the last weekend of July when "Vettes on the Rockies" is there. 700-800 vettes! The Breckenridge Brewery has good beer, BTW. 40/34 in the back way to RMNP is good esp around Berthoud pass. Nice views, curves. RMNP is great over trail ridge road. Be aware it is cold and snows even in July on top of trailridge road as you pass through the park. Check the road report (877-315-7623) and take a jacket. I was there July 3 ,2004 and it was 28 degrees and snowing above 10K'. You have a great route planned. Some of the best of COLORado Enjoy your trip

 

50 west......stop in pueblo, hit the 2.2 mile road course..60$ 4 hours 100 for 8 hours....no safety inspection...they dont even care if you use a helmet...then you will be warmed up for the trip to salida

 

Did this two years ago going south from Montrose to Durango. Might be different in a Vette. I was on my Harley on the way to the Grand Canyon. Went north to Yellowstone after the GC, stopping at the North Rim, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Flaming Gorge, Jackson Hole, the Tetons, Yellowstone, Cody, Cheyenne and back to Fort Collins ( the starting point). I'm still reliving that adventure. Don't forget to stop in Ouray for lunch!

 

Sounds like a fun trip. Reguarding the drive on HWY 160 to Durango, going over Wolf Creek pass, which is between South Fork and Pagosa, you will run into some road construction. During the summer I believe their plan is to keep the road open throughout all construction phases, but chech the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) website to be sure. At one point last fall they were closing the pass from 7 pm- 7am for blasting, but I'm fairly sure they are all done with that. They also have 15-30 minute stops leaving Durango, between Durango and Silverton on HWY 550. Nothing major, just tree cutting, but should last most of the summer. All road construction should be minor enough not to worry about passing over and scraping with the bottom of your car. It should still be a nice drive, but just check the website I mentioned earlier to be sure. And if you guys have any tire trouble around Durango, my dad has a tire shop and gas station called Peerless Tyre Co. off of main st. and would be more than happy to help you car guys out.

Hope this helps a little, and have fun!