Colorado Trip Planning

[DIGGER]

Asking you Coloradoites....ha....Im looking into roads I havent been down yet in Colorado.  We are going to ride from Rato to Alamosa, to Wolf Creek Pass to Durango.    Next day to Montrose,then into Gunnison NAtional Park then up to Carbondale.    However I have never been down hyway 149 from Gunnison to Creede.   On the map it looks pretty windy in places.    Kind of off our plan but could work it in if it is a must see.   What you guys think?     

Basic Route is Raton to Durango to Montrose to Carbondale to Leadville via Independence Pass to Idaho Springs to Rocky Mountain National Park via Granby, then down to Royal Gorge to Raton.   Any thing else there a must see?

[F6Dave]

It's good that I-70 is not on your route, since the Glenwood Canyon fire has it closed.  Sounds like a great trip.  The north rim of the Black Canyon is one of the best rides in the state, and it's often deserted which makes it even better.  Independence Pass is another awesome ride, though I hear it's getting extra traffic with Glenwood Canyon being closed.

[Valkorado]

Cottonwood Pass is now paved and it's a hoot!  Hwy. 92 (North rim of Black Canyon of the Gunnison) as Dave mentioned is a great ride.  Unfortunately it won't be deserted this time.  With I-70 down the detour traffic throughout the whole Gunnison valley traffic is as thick as the smoke, never seen anything like it here.  Independence was closed due to wildfire as well, but I hear it's opened up again.  If you're in the Gunnison area and have an extra hour or two you should ride on up to Crested Butte, a nice ride with some really beautiful mountains. Lake City, Slumgullion and Creede is always a good call.  Yes we have been getting some hellish winds some days, mostly kicks up hard in afternoons.  If you're gonna be around Royal Gorge anyway take the short Skyline Drive ride outside Canon City.  Pretty cool on a bike.  Enjoy your trip!

There will be smoke!  Saw on the news the other night that we can expect at least a couple of the currently burning Colorado wildfires to rage on at least through October.  

I know some secret gem roads.  They're secret.

[DIGGER]

It's good that I-70 is not on your route, since the Glenwood Canyon fire has it closed.  Sounds like a great trip.  The north rim of the Black Canyon is one of the best rides in the state, and it's often deserted which makes it even better.  Independence Pass is another awesome ride, though I hear it's getting extra traffic with Glenwood Canyon being closed.

Got the North Rim ride on our route....thanks

[..]

149 is good and takes you over Slumgullion Pass where you can stop on the southern down slope and see the headwaters of the Rio Grande.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumgullion_Pass


The overlook is on the right as you head south.

It's on my top 25 most beautiful views in the USA especially if the aspens are fluffing.

https://www.colorado.com/headwaters-rio-grande-river-along-silver-thread-scenic-byway

Creede is worth a ride into but it's very touristy and can be buuuuuusy.

[..]

Passing Idaho Springs you will be closeish to Mt. Evans. The highest paved road in the lower 48.

Don't forget in CO at higher elevations you can use 85 grade gas.

https://www.colorado.com/byways/mount-evans

[..]

You know you have to have reservations for RMNP?


https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

[DIGGER]

You know you have to have reservations for RMNP?


https://www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/permitsandreservations.htm

Gotem......thanks

[DarkSideR]

If your trip is in the near future, heads up. There are two massive forest fires on the Western Slope that could impact your ride. I suggest doing a little homework before hand.

[DIGGER]

If your trip is in the near future, heads up. There are two massive forest fires on the Western Slope that could impact your ride. I suggest doing a little homework before hand.

Geez.....I'll ck it out

[Valkorado]

Out and about today, riding some of the roads less travelled to get away from the heavy traffic.  It's pretty thick (the traffic and the smoke).  This shot of the Castles was taken in the afternoon, after the really heavy morning smoke had lifted a bit from the valley.  It's bad.  My eyes have been burning.

[DIGGER]

Out and about today, riding some of the roads less travelled to get away from the heavy traffic.  It's pretty thick (the traffic and the smoke).  This shot of the Castles was taken in the afternoon, after the really heavy morning smoke had lifted a bit from the valley.  It's bad.  My eyes have been burning.

Praying for heavy rain in the next two weeks...

[hubcapsc]

Praying for heavy rain in the next two weeks...

There's a lot of Colorado south of 50... is 149 choked
up with smoke or tourists? How about 160? Me and
Mitch went where nobody goes out west of
Durango... 





-Mike

[Valkorado]

https://www.denverpost.com/2020/08/21/colorado-national-guard-wildfires-battle/

https://gazette.com/news/colorado-wildfires---the-latest-i-70-could-reopen-in-days-cdot-says-new/article_7c39778a-e3c8-11ea-ae63-0fecd3f1f5a1.html

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/nation-world/national/article245145275.html

[_Sheffjs_]

Apart from the fires I'm not following

1) Cottonwood pass is awesome. As mentioned above
2) Ouray
3) Skyline Drive, Cañon City a total must by bike.
4) Leadville and Turquoise Lake
5) Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Spa, take advantage of a nice massage.
6) We will always love Aspen and the Maroon Bells is a must see. 
7) Mount Evans


Hubcap mentioned some interesting roads, in 2004 a friend and I did an enduro trip and Mosquito pass had to be the most amazing thing I have ever done. Only done by 4x4 and Enduros that I know of. 

[DIGGER]

Apart from the fires I'm not following

1) Cottonwood pass is awesome. As mentioned above
2) Ouray
3) Skyline Drive, Cañon City a total must by bike.
4) Leadville and Turquoise Lake
5) Crested Butte, Purple Mountain Bed & Breakfast and Spa, take advantage of a nice massage.
6) We will always love Aspen and the Maroon Bells is a must see. 
7) Mount Evans


Hubcap mentioned some interesting roads, in 2004 a friend and I did an enduro trip and Mosquito pass had to be the most amazing thing I have ever done. Only done by 4x4 and Enduros that I know of. 

I think by Enduro would be a lot of fun but not gonna do a steep up or down hill run in gravel on my Valkyrie.    Thanks for the other tips.....most are on our route

[DenverDave]

FYI, The road to the summit of MT Evans is closed and will be closed until next year.

https://theknow.denverpost.com/2020/06/04/mount-evans-highway-closed-2020-coronavirus/240145/

From the CDOT web site about Independence Pass and the fire related closure of I70 through Glenwood Canyon

" I-70 Extended Closure between MM 116 and MM 140 in both directions due to wildfire activity in Glenwood Canyon. (Glenwood Canyon bike path is also closed).
Alternate route: US 24, US 285 and US 50.
Hwy 82 Independence Pass is open to passenger vehicles only with delays of up to two hours expected. No vehicles over 35 feet in length (this includes a vehicle and trailer that, together, exceed 35 feet) may use Independence Pass at any time. NO CMV TRAFFIC ALLOWED."

[rocketray]

the peak to peak hiway is 42 miles..did it 2 weeks ago--rated as best highway in Colorado by some--also as a liberal state nearly EVERTHING is shut down and heavy mask compliance

[Valkorado]

the peak to peak hiway is 42 miles..did it 2 weeks ago--rated as best highway in Colorado by some--also as a liberal state nearly EVERTHING is shut down and heavy mask compliance

Another good ride there.

Yes, we have mask regulations and for the most part compliance as well.  Not so sure it's because we're a "liberal state", tho. 

https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/coronavirus-masks-gov-asa-hutchinson

No intention to hijack, just responding to liberal comment.  I'm not a liberal.

[DIGGER]

the peak to peak hiway is 42 miles..did it 2 weeks ago--rated as best highway in Colorado by some--also as a liberal state nearly EVERTHING is shut down and heavy mask compliance

just altered my route to include the Peak to Peak Hiway......thanks.

[jdp]

The million dollar hyway trailer 550 silverton to ouray is beautiful