Trip to Colorado in June 2023

[Rgpracer]

Well, we are planning a trip to Colorado from Estes Park to Durango with Friends from Florida in June of next year.
Now, the wife and I have traveled all this area on a Goldwing riding two up, but now are retired and now pulling a 5'r.
Although, riding a bike (pulling a trailer) on some of the highways were a skosh treatcheous and very doable, pulling a 5th wheel will be quite different.

All that said, can I get some input on places, highways, passes (like Independence Pass), to stay away from, to NOT take a camper, to avoid?

I have a great puller, but I do NOT want to put myself (or my Friends) in too stress of a situation that will not be enjoyable.

Ps.....one highway that comes to mind is the road out of Estes Park going over to Steamboat.....awesome on a bike, no way with a camper.

Thanks to all.
Ray

[Dick Noble]

No matter which way you go you will have to climb a pass or two. Me, I'd go east to I25, south to I70, west to Grand Junction, south on 50 and 550 to Durango. I70 has Floyd Hill, Eisenhower Tunnel, and Vail Pass. 550 has Redmountain Pass. You could take I25 to Walsenburg and west on 160 but then you have to go over Wolfcreek Pass. This last route has the least good looking vistas but Wolfcreek is beautiful and you will get to go through downtown Pagosa Springs (and dip in the hot springs there).

[DougW9876]

I have driven 550 from Grand Junction to Durango on a Goldwing, I have also been over 160 and Wolf Creek Pass while towing a toy hauler.

550 involves the Million Dollar Highway with a lot of curves, narrow or non existent shoulder, no guardrails, and steep, long dropoffs.

160 is a very driveable road with a mountain pass that is not unusual for that part of the country. Take is at a reasonable speed and everything is fine.

My preference for travel with an RV would be 160. You will want to drive 550 from Durango to Ouray but do it without a trailer and enjoy the views.

[MoonShadow_1911]

Get the Mountain States Directory. It contains invaluable information about hills and grades, and includes great descriptions of the stretch of road. It was the single best investment I made that did not directly involved the coach.

[orbsah]

to Grand Junction, south on 50 and 550 to Durango

We’re going to be heading this direction in a couple weeks EXCEPT we’ll be avoiding the million $ hwy by going west on 62 at Ridgway, then south on 145 to Dolores. I read that’s a little more tame.

[Rgpracer]

Get the Mountain States Directory. It contains invaluable information about hills and grades, and includes great descriptions of the stretch of road. It was the single best investment I made that did not directly involved the coach.

Is this it Moonshadow.....

[MoonShadow_1911]

Is this it Moonshadow.....

Yup! That's it!

[Rgpracer]

Thanks Mark

[Rgpracer]

No matter which way you go you will have to climb a pass or two. Me, I'd go east to I25, south to I70, west to Grand Junction, south on 50 and 550 to Durango. I70 has Floyd Hill, Eisenhower Tunnel, and Vail Pass. 550 has Redmountain Pass. You could take I25 to Walsenburg and west on 160 but then you have to go over Wolfcreek Pass. This last route has the least good looking vistas but Wolfcreek is beautiful and you will get to go through downtown Pagosa Springs (and dip in the hot springs there).

Hey Dick, is 36 a fairly tame highway to pull on? I remember that it was a nice highway on a bike through the "Twin Peaks" area, just not sure how 5'r friendly it would be. Although doubling back on a highway isn't my prefered thing to do.....
I just know (thinking back) that 34 out of Estes would NOT be a 5'r friendly highway.

Thanks.
Ray

[DougW9876]

Hey Dick, is 36 a fairly tame highway to pull on? I remember that it was a nice highway on a bike through the "Twin Peaks" area, just not sure how 5'r friendly it would be. Although doubling back on a highway isn't my prefered thing to do.....
I just know (thinking back) that 34 out of Estes would NOT be a 5'r friendly highway.

Thanks.
Ray

We went up 36 from Boulder to Estes Park a few months ago. It ain’t straight and it ain’t flat but it was no problem, trucks use it to get up and down. Just pay attention to the suggested speeds for the curves and it is fine.