Alamosa to Granby CO

[Dick Noble]

Calling 17 the gun barrel reminded me that I have been on it. In fact I got caught speeding on it. I was in a State of Colorado government car and was pulled over by a state patrol fellow. Had to write a letter to the Governor telling him how sorry I was. I had forgotten that and now I will forget it again.

[Michael Dixon]

I'm a CO native and there isn't a good easy straight route to Gramby from Alimosa. Shortest route, 285 N to Fairplay, grab HWY 9 through Brackenridge to Frisco. I 70 east through the tunnels then to 40 north over Berthod pass. Might not be shortest time wise or stress wise but mileage. Berthod pass is on the map no matter what.
It's almost worth just heading east to I25 and then north to I70 west unless you're looking for some scenery on the way. Fewer twists and probably the same travel time.
Google maps might tell you I'm a liar though.

[MooManChu]

Thanks. I’m willing to trade scenic for less headaches. We can always travel into the mountains when unhitched. We’ve been cross 70 on our 2017 Ohio to Moab trip so the route suggested looks similar in in the type driving routes.


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[webpilot]

I'm a CO native and there isn't a good easy straight route to Gramby from Alimosa. Shortest route, 285 N to Fairplay, grab HWY 9 through Brackenridge to Frisco. I 70 east through the tunnels then to 40 north over Berthod pass. Might not be shortest time wise or stress wise but mileage. Berthod pass is on the map no matter what.
It's almost worth just heading east to I25 and then north to I70 west unless you're looking for some scenery on the way. Fewer twists and probably the same travel time.
Google maps might tell you I'm a liar though.

If you are going that way, and that is a good way, I would continue on Hwy 9 from Frisco to Silverthorne to Kremling than take 40 to Granby. Much easier than Berthoud pass in my opinion. Beautiful drive all the way! River Run is a BEAUTIFUL Resort. Stayed there twice this summer. I have only driven through Tiger run, so can no comment on it. Enjoy!

George

[webpilot]

It's actually a nice route - a bit slow. Vail pass is a cinch. The gun barrel (17) is a good section of road. However when you get to 70 you could turn right and go to the junction of 40 and then head north (exit 232 near Empire) This way does have more traffic and is not as pretty.

I have never heard 17 called the Gun Barrel. I grew up in the San Luis Valley and the Gun Barrel always referred to 285 between Saguache and Mont Vista.

Enjoy,
George

[Dadeo6472]

This is what I got when I used Rand McNally's tripmaker (tripmaker.randmcnally.com) between Alamosa and Granby. Its about 5 hours and 234 miles. NO Rt 550, but Rt 550 is out of the way on this trip. It should be an RV friendly route, my RV's height, length and weight numbers were entered. This program and its GPS unit did a great job for us as we traveled around the Rockies last spring, and when we drove from western Arizona to Colorado it took us around Rt 550 -- even though Rt 550 looked like the most direct route. We we put 12,000 miles on the RV as we traveled around the country from NY south and west to the Rockies (and back). The entire trip was planned using Rand McNally's Tripmaker and a tablet style GPS made by them. The route takes you from center of one town to the center of the other.
Start at stop #1 : Alamosa (Alamosa County), CO

1. Start out going south on Ross Ave toward 4th St. - Go 0.2 miles (0min, 56sec)
2. Turn left onto US-160/6th St. - Go 0.4 miles (0min, 39sec)
3. Turn slight left onto US-160/6th St. Continue to follow US-160. - Go 0.1 miles (0min, 7sec)
4. Stay straight to go onto US-160/Denver Ave. - Go 0 miles (0min, 12sec)
5. Turn left to stay on US-160/Denver Ave. - Go 0 miles (0min, 3sec)
6. Turn right onto US-160/CO-17/Denver Ave. Continue to follow US-160/CO-17. - Go 0.4 miles (0min, 58sec)
7. Turn left onto CO-17/CR 110/State Hwy 17. - Go 49.9 miles (61min, 35sec)
8. Turn slight right onto US-285/United States Hwy 285. Continue to follow US-285. - Go 26.4 miles (32min, 10sec)
9. Turn right onto US-285/United States Hwy 285. - Go 21.1 miles (22min, 15sec)
10. Stay straight to go onto US-24/United States Hwy 24. Continue to follow US-24. - Go 36.8 miles (46min, 15sec)
11. Turn right onto US-24/E 9th St. - Go 0.1 miles (0min, 18sec)
12. Turn left onto US-24/Poplar St. Continue to follow US-24. - Go 0.8 miles (1min, 15sec)
13. Stay straight to go onto CO-91. - Go 22.3 miles (27min, 32sec)
14. Merge onto I-70 E/US-6. - Go 10.2 mile (10min, 16sec)
15. Take the CO-9 exit, EXIT 205. - Go 0.2 miles (0min, 59sec)
16. Turn left onto US-6/CO-9/United States Hwy 6. Continue to follow CO-9. - Go 37.4 miles (46min, 37sec)
17. Turn right onto US-40/Park Ave. Continue to follow US-40. - Go 27.7 miles (35min, 7sec)
18. Turn left onto N 2nd St. - Go 0 miles (0min, 15sec)
19. Turn left.
End at stop #2 : Granby (Grand County), CO

[Dadeo6472]

Last winter and spring I experienced Rt 550, as we stayed around Montrose in our trailer. From Montrose, where it starts at Rt 50, south to Ouray it's a reasonably safe and pretty road. But the insanity begins as you climb out of Ouray. There are three monster 180 degree switchbacks that have the road hanging off the side of a wall, and its just a preview of what is to come heading south thru Silverton and towards Durango. It's an amazing, beautiful and extremely curvaceous road and is a blast on a motorcycle or a good handling convertible sports car during the summer. But it's NO fun in an under powered RV, or towing a trailer, or if you get caught in an avalanche...... God help you.....

I got to ski Silverton Mountain. I got real familiar with Rt 550.... lets just say that it can be friggggen scary, even with 4 wheel drive and new snow tires. The skiing was great though.