Route Advice

[herrgirdner]

We are planning to drive our Interstate to Mesa Verde in a few weeks and are in need of some advice about current road conditions.

I WAS planning to take I 70 out to the Grand Junction area and head south on US 50, ending up at Cortez, and then on to MV.

BUT my navigator thinks we should take State 71 south to Rocky Ford, then west on State 10 to US 160 through Durango.
I noticed that Wolf Creek pass is in the way, and remember it well from when I towed a SOB with my 3/4 ton Dodge.
My question is:
In the opinion of you drivers who live out there, which is the more sensible .. uhh .. (don't go there) which would be less stressful on the driver??
regards

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by herrgirdner

We are planning to drive our Interstate to Mesa Verde in a few weeks and are in need of some advice about current road conditions.
My question is:
In the opinion of you drivers who live out there, which is the more sensible .. uhh .. (don't go there) which would be less stressful on the driver??
regards

You might be interested in obtaining the "Mountain Directory West for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome Drivers". They describe all the mounain passes in detail and is a good aid in planning your routes. I believe there is also an Eastern edition. I got mine for about $20 at Camping World.

[silverback]

I would go 50/550 south. It will all be beautiful. Towing over Wolf Creek pass would be character building though.
-Ken

[maxandgeorgia]

What is Monarch Pass like on 50? We'll be pulling a 31' AS with a 2500 HD Silverado. By the way, I have nightmares about the road disappearing around the hairpin bend of a twisty mountain road! I still choose to go to beautiful places, but will someone comment on this pass? Thanks. ~G

[ArtStream]

I've driven Monach pass many times with my Excella 28 and a 1 Ton, fun, let's just call it intense. It's the going down thats nail biting. "you can always go up hill too fast, but you only go down hill too fast once" Old truckers proverb

G, just take your time and you'll be fine, and don't forget to plan on lunch at the rest stop on top!

I also own the mountian pass guide mentioned, very helpful, a must read.

Michael

[Ken J]

I live (part time now) in Durango

Is there anyway you can come across on 40? That would be much much easier - if not wolf creek is the LA freeway of passes - won't get much better than that - other passes could be pretty rough - if you come across 70 another easy way would be to go past Grand Junction, come down through Moab to Cortez - very nice route. Monarch and Molas passes are rough, Lizard Head however is much better.

Hope this helps - let me know if you need any other help

Ken J.

[herrgirdner]

I hadn't considered the Moab route,and haven't been that way.

(minor War Story Warning) When we lived in Las Cruces ('65-68) we drove over most of the roads in northern NM, and southern Colorado, (that's why I knew about Wolf Creek pass) but didn't get over into Utah. I remember all the truck turnoffs and stalled cars, and dreaded it.

Good advice, and
regards

[Ken J]

If you have not been over Wolf Creek in many years, you will probably not reconize it - its three lanes most of the way - really not scary from a road point of view - still steep though.....

Ken J.

[maxandgeorgia]

Thanks, all, for the tips on routes and passes. Wolf Creek sounds better than Monarch for towing--since I am pretty chicken. Herrgirdner, have a wonderful trip. We may see you in Mesa Verde-if you pull your AS there! ~G