Fort Collins to Phoenix

[azflycaster]

Jan and I will be returning to Phoenix from the Region 11 Rally in Fort Collins, CO starting on the 11th or 12th of October. Since we are starting our trip at the Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque the week before, we are looking for a different route on the return trip. We had thought about stopping at some friends in Silverton and Cortez, but they will be in Arizona before we start our return trip.

We plan to take our time on the trip and are looking for any suggestions as far as places to see and stop along the way.

[AirstreamGypsy]

Isn't that a movie?

Hey Richard, I'll be here if you folks are heading my way! Beautiful views. Bring your chain saw! Bring all the brethren with you for a truck load of firewood. (maybe in exchange for a little help on Bambi or the Earthship if you're so inclined)

PM me.

Oh speaking of balloon festival, wish I could go but we had our own here in Mancos. We do it every year.

[azflycaster]

Thanks for the offer, I'll let you know if we decide to head that direction. It would give me an opportunity to stop at the Silver bean again.

[JulianneJ]

Durango is a great little stop if its on your way.

[InsideOut]

For less than one additional hour in drive time - I would go: I-25> I-76> I-70> 191> 163> 160> 89> I-17. It's a beautiful drive and should be fine as long as it isn't actively snowing when you hit I-70....you never know this time of year - but you would know when you head out.

Shari

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

For less than one additional hour in drive time - I would go: I-25> I-76> I-70> 191> 163> 160> 89> I-17. It's a beautiful drive and should be fine as long as it isn't actively snowing when you hit I-70....you never know this time of year - but you would know when you head out

We've done that cruise both ways. If you hit it right, you'll remember it for the rest of your life!

[InsideOut]

Originally Posted by Mike Leary

We've done that cruise both ways. If you hit it right, you'll remember it for the rest of your life!

Wow! That's a heck of a detour to Suquamish, Washington!

Shari

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by InsideOut

Wow! That's a heck of a detour to Suquamish, Washington!

Shari

We'll head out next week for the season; going through Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico and into Arizona for the winter. We do love aspens!

[Gene]

Richard, the drive up the Poudre Canyon is well worth it and will take you to North Park and to Steamboat Springs. Lots of options after that.

However, you can go to Estes Park and then take the Peak to Peak Hwy south through Nederland, and then through Black Hawk until to reach US 6, turn right and go up Clear Creek Canyon to I-70. Continue west to Minturn, go south to Tennessee Pass and thence to Leadville (I think it's US 24) and go south to the Salida area and US 50. Turn right and take 50 over Monarch Pass, buy gas in Gunnison, and continue to Blue Mesa Dam and turn right onto Colo. 92 and follow the Black Canyon. 27 miles later the road straightens out at Crystal Creek and it's 14 miles across the Onion Valley, through Maher, past Crawford SP (good camping) and into the little town of Crawford.

From Crawford, follow 92 to Delta, turn right on 50 to go to Utah, or left to Montrose, straight on US 550 to Ridgway, right on a a highway beginning in 6, past but not in Telluride via (maybe) 114, south to Cortez and you're close to Arizona via US 160. Can't remember all the route nos., but south of Telluride is Lizard Head Pass which is not as high as many and is our route southwest in fall and spring.

Lemme know if you're coming this way as we may actually be home and there is space for fellow New Yorkers.

Watch weather forecasts and CDOT highway reports carefully. It has been known to snow in Colorado.

Gene

[Mike Leary]

Originally Posted by CrawfordGene

south of Telluride is Lizard Head Pass which is not as high as many and is our route southwest in fall and spring.

Bess pulls that grade with no heat issues. It is steep climbing from the north, but does not last that long.
What a cool road!

[dsrtgrls]

hey guys. we just came back from co. lafayette,co to be exact an hour out of denver. we came down through utah so it took us through spen and vail and down along the colorado river into utah and we stopped over about 30 miles out of moab which was about 1/2 way home. we had another 6hrs to go to get home to clarkdale az in northern az. it is most beautiful but ya have to watch the weather as snow is not unlikely coming through those co ski areas. hope you find a route yu can enjoy and are having a great fiesta.

[Phoenix]

Does anyone know of any RV campgrounds in far north Denver, that has hookups? We would like to stay somewhere near I-25 and 120th Avenue, but there doesn't seem to be much in this area. Too bad they built a shopping center on top of the KOA that used to be a little north of here.

[Antique Pedaler]

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Does anyone know of any RV campgrounds in far north Denver, that has hookups? We would like to stay somewhere near I-25 and 120th Avenue, but there doesn't seem to be much in this area. Too bad they built a shopping center on top of the KOA that used to be a little north of here.

Only only ones I know about on I-25 are a KOA just north of Wellington at about exit 175 and Johnson's Corner, about Exit 150.