Help with Colorado roads

[mhilley]

I am planning on using highway 50 from Salida Colorado, over Monarch Pass, and on to Gunnison. Is anyone familiar with this road? After going from Ouray to Durango once I always ask in advance! Thanks.

[Landrum]

Compared to the road from Ouray to Durango Monarch pass is a walk in the park.


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[ColoradoLady]

If you simply Google Monarch Pass in Colorado, you'll learn a lot. It does have a reputation of many accidents, due to sharp switchbacks and reckless, speeding drivers.
I agree with your fear of red mountain, coal creek pass, molas pass, (and don't forget the winding, twisting switchbacks), which when all are put together, are a nightmare of a drive, especially horrid if towing a trailer, even in dry pavement weather. If encountered during rain, or worse, snow....say your prayers!
The best advice I can offer for any of the high mountain regions....first and foremost, your equipment must be well maintained. You must be very well rested and alert, drive carefully and pay close attention to other drivers,who may not be paying attention, or who are in too big of a hurry! Enjoy the journey and be safe!

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by Landrum

Compared to the road from Ouray to Durango Monarch pass is a walk in the park.


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I totally agree!

[Ken J]

Maybe I've lived here too long - but these roads are well maintained and I've never encountered what was mentioned above - yes there are steep drop offs that require attention and you want to make sure you have a vehicle strong enough to pull long grades - 18 wheelers travel these roads all the time - use your engine to hold you back going down steep grades - take it easy as you would on any windy roads


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[TheOhioSean]

It beats Wolf Creek Pass. By which I mean it is less stressful / easier driving.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by mhilley

I am planning on using highway 50 from Salida Colorado, over Monarch Pass, and on to Gunnison. Is anyone familiar with this road? After going from Ouray to Durango once I always ask in advance! Thanks.

It's a much more pleasant drive than I-95 through South Florida!

[ghaynes755]

Piece o Cake. Enjoy the ride...

[Aerowood]

I honestly do not know what all the bruha is about with driving the Colorado mountain roads. Biggest issue is tow vehicle torque and summer time engine cooling capacity, if it is marginal on the flat lands then it is not the best choice for here. Colorado has a law that if you have more then 5 cars behind you as you crawl over the pass in first gear you have to pull over and let them by. If the road is paved then you can haul your trailer on it.

[Ahab]

Originally Posted by ghaynes755

Piece o Cake. Enjoy the ride...

Yes indeed.

[Moflash]

Monarch Pass is a walk in the park.

[greenflag]

If you ever need to get to the Durango side of the mountains, use Lizard Head Pass to Cortez. I frequently visit family in western Colorado. I have towed over this pass with no difficulty. I have driven Ouray to Durango, but would not tow over it. Monarch is no problem IMHO.

[Sodbust]

One of the most trailer friendly passes in the state.. All above cover it well and like any pass,, caution and reading the road is always important.

Sodbust

[TwoSporks]

As others have mentioned, Monarch Pass is much easier than Red Mountain Pass. It does feel steep when heading down the west side of the pass towards Gunnison but as long as you take it slow, it is not a difficult drive in good weather. There are a few places with drop-offs when heading east but it is nothing like the Red Mountain Pass drop-offs and the road is not nearly as curvy.

[Moflash]

Cottonwood Pass coming into Taylor Park is not for the faint of heart.


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[2012FB]

Towing in and all over Colorado high country is why I went back to a 3/4 Diesel with integrated trailer brake and engine exhaust brake controls. Set the cruise control up and down hill and relax. Engine and Trans overheating is the issue and being able to hold the trailer back with lower gears being light on the brakes. Don't ride them, full and firm on and then off. Roll the windows down and turn the interior heat on full blast. If starting to overheat pull over and do not turn the engine off but let it idle. Engine coolant will boil at a lower temperature than at normal altitudes. Also, if the engine is turned off immediately after towing at high altitude on steep uphill grades, it can also show signs similar to engine overheating. Again,let the engine run while parked, preferably on level ground, for a few minutes before turning the engine off. This is even more important if the engine is turbo equipped.

[Aerowood]

Originally Posted by Moflash

Cottonwood Pass coming into Taylor Park is not for the faint of heart.


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Cottonwood Pass isn't that bad, I've been over it several times. The bad part about Cottonwood is the big 3 ton dualys pulling 40 ft fifth wheels with with the toad trailer full of ATV's, Jeeps, boats, motorcycles, etc. They take their half of the road from the middle and will not move over. I guess they figure that they pay more road taxes then you and that makes them special. I will not use pull my Airstream over Cottonwood on Fridays and Sundays.