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08-29-2013, 07:03 PM
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#1
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Hail on wheels
1992 25' Excella
Little Elm
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 92
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Ponca Springs, CO to Gunnison, CO
How difficult is the drive between Ponca Springs,CO and Gunnison, CO? Would you recommend the drive to a newbie? Thx
?
__________________
Gege
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08-29-2013, 07:35 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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From Ponca Springs, you'll need to go over Monarch Pass to go to Gunnison. Not the world's toughest pass, but could be challenging for a first timer from the flat lands. If you are not versed in mountain towing, here are a couple of threads with info on Monarch and with tips on mountain towing:
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...ss-108546.html
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f439...ck-108307.html
Lynn
__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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08-29-2013, 07:42 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Hi GeGe -- I don't see a Ponca Springs in Colorado. Are you talking about Poncha Springs -- just west of Salida? [maybe it's Google that has the name goofed up]
So ... you're talking driving north on 285/24 through Leadville?
We'll hope for others more experienced to discuss that route. I only know that once you get to Glenwood Springs you'd better know your exit & destination. Town & local environs are mighty squeezed in with the tight valley & slopes surrounding.
We sure liked Rifle Gap State Park northeast out of Rifle.
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08-29-2013, 08:09 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1974 Argosy 26
Morrill
, Nebraska
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,014
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Glenwood Springs is the long way around to get to Gunnison from Poncha Springs.
Hwy 50 is the most direct route.
There is an alternate route if you go south on Hwy 285 to Saguache, then take Hwy 114 over North Pass. North Pass is just over 10K' high, where Monarch is over 11K' high.
Can't tell you what kind of shape either road is in. But both are scenic.
If you are not skilled in mountain driving. The best advice I can give is to take it slow, use the engine for braking when going down hill. The yellow signs ahead of each curve gives the recommended speed limit. I would say to stay at least 10mph below the speed posted. Use the brakes sparingly.
Enjoy the ride.
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08-29-2013, 08:53 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eubank
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Whoa Bob!
Lynn is sending you west from Poncha Springs as I should have. Sorry for my mistake.
Onward to Gunnison.
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08-29-2013, 09:01 PM
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#6
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Lost in America
2015 27' FB International
2006 25' Safari FB SE
2004 19' International CCD
Santa Fe
, New Mexico
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,151
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Monarch is a good pass with no major drop offs and wide roadway. There are some curves descending to the west, just downshift and take it easy and you'll be fine. 6% grade.
__________________
This is the strangest life I've ever known - J. Morrison
2015 Airstream International Serenity 27FB
2017 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax Diesel
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08-29-2013, 11:07 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Port Orchard
, Washington
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 4,463
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I drove up the east side and back down Monday afternoon. It was still there in good shape. There are many passes in Colorado that are a lot scarier than Monarch. Just remember: The dangerous part is going down not up. Make sure that you are set up in a low enough gear before actually beginning the descent. That ideally would be the gear that will allow you to maintain a constant non increasing speed without braking. Observe how a loaded semi descents a steep incline and emulate that. If you have not done a long steep descent before, practice on some hills that are short enough that you will not reach a dangerous speed before leveling out again.
Ken
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08-30-2013, 06:19 AM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,656
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Drove it last month. It is one of the better roads I traveled on...but I was looking for the "less traveled".
__________________
-Rich-
"If the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy." - Red Green
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08-30-2013, 07:57 AM
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#9
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2 Rivet Member
1999 25' Safari
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 78
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Go.
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08-30-2013, 08:06 AM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2009 27' FB Flying Cloud
1982 31' International
1991 35' Airstream 350
Jay
, Oklahoma
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,706
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Monarch is no worry. Paved as any highway. A little curvy and a long pull, but take it easy and all will be fine.
Down shift and let the engine take you down, and you won't need brakes much.
Regards,
JD
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Jeff & Cindy
'09 27FB Flying Cloud;'82 31 International
'91 350 LE MH; '21 Interstate 24GT
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08-30-2013, 08:08 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Airstream - Other
2016 Interstate Grand Tour Ext
Bosque Farms
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,026
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The "less traveled" would be a bit longer, but very pretty. Turn south at Poncha Springs on 285 and go to Saguache. Then take Co 114 over North Pass to just outside of Gunnison. North Pass isn't bad at all (with the relevant disclaimers to flatlanders), and not many people travel it at all.
If you want to head from Gunnison northwestward, you take take the road more traveled to Montrose and then north, but you can take the road less traveled over Black Mesa (Co 92). A good road (and nowadays even paved all the way!), though you have to appreciate cliffs and drops many hundreds of feet down into the Black Canyon.
Lynn
Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
Drove it last month. It is one of the better roads I traveled on...but I was looking for the "less traveled".
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__________________
ACI Big Red Number 21043
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08-30-2013, 07:03 PM
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#12
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Hail on wheels
1992 25' Excella
Little Elm
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 92
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Thank you
Everyone is so kind. I really appreciate your help. Flatlander from Texas
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