Southwest Colorado Route for Towing

[rodsterinfl]

Question: what is the best towing route from Mesa Verde to Black Canyon of the Gunnison and then on to Great Sand Dunes?

Here is what I am thinking

The trip to the Gunnison:
Leave Cortez, Colorado on 145 to Telluride then on to 62 and then onto 550 at Ridgeway then into Montrose 50. Then to 347. Is this a good towing route to Black Canyon?

The trip Departing Black Canyon for GSD route:

50 to 285 at Salida and on to 17 at Mineral Hot Springs.


Let me know if these are safe routes for towing or any alternative routing that I may need. Thanks.

[mojo]

Good route, just check CDOT for construction...50 has had lotsa road work lately.

[Steamy1]

This route will take you over Monarch pass. and going east the descent will be steep grades, curvy and long. Gear down and take it slow and easy.

Personally, I would rather tow over Red Mountain Pass or Wolf Creek than Monarch.

[OrangeCrush]

145 through Lizard Head pass is one of our favorite drives. As for Monarch pass, we drove it last fall with our 25FB and I don't recall any issues. I would not be tempted to take 306 to Buena Vista as an alternate. We did that once and Cottonwood pass is definitely not tow friendly with lots of sharp curves.

[mrdes8]

Hey, so there were issues with bridges on US50 at Blue Mesa reservoir that had US50 closed for several months over the summer. These have been at least partially resolved. Check the CDOT website for latest info. Both passes and their approaches have received a lot of work over the past couple of years so they are in pretty nice shape. West side of Wolf Creek - east side of Monarch, kind of a toss up in my mind but I'd rather tow over Monarch, weather not being a factor. Both are heavily maintained.
Good luck, Mark D

[elstunr]

Good routes, we will be on all those roads this year plus Wolf Creek Pass. Check cotrip.org/map for road conditions and I second gearing down on all down slopes.
Enjoy...!

[ColoradoGlen]

Rodsterinfl, You don't say when you are traveling. Highway 141 Cochetopa pass to Saguache is better in my opinion than Monarch. Crooked and a bit narrow for the first ten miles on this side but then a great road last time I was over it. Takes you to the beginning of the "gun barrel" to Alamosa. Sand dunes to the East. This eliminates Monarch and Poncha pass.

[Steamy1]

Originally Posted by ColoradoGlen

Rodsterinfl, You don't say when you are traveling. Highway 141 Cochetopa pass to Saguache is better in my opinion than Monarch. Crooked and a bit narrow for the first ten miles on this side but then a great road last time I was over it. Takes you to the beginning of the "gun barrel" to Alamosa. Sand dunes to the East. This eliminates Monarch and Poncha pass.

I have always been curious about 141. Good to know it is an option. I have driven 145 several times from South Fork to Lake City. Very scenic. The picture on my avatar was taken on 145.

[rodsterinfl]

Rodsterinfl, You don't say when you are traveling.

I will not enter that area until May 29-30th and into the first week or so of June 2025. I am also not familiar with the passes and roads in that area so this or that pass is definitive only in name to me.

[rodsterinfl]

Been looking at the map. I am assuming that the directions on "141 and Alamosa" are for the departure of BC trip.

I canot find a 141 on my map. There is a 114. Is that the one? It names the places you mentioned so it must be.

So the route to BC of Gunnison is good it seems but the route to the Dunes needs adjusted to pick up 114 through North Pass and Sagutache then would you say south 285 or over to 17 then south to Alamosa? I really appreciate this.

I have driven an RV in mountains but it was a crazy accidental adventure in New Zealand. I like mountains but not driving in them as much. Those of you familar with the single lane mountain road with mirrors in the rocks from Westport to Collingwood in Kahurangi on the western south island know of what I speak. I met a log truck on the side of a mountain in a motorhome single lane. You then do what you gotta do! Funny thing. The road ends at someone's house. Wrong way Jose!

[rodsterinfl]

OK, sorry for my confusion.
I found 141. So if I understand, you are saying to take 491 from Cortez to 141 north and then pick up 145 near Redvale or go on north to Gateway and then pick up 50 at Whitewater?

[ColoradoGlen]

Apologies, Hwy114

[rodsterinfl]

Apologies, Hwy114

No problem. I am just glad to figure it out. I am totally unfamiliar with that area so only the road numbers make sense to me with my map.

[Steamy1]

yes; state highway 114. Sorry.....

and the highway from Lake City to South Fork is 149, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway.

[RVM]

I've been wondering about this crossing…. Is there a length limit on the 114? Could one tow a 34?

[ColoradoGlen]

Semi trucks use it. You will need to keep in your lane and pay attention to the trailer on the curves. There is only about ten miles that is slow and curvy.