Hair-pins turns on I-70 Denver-Vail?
Oct 3rd, 1997, 11:27 AM
#1
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Hair-pins turns on I-70 Denver-Vail?
My daughter and I would like to rent a car in Denver next summer and drive to Colorado Springs and Vail.Since we are from Florida and unaccustomed to mountain driving, we want to avoid roads with hair-pin turns (switchbacks). I was really frightened by riding in a tour bus up Pikes Peak in 1977. Because of this, I'm sure we should avoid Rocky Mountain National Park in spite of its beauty. My question is "Does I-70 between Denver and Vail have gentle curves and climbs? Also would we encounter hairpins turns in Colorado Springs going to Garden of the Gods, Seven Falls, the Broadmoor,etc.? (We have handled The Great Smoky Mountains and Blue Ridge Parkway, but the Rockies are a different ballgame. Thanks for any advice out there.
Oct 3rd, 1997, 12:31 PM
#2
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Hi Ann,
There are no Hairpin on I-70 between Denver and Vail. They've built a tunnel under Loveland Pass and it solves your problem. Also there are no hairpins for any to the attraction that you wanted to see in the Colorado Spings area.
If possible I would fly into Colorado Springs and avoid some of the traffic etc. at the new Denver airport. Have a great trip!!
There are no Hairpin on I-70 between Denver and Vail. They've built a tunnel under Loveland Pass and it solves your problem. Also there are no hairpins for any to the attraction that you wanted to see in the Colorado Spings area.
If possible I would fly into Colorado Springs and avoid some of the traffic etc. at the new Denver airport. Have a great trip!!
Oct 3rd, 1997, 02:31 PM
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Hi Ann! You will not encounter any problems traveling from Denver to Vail or Colorado Springs in the summer months. I've been living just outside Vail for 5 years now and the traveling couldn't be easier. DIA is very efficient too. Have a great time!
Oct 4th, 1997, 11:51 AM
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Hi Ann, I'm also from Florida and love the Southwest. Tour busses can scare anyone. You'll feel much better driving yourselves - more control. Don't rule out Rocky Mtn Nat'l Park. Colo Spgs does have some great places to visit - as you mentioned. Don't miss Seven Falls by night.
Oct 6th, 1997, 02:26 AM
#6
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Hi William. Hope you'll have time in Moab to see a lot. Is one of my favorite areas. I-70 ought to be fine - barring a heavy snowstorm. Here's some info (Hint: copy to e-mail and mail to yourself. Will activate site addresses):
(UT) Arches Nat'l Park:
http://www.nps.gov/arch/
Also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/archn.html
Just north of Moab, UT, this area contains the most natural arches in a relatively small area. Lovely hikes from short to moderately long. Especially nice are Devils Garden/ Landscape Arch (moderate) and Delicate Arch (moderately strenuous) - don't miss Delicate Arch even if you have to take the easy viewpoint rather than the hike up to it. Nice but small campground hard to get into - space available early AM. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend 2 days minimum. Motels & campgrounds available in nearby Moab. Also see Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point.
(UT) Canyonlands Nat'l Park:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/
also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
A very large area located west of Moab, UT. Upper regions of Grand Canyon. Many views only can be reached by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Tours available from Moab. Motels and campgrounds in Moab. Consists of three 'districts':
Island in the Sky (Northern area): US-191 about 10 miles north of Moab to UT313. West & south to Park. Paved road all the way to Grand View Point - lovely drive. (Note: Dead Horse Point State Park turnoff is found about 18 miles into UT-313 - see below). Drive down/up Shaffer Trail (dirt) not for 'faint-hearted' (1,200 ft drop in about 2 mile drive) but worth every 'gut-wrenching' moment (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). Hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water not available in the Island area but is available in Dead Horse Point. Recommend one day for this area and Dead Horse Point (see below).
The Needles (Southern area): US-191 about 40 miles south of Moab to UT-211. West about 50 miles (all paved) to Visitor's Center - lovely drive. Newspaper Rock (about 12 miles along UT-211). Camping (pit toilets) & hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water available spring through fall. Four-wheel drive roads are just that - need high clearance. Recommend one day.
The Maze (Western area): The most primitive area and not many casual visitors. Lots of dirt roads and no water available. Have full gas tank and take lots of water. From Ut-24 or 95, take paved (some) and dirt (lots) roads to overlooks. Worthwhile for dedicated but not for casual visitor. Primitive camping & hiking available.
(UT) Dead Horse Point State Park):
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
Very spectacular view point overlooking Colorado river (2,000 ft below). View seems to change by time of day. Lovely drive just northwest of Moab & Arches Nat'l Park. Continue further to view Island In The Sky area of Canyonlands. Leave 'Pucker Pass' to the Pros. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Recommend one day.
(UT) Moab:
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/moabn.html
Center of spectacular red rock scenery areas. Also, white water rafting in Colorado river and jeep tours of Canyonlands areas. Motels & Campgrounds available. Mountain scenery in nearby LaSal mountains.
(UT) Arches Nat'l Park:
http://www.nps.gov/arch/
Also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/archn.html
Just north of Moab, UT, this area contains the most natural arches in a relatively small area. Lovely hikes from short to moderately long. Especially nice are Devils Garden/ Landscape Arch (moderate) and Delicate Arch (moderately strenuous) - don't miss Delicate Arch even if you have to take the easy viewpoint rather than the hike up to it. Nice but small campground hard to get into - space available early AM. Flush toilets but no showers. Evening campfire talks by Rangers. Recommend 2 days minimum. Motels & campgrounds available in nearby Moab. Also see Canyonlands & Dead Horse Point.
(UT) Canyonlands Nat'l Park:
http://www.nps.gov/cany/
also: http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
A very large area located west of Moab, UT. Upper regions of Grand Canyon. Many views only can be reached by 4 wheel drive vehicles. Tours available from Moab. Motels and campgrounds in Moab. Consists of three 'districts':
Island in the Sky (Northern area): US-191 about 10 miles north of Moab to UT313. West & south to Park. Paved road all the way to Grand View Point - lovely drive. (Note: Dead Horse Point State Park turnoff is found about 18 miles into UT-313 - see below). Drive down/up Shaffer Trail (dirt) not for 'faint-hearted' (1,200 ft drop in about 2 mile drive) but worth every 'gut-wrenching' moment (Not for motor homes or towed trailers). Hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water not available in the Island area but is available in Dead Horse Point. Recommend one day for this area and Dead Horse Point (see below).
The Needles (Southern area): US-191 about 40 miles south of Moab to UT-211. West about 50 miles (all paved) to Visitor's Center - lovely drive. Newspaper Rock (about 12 miles along UT-211). Camping (pit toilets) & hiking trails available but very hot in summer - take lots of water. Water available spring through fall. Four-wheel drive roads are just that - need high clearance. Recommend one day.
The Maze (Western area): The most primitive area and not many casual visitors. Lots of dirt roads and no water available. Have full gas tank and take lots of water. From Ut-24 or 95, take paved (some) and dirt (lots) roads to overlooks. Worthwhile for dedicated but not for casual visitor. Primitive camping & hiking available.
(UT) Dead Horse Point State Park):
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/
Very spectacular view point overlooking Colorado river (2,000 ft below). View seems to change by time of day. Lovely drive just northwest of Moab & Arches Nat'l Park. Continue further to view Island In The Sky area of Canyonlands. Leave 'Pucker Pass' to the Pros. Nice but small campground. Flush toilets but no showers. Recommend one day.
(UT) Moab:
http://www.canyonlands-utah.com/moabn.html
Center of spectacular red rock scenery areas. Also, white water rafting in Colorado river and jeep tours of Canyonlands areas. Motels & Campgrounds available. Mountain scenery in nearby LaSal mountains.
