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Help! 2nd half of trip...From GTNP, 11 days before flying out of Denver.

Help! 2nd half of trip...From GTNP, 11 days before flying out of Denver.

Old May 18th, 2017, 05:20 PM
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Help! 2nd half of trip...From GTNP, 11 days before flying out of Denver.

Many thanks to Hotwheels, Patty et al for help from Black Hills to Yellowstone and GTNP. We have 11 more days before flight leaves from Denver. Here's what I was thinking...although open for suggestions! Going from GTNP to Arches NP....about 8 hrs so would like suggestion where we could stop inbetween. From Arches to Durango, then up to Gunnison, then to Canon City and fly out of Denver. All suggestions welcome for different itinerary ideas, lodging, things to do etc. Thanks again!
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Old May 18th, 2017, 07:20 PM
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You might want to consider an alternative route. Flaming Gorge along the Green river is quite scenic and offers nature walks, and float trips on the Green. It would add a little over 1/2 hour to your drive to Moab. You can find lodging in the Flaming Gorge area if you don't want to drive through to Moab. Once you leave Moab, it's a short drive to Durango. In between Moab and Durango is Mesa Verde NP which is a great example of Anasazi cliff dwellings. If you go to Mesa Verde, plan on a full day. There is lodging in the park if you choose to spend more time but plan ahead; it's popular and fills up fast. From the entrance to Mesa Verde, it's about a 45 minute drive to Durango. In Durango, the options are river rafting, hiking, soaring, zip line, horseback riding, mountain bike riding, bike rides along the river trail, kayaking, paddle boarding, touring old silver mines, jeep tours in the mountains,riding the historic DSNG railroad from Durango to Silverton, art galleries and good restaurants, and numerous children's activities at the nearby ski resort. You might also want to take the beautiful mountain loop drive that includes the Million Dollar Highway, driving from Durango to Silverton, to Ouray, to Telluride, then returning to Durango. If you choose to take this drive, plan on a whole day to make to entire loop from Durango and returning to Durango. Lodging in Durango is plentiful and ranges from budget to historic Victorian and luxury resort but during busy times, all can book up. What time of year are you traveling?
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Old May 19th, 2017, 03:18 AM
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Great suggestions Bailey! We'll be in the Arches, Durango area in mid September. I was thinking about taking the million dollar hwy to Ouray, then continuing north and catch 50 over to Gunnison. However I think I'll make the loop to Telluride then back to Durango as you suggested....and when I leave Durango, thinking about 160 to 149 to Durango. Thanks for the tips!
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Old May 19th, 2017, 05:19 AM
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Good choice. Mid sept., the aspens may have started turning colors which is a highlight of the San Juan skyway loop drive. One hint, some directions suggest the loop includes Cortez. This adds to the drive time and is the only part that is not worth the drive. Instead of driving all the way to Cortez, right after going through Dolores, make a left onto 184, travel 25 miles to Mancos and 160, take 160 east to Durango. 160 to 149 is a good option to Gunnison. If you have time, you might want to stop at Pagosa Springs for the natural hot springs. There is the possibility there may be snow at Wolf Creek Pass. You can keep track of road conditions and construction at cotrip.org.
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Old May 19th, 2017, 07:07 AM
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Thanks Bailey! Do you have any suggestions for what area/places to stay in Flaming Gorge. I think we'll do an overnight there on the way to arches.
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Old May 19th, 2017, 07:26 AM
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Check out Dutch John UT and Red Canyon Lodge.
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Old May 19th, 2017, 07:46 AM
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Ok, will do, thanks!
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 12:38 PM
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With the help of Bailey, this is a possible itinerary I've come up with for the remainder of the trip. Open for any suggestions!
Day 12- leave Jackson, Wy for Flaming Gorge. Possible stay at Red Canyon Lodge
13- leave late morning for Arches NP. Overnight in Moab.
14- Canyonland park. Overnight in Moab
15- leave for Durango.
16- Durango
17- Durango
18- leave for Gunnison
19- Gunnison
20- Leave for Canon City...Royal Gorge. Overnight Canon city area
21- Canon city- possible trip to Cripple Creek, Pikes peak
22- leave for Denver and late afternoon flight home.
Welcome any recommendations for lodging and/or changes in itinerary.
Thanks!
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Old May 22nd, 2017, 07:03 PM
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You might want to be open on your departure time of day from both Flaming Gorge and Moab depending on your interests in the area. The Moab area has several beautiful sites. What type of lodging are you looking for? What interests and activity level? Hiking, biking, sightseeing?
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 02:42 AM
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I was thinking the same thing Bailey re being open on departure.

Re lodging, prefer moderate pricing. At Flaming Gorge I was considering either the cabins at Red Canyon Lodge or the Flaming Gorge resort. At Moab, I didn't realize the prices were so high. I booked a place at a small mom and pop's motel...The adventure inn...reviews were pretty good and thought I'd like to stay in Moab rather than outside, but am open to other suggestions.
I'm interested in all 3 of the activities you mention, have several planned on the first half of our trip in Black Hills and Yellowstone.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 03:42 AM
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In Moab we've stayed at several places, Cali Cochita B&B was the best and had a very nice breakfast, which lets me deduct $ from the room cost that I would otherwise be spending elsewhere.

We've also stayed an hour a way in Green River. Fortunately DH doesn't mind driving and it has less expensive options than Moab.

Leave plenty of time to get to Denver airport on the last day as I've always found some road work etc. in the area that adds to the time to get there.

Have a great trip.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:11 AM
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Thanks emalloy. Cali Cochita was full. I may check Green River.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 06:17 AM
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Yes, Moab is very proud of their rooms; good that you have that covered. In Durango there are all kind of choices. Some good, some very bad. In the heart of downtown, there are historic hotels, Strater, Leland, Rochester and General Palmer. There's also a Doubletree, the Rio Grande and Holiday Inn which was recently renovated. Doubletree has rooms overlooking the river. About 10 miles out of Durango is Apple Orchard B&B. Probably the most reasonably priced rooms will be @ Purgatory ski resort about 1/2 hour drive north of Durango. All of these locations are convenient for what you want to do. Mountain bike rentals may still be available at Purgatory for the trails around the ski area. Check for activities calendar as this is around the time of year when Purg is winding down for summer. Check Purgatoryresort.com for lodging and activities options. Durango has bike rentals as well and riding the flat, paved trail on the river in town is popular. Durango downtown is best choice for restaurants, galleries, river trail, rafting, kayaking, paddleboarding, shopping. Purgatory has many beautiful hikes nearby. Apple Orchard Inn requires a short drive to get to town or mountain hikes.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 07:25 AM
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That's great Bailey, will check those out! I'm thinking about 3 nights in Durango area, looks like a lot to do. One day will be spent making the loop on the million dollar hwy.
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:32 AM
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All lodging options are conveniently located for the million dollar hwy loop. They're all located off Hwy. 550
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Old May 23rd, 2017, 08:57 AM
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In Green River we stayed at the River Terrace Inn which was a motel but had been renovated and at the time did the best breakfast buffet with eggs or pancakes to order, including omelettes and huevros ranchero (sp). There are several other motels there also. Not much in the way of elegant eating but a place called Ray's had very good burgers and local color.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 07:49 AM
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I'm considering a change in itinerary. After Gunnison, the plan was to head east to Canon City and Royal Gorge area, 2 nights there, trip to Cripple Creek. Then head to Denver airport. However it seems many fordorites weren't overly impressed with that area. So instead I was thinking about after Gunnison, and exploring around there, Crested Butte, heading north to Glenwood Springs area....then from there to Denver airport. Welcome any opinions/suggestions...thanks!
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Old May 24th, 2017, 09:47 AM
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We really enjoyed Glenwood Springs, where there's a huge hot springs pool, an amusement park up the mountain, and the fabulous Hanging Lake Trail just outside of town.

Cripple Creek is kind of fun if you like casinos with an old west theme, and there's an interesting former "house of ill repute" that is now call The Old Homestead Museum.
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Old May 24th, 2017, 09:53 AM
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I would choose your new option. I've only been to Crested Butte during ski season but I'm sure it would be enjoyable in summer as well. Gunnison is nice with a lot to do. I think of Cripple Creek as just a gambling town and Canon City as the site of the State's prison .
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Old May 24th, 2017, 02:39 PM
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Thanks Jayne and Bailey. I think I'm going with the new itinerary, heading north from Gunnison to Glenwood Springs, instead of east to Canon City/Royal Gorge and Cripple Creek. Saw several comments that Cripple Creek has lost its old charm and Canon City area was very commercial.
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