JUly going from Craig, CO to Durango and then Denver
Jun 22nd, 2015, 06:48 AM
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JUly going from Craig, CO to Durango and then Denver
I thought I had our whole trip planned but after reading your forums I am having second thoughts.
We leave Craig on a Monday morning and need to arrive at the Denver Airport on Saturday night only to sleep for an early morning flight.
We would like to head to the south west. Including the Silverton Train and the Mesa Verde.
We will be riding a motorcycle so we would like scenic rides and will need to stop every couple hours.
I was thinking two nights in Durango. One day to Mesa and one day to Silverton on the train. Will we need reservations. Where would you suggest staying.
White water rafting kayaking would be good. Easy hiking would be good.
Thanks for your help.
We leave Craig on a Monday morning and need to arrive at the Denver Airport on Saturday night only to sleep for an early morning flight.
We would like to head to the south west. Including the Silverton Train and the Mesa Verde.
We will be riding a motorcycle so we would like scenic rides and will need to stop every couple hours.
I was thinking two nights in Durango. One day to Mesa and one day to Silverton on the train. Will we need reservations. Where would you suggest staying.
White water rafting kayaking would be good. Easy hiking would be good.
Thanks for your help.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 07:41 AM
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When is this trip?
My husband rides and we have lived near Mesa Verde NP so he suggests:
Head to Grand Juncation. Outside GJ is Colorado National Monument, great riding through there and hiking.
Grand Junction to Gateway. There is a great car museum in Gateway if you are interested.
Gateway down to Naturita and then SR 145 down towards Rico to Cortez onto 160 to Durango.
To get to Denver, take 285 up. Or take Million Dollar highway up through Ouray to Montrose to 70 over Monarch Pass to Denver through Gunnison.
OR go over to Pagosa and over Wolf Creek Pass, go north towards Creed, Lake City and into Gunnison and then 70.
Between Creed and Lake City, there is Slug Mulligan that is a very twisty, tight road that he finds a bit too tight, but says you might like it.
Quickest way is to take 285 off of 60.
I hope this makes sense, I was typing as he was talking. He didn't have all the SR #s, but you should be able to see it on map. Ask if you need more specifics.
The water in Durango is VERY HIGH AND VERY FAST right now. In fact, someone just died there in a kayak.
What is your budget for room? What level accomadtion- luxe, basic???
As far as spending the 2 days in Durango - personally, I would skip the train and spend the 2 days in MVNP. The train is nice, but uses an entire day. There is so much (unique) to see in MV that 2 days will barely cover it.
The train is nice, but you will be seeing so much of the same sort of terrain while riding that I wouldn't use the time to ride the train. If you are adventurers ( most riders are) the train may be too slow and boring. It would be for my husband.
IF you do the train, only take it one way and take the bus the other way. If you train to Silverton sit on right side of car. If you trainTO Durango, sit on the left.
If you opt to ride the bikes via Million Dollar Highway, you will be on the same route for most of the train ride, more reason to skip train.
Hope this helps.
My husband rides and we have lived near Mesa Verde NP so he suggests:
Head to Grand Juncation. Outside GJ is Colorado National Monument, great riding through there and hiking.
Grand Junction to Gateway. There is a great car museum in Gateway if you are interested.
Gateway down to Naturita and then SR 145 down towards Rico to Cortez onto 160 to Durango.
To get to Denver, take 285 up. Or take Million Dollar highway up through Ouray to Montrose to 70 over Monarch Pass to Denver through Gunnison.
OR go over to Pagosa and over Wolf Creek Pass, go north towards Creed, Lake City and into Gunnison and then 70.
Between Creed and Lake City, there is Slug Mulligan that is a very twisty, tight road that he finds a bit too tight, but says you might like it.
Quickest way is to take 285 off of 60.
I hope this makes sense, I was typing as he was talking. He didn't have all the SR #s, but you should be able to see it on map. Ask if you need more specifics.
The water in Durango is VERY HIGH AND VERY FAST right now. In fact, someone just died there in a kayak.
What is your budget for room? What level accomadtion- luxe, basic???
As far as spending the 2 days in Durango - personally, I would skip the train and spend the 2 days in MVNP. The train is nice, but uses an entire day. There is so much (unique) to see in MV that 2 days will barely cover it.
The train is nice, but you will be seeing so much of the same sort of terrain while riding that I wouldn't use the time to ride the train. If you are adventurers ( most riders are) the train may be too slow and boring. It would be for my husband.
IF you do the train, only take it one way and take the bus the other way. If you train to Silverton sit on right side of car. If you trainTO Durango, sit on the left.
If you opt to ride the bikes via Million Dollar Highway, you will be on the same route for most of the train ride, more reason to skip train.
Hope this helps.
Jun 22nd, 2015, 09:55 AM
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the trip is July 6-12. Any hotels or restaurant picks. Love that your hubby is a biker and understands no desire for iron butt here. Want to enjoy the ride and the rest of the day. LOL
Jun 22nd, 2015, 03:01 PM
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Old Time style = Strater, Rochester or General Palmer.
Chain = Hampton, Double Tree, Homewood Suites.
B&B = Apple Orchard Inn.
Brewery = Steamworks
Bar - [hokey but fun] Diamond Belle
Restaurants = Gazpacho, East by Southwest, Serious Texas BBQ, Seasons, Guido's Favorite [ Italian],
Chain = Hampton, Double Tree, Homewood Suites.
B&B = Apple Orchard Inn.
Brewery = Steamworks
Bar - [hokey but fun] Diamond Belle
Restaurants = Gazpacho, East by Southwest, Serious Texas BBQ, Seasons, Guido's Favorite [ Italian],
