Rocky Mountain National Park & Million Dollar Highway
Apr 26th, 2003, 06:26 PM
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Rocky Mountain National Park & Million Dollar Highway
I am planning a trip to Colorado in late July/early August. We will have 5 full days plus a couple of half days. Would we have time to see Rocky Mountain National Park and the Million Dollar Highway (Ouray, Silverton & Durango)? Would we be biting off more than we can chew? The drive appears doable on the map, but we realize the mountains may make the trip much longer than it appears. I'd appreciate advice from someone regarding how much time it would take to make the trip from RNMP to Durango. Should we just stay at RMNP? If the trip south is possible, could someone suggest the best route from Estes Park? Thanks!
Apr 28th, 2003, 11:33 AM
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It's doable, but both places are definitely worth that amount of time on their own. I've driven from RMNP to Durango in about 8-9 hours. You have several choices of routes. Here's my recommendation, assuming that you are flying into Denver, then renting a car. It takes longer than needed because you travel some of the more scenic routes.
Denver to Estes Park via Boulder. 2 nights Estes Park.
Estes Park to Grand Lake over Trail Ridge Road. South to I-70, then west on 70 to Red Cliff. South Toward Climax and Leadville. South to Leadville. Night in Leadville.
South from Leadville to Twin Lakes, then west over Independence Pass to Aspen. Visit Aspen. South from Aspen to Montrose. 550 south to Ouray. Night in Ouray.
Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, then Durango. East on 160 to Pagosa Springs. Night in Pagosa Springs. Visit hot springs.
Drive over Wolf Creek Pass on 160, then on to I-25. North on I25 to Colorado Springs and Denver.
You can save time by avoiding Independence Pass, but it's as worthwhile as the Million Dollar Highway, IMO. If you decide to skip Independence Pass, just take 285 south to 50, then 50 west to Montrose.
Denver to Estes Park via Boulder. 2 nights Estes Park.
Estes Park to Grand Lake over Trail Ridge Road. South to I-70, then west on 70 to Red Cliff. South Toward Climax and Leadville. South to Leadville. Night in Leadville.
South from Leadville to Twin Lakes, then west over Independence Pass to Aspen. Visit Aspen. South from Aspen to Montrose. 550 south to Ouray. Night in Ouray.
Million Dollar Highway to Silverton, then Durango. East on 160 to Pagosa Springs. Night in Pagosa Springs. Visit hot springs.
Drive over Wolf Creek Pass on 160, then on to I-25. North on I25 to Colorado Springs and Denver.
You can save time by avoiding Independence Pass, but it's as worthwhile as the Million Dollar Highway, IMO. If you decide to skip Independence Pass, just take 285 south to 50, then 50 west to Montrose.
May 1st, 2003, 08:41 AM
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Another thought - closer than the Million Dollar Highway is:
Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park.
We are headed to CO/WY/SD this summer as well & have been told not to miss Black Canyon...
(look it up at www.nps.gov/parks)
Sylvia
Black Canyon of the Gunnison national park.
We are headed to CO/WY/SD this summer as well & have been told not to miss Black Canyon...
(look it up at www.nps.gov/parks)
Sylvia
May 8th, 2003, 11:48 AM
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Thank you to all who responded -- especially Travellyn. We have decided to stay in the northern part of the state. This should give us time to hike and have a more laid back trip. We hope to return at another time to the Four Corners area and Santa Fe.
May 8th, 2003, 12:46 PM
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Trail Ridge Road is on the most spectacular mountain drives in North America. I recommend it highly. The road from Ouray to Durango is spectacular too, but of a different sort. You are planning to cover a lot of ground.
I think several of us could advise you better if we had a more detailed idea of where you start your Colorado trip.
For example if you are flying into Denver, there are several ideas.
If you are starting from Denver International Airport, I strongly suggest that you go to Durango first and then come north to Rocky Mountain. Why? Altitude adjustment.
If you jump in a car in Denver and drive immediately to the top of Trail Ridge, you may well suffer from altitude sickness - headaches, etc.
If you do it the other way around, the ascent is not so quick and you will have more time to adjust.
I was over the Million Dollar Highway last spring before the ice melted off of the high lakes. Quite a spectacular drive.
I think several of us could advise you better if we had a more detailed idea of where you start your Colorado trip.
For example if you are flying into Denver, there are several ideas.
If you are starting from Denver International Airport, I strongly suggest that you go to Durango first and then come north to Rocky Mountain. Why? Altitude adjustment.
If you jump in a car in Denver and drive immediately to the top of Trail Ridge, you may well suffer from altitude sickness - headaches, etc.
If you do it the other way around, the ascent is not so quick and you will have more time to adjust.
I was over the Million Dollar Highway last spring before the ice melted off of the high lakes. Quite a spectacular drive.
May 11th, 2003, 04:59 PM
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Bob,
Now you've got me re-thinking my decision to stay in the northern part of the state! I do so much want to do it all! We are flying into Denver. We are now thinking about staying 3 days in the Estes Park/RMNP area to hike and get beautiful photography shots. Based on Travellyn's suggestion, I thought we might go down to Leadville, across Independence Pass which I hear is treacherous and exquisitely beautiful) to Aspen. From there, we thought we would head over to the Colorado Springs/ Cripple Creek/Pike's Peak area. We are looking for beauty -- pure and simple. We are flexible as can be, but need to decide soon so that we can make hotel reservations. We have seven days..but two are air travel days so they are really half days. If we tried to "do it all", do you think we would be in the car practically the whole time and have an unrelaxing trip? Could you recommend a route, going the opposite direction -- hitting RMNP at the end of the trip and spending fewer nights in the southern part of the state. Travellyn had suggested nights in Pagosa Springs, Ouray and Leadville, leaving two nights in RMNP area. Bob, are you the one who helped me out a couple of years ago when I was seeking information on this forum on the Swiss Berner Oberland? Thanks! Suggestions from anyone are most appreciated!
Now you've got me re-thinking my decision to stay in the northern part of the state! I do so much want to do it all! We are flying into Denver. We are now thinking about staying 3 days in the Estes Park/RMNP area to hike and get beautiful photography shots. Based on Travellyn's suggestion, I thought we might go down to Leadville, across Independence Pass which I hear is treacherous and exquisitely beautiful) to Aspen. From there, we thought we would head over to the Colorado Springs/ Cripple Creek/Pike's Peak area. We are looking for beauty -- pure and simple. We are flexible as can be, but need to decide soon so that we can make hotel reservations. We have seven days..but two are air travel days so they are really half days. If we tried to "do it all", do you think we would be in the car practically the whole time and have an unrelaxing trip? Could you recommend a route, going the opposite direction -- hitting RMNP at the end of the trip and spending fewer nights in the southern part of the state. Travellyn had suggested nights in Pagosa Springs, Ouray and Leadville, leaving two nights in RMNP area. Bob, are you the one who helped me out a couple of years ago when I was seeking information on this forum on the Swiss Berner Oberland? Thanks! Suggestions from anyone are most appreciated!
May 12th, 2003, 12:13 PM
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I think your new itenerary is good. I'd leave out Pike's Peak, because it will probably be a disappointment after what you will have seen before.
Come back and do SW Colorado another time, when you have a few more days to enjoy it (maybe some September). Have a great trip!
Come back and do SW Colorado another time, when you have a few more days to enjoy it (maybe some September). Have a great trip!
May 12th, 2003, 01:32 PM
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I am the same guy. We visited Trail Ridge Road for the first time in 1965. We have traversed it several times since then. In the 70's we climbed several of the easy 14,000 foot peaks. The question of acclimation is one that takes two days or so for non strenuous activity. For backpacking a load over a 12,000 foot pass, and scrambling to the top of a 14teener,we are talking 10 to 14 days at altitude, with a little gain in elevation every day.
Age and oxygen absorption plays a major role in how well you adjust. But jumping up from sea level to to Estes Park in one day can put a strain on things.
Leadville by the way is 10,000 feet in elevation. The standing joke is that summer came last Tuesday, but I was in Denver and missed it.
Yes I can recommend a route.
From Denver, head to Colorado Springs to spend the night. I am not a big fan of Cripple Creek by the way. It is not all that scenic.
From the Springs, head west on US 24 to Buena Vista. As you approach Buena Vista, you will see the whole Saguache Range, particularly the Collegiate Peaks, in front of you. Mounts Princeton, Antero, Yale, Columbia will dominate the landscape. Harvard is hidden behind Columbia and is hard to see.
Turn south to Poncha Springs and stay on US 285 to Monte Vista. Cross over Wolf Creek Pass to Durango on US 160.
I think you can make that in 1 day. It is only 320 miles and the road is good all the way. Most of it is flat.
Durango is a little expensive, but has a lot of motels. From Durango drive north over US 550 to Silverton and on to Ouray. In Ouray, if time permits, take the side road to the Camp Bird mine and Yankee Boy basin. If the road is passable, it is a wonderful side trip.
If not, consider a jeep trip. You will see the sights, I kid you not. That ridge that overlooks Telluride is awesome.
From Ouray, head north to Montrose.
Turn east there, and detour by the Black Canyon. Quite a view. Continue on to Gunnison.
Now comes decision time. Are you game for a dirt road pass? If so, head for Taylor Lake and drive over Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista.
If not, stay on US 50 over Monarch Pass to Poncha Springs.
Turn north there back to Buena Vista to Leadville on US 24.
You can continue north from Leadville on state route 91. From the junction with I 70 go as far as Silverthorn. Take route 9 along the scenic range Kremmling, from there east to Grandby on US 40. Turn north on US 34 and go over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park.
That will bring you in all ready to go in Rocky Mountain NP.
And I would not go to Aspen over Independence Pass. I have driven one mountain road that scared me: the western side of Independence Pass. It is not so much the road as it is the heavy traffic. Aspen is pretty, with the Maroon Bells,but there are other hills out there to see.
That is a route I have driven. If you look at a map, you can pick out a few deviations. For one, drive up onto Grand Mesa from Grand Junction. That is a trip!!
But of all of those high mountain basins, I put Yankee Boy outside of Ouray right up there at the top of the list. We have poked around the wildflowers and snow banks before and enjoyed it very much.
You will have a good trip.
Age and oxygen absorption plays a major role in how well you adjust. But jumping up from sea level to to Estes Park in one day can put a strain on things.
Leadville by the way is 10,000 feet in elevation. The standing joke is that summer came last Tuesday, but I was in Denver and missed it.
Yes I can recommend a route.
From Denver, head to Colorado Springs to spend the night. I am not a big fan of Cripple Creek by the way. It is not all that scenic.
From the Springs, head west on US 24 to Buena Vista. As you approach Buena Vista, you will see the whole Saguache Range, particularly the Collegiate Peaks, in front of you. Mounts Princeton, Antero, Yale, Columbia will dominate the landscape. Harvard is hidden behind Columbia and is hard to see.
Turn south to Poncha Springs and stay on US 285 to Monte Vista. Cross over Wolf Creek Pass to Durango on US 160.
I think you can make that in 1 day. It is only 320 miles and the road is good all the way. Most of it is flat.
Durango is a little expensive, but has a lot of motels. From Durango drive north over US 550 to Silverton and on to Ouray. In Ouray, if time permits, take the side road to the Camp Bird mine and Yankee Boy basin. If the road is passable, it is a wonderful side trip.
If not, consider a jeep trip. You will see the sights, I kid you not. That ridge that overlooks Telluride is awesome.
From Ouray, head north to Montrose.
Turn east there, and detour by the Black Canyon. Quite a view. Continue on to Gunnison.
Now comes decision time. Are you game for a dirt road pass? If so, head for Taylor Lake and drive over Cottonwood Pass to Buena Vista.
If not, stay on US 50 over Monarch Pass to Poncha Springs.
Turn north there back to Buena Vista to Leadville on US 24.
You can continue north from Leadville on state route 91. From the junction with I 70 go as far as Silverthorn. Take route 9 along the scenic range Kremmling, from there east to Grandby on US 40. Turn north on US 34 and go over Trail Ridge Road to Estes Park.
That will bring you in all ready to go in Rocky Mountain NP.
And I would not go to Aspen over Independence Pass. I have driven one mountain road that scared me: the western side of Independence Pass. It is not so much the road as it is the heavy traffic. Aspen is pretty, with the Maroon Bells,but there are other hills out there to see.
That is a route I have driven. If you look at a map, you can pick out a few deviations. For one, drive up onto Grand Mesa from Grand Junction. That is a trip!!
But of all of those high mountain basins, I put Yankee Boy outside of Ouray right up there at the top of the list. We have poked around the wildflowers and snow banks before and enjoyed it very much.
You will have a good trip.
May 15th, 2003, 06:21 PM
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It is the road from Ouray to Silverton to Durango. It crosses several passes including Red Mountain, Coal Bank, and Molas. Take some of the turns to higher view points. Don't fear them if they are dirt unless it very muddy.
You might want to leave the main road and drive into Silverton.
Interesting for a short while.
Hard to answer your other questions. If you go from Grand Junction, the distance is 145 miles. No short trek.
If you don't go from Grand Junction, it is a heck of a long ways. You need to plan another route.
You might want to leave the main road and drive into Silverton.
Interesting for a short while.
Hard to answer your other questions. If you go from Grand Junction, the distance is 145 miles. No short trek.
If you don't go from Grand Junction, it is a heck of a long ways. You need to plan another route.
Feb 11th, 2013, 05:29 AM
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I am traveling with my teenage boys to Colorado in June of 2013. We have never been to CO before. They are very outdoorsy and active. We are flexible to fly in and out of either Denver or Durango or both. I want them to see Mesa Verde, Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Boulder and Estes National Park and we will be driving. Would you suggest the same routes as above and should we fly into Durango and out of Denver? We are not limited on number of days, so we were planning on 8 - 12 days in June...Thanks in advance for the advice. Also, they want to see really big mountains since we cannot make it to the Alps this summer.
Feb 11th, 2013, 09:04 AM
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Wilmax,
check out www.soaringcolorado.com You ride the train and then zipline(the best ziplinning in the entire world-I can't imagine any being any better, this one is the real real real deal).
I would consider hitting The Great Sand Dunes too. They are out of the way, but worth a day there. I think 2 full days in Mesa Verde is enough. 1 or 2 days in Durango. 2-4 days in Rocky Mountain National Park, depending on how much you want to hike.
check out www.soaringcolorado.com You ride the train and then zipline(the best ziplinning in the entire world-I can't imagine any being any better, this one is the real real real deal).
I would consider hitting The Great Sand Dunes too. They are out of the way, but worth a day there. I think 2 full days in Mesa Verde is enough. 1 or 2 days in Durango. 2-4 days in Rocky Mountain National Park, depending on how much you want to hike.
