cwj

My wife and I are planning a road trip to SW Colorado in mid to late September after flying in to Denver and need some advice. We think we would like to cram the following into about five days: Ouray, Durango, the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad, and Mesa Verde. We think we might make Durango a base for day trips. My worry is that the beginning and end of the trip will entail very long drives that might best be broken up at interesting places. For instance, for the trip out from Denver to Durango, we might overnight in Ouray and save the Million Dollar Highway for the next day. Any ideas for the return trip? Suggestions and advice welcomed and appreciated.

happytrailstoyou

The Durango-Silverton train takes a full day. and Mesa Verde NP from Durango takes most of a day because the park is large and spread out on winding two-lane roads.

It would be worthwhile to include Leadville, Independence Pass, and Aspen on one of the drives between Denver and Durango.

The drive on I-70 between Denver and Glenwood Springs is also beautiful.

HTtY

PS Monument Valley is three hours from Durango.

williamscb13

I'd consider doing Crested Butte to Aspen. The 3rd weekend in September is typically prime leaf changing time. I'd make sure you see it.

sludick

A full day for the Durango-Silverton railroad, a full day for Mesa Verde. Assuming the leaves are looking good, another full day to do a loop drive Durango-Ouray-Telluride (watch for the Yellowstone-like geologic feature on the roadside from Durango up). A day in Durango - visit the train's roundhouse and generally enjoy.

That's 4 full days, and a day to drive back. Does that work for you? I agree that Durango would make a good home base.

Gretchen

Leave out the railroad.
Try to get a reservation at Far View Lodge IN Mesa Verde and spend at least a full day in MV. IMO, this is a world treasure, and if you're going to go, GO and see it. Part of a day arrival or departure would also be good.
I think rather than saying "we want to see all we can" see some really beautiful places. The drive itself is gorgeous.

cwj

Thank you all for good advice. I am about convinced that if this were a two-week trip, we might get it all done. Here is a possible itinerary. Please criticize and suggest alternatives as appropriate. I think Friday is a weak spot. I'm not sure doing the railroad thing makes sense if we are going to drive roughly the same route the next day. Also, Gunnison was chosen as a stopping point on Saturday simply to break up the drive back to Denver.

Tuesday Flight to Denver: Arrive 5:50 p.m.
Drive DIA-Castle Rock 45 min
Wednesday Drive Castle Rock-Durango 6 hours 9 min
Thursday Day Trip to Mesa Verde
Friday Railroad to Silverton bus back
Saturday Drive Durango-Ouray-Gunnison 3 hours 38 min
Sunday Drive Gunnison-Leadville-DIA 4 hours 22 min
Flight: Depart 7:49

Gretchen

I will say one thing about DIA. Allow a full two hours from the time you check your bag to the time you get TO your gate. The maze can be full--or as I am sure someone will say--not.
Be careful about knowing about using the toll road to DIA in a rental car--the toll will be a lot, from reports here.
May be just my driving but I think 45 minutes to Castle Rock is optimistic, but it probably doesn't make that much difference since you are staying there.
Others can advise you about how crowded I70 will be on your Sunday drive back in May.

DebitNM

Sorry I am late to this thread but here's my 2 cents.

Forget the train; it is time consuming and you will be driving the same route on Saturday. You will be able to stop at pull outs and admire the views on YOUR schedule. I would skip Silverton all together.

Friday should be spent at Mesa Verde. A single day won't allow you to see all the marvels there; if you can get a room at Far View Lodge for Thursday night that's great. If not, I would stay Thursday in Cortez. It's much closer to MVNP and while it isn't a quaint as Durango, you are likely to save a few dollars on lodging [Sept is going to be $$$$ it's prime visiting season. Cortez has several good restaurants so you'd be all set. You might even consider staying there Wednesday night.

If you haven't already booked your tickets, you might consider one of the 2 following -

1. Fly in/out Durango.
2. Fly in/out Albuquerque. It's often lower airfare and car rentals and it's a 4.5 drive to SW Colorado. You'd have to rearrange things a bit but it maybe worth you while.

OHrowver

Don't forget the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge train. Book the "History" car though. It is more expensive because you are entertained by period rein-actors who tell the stories about how and why the railroad was built, Colorado history about the area and the famous and infamous people who lived and worked there, US Indian relations at the time and the views are breathtaking!

In the "History" car you take it up and back. There is a different actor each way. When we took it we had Chipeta the wife of Ouray going up and the daughter of the owner of the railroad coming back to Durango. It was fascinating and well worth it. You need to book it in advance! Call the railroad for your reservations though, I had problems with the online booking.

cwj

Thanks to everyone who contributed. DebitNM, I would never have thought of flying in and out of Albuquerque. That solved the problem of very long drives on both ends of the trip AND it gets me to Santa Fe for a few hours. We have also booked a night at the Far View Lodge in Mesa Verde. Thank you all again.

williamscb13

I'm assuming you take the same road north to Durango as you do going to Gunnison, but maybe you don't. If it is, make sure you don't speed through Saguache. Major speed trap both coming and going.

Driving up from Albquerque is much better than driving from Denver. Have fun on your trip.