emalloy

smom, If you are willing to do a quick look at the area you can do it. The park itself starts about a half an hour from 191, the turn is left (if you are coming from the north). So figure a half in half out and as much time as you can spare in the park. My DH thinks it is more impressive than the Grand Canyon, the views are certainly more expansive. If it were a choice between Island in the Sky and Needles district for a few hours, I would opt for Island in the Sky for spectacular scenery. Needles is very interesting, but you are down in the bottom so don't get the fantastic expansive views and it is at least as far from 191 till you get to the park.

emalloy

Brain fart, it is a right off 191 from the north and is farther north than the left into Arches. Sorry

furledleader

A long time ago I posted the following for another traveler. I re-post it here in the hope it may help you pass the time as you travel from Denver to Grand Junction.


Leaving Denver International Airport (DIA) and its rent-a-car lots, you will be on a six lane divided highway (that will eventually narrow to 4 lanes) called Pena Blvd (named after a former mayor of Denver instrumental in getting the airport to be built way out there on the prairie). You’ll start heading west (toward the mountains) at first. At some places along here on a clear day you might be able to catch a glimpse of the trifecta of front range 14ers – mountain peaks higher than 14,000 feet. They will be the 3 highest peaks on the mountains ahead. Longs Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park (distinguished by its kind of “flat” top) will be at about 1 o’clock. Mount Evans (seen just beyond the spires of the downtown skyscrapers) will be at about 11 o’clock. And Pikes Peak (way down by Colorado Springs) will be at about 8:30 or 9 o’clock. Don’t confuse the Rampart Range for Pikes Peak. The Rampart Range is a series of shorter jagged peaks between Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak. Most of the year Pikes Peak will be white (covered in snow) and the Ramparts will be black. If you’re not sure, wait until you are exactly at Pena Blvd mile marker 3 - at this point, Pikes Peak will be directly ahead of you. If you don’t see these mountains along here, don’t worry, you’ll get another chance a little later. Three other Front Range 14ers lie hidden behind the bulk of Mt. Evans from this vantage point: Mt. Bierstadt, Grays Peak, and Torrey’s Peak

Pena Blvd will take a big sweeping turn to the south and then eventually intersect with I-70. Turn onto west bound I-70. As you pass over the bridge at Havana St. (exit 280), you’ll have a pretty unobstructed view of the whole front range again. Look for the 3 peaks at about the same positions if the sky is clear.

Stay on I-70 through “the mousetrap” (I-70’s intersection with I-25) and through the western suburbs. Exactly at mile marker 259, I-70 cuts through the Morrison Hogback – a ridge noted for its abundance of dinosaur fossils from the Jurassic Period. There is no mile marker along the westbound lanes, but the hogback occurs just before exit 259. Take a look at how the different rock strata of the hogback have been uplifted by the forces creating the Rocky Mountains.

At mile marker 260 you’ll start to climb up into Mt Vernon Canyon.

The grave of Buffalo Bill Cody (with an associated museum) lay a couple of miles off I-70 at exit 256. Bill died while visiting his sister in Denver. Today, a feud still exists between the town of Cody, Wyoming and the cities of Denver/Golden, Colorado as to where the Wild West showman actually should be buried. According to an early will, Bill was to be buried in Cody (a town he himself founded in 1895): but a later will left the decision of his burial up to his wife. Some believe she was coerced and bamboozled by Denver influences to agree to a burial in the foothills overlooking the town of Golden. The town of Cody was outraged and for years demanded Bill’s body be exhumed and re-buried in Wyoming. Stories have it that the feud peaked in 1948 when the American Legion branch in Cody supposedly offered a reward for the return of Buffalo Bills body. In response to rumors of clandestine groups attempting to cash in on this reward, the Denver American Legion posted a guard over the grave on Lookout Mountain until a deeper and more secure shaft could be blasted into the rock to forever protectively entomb Bill's mortal remains.

At mile marker 256 look up the ridgeline to your left (@ about 11 0’clock) and at the top you’ll see the futuristic mushroom-shaped house featured prominently by Woody Allen in his movie “Sleeper”. By mile marker 255.5 it is quite visible and recognizable.

Approaching exit 254 you’ll notice that the bridge ahead has no central support. On clear days, as you get nearer and begin to pass under it, the bridge dramatically frames a breath-taking panorama of the peaks of the continental divide to the west. I'm going to suggest though that you get off at exit 254 before passing under the bridge. The reason is that there is a sizable buffalo herd that sometimes grazes in the meadows to the west at the top of this exit ramp. At the top of the exit ramp, turn right. Almost immediately you will pass by Mt. Vernon Canyon Road (the interstate frontage road) and then you should notice an area across the road on the left where you can pullover and park near the west meadow's fence line. Sometimes the herd comes right up to this fence. Other times they are further down toward the interstate pullover just west of the bridge at the end of the ON ramp you'll be using to get back onto the freeway. Other times the buffalo are no where to be found. It's a crap shoot, but if they are there, the kids will probably love it.

You'll still be able to see the mountains of the continental divide from here. For a nice picture, walk out onto the bridge over the interstate a little to get an unobstructed view. From right to left the most prominent peaks are: James Peak, Mt. Bancroft, Parry Peak (the highest), Mt Eva, Witter Peak, Mt. Flora, and Breckenridge Peak. On the other side of these mountains lies the town and ski area of Winter Park. Again, if you walk out onto the bridge, mind the kids against the traffic.

At exit 248, the interstate will crest Floyd Hill and then almost immediately narrow down from 3 to 2 lanes as it begins its drop down into the canyons of Clear Creek. At high flow traffic times this convergence of lanes can cause a bottleneck that backs traffic up for a mile or more. Be careful as you near the bottom of the hill on this side as there are several sharp turns to be negotiated over the next mile and a half.

From exit 244 to exit 228, I-70 follows Clear Creek – best known as the source for the Rocky Mountain water used by the Coors Brewing Company downstream in Golden. So, the next time you open a can of Coors, you just may be drinking water that is passing by you now.

Between Idaho Springs exits 241A and 240, look for the big red building of the Argo Gold Mine on the hillside to your right. If you want, you can tour the mine and mill, and at the end you can pan for gold and gemstones (http://www.historicargotours.com/)

Exit 240 is also the get-off for the drive up to the top of 14,264 foot Mt. Evans. This 28 mile drive along the highest paved road in North America actually ends in a parking lot about 150 vertical feet short of the summit, but a switchback footpath takes you from the parking lot the rest of the way. From the summit one can see Long’s Peak in Rocky Mountain National Park to the north, Pike’s Peak to the south and, on a clear day, to Mount of the Holy Cross west of Vail

Between Idaho Springs and exit 236 at Dumont, you'll probably notice numerous yellow colored tailings of old mine activity covering the hillside on either side of the interstate.

If you notice thick, black smoke coming from the valley to your left between exits 228 and 226, it’ll be coming from the Georgetown Loop Narrow Gauge Railroad engine that chugs passengers from Georgetown up to Silver Plume, and back down again.

The mountain looming up ahead of you at mile marker 224 is Mt. Sniktau (13,235 ft.).

Just before and after passing under the bridge at exit 221 (or you can get off the expressway briefly at this exit), look to your left. The 2 mountains visible through the cleft are Kelso Mountain (13,164 ft) on the left, and Torrey’s Peak (14,267 ft) on the right. Hidden mostly behind the bulk of Torreys left flank lies Gray’s Peak (14,270 ft.). Together, the twin peaks of Gray’s and Torrey’s comprise the 2 highest points on the continental divide in the United States. Driving south up the dirt road at this exit will take you to a parking lot & trailhead for the 4 mile hiking trail leading up to the top of both these mountains.

For the next couple of miles, the pyramid shaped peak that dominates the view in front of you is Mt. Bethel (12,705 ft).

At about mile marker 220, take note of all the red, dead and dying pine trees on the slopes of the mountains - especially those on the sides of Mt. Bethel. The devastation is caused by a mountain pine beetle infestation. Normally kept in check by healthy trees, the beetles went on a rampage during the drought years of 1997 – 2005 when the trees defenses suffered greatly. The beetle’s effects are most noticeable from this area north into Grand County (Granby, Grand Lake, Kremmling), the western end of Rocky Mountain National Park, and even as far west as Steamboat Springs.

Just beyond exit 216 you’ll pass through the Eisenhower Tunnel – the highest passenger car tunnel in the world – and under the continental divide. At this east entrance, the Loveland Ski Area surrounds the tunnel on all three available sides. There are 2 bores here that comprise the tunnel. In actuality, the Eisenhower Tunnel refers only to the westbound bore that was completed in 1973. The eastbound bore (the Johnson Tunnel) is named after Edwin Johnson, a former governor and senator and was completed in 1979. For the sake of brevity though, the whole facility is just commonly referred to as the Eisenhower Tunnel. About ¾ of the way through the tunnel (heading westbound) look for the green sign along the left hand wall of the tunnel that indicates the continental divide is directly above you.

After exiting the tunnel you’ll head downhill toward the Blue River valley. The mountain dominating the view ahead as you immediately exit the tunnel is Buffalo Mountain (note the avalanche slide scars on its side) which is the southern-most mountain in the Gore Range in this area. At the base of Buffalo Mountain lay the twin towns of Silverthorne & Dillon. Continuing your descent from the tunnel, Buffalo Mountain will pop in and out of view as the highway snakes around intervening slopes. At mile marker 209.5, you catch a glimpse of Red Peak just to the right of Buffalo Mountain. For the intrepid hiker and overnight backpacker there is a trail between these two mountains that takes you into the rugged Eagles Nest Wilderness, over Red Buffalo Pass and down to the Gore Creek Campground just east of Vail. At mile marker 208.5 Peak One makes an appearance to the south of Buffalo Mountain, on the southern side of the interstate. Peak 1 is the northern-most mountain peak of the Ten Mile Range which will come into full view (stretching southward) just left of dead ahead at mm 207.5. The peaks of the Ten Mile Range are serially named from north to south: Peak 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10. Simple, eh? On the slopes of Peaks 7, 8, 9, & 10 lay the runs of the Breckenridge Ski Area. The interstate will pass between the hulks of the Gore and Ten Mile Ranges just west of Frisco, a few miles ahead.

Between Silverthorne (exit 205) and Frisco (exit 203), there will be a ‘scenic overlook” pullout on the right just after the interstate climbs up out of the immediate Blue River Valley (more precisely, it is between mile markers 203 and 203.5). There’s also one on the other side of the interstate for the use of eastbound travelers. This overlook offers a great view of the Dillon Reservoir, the Ten Mile Range stretching to the south on your right, and the continental divide (from whence you came) just left of dead ahead. Easily seen from here are the two highest points on the continental divide, Gray’s and Torrey’s Peaks – looking almost like side-by-side sisters. Torrey’s Peak is the sharper, more pointed one on the left. Gray’s Peak (only 3 feet higher) is to its right.

Just beyond exit 195 you begin the climb up to Vail Pass. On your left will be the ski runs of the Copper Mountain Ski Resort. The summit of Vail Pass at 10,666 feet is not particularly scenic as far as Colorado mountain passes go, but it’s not the worst either. Your ascent to the top of Vail pass is rather gentle. Your descent down the other side is steeper.

Near the top of Vail pass (at exit 190) is a nice rest area with ample parking and flush toilet facilities. From this rest area, an easily passable dirt road (Shrine Pass Road), climbs briefly behind the rest area, then descends for about 8 miles toward the hamlet of Red Cliff. There are some gentle hiking trails leading away from a parking lot (shortly after you begin to descend along this dirt road) that take you to some nice wildflower fields; and, about halfway to Red Cliff you catch some nice glimpses of a sight that many people don’t get to see because it is so well hidden – the upper half of 14,005 foot Mount of the Holy Cross. This peak is the northernmost terminus of the Sawatch Range which stretches with its plethora of 14,000 foot peaks all the way down to Mt. Shavano, near Salida. In the mid 19th century, rumor had it that there was a mountain in the wilderness of the Colorado Territory adorned with a huge, natural Christian cross on its peak. Myth became reality in 1873 when a young photographer working with the Hayden Expedition by the name of William Henry Jackson lugged his primitive and cumbersome photographic equipment (including darkroom) deep into what was then sheer wilderness to find and photograph the Mount of the Holy Cross for the first time. That picture alone propelled Jackson into prominence as a landscape photographer during his own time that exceeded that of Ansel Adams in ours.

The town of Vail lies at exit 176. Vail didn't exist until after World War 2 when some returning soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division saw the potential for clearing ski-able terrain in the area. The central area of Vail is built with a European flavor to resemble that found in the Bavarian Alps. Former president Gerald Ford maintained a home in Vail, and the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens here offers a fantastic collection of mountain flora in a pretty setting.

Between Minturn (exit 171) and Dotsero (exit 133), I-70 lolls along through the wide, dry Eagle River valley.

Just west of exit 167 at Avon, look to your left, and up a little valley you should be able to see the ski runs of Beaver Creek.

You probably won’t notice it, but about a mile before the Dotsero exit (exit 133), the Eagle River on your left makes a sharp bend away from the interstate. That's because you are now crossing over a lava flow from the dormant Dotsero Volcano hidden just behind the ridges to the immediate north. It’s last eruption? About 2200 B.C.. So I wouldn’t worry about an eruption as you’re passing through. Even though - it is still listed as "dormant", not "extinct". At Dotsero, the Eagle River (which you’ve been following all the way from Minturn) confluences with the Colorado River coming from the north.

At mile marker 132 the scenery will start to change drastically; for it’s here that I-70 and the Colorado River begin their descent into beautiful Glenwood Canyon. Pray that you’re in the passenger seat for the next 16 miles because you won’t be able to keep your eyes on the road

From I-70 mile marker 132 to mile marker 116 (at Glenwood Springs), I-70 passes through the canyon. This stretch of highway perched between the canyon walls and the banks of the Colorado River was the last part of I-70 to be completed in the state, not only because of the complexity of the canyon, but also because this double-decker highway was designed to be built with as little impact to the canyon as possible. Some people still consider the highway an eyesore and an abomination to the wonder of the canyon, but from an engineering standpoint it’s really a marvelous job done in a beautiful setting. If you get off at any of the exits in the canyon, be cognizant of the signage as some exits are clearly marked as not allowing for return to the highway in the direction you were headed. Exit 121 (Grizzly Creek) is a good place to get off the interstate for a moment inside the canyon. There is a nice rest area here that allows you to experience the canyon and the power of the Colorado River from outside of the confines of your car.

Finally exiting the canyon, you will find yourself almost immediately in the town of Glenwood Springs. Look for the steam rising from the Yampah Hot Spring and the Glenwood Springs Hot Springs Pool complex on your right after clearing the last stretch of canyon wall just before exit 116. Besides the hot springs, Glenwood Springs is known for being the final resting place for Wyatt Earp’s sidekick, Doc Holliday. You’ll find his grave in the town cemetery.

From Glenwood Springs continue to follow the Colorado River and I-70 west past the towns of New Castle, Silt, Rifle, and Parachute. At DeBeque (mile marker 62), the Colorado River and the interstate enter DeBeque Canyon. Although not as impressive as Glenwood Canyon, it is still a pretty and welcome 15 mile long diversion from the dry sagebrush you had been driving through since Glenwood.

Exiting DeBeque Canyon you’ll find yourself near the village of Palisade (exit 44). From here to Grand Junction you should notice numerous vineyards and a couple peach orchards sprouting from the fertile plain wedged between the interstate and the rising flank of the imposing Grand Mesa Plateau to the south (left). Although their production isn’t dramatically abundant, the vintners in this area produce some very tasty wines.

Before 1921, the Colorado River (from its headwaters in Rocky Mountain National Park to its confluence with the Green River in Utah) was officially known as the Grand River. At Grand Junction, the old Grand River confluences with the Gunnison River. Just west of Grand Junction is Colorado National Monument – a very pretty conglomeration of red rock canyons with numerous hiking trails.

smom

WOW Thanks for the info on I-70!!