5 day CO loop?
 

Me again. I'm forever tweaking my Sept. trip to CO and wondered if the following was doable in 5 days.
For the San Juan Parkway:
*Montrose (BCofG) to Ouray then back track a little past Ridgway to Telluride to Mesa Verde
*Then to Durango for the RT Silverton Railroad (that's when we'll see Silverton)
*From Durango to rt.149 to rt.50 to Canon City
Most people on this site are saying 2 days at Mesa Verde but I'm probably going to plan on a day only for now. So with that in mind, can we do this in 5 days?
We're trying to stay flexible so that if we like Mesa Verde we'll stay a little longer.
I've been to CO before hubby hasn't. I want to see Lake City area and I really want to stay in the mtns. so I thought Rt. 149 would be a good road for some of that good jaw dropping scenery before heading towards Canon City to find a place for our last couple of nights before driving back to east coast.

Way too ambitious for your amount of time. You are going to breeze through Ouray and Telluride to Mesa Verde in one day then spend several in Canon City???? First of all, those roads are narrow,windy,and probably average about 35 miles per hour. You will spend your whole day in the car and that's only if you get up at the crack of dawn. Otherwise, you are riding well into the night missing all the great scenery. Montrose/Ouray/Telluride are well worth several days. If you are driving thirty plus hours to get there, at least see something but asphalt while you are there!

Are these days your are describing or just your route within the 5 days? Why are you spending 2 nights in Canon City? There's not much there and so much more you could do in the San Juans like Jeeping in the Ouray area.

I hate that you are going to miss the Million Dollar Highway between Ouray and Silverton. It's really not that long a drive if you could work it in. IMO, it's the best part of the whole Suan Juan Loop.

I think you can do it in 5 days if you spread it out evenly.

One more thing and it's a biggy...don't be deceived by mileage or how short all this looks on a map. It will take you a lot longer than you think.

I am always amazed at how visitors expect to whiz through Colorado in a car and think they've "seen" it.
The beauty of Colorado has to be taken in its own time-- BREATHE in the smells of the air, LISTEN to the quiet in the woods, LOOK at the vistas, SEE a bird of prey swoop down on a fish in a river. Stop your clocks for a few days.
That's Colorado. It's therapy for your soul. It's NOT a drive-by. And we sure don't need more pollution from people who underestimate drive-times and miss its charm altogether.

I completely agree with Connie - don't skip MDH. It is far superior to the scenery you will see if you go to MV via Telluride.

And Maureen, some of us like to do driving trips. If you don't, that's fine. But unless you drive an elecric car and live in a fully solar powered home, you should probably lay off the rest of us for "polluting".

No, beckers, you're wrong about that. There are many, many ways to reduce pollution in addition to hybrid cars and solar power. Bottom line-- reducing the amount of driving we do helps, no way of arguing that. If you live in a state that gets inundated with tourists in cars, you might know what I mean.

P.S. The key point is that doing a drive-by of Colorado doesn't do it justice, anymore than visiting Paris for one day and thinking you'll see it all and get a feel for its culture. Can't be done.

To depart from the pollution debate, I would like to recommend a restaurant in Canon City, The Petite Chablis, assuming it's still there.

Colorado citizens might remember that tourists pour in millions of dollars every year into their economy. I would think that would keep your taxes lower as well as keep lots of people employed.

Agree with Connie & Beckers - don't miss the Million Dollar Highway. Where are you planning on spending the night along the way? One day at Mesa Verde was enough for me, but I was traveling with 4 children on a very hot day. I think you are smart about being flexible so you can spend more time at MV if that appeals to you. Are you stopping between Durango and Canon City? What are your plans for Canon City?

Maureen, it is time to get over your pollution issues. Yes, driving does cause pollution, but it is not practical (or polite) to lecture a guest to remain in one place for the duration of their trip. I'm sure deeaugust understands that she is only getting a taste of Colorado and will come back if she wants more. By the way, I did visit Paris, but only for a few days. Did I see it all and absorb the culture? Of course not! But what I did experience makes me look forward to returning.

Deeaugust - enjoy your trip. September is beautiful in Colorado.

"Maureen, it is time to get over your pollution issues." Now that's about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Do you think pollution will just go away if we ignore it, wtm? Maybe you also believe global warming is a political plot.
Finally, I certainly did not "lecture" anyone, nor suggest they "remain in one place for the duration of their trip". Maybe read a post before you reply next time.
I stand by what I originally posted: "The beauty of Colorado has to be taken in its own time-- BREATHE in the smells of the air, LISTEN to the quiet in the woods, LOOK at the vistas, SEE a bird of prey swoop down on a fish in a river. Stop your clocks for a few days. That's Colorado. It's therapy for your soul. It's NOT a drive-by."

Hey thanks for all the responses. It's a sad fact but as a nation we drive. So I'm driving to CO with my husband and I was just curious/wishing/hoping that we could see it all - that's why I'm tweaking. This is the travel time pros and cons that I really wanted to hear so thanks everyone. We're going to slow it way down and just see the beautiful things. Thought the touristy things would be interesting, but really just want the "therapy" part more than anything. Thanks again. I'll post a report when we get back.

The Jeep tour may sound touristy to some but it's one of the few ways besides bicycle or ATV to get into and on top of he mountains. Awesome scenery you won't see from the highway.

We'll look forward to reading your report.

In response to your post and ignoring the pollution bits, I do think your itinerary of allowing 5 days ( assuming this is from Montrose) and according to your original plans, I think it's quite doable. Two days at Mesa Verde may hamper it a bit, but as suggested you may well find one day quite adequate.

It's an easy drive from Montrose to Ouray. In fact you could also drive over to Telluride the same day, come back to Ouray ( don't miss a walk through the Box Canyon) and then do the drive to Durango via the Million Dollar Highway. Although the drive from Telluride to Mesa Verde via Dolores ( great little town ) is very scenic but not as spectactular as the drive over Red Mt. Pass etc.
Hope this helps.
The biggest problem will be the drive along Rt. 149, but if you spend at least one night along the way at either Creede or Lake City you should be okay.It would certainly be too much to try and travel from Durango to Canon City. Canon City is certainly worth only one night, at best.

We just got back from Durango last night. Actually, we only spent 2 days in Durango as we were on our way home from Las Vegas.

The Durango-Silverton railroad was a highlight of our trip. What gorgeous scenery. FYI--Handlebars has great food--don't miss the peach cobbler and bread pudding. The train's conductor also told us that Mad Mama's had good food.

Did the MDH to Ouray on the way home. Mercy mercy, wish we could have spent more time in Ouray--what a quaint little spot and absolutely beautiful. Would like to go back and spend more time there.

I actually think you're fine with the 5 day itinerary--it will keep you hopping but will also give you a taste of Colorado--have fun!

Maureen, I live near Branson, so believe me, I see plenty of tourists driving around in their cars. But I don't lecture them for coming to my state to spend their hard-earned dollars, which improve my quality of life.

I stand by what I originally said, too -

1) If you don't like driving vacations, that's fine. Some of us do, and you don't have a right to tell anyone not to vacation in a fashion they enjoy.

2) People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

beckers, you completely miss the point. Not worth the trouble to reply.

And yet, you did.

I completely understand what you are saying - yes, driving less does cut down on pollution. I don't dispute that, and I never did. what you fail to understand is that it is impolite to tell people how they should live their lives when you yourself aren't willing to live that way. Like I said before, unless you never drive, you would be intelligent to lay off those of us who do.

Deeaugust,

What do you mean by touristy things? Both Connie and Tess are correct regarding the jeep trip and Durango/Silverton railroad. You will see some absolutely beautiful scenery that you can't reach by car. Plus, it is a good way to relax and let someone else take care of the transportation. If you are still doing the train, you might want to consider Durango to Silverton by train and return by bus. I did this several years ago and found it to be enjoyable in both directions. Historytraveler also gives you some very good advice.

Whatever you decide, have a wonderful trip. I look forward to your trip report, especially any information you have regarding Rt. 149 through Lake City.