Chinle-Monument Valley-Cortez
 

I would appreciate any input on this leg of my trip. We plan to leave Chinle in the morning to visit Monument Valley and then drive to Cortez,Colorado, to spend the night there. How are the roads, will I be going through mountain passes? Thanks

There are really no mountain passes around the four corners area. Pretty flat all around. The roads are all fine.

roads are fine. you can get some great vistas. at monument valley, everyone stops at gouldings and as many times as i have been thru the area, i admit, i stop.

but at monument valley, i would take the private tour offered from locals at the visitor center. you will see so much more and get a feel for life there from these friendly folks.

also bring some cash for a chance at shopping for great silver jewelry in the shacks on the enterance road, one of my favorite places to stop. enjoy

I made this trip in the other direction a couple of years ago.

Make sure you have plenty of gas, water, and something for a picnic lunch. This is not a very populated area once you leave Mexican Hat. Consider going by way of Hovenweep (sp?) a fascinating pueblo ruin with fewer crowds than the others. Watch out for sheep, horses, cattle on the road. There is a good brew pub in Cortez, where there are apparently lots of German visitors but they used instant mashed potatoes!

Thanks to all for the advise. We are planning to depart in the am from Chinle to Monument Valley, take a tour, and then continue to Cortez for the night. Has anyone driven on Hwy. 262 through Aneth to Cortez? I understand 262 becomes 41 and then it connects with 160. Is this the best way to Cortez? Thanks

It's been a few years since we drove on 262. The road had some potholes and was a little slower drive...but then we were in a motorhome. There's not much out there so make sure you gas up in Mexican Hat.

Hwy 163 & 160 will be better roads and if you double back after Monument Valley it's only 13 miles longer and will be a faster drive.

Utahtea

We drove 262 thru Aneth last year and it is really not very scenic thru that area. I would go the 163/160 route. We also stayed in Cortez and had a heck of a time finding a decent place to eat. Ended up at the Blue Iguana taco shack on the main drive. Pretty good food for a hole in the wall.