We are leaving on a trip to Colorado Oct 16th. I realize I have very little time left for planning, but hope someone can answer some questions. We are leaving from the San Diego area and will be either looping up through AZ, NM, CO, UT,NV and back down to SD, or looping north first through NV to CO and on down in the reverse direction. The main focus is to be Colorado; we have about 13 days, so we plan on taking 2 or 3 days to get to Colorado and then 2 or 3 to get back. We want to spend a few day in CO springs and a few in Estes park/ RMNP. I'm pretty sure the Trail Ridge Rd will not be open. Does anyone know about that? Also should we take the time to hit Albuquerque/Santa Fe on the way to or from. We don't mind missing the sights in AZ and UT since we have done all of those places and fairly recently and have never been to CO or NM. Should we try to go to Durango and Gunnison instead of Santa Fe/ALB?? Should we try to go to Estes park first and then down due to weather? ( I know 20 question. )

I live in SW Colorado and also have a home in ABQ area, so I can offer some input for those areas.

It is very easy to combine Durango, Mesa Verde National Park, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I would also suggest adding Taos to the mix.

What kinds of things do you want to do? All outdoors stuff or museums, galleries, ??

Deb

One more thing, I see you are new here, so welcome! Just an FYI, the Trip Report is for after you finish a trip and then come back to tell folks about the trip, not to request info.

Also, threads drop very fast here and the easiest way to find your thread is to click your name in the upper right corner.

Deb

Thank you very much and yes I am new. Ooops! Thanks for the info. We are traveling with our kids- 2 and 4 1/2, we are mostly looking for scenic drives, short hikes, and kid friendly activities. I really want to spend some time in and around the mountains; we want to see what we can of Rocky Mountain NP, even if the road is closed. I just can't decide if we should try to swing through NM or cut through AZ. I am the kinda person who wants to do it all, but I need to tone it down with 2 young kiddos : )

I have a question about our drive from Albuquerque to Durango. I was thinking about taking a route up on 84 to 160 through Pagosa Springs then on to Durango. It seemed like it might be more scenic than the most direct route. Is it worth the extra hour or so and is it really more scenic? Thanks.

It may be a bit more scenic, but I don't know that it is worth the extra hour drive, especially with 2 young kids in the car. I would way rather get to where I am going and then enjoy the extra time at destination.

The most direct route is NM 550. Pick it up in Bernalillo [exit 242 on I 25] and head west. Stay on it the entire trip. From Bernalillo, it will be 2.5 hours or so. It is a straight shot, although you will have to make 3 turns: make a right at the first light in Bloomfield, then a left at the next light and finally a right in Aztec. You will be on 550 the entire time, there are signs, it's just that the road turns.

Deb

When you come down through New Mexico, stop at Bandelier NM. Great site with ancient dwellings carved into the mountainside (hardened volcanic ash). There is a small part of the park five miles east called Tsankawi where you can do a nice hike up onto an unexcavated area and walk in the grooves made by the ancients. On the way out or back, off i 40 west of Albuquerque is el Morro/Inscription rock NM. It is on a loop parallel to 40 so you won't be going much out of your way and has rock art and writings from ancient Native Americans, Spanish explorers, soldiers from the 1800's, early settlers, etc. If you didn't hit Taos pueblo you could stop at Accoma pueblo too.

If you want to see some pictures of Bandelier check www.flickr.com/photos/emalloy2009/sets and click on the 2008 set.

Have a great trip.