Nederland to Boulder
 

Is the drive up 72 from Idaho Springs to Nederland, and then across to Boulder, "whiteknuckle" in any part, or is it pretty easy-going all the way? Are the views on this route going toward Boulder as pretty as the views heading west from Boulder? Thanks for all advice.

No, it is pretty tame but slow -- lots of curves. I think it is nice.

72 (Coal Creek Canyon) goes from 119 south of Nederland toward the east; are you thinking of the newly paved "Oh My God " road (279) from Idaho Springs to Blackhawk, then 119 to Nederland?

I'm confused too.

Hwy 72 doesn't go from Idaho Springs to Nederland. But... to get from Idaho Springs to Nederland, I suggest taking I-70 to exit 241 and take the 4-lane Central City Parkway (clearly marked by a huge sign spanning the roadway) up to Central City. Go through Central City (or stop and do some gambling) to it's twin city of Blackhawk about a mile down the road. Stop and do some more gambling if you like, then get on Hwy 119 and head north to Nederland. Just south of Nedeland Hwy 119 ends at it's junction with Hwy 72, and the road you're on BECOMES Hwy 72. Continue north along 72 until you get to Nederland.

No white-knuckles anywhere along this drive (except maybe through Central City and Blackhawk themselves where the streets can get narrow and you have to beware of intoxicated gamblers darting across them)..... and it is pretty.

For some reason I am thinking the "Oh my God !" road is so-called because that's what terrified people exclaim as they drive or ride over it. Not so?

The local reference to "O' My God Highway" was in fact not a highway but a gravel shelf road that connected the back side of both Central City and Idaho Springs. If it had a number it was county road designation. And it deserved it's name. It has been few years since I drove it so I am not sure if it is still open. Probably is for a few brave folks.

If you are looking at the official Colorado State map it is easy to confuse 72 and 119, they cross at Nederland and at first appearance it look like 72 is the north/south road. If in Idaho Springs you take I-70 East for a couple of miles to the 119 (Blackhawk) exit and follow it to Boulder.

The new road to Central City from east of Idaho Springs is nearly an interstate for smoothness -- If someone is calling that the "O My God Highway" it is a faux name.

Now it's been several years since I last did the Oh My God Road (aka County Road 279) starting at Canyon Street in the back of Idaho Springs, but I don't recall it being that harrowing. Certainly not a "white knuckler" or scary enough to invoke the name of the Almighty - but that's probably because I've done worse.
In good road conditions it could probably be done in a regular passenger vehicle, but for someone who is not experienced with the steeper mountain dirt roads I would strongly suggest a high clearance vehicle, and even 4 wheel drive.
There are places where it narrows, but not for any great distance. Just be careful, take it slow, and you should be OK. If the road starts to scare you, get out of the car and walk ahead of the vehicle for a bit. Steep mountain roads always look worse from INSIDE the vehicle you're driving than they do from outside the vehicle.

However, that's not the road at issue, right? OP doesn't want to do the gravel cut-off, but rather the newly paved road from the Idaho Springs to Central City-Blakhawk (thence to 119).

Sylvia,

I'm not sure. That's why in my first reply I stated that I was confused.
In the OP's subsequent post he/she still makes reference to the OMG Road, and the only road with that moniker (that I know of) is the steep dirt one heading up the mountain back of Idaho Springs.
I'll admit that taking the Central City Parkway is a much easier way to get from Idaho Springs to Central City, but maybe the OP isn't really looking for "easy".

I don't know.

Hey meggies,
Where'd you hear about the OMG Road?

This has gotten crazy. Go back and read original post. The OP did not say anything about OMG highway and only wanted to get to Boulder from Idaho Springs on 119 simply confused it will 72. Sylvia introduced OMG and it just ran from there.

Dang.....your right.



Never mind.

But the OP DID mention it in theirr 2nd post.

I have made the drive many time (both Nederland to Boulder and OMG).
I really like Nederland. It's a funny little town.
I try to take the OMG Road to Central every time I am in Denver. Everything but the OMG is just a regular road. I have driven OMG in regular ol rental sedans, never in the rain. It's always no problem, an easy girl-drive. I think the scenery is inspiring and it makes me forget I am in Denver to work.

...But the OP DID mention it in theirr 2nd post...... but only in a general way and I am not sure OP was referring to the road between Idaho Springs and C City. I am not sure TxTravPro is referring to that road either.

So, to be clear:
1.the newly paved route from Idaho S. to Central City is a nice drive, no terror.
2.The road called OMG is a short unpaved cutoff that connects (or used to connect) with said newly paved road.
3. Route 72 misidentified in the OP has nothing to do with Nederland--Idaho Springs.
4. I'm guilty of thinking OP meant OMG road when they referred to "whiteknuckle" driving en route from Idaho Springs to Nederland.
5.I inferred that the drive "up 72 from Idaho Springs to Nederland" implied a back route, not the I70 to 119 or even the US6 to 119 main routes.
Youth In Asia? Oh. Nevermind!!

Yep, I am referring to the 'real' OMG road in my post. You catch it by getting off 70 in Idaho Springs and going up a back road to the right. Easy. Last time I did it I was alone in a Chrysler 300.
I would not call it short, it's pretty far to to pavement. I go slow because I love the view. It's a gravel road, all switchbacks, most of the way up. Cool mining relics visible... at many points you woul dhave no idea you are so close to civilization! There is an old rusted out vehicle at the bottom of canyon. Did it fall off the edge? Once you get up pretty high the new road starts and its just like any other country road.
I would not do OMG in the rain or heavy snow but it is easy as pie if you take it slow and enjoy it.
I always do it during the week, midday. In all the times I have done it, I have only seen 2 other cars up there!

That is the right road. But it is not the road it used to be. Originally it was the old railroad line that took the gold down to the smelters in Idaho Spring. Just pulled up the tracks and let the cars drive it. In the 50s some of it was still on the old log shelf rail bed and often had to back down until a wide spot was found to let to two cars pass. That was scary. In places you could see light coming through the middle of the road. When we returned in the 80s the log shelf were gone and it wasn't nearly as scary. Now parts of it is pave. What is the world coming to.

I am the Original Poster. It is our goal to take the easiest route north to Nederland and then east to Boulder. We'll be coming from Frisco. We want to enjoy pretty scenery and maybe stop for a short hike on a paved trail with pretty views. We want to avoid scary driving routes, so will definitely avoid route 279. So, do I have this right: I 70 to 119 N to Nederland;then east on 72 to Boulder? Right now I have just the pullout map from my "Fodor's Colorado" book and it doesn't identify route 119 at all. Is it 119 or 72 that continues from Nederland to Boulder? We'll definitely have a AAA map before we make the trip! The other part of my original question was: Are the views going toward Boulder from Nederland as pretty as the views heading west from Boulder? I believe the Fodor's guidebook describes pretty views of the canyon, going west. Thanks.

No, no, no. Forget 72, it doesn't enter the picture at all.
From I70 after you pass Idaho Springs, take US6 (on the left)to 119; turn left to Blackhawk. Stay on 119 to Nederland, then take 119 (to the right) down through Boulder Canyon to Boulder.
(You can also take the "back route" also scenic from just outside Idaho Springs to Central City, thence to Blackhawk, then 119 to Nederland, etc. But you said you wanted the easiest)
Boulder Canyon is always pretty; either way, you are in a canyon. For a VERY short hike, stop at Boulder Falls on the way down.

BTW, as explained by others, 279 (the "back way") is newly paved and not scary.
72 continues north from Nederland; south of Nederland,it also goes east, but you don't want that road.