I am still putting together part of our Western Adventure driving trip this September and need some advice/suggestions on our first two day stop. Part of this trip is to drive as many "high" mountain roads as possible, including the "Going to the Sun Road" on the way to Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton NP's.
We currently are looking at stopping in Idaho Springs in the early afternoon of 9/7 (Thurs)and spending the rest of the afternoon driving up to Mt Evans. Then spending the next day, driving the "Oh My God" highway to Central City and from there spending the rest of the day on the "Peak to Peak" highway to Estes Park (picnic, short hikes, photos, etc). I can't find any infomation on the Oh My God Highway,(St Rte 279) except it appears to still be a gravel road with sharp curves and drop offs. It looks to be about 10 miles in length. Is this highway still active, safe, not too hard on a 2 wheel drive SUV and worth the drive or shoud we by-pass it and take Hwy 119 to Blackhawk instead. Any suggestions for stops along the Peaks highway would also be appreciated.
We will then spend the night in Estes Park and early the next morning drive a "loop" from on taking Hwy 36/Trail Ridge Road, to the Alpine Visitor center, turning around and then taking Hwy 34 back into Estes Park. We will then drive on towards Ogden, Ut. for the night and then continue our drive through Idaho (Ketchum, Polson and to GNP. Any suggestions on this park of the planning would also be appreciated.
Thanks. Lee

The OMG road has been paved (just reopened last year) and is an easy, very nice drive to Central City. From there down to Blackhawk (1 mile; if you want to play some slots, do it in Blackhawk, there are far more casinos)then all the way through Nederland to Estes Park on the Peak to Peak Highway is scenic and easy. There are many places to stop, I'd say just do it whenever you want the photo op!

Thanks sylvia3. I appreciate the info on the road being paved. Maybe I will stop in Blackhawk and hit the slots for enough to pay for the vacation. LOL.

Lee

I drove the OMG highway summer before last. It is paved for most of the way. I had trouble finding the right road out of Idaho Sprgs--I thought I was following the sign, but . . .

At any rate I finally found it. I do not like the main route through Black Hawk because it is so congested with gambling traffic now. You'll enjoy the OMG road. However, be forewarned: there's NOTHING to do in Silverton.

Thanks for the heads up on the slow traffic in Black Hawk. We may stop there for a late breadfast on the way to the Peak to Peak highway and Estes Park or pick up a picnic lunch for a stop on the highway.
Thanks. Lee