Colorado Travel Help

[GoingPlaces]

We are in the midst of planning one of our summer trips.

We will be staying in Grand Junction, Colorado and possibly Montrose CO and hope to visit Back Canyon of the Gunnison NP as well as Colorado National Monument NP. While we are in that area, Ouray is on our list. After those places are in the books we want to go to Cortez, CO where we will continue to travel east thorough Colorado, then Denver, before heading to WY and UT.

I know WE DO NOT want to travel route 550 south of Ouray CO, for a whole host of reasons. So, from what I can see, we either backtrack up rt 50 to Interstate 70 to UT 191, to rt 491 to Cortez CO or try CO 62 and CO 145. Has anyone traveled that route. I’d be pulling a 25-foot trailer. The truck is fine with steeper grade. I am mainly concerned with twisty narrow roads, with tight hairpin turns and minimal guardrails.

Thank you for any advice or experience!

[Raptor Dave]

We were in Colorado a few summers ago. Spent a couple weeks in Silverton and loved it. (would go back again) Weather was perfect the whole time. While there rented a jeep and did a bunch of the trails and loops. Drove up/down to Ouray from Silverton several times. I say up/down because some call it "up" being north of Silverton, and some call it "down" because it's lower in elevation.
When we left Silverton we hooked up our 35ft 5th wheel and did the same trip going thru Ouray on the "million dollar highway" all the way to I80 and then turning east toward Denver.
We watched several youtubes about the ride between the 2 towns and mostly it's all drama about driving some of the most beautiful ride through Colorado.
Granted the driver will not see as much as the passengers because you do not take your eyes off the white lines when pulling a trailer. Just drive slow and pay no attention to the parade you may accumulate behind you. There are many delivery semi-trucks that drive it on a daily basis.

Before we left Silverton with the trailer we drove to Ouray a few different times. The hot springs (one of the best we've ever been at) are a must do and did the tourist thing walking the streets also.
During these trips (unhooked) we stopped at almost every pull over that was along the way and did a driver break so I could see some of the beauty and soak up the history of the road also.

I will say this....the drive is not for the weak minded or weak hearted but the road was in fine condition to travel on. We also did the Durango-Silverton Railroad ride but only did the half way trip. I was more concerned being on that ride. You are literally hanging off the edge of a sheer mountain cliff on a manmade trail holding the train up it seems in mid-air!

If you do make the trip between Silverton and Ouray, make sure you pick up a T shirt saying you drove the "Million Dollar Highway"

[GoingPlaces]

Thanks for that information and I agree with your assessment of the road, although it does have some pinchy spots! I've watched a couple of videos on the road. If it were just me, I think I'd make the drive. However, I have three other people who are taking a hard pass on driving that section of road, they being my better half and our traveling partners who pull a similar rig. If I were to unilaterally decide to drive it, my life would become miserable for months, possibly years, to come. So, in the interest of family harmony and self-preservation, we need to find an alternate route to Cortez.

Route 550 from Montrose, CO to Ouray, CO looks completely fine and is "family approved" so we can utilize that. Maybe take a day trip from Montrose to see Ouray then pull the rig to Cortez via CO 62 and CO 145. I'd hate to backtrack if I don't have to.

[German Shepherd Guy]

Hello. So the pass you will be taking from Montrose to Cortez is known as Lizard Head Pass. It is an easy pass for your rig. Don't go around, you would miss some awesome scenery. Now you will also have to go through Dallas Divide Pass on the way to Lizard Head. It is not a hard pass but is deceptively steep and long. I just take it slow so as not to over stress my truck and at the top is one of the most photogenic scenes in Colorado. You will be passing by Telluriide, but there is no good place to turn your rig around once in that box canyon. If you can do it though it is a town worth visiting. Now Lizard head is nothing compared to the passes outside of Ouray (Red Mountain, Mollis, and Coalbank ) but it is still a mountain pass. I have done it many times, don't stress just take it easy. Once to Cortez be sure to put Mesa Verde NP on your must see list. The campground at M.V. is large and there are often spaces. Have fun.
Oak

[GoingPlaces]

Thanks for this! Sounds like this is the drive for us!!

Yes, Messa Verde NP is on our list and the main reason we are heading to Cortez! I visited there when I was a kid some 50+ years ago. I wonder if is still the same? I know I'm not !

[LHaven]

We go through Cortez periodically, on our way to Pueblo or Denver. We love stopping at the Lounging Lizard or the Hong Kong, depending on our mood. Mesa Verde NP is also fun to explore.

If proceeding from Cortez to Denver, I highly recommend driving east out of Durango until you hit I-25N, for the minimal amount of blind mountain roads. Our first time, we took Apple Maps' "best route" suggestion through Fairplay and it was a total nail-biter, in a snowstorm yet.

[GoingPlaces]

Thanks for the restaurant tip! The Lounging Lizard looks like my kinda' place. We will be staying in Cortrez for a few days maybe we can try it.

Currently our trip will take us through Durango, Alamosa and Colorado Springs. So, I'm guessing we'll miss the road you are talking about.

It sounds as if you get to Colorado a bit. Have you ever been to the Paint Mines near Calhan? I'm thinking that is on our list of places to see.

[LHaven]

Never visited the mines, sorry.
The Durango/Alamosa/Walsenburg route is the gentlest way north that we've found. Of course, for us, I-40 to I-25 would be the most direct and easiest grades, but we enjoy traversing Navajo country and routing through Cortez because it's just our kind of little Western town.
If you have time in Durango, visit the Bookcase and Barber. It's just historic fun. If you actually want the haircut, book way ahead (haven't managed that yet myself).

[JDNewman]

Did the CO62 and CO145 from Cortez northbound last year on our way to ND. Good roads, no issues. Good fuel stop at the Maverik in Montrose, RV friendly.

[Canonman]

This area of SW Colorado is one of our favorites. Been through this area on similar trips many times.
If I may, some unsolicited suggestions.
In Grand Junction stay at the James M Robb state park just outside Fruita.
Great camping and just a short drive to the Colorado NP. Close enough for an a.m. visit, picnic lunch along the way then a p.m. drive back in plenty of time for a relaxing dinner at camp.
Just south of Montrose is Ridgway state park. We love this campground as a base for exploring this area. Easy access to Black Canyon, close to Ouray and several county roads into the San Juan mountains for some of the finest scenery in the west. If you're up to it, Ouray to Silverton and back to camp at Ridgway is a great day trip without the trailer.
From Ridgway hwy 62 to 145 is an easy pull. Several big pullouts to stop and admire the views. The town of Doloris has a very nice RV Resort https://rjourney.com/locations/co/do...=dolores-river and makes a great base for exploring Cortez, Mesa Verde and the Mancos area. Don't miss the Anasazi Heritage Center only 29 min. away.
We have not camped in the Durango area so not much help there. Although, we have stayed in Durango taking the Steam Train ride and side trips around the area.
If you are interested in exploring Native American dwelling sites, there are many interesting locations in this area suitable for day trips.
Hope this helps.

[Pete54401]

I'm a little confused on your proposed route... Grand Junction to Cortez then east to Denver and then ending up in Utah? Anyway, maybe best option if you wish to avoid 550 south of Montrose is to plant the trailer in Montrose or Grand Junction and you can motel in Ouray or Durango or wherever for a few days since you're heading back north to WY/UT anyway.