Colorado routes?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 941
Likes: 9
From: Denver, CO
The best riding in Colorado is West of the Front Range. Front Range has some amazing riding (Trail Ridge Road is road you absolutely must go over) but the Elk Mountains offer some of the very best scenery in Colorado.
If you are planning on taking 285 to Fairplay so your daughter can see South Park (the sign in front of the preserved town is pretty cool but that's all that is worth seeing there) I would highly recommend that you then cut south to Buena Vista and then on to Gunnison. If its getting close to stopping point, Crested Butte is a great little mountain town that is fun to stay in and it's about 30-45 minutes north of Gunnison.
From Gunnison, continue west on 50 and stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. The ride through the canyon and down to the river is definitely worth the cost of admission (or get an annual parks pass for $80...RMNP alone will cost you $20). Then continue west on 50 again and then head to Ouray, which is a great place to stop for lunch. From Ouray, head south and you will be on the famed Million Dollar Highway. Durango doesn't have much to see but will have a lot of chain hotels.
From Durango you can head east towards Alamosa. You'll hit a few moutain passes but a lot of the riding will be wide open valleys with distant views of the Elks and Sangre de Cristo ranges. This route will take you near the Great Sand Dunes NP which is also an awesome place to stop and walk onto the dunes/take pictures/etc. In August, the sand will be at least 100-120 degrees so keep the boots on. Then just ride north til you get to the Springs.
There's a lot to see in Colorado but if you have just a few days, that will give you the best cliffs/highlights.
If you are planning on taking 285 to Fairplay so your daughter can see South Park (the sign in front of the preserved town is pretty cool but that's all that is worth seeing there) I would highly recommend that you then cut south to Buena Vista and then on to Gunnison. If its getting close to stopping point, Crested Butte is a great little mountain town that is fun to stay in and it's about 30-45 minutes north of Gunnison.
From Gunnison, continue west on 50 and stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. The ride through the canyon and down to the river is definitely worth the cost of admission (or get an annual parks pass for $80...RMNP alone will cost you $20). Then continue west on 50 again and then head to Ouray, which is a great place to stop for lunch. From Ouray, head south and you will be on the famed Million Dollar Highway. Durango doesn't have much to see but will have a lot of chain hotels.
From Durango you can head east towards Alamosa. You'll hit a few moutain passes but a lot of the riding will be wide open valleys with distant views of the Elks and Sangre de Cristo ranges. This route will take you near the Great Sand Dunes NP which is also an awesome place to stop and walk onto the dunes/take pictures/etc. In August, the sand will be at least 100-120 degrees so keep the boots on. Then just ride north til you get to the Springs.
There's a lot to see in Colorado but if you have just a few days, that will give you the best cliffs/highlights.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 872
Likes: 237
From: Covington, Ga
Pikes Peak is all paved now.
If you mean to take 7 from Estes Park to Idaho Springs you will miss Trail Ridge Road and Rocky Mountain National Park. In my opinion this is a "don't miss" in the area. It is one of the greatest ride on the planet.
You can easily make it from Ft. Collins to Evergreen in a day by going through Granby.
Bill
If you mean to take 7 from Estes Park to Idaho Springs you will miss Trail Ridge Road and Rocky Mountain National Park. In my opinion this is a "don't miss" in the area. It is one of the greatest ride on the planet.
You can easily make it from Ft. Collins to Evergreen in a day by going through Granby.
Bill
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Frederick MD
Here's my rough plan. Suggestions welcome.
Salt Lake City to Steamboat Springs - stay one night
Steamboat Springs to Evergreen via 34 through Estes Park - stay one night
Evergreen to Manitou Springs via Mt Evans - stay two nights
Ride Pikes Peak and ???
Leave Colorado via US 50
Salt Lake City to Steamboat Springs - stay one night
Steamboat Springs to Evergreen via 34 through Estes Park - stay one night
Evergreen to Manitou Springs via Mt Evans - stay two nights
Ride Pikes Peak and ???
Leave Colorado via US 50
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Here's my rough plan. Suggestions welcome.
Salt Lake City to Steamboat Springs - stay one night
Steamboat Springs to Evergreen via 34 through Estes Park - stay one night
Evergreen to Manitou Springs via Mt Evans - stay two nights
Ride Pikes Peak and ???
Leave Colorado via US 50
Salt Lake City to Steamboat Springs - stay one night
Steamboat Springs to Evergreen via 34 through Estes Park - stay one night
Evergreen to Manitou Springs via Mt Evans - stay two nights
Ride Pikes Peak and ???
Leave Colorado via US 50
Bill
Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 156
Likes: 1
From: Frederick MD
and I'm sure she won't forget the views. We'll leave Evergreen and go straight to Mt. Evans, then we'll go to Manitou Springs for 2 nights. Let me know if you have a route to recommend to Manitou Springs from Mt. Evans. I know people mention goin to 285 from Mt. Evans, but on Google Maps I don't see it. Back in 2001 it was a dirt road from most of the way through Guanella Pass and on down to 285. I know because I drove a cage on it back then.Thanks,
Rick
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