crossing the divide... colorado.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
You'll be happy with either Trail Ridge Road and Independance Pass...but they're both popular routes and you'll be meeting a lot of traffic on both roads.
Here's a route option that you might consider:
Day 1:
Denver - Estes Park - Trail Ridge Road - Winter Park - Berthoud Pass - Loveland Pass (almost as nice as Independance) - Frisco (for the evening).
Day 2:
Frisco - Copper Mountain - Leadville - Granite (turn west here) - Independance Pass - Aspen - Carbondale - Paonia - Delta - Montrose - Ouray (for the evening).
Day 3:
Ouray - Red Mountain Pass (better than Independance?) - Silverton - Durango - Cortez (night)...and on into Utah.
There are probably a dozen equally beautiful routes in Colorado...which just means that you'll need to keep coming back.
Here's a route option that you might consider:
Day 1:
Denver - Estes Park - Trail Ridge Road - Winter Park - Berthoud Pass - Loveland Pass (almost as nice as Independance) - Frisco (for the evening).
Day 2:
Frisco - Copper Mountain - Leadville - Granite (turn west here) - Independance Pass - Aspen - Carbondale - Paonia - Delta - Montrose - Ouray (for the evening).
Day 3:
Ouray - Red Mountain Pass (better than Independance?) - Silverton - Durango - Cortez (night)...and on into Utah.
There are probably a dozen equally beautiful routes in Colorado...which just means that you'll need to keep coming back.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 4
From: LI, and New York, NY -- N 40 44.985 W 73 00.910
to those that have responded.. Thanks! Thanks for the detail in your responses.
a bit more info.
i will be departing NY on may 30.
i know that the Rockies can change on me in a minutes time, but should i count on open roads by June 1??
Winter gear, 30F temps?
thanks.
a bit more info.
i will be departing NY on may 30.
i know that the Rockies can change on me in a minutes time, but should i count on open roads by June 1??
Winter gear, 30F temps?
thanks.
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 494
Likes: 60
From: Colorado Rockies
You'll be happy with either Trail Ridge Road and Independance Pass...but they're both popular routes and you'll be meeting a lot of traffic on both roads.
Here's a route option that you might consider:
Day 1:
Denver - Estes Park - Trail Ridge Road - Winter Park - Berthoud Pass - Loveland Pass (almost as nice as Independance) - Frisco (for the evening).
Day 2:
Frisco - Copper Mountain - Leadville - Granite (turn west here) - Independance Pass - Aspen - Carbondale - Paonia - Delta - Montrose - Ouray (for the evening).
Day 3:
Ouray - Red Mountain Pass (better than Independance?) - Silverton - Durango - Cortez (night)...and on into Utah.
There are probably a dozen equally beautiful routes in Colorado...which just means that you'll need to keep coming back.
Here's a route option that you might consider:
Day 1:
Denver - Estes Park - Trail Ridge Road - Winter Park - Berthoud Pass - Loveland Pass (almost as nice as Independance) - Frisco (for the evening).
Day 2:
Frisco - Copper Mountain - Leadville - Granite (turn west here) - Independance Pass - Aspen - Carbondale - Paonia - Delta - Montrose - Ouray (for the evening).
Day 3:
Ouray - Red Mountain Pass (better than Independance?) - Silverton - Durango - Cortez (night)...and on into Utah.
There are probably a dozen equally beautiful routes in Colorado...which just means that you'll need to keep coming back.
That **** is hard to beat right there!!! Grew up in Colorado and that route will hit the highlights for a relative new visitor to our state. In fact has all of my favorites!!!
If you are new to mountain riding please, please, please, respect the mountains. Hydrate a lot! Gravity is unforgiving and some of these roads have no guard rails, lots of loose gravel and 1000 foot drops! There is not a single time of year that the weather is safe. Lightning, rain, snow, ice, wind, and wildlife are a hazard any time any where any month.
We have our share of ******** but start a conversation at a rest stop or gas station and you will be given more information than you will ever need.
I sound like the focking chamber here don't I? Well times are tough and we need our tourists back with their wallets in tow.
F
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 4
From: LI, and New York, NY -- N 40 44.985 W 73 00.910
That **** is hard to beat right there!!! Grew up in Colorado and that route will hit the highlights for a relative new visitor to our state. In fact has all of my favorites!!!
If you are new to mountain riding please, please, please, respect the mountains. Hydrate a lot! Gravity is unforgiving and some of these roads have no guard rails, lots of loose gravel and 1000 foot drops! There is not a single time of year that the weather is safe. Lightning, rain, snow, ice, wind, and wildlife are a hazard any time any where any month.
We have our share of ******** but start a conversation at a rest stop or gas station and you will be given more information than you will ever need.
I sound like the focking chamber here don't I? Well times are tough and we need our tourists back with their wallets in tow.
F
If you are new to mountain riding please, please, please, respect the mountains. Hydrate a lot! Gravity is unforgiving and some of these roads have no guard rails, lots of loose gravel and 1000 foot drops! There is not a single time of year that the weather is safe. Lightning, rain, snow, ice, wind, and wildlife are a hazard any time any where any month.
We have our share of ******** but start a conversation at a rest stop or gas station and you will be given more information than you will ever need.
I sound like the focking chamber here don't I? Well times are tough and we need our tourists back with their wallets in tow.
F
i was the one yelling at my troops... Drink Waaaater!! hydration is a must. i have a great camelback that i was give during Katrina assistance, and it is low profile. nice to bungee to backseat.
thanks for the post.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
June 1st is the unofficial start of summer riding season in the Rockies (in Colorado, at least). One thing you can always count on is that it'll be 20-25 degrees cooler at 12,000' than it will in Denver anytime during June - September. My wife and I rode over several passes the first week of August; including Trail Ridge. It was blowing about 25 mph up on top and there was a considerable difference in comfort between those prepared and those not. In fact, we met several youngsters riding on rockets...the guys were in t-shirts, the lasses were dressed in shorts, light tops and sandals...they were freezing their asses off! We wear UnderArmour Cold Weather 3/4 zip shirts over our t's, our textile riding jackets and put on our rain gear when we ride at anything above 10,000' (most of our passes are there). When we rode Trail Ridge we were warm and enjoyed the ride...not like many others who were wholly umprepared for the temps at that elevation. It can snow at any time of the year up there but it shouldn't stop you from thinking about coming. Bring proper gear (there's a difference between a 'lot' of gear and 'proper' gear).
Good luck...send me a PM if you're interested in other routes through Colorado.
Good luck...send me a PM if you're interested in other routes through Colorado.
Thread Starter
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 765
Likes: 4
From: LI, and New York, NY -- N 40 44.985 W 73 00.910
thanks again whiskers.
that answers my questions on the weather concerns. i will be packed in advance, as i will be in the middle of a 30 day back and forth from right coast to left and back. my wife will have to fly in to denver, and possibly durango-denver-ny at the end. she just scored some great gear from a friend, and that gear will compliment the stuff she already has.
i am doing some google map, and hard map planning today. i remember doing this stuff seat of the pants in the 80s. my only hardened plans are getting to denver on time, and getting the OL to her departure airport the day before... to allow for error. Mr Murphy is my stalker.
i will be pm'ing you before long. thanks.
that answers my questions on the weather concerns. i will be packed in advance, as i will be in the middle of a 30 day back and forth from right coast to left and back. my wife will have to fly in to denver, and possibly durango-denver-ny at the end. she just scored some great gear from a friend, and that gear will compliment the stuff she already has.
i am doing some google map, and hard map planning today. i remember doing this stuff seat of the pants in the 80s. my only hardened plans are getting to denver on time, and getting the OL to her departure airport the day before... to allow for error. Mr Murphy is my stalker.
i will be pm'ing you before long. thanks.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,611
Likes: 104
From: Southern Colorado
I forgot to mention that I wear my leather chaps all the time in the mountains. Its usually cool enough that they help keep us warm. I understand why you may not want to wear them across Kansas. 
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