Phoenix to Boulder -- Colorado Road Suggestions

[nvrblu]

I was laid off from a 27+ year job a few weeks ago. I've been talking with one of my former grad school professors about collaborating on a project he has in mind. I plan on driving to visit him in Colorado late next week for some face-to-face time and to discuss the project.

MS Streets & Trips suggest driving through Sante Fe, NM, as the quickest route and driving through Durango, CO, for the shortest distance route. Since I'm not working, I'm leaning toward taking the most fun & scenic route.

Any suggestions?

[neckstrap]

NeverBlue,

I lived in Denver for a couple of years and really enjoyed the scenery. There are many amazing sights you shouldn't miss on your trip.

I'd probably just shoot up Hwy17 out of town because you've seen the local area. I might take a detour though Sedona on 179 and 89 for the spectacular drive up the canyon (Point one).

After Flagstaff, I'd stay on 89 until 160 splits off to the right. Stay on 160 until you get to 163 and take it north through the amazing Monument Valley (Point Two).

Stay on 163 long enough and it turns into 162 and after you cross the Colorado state line becomes highway 41. At highway 160 turn right for a few miles until you get to Four Corners and pay a few bucks to stand in four states at one time. Then, if your lucky like me and there's few people around, do a four wheel drift around four states in four seconds on the gravel circle!

Watch out for the locals, though. One of them has trained his dogs to run out in the road and cause cars to swerve into the ditch. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. I guess his bodyshop needs the work!

Go back up 160 all the way to Durango, then take 550 north out of town. When you get to Montrose turn right onto 50 and up and over the amazing Monarch Pass. I have vivid memories of running the horseshoe bends on snow with no guardrails in my 2002 BMW Tii. If I were in a lesser handling car, I wouldn't be alive to write this. There are miles and miles of road with sheer drops at the edge with nothing but the peaks of very tall trees to catch you. Now, that's exciting! (Point three)

When you get to Poncha Springs, take the left turn up 285. You could take 285 all the way into Denver, but I wouldn't. I'd turn left into Red Rocks Park and see the beautiful ampitheater (Point four). I'd exit on the north side and follow 93/26 all the way to Boulder. Man, I'd love to make that trip in the Lotus!

Paul

[milehitom]

Great suggestions, Neckstrap! I've lived here 20 years and I'm going to have to try some of that (in the opposite direction). One ride I love is to take hwy 9 west off 285 and heading "the back way" to Breckenridge. More of those "no guardrail" hairpins and some beautiful scenery with a mellow mountain town for a lunch stop.

Keep an eye on the weather, nvrblu! it can change fast this time of year.

Tom

[jkolb]

A very cool road, if you can incorporate it is Colorado 145 from Cortez, CO to Telluride, CO. It runs up a a beautiful river valley, with the sweeping curves gradually tightening as the road increases in altitude to Lizard Head Pass where it becomes tight switchbacks. Great road for about the next 2-4 weeks, after which you need to check for snow at altitude. You continue on to Ridgeway past Ralph Lauren's Double RL ranch, through Montrose, and on to I-70 near Grand Junction. 145 is @75 miles, well maintained, and sparsely traveled outside of tourist season.

Have fun!

Jerry

[Chococar]

+1

The most amazing view of the sky I have ever seen was at Lizard Pass late at night -- the stars pop and the milky way is incredible.

Do be watchful for wildlife. I rounded a corner to find a large elk standing in the road. I did an emergency stop and wound up with the front left corner of the car between the front and rear legs of the elk without touching him! Hitting one of those beauties would wreck your car!

If you have a little time, stop in the Telluride area for a mountain bike ride to an old gold mine, or rent a jeep and go over the pass to Ouray.

Have fun!

--Joe

Originally Posted by jkolb

A very cool road, if you can incorporate it is Colorado 145 from Cortez, CO to Telluride, CO. It runs up a a beautiful river valley, with the sweeping curves gradually tightening as the road increases in altitude to Lizard Head Pass where it becomes tight switchbacks. Great road for about the next 2-4 weeks, after which you need to check for snow at altitude. You continue on to Ridgeway past Ralph Lauren's Double RL ranch, through Montrose, and on to I-70 near Grand Junction. 145 is @75 miles, well maintained, and sparsely traveled outside of tourist season.

Have fun!

Jerry

[MattG]

This can be a fun drive, just stay off the interstates and watch out for dirt roads (most of the roads you'll see on a map are dirt/gravel, it seems). Go through Durango, up to Silverton, Aspen, take 82 over Independence Pass to Leadville, from there you can follow the back roads close to I-70. Slight detour through Brekenridge perhaps. Be sure to take the highway that bypasses the Eisenhower Tunnel (on I-70); I forget the name of the pass but it's an impressive one, weather-permitting. A more scenic route would be from Silverton to Gunnison, then north over Kebler Pass leading to Aspen, but Kepler pass is a bit rough and unpaved so not great for a Lotus.

[nvrblu]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I've been on 550, "The Million Dollar Hiway", from Grand Junction to Durango... my palms were sweating most of the time... and agree that everyone should drive that road at least once.

I'm going to "fly" over these roads with GoogleEarth and think about how much time I have to spare. I just hope the weather is good... I-25 might be a pratical backup plan.

[MattG]

Originally Posted by nvrblu

I-25 might be a pratical backup plan.

I hope for your sake it doesn't come to that! If the weather proves iffy and you consider I-25, at least consider a parallel north-south route just west of there. For example, head west on 50(?) to Canon City or thereabouts, then NW on 9, cutting north to Cripple Creek via 11, then hwy 67 up to 24, east to Woodland Park where you'll catch 67 North again, taking that to 126, then to 285 which dumps you out in Denver (or take 78 towards Evergreen and connect to I-70 north of there). Very nice drive and likely to be OK weather-wise if I-25 is also OK.