Any Colarado, Wyoming, New Mexico DUers....

[havocmom]

...wanna help with car trip plans for me & the 90 pound hound?

Am gonna try to make trip thru there end of August. Have never been in Wyoming or much of anyplace in Colorado and wonder about roads on my route:

Coming South on I-25 then trying to miss most of Denver metro area. Want to go west then south (on our way to Az.)

Good camping areas near I-25 from Cheyenne to north of Denver?

Any remarks on highway 24 from Vail to Poncha Springs?

How 'bout highway 50 to Montrose?

Words of wisdom for the route from Montrose, thru Durango and to Cortez? Will need to stop for the night somewhere around Durango/Cortez area. (Any fire updates in Late August gratefull appreciated. Will post again asking for info on fires closer to departure date)

Any New Mexico affectionatos wanna tell us about 160 (highway formerly known as 666) from Cortez, Co thru Farmington and to Gallup?

Thanks for any info, tips, suggestions or general silly recommendations! DUers are the best!

[lkinsale]

1. I just did 666 in April

My advice. Get gas in Cortez. ;)

My 14 yr old nephew and I made a swing out to 4 Corners. This is very empty country. Bring water for your dog.

Durango would be a lot nicer place to stop for the night than Cortez. You can also stay overnight in Mesa Verde National Park at the Far View Lodge (it's a good 40 minute drive one-way from park entrance, w/no gas). There are also campgrounds closer to the entrance. Be sure to have reservations first though. Mesa Verde rocks. I would not pass by it w/o going in, but figure at least half a day to do it.

Cortez is the usual highway town, not much there. Get gas. ;)

LK in Santa Fe

[havocmom]

2. Thanks, Ikinsale!

Sorta figured 666 would be bleak. Will look into Mesa Verde.

Welcome to DU! :toast:

[DagmarK]

3. 666 is one of the deadliest highways in the country!

It's very dangerous......it's a straight line pretty much......

But lots of fatal accidents.

And I am sorry to say......but it's because of alcohol related accidents --- it goes through the reservations.

And if anyone wants to FLAME me for talking about "drunk native americans".......do your RESEARCH on the accident stats (who and why the accidents take place).......and THEN flame me if you still feel I am being RACIST.

But anyone driving that highway should know this.

and they shouldn't drive after dark! Mornings are best.

[havocmom]

4. Yep, would likely be in the AM

Not definate on route yet. Know that is a really terrible stretch thru there.

Thanks for the input.

Hey, how's the dog today? Hope the fuzzy guy is OK.

[WestVAprog]

5. Scenery or speed?

Scenery:
Try 34 west out of Loveland, CO, follow it through Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park (lots of camping, you might want to make a reservation) and over Trail Ridge Road, it gets you around Denver ;-) When you get to 40 go south to I-70 westbound. You'll go back and forth over and under the Continental Divide but the scenery will be worth it. More? Take 9 south from I-70 and Frisco over Hoosier pass. That'll lead to 285 south which will carry you to Poncha Springs. 50 west takes you over Monarch pass to Gunnison and on to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, then Montrose. South on 550 takes you to Durango then west on 160 or take 62 at Ridgeway to south on 145 at Placerville, either way gets you to Cortez. I've driven these roads a few times, just as fun now as at first. Be sure your brakes and steering are up to snuff.

or

Take 119 west through Longmont to Boulder, head north on 36 to Left Hand Canyon and go past a few campgrounds up to Ward, where the office of Mayor rotates among the citizenry weekly (or it did until a couple years ago). Go south on 72 through Nederland and Rollinsville and into one of Colorado's casino districts at Black Hawk/Central City. Central City was a nice historical stop back when... on south to 119 which leads to I-70 west.

Speed:
I-25s to I-76w to I-70w isn't too bad if it's not rush hour. I-70 west to the Grand Junction area and 50 south towards Montrose, Durango and Cortez.

Camping:
Between Cheyenne and Denver, near I-25 are Boyd Lake and Barbour Ponds, both state parks. OK camping if you're just stopping, Boyd Lake is big enough for small boats. If you take 66 West at the north end of Longmont through Lyons and on to 7 south you'll get in to a canyon with a few little roadside campgrounds. In fact, along the non-interstate roads in the National Forests are quite a few nice little places to camp, you should check http://www.fs.fed.us/arnf/recreation/index.htm for campgrounds, reservations, etc.

Like someone else said: Carry drinking water for all involved, it's dry in a humid year.

[havocmom]

6. Thanks for the tour tips

Yeah, I haul water like your wouldn't believe. Have spend a few years as a desert rat.

Don't know if going for view or speed. Probably one way down, annother way back up. Figure the fire conditions may make the final decision on routes.

Appreciate camp info for Loveland and state parks area. Just nned a spot to stop for the night and let everyone stretch and yawn.