1st tour
06-13-11, 12:59 PM
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1st tour
Below is the route I'm planning ion first tour. Someone was kind enough to suggest it. I would appreciate any thought on anything about the route. "Must see's" and "Don't Bother with"s also nice places to stay at night be it hotel, hostel or campgrounds. Thanks
https://goo.gl/maps/7881
https://goo.gl/maps/7881
06-13-11, 09:47 PM
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You must really enjoy long, killer climbs and are already adapted to the altitudes. Might carry a pair of spare brake pads
Del Norte to Durango is all I've ridden of your route. Don't recall anything to see or do that won't be obvious. The 10 mile climb to Wolf Creek Pass from Pagosa Springs is a 7% grade, from the east 6%. You could go over to here and do a journal search of places on the route. There will be a lot of info.
If a coal fired train ride thru spectacular scenery is of interest, do that in Durango. Be careful not to get cinders in your eye.
Del Norte to Durango is all I've ridden of your route. Don't recall anything to see or do that won't be obvious. The 10 mile climb to Wolf Creek Pass from Pagosa Springs is a 7% grade, from the east 6%. You could go over to here and do a journal search of places on the route. There will be a lot of info.
If a coal fired train ride thru spectacular scenery is of interest, do that in Durango. Be careful not to get cinders in your eye.
06-14-11, 08:06 AM
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It's been a few years, but...
The road between Cimarron and Montrose was a litle scary. Traffic with no shoulder. I got buzzed by several speeding SUVs Maybe things have gotten better.
In Montrose there was a neat museum devoted to the history of the early pioneers who settled there to dirt farm. It was complete with an authentic one-room shack outfitted with all the "ammenities" the average family would have possessed. There was a pleasant commercial campground on the east side of town off the main road. May have been a KOA. Can't really remember.
Just east of Aspen, on the road to/from Independece Pass, there is a U.S.F.S. campground called "Difficult" (named after a trail there). More economical than staying in town. It was very busy the summer we were there. Reservations highly recommended. If I remember correctly, in Aspen you can catch a bus up to Maroon Bells.
Another option is to cross Dallas Divide from Ridgway (CO 125, I think) to Placerville and then ride up to Telluride, which is a funky place. From there you cross Lizzard Head Pass and embark on a long descent which will eventually take you to Cortez. Eight or so miles east of Cortez, on the road to Durango, is Mesa Verde National Park. Pretty cool place if you have the desire to climb the several miles of swithbacks up to the campground and take a tour of the cliff dwellings. Then you can head east to Durango.
The road between Cimarron and Montrose was a litle scary. Traffic with no shoulder. I got buzzed by several speeding SUVs Maybe things have gotten better.
In Montrose there was a neat museum devoted to the history of the early pioneers who settled there to dirt farm. It was complete with an authentic one-room shack outfitted with all the "ammenities" the average family would have possessed. There was a pleasant commercial campground on the east side of town off the main road. May have been a KOA. Can't really remember.
Just east of Aspen, on the road to/from Independece Pass, there is a U.S.F.S. campground called "Difficult" (named after a trail there). More economical than staying in town. It was very busy the summer we were there. Reservations highly recommended. If I remember correctly, in Aspen you can catch a bus up to Maroon Bells.
Another option is to cross Dallas Divide from Ridgway (CO 125, I think) to Placerville and then ride up to Telluride, which is a funky place. From there you cross Lizzard Head Pass and embark on a long descent which will eventually take you to Cortez. Eight or so miles east of Cortez, on the road to Durango, is Mesa Verde National Park. Pretty cool place if you have the desire to climb the several miles of swithbacks up to the campground and take a tour of the cliff dwellings. Then you can head east to Durango.
06-15-11, 08:37 AM
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Thanks for the advice. There might be a chance because of time restraints that I might have to cut this tour down to 10 days. If so I would appreciate any advice on new route, remember I will be staying with daughter in Denver, so the nearer to Denver for the start would be beneficial. thanks
