Cline's Corner to Pagosa Springs, CO

[Mr. Dan]

I've read in this sub-forum where several of you have traveled/recommended US 84/285 between these two towns including passing through Chama. I've made that run several times in my car but the trips were several years ago.


Can you predict any trouble I'd have with a trailer that's 13'2" - 13'4" tall?


Thanks for your help.

[Mr. Dan]

Anyone?

[elchilero53]

You won't have any trouble at all. You can take the bypass (SH 599) by back tracking south-bound on I-25 or you can stay on US 285 and exit on St. Francis Drive (US 285) off of I-25. I recommend the bypass. The traffic in Santa Fe can be very heavy especially in the summer. After rejoining US 84/285, stay on it to Española then head toward Tres Piedras and Chama. Turn left on US 84 toward Tierra Amarilla and Chama. From Chama, take US 64/84 toward Dulce and turn right on US 84. That will take you straight to US 160 and Pagosa Springs.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

You won't have any trouble at all. You can take the bypass (SH 599) by back tracking south-bound on I-25 or you can stay on US 285 and exit on St. Francis Drive (US 285) off of I-25. I recommend the bypass. The traffic in Santa Fe can be very heavy especially in the summer. After rejoining US 84/285, stay on it to Española then head toward Tres Piedras and Chama. Turn left on US 84 toward Tierra Amarilla and Chama. From Chama, take US 64/84 toward Dulce and turn right on US 84. That will take you straight to US 160 and Pagosa Springs.

Thanks to my new friend from Weatherford. We live close to Sherman.


I see your bypass and I appreciate the recommendation. I'll certainly take that loop.


Thanks again,
Dan

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

Thanks to my new friend from Weatherford. We live close to Sherman.


I see your bypass and I appreciate the recommendation. I'll certainly take that loop.


Thanks again,
Dan

Howdy neighbor! We have driven that route several times and have towed a trailer over it as well. I wouldn't hesitate to take this route. And you avoid Wolf Creek Pass, too. It is scenic. Are you planning to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama? It is a beautiful trip.

We used to live in Central New Mexico (28 years) so we know many of the roads. We usually vacation in Eagle Nest and visit friends in Taos.

Safe travels, Dan. When are you leaving?

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

Howdy neighbor! We have driven that route several times and have towed a trailer over it as well. I wouldn't hesitate to take this route. And you avoid Wolf Creek Pass, too. It is scenic. Are you planning to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama? It is a beautiful trip.

We used to live in Central New Mexico (28 years) so we know many of the roads. We usually vacation in Eagle Nest and visit friends in Taos.

Safe travels, Dan. When are you leaving?

We've driven that route multiple times to ski at Wolf Creek but that was many years ago. I didn't even know about "the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama". I'll have to see how it fits into the schedule.
We're probably leaving home on Aug. 5 - going there instead of to Goshen where we've gone the last 4 consecutive years.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

We've driven that route multiple times to ski at Wolf Creek but that was many years ago. I didn't even know about "the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama". I'll have to see how it fits into the schedule.
We're probably leaving home on Aug. 5 - going there instead of to Goshen where we've gone the last 4 consecutive years.

The Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad is one of two remnants of the Denver and Rio Grande Western Narrow Gauge Rail System that once ran throughout the Rocky Mountains. The other is the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango. The C&T trip is about 6-7 hours with a stop for a hot lunch at Ossier (really good) and a shuttle bus ride back to Chama. It is well worth the time and money. You can make reservations online.

That Goshen trip sounds fun but I would probably "lose my way" and wind up in the Michigan UP eating pasties and collecting Lake Superior Agates.

[fanrgs]

Two of our favorite NM campgrounds are on US 84 between Espanola and Chama. Heron Lake State Park has tree-shaded, gravel, W/E sites for $14/night and FHU sites for $18/night, including the daily park pass. If you have a Federal Senior pass, Abiquiu Lake is a Corps of Engineers cg with paved electric hookup sites for ~$10/night. We have stayed at both within the past year, but really prefer Heron Lake if the weather is hot.

[Chief T]

Where are you staying up at PG? We did the trip last September. Definitely go hit one of the day spas.

Concur on taking the 599 Relief Route. Make sure you're fueled up as well as there aren't many RV friendly stations after Santa Fe.

Personally I hate driving through Espanola, so as an alternate route at Pojoaque take the 502 to the 30 up to the 285.

Let us know how your trip went.

Safe and happy travels.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by fanrgs

Two of our favorite NM campgrounds are on US 84 between Espanola and Chama. Heron Lake State Park has tree-shaded, gravel, W/E sites for $14/night and FHU sites for $18/night, including the daily park pass. If you have a Federal Senior pass, Abiquiu Lake is a Corps of Engineers cg with paved electric hookup sites for ~$10/night. We have stayed at both within the past year, but really prefer Heron Lake if the weather is hot.

Thanks for the recommendations but I’ve already booked all my stops on the way to Pagosa Springs.

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by Chief T

Where are you staying up at PG? We did the trip last September. Definitely go hit one of the day spas.

Concur on taking the 599 Relief Route. Make sure you're fueled up as well as there aren't many RV friendly stations after Santa Fe.

Personally I hate driving through Espanola, so as an alternate route at Pojoaque take the 502 to the 30 up to the 285.

Let us know how your trip went.

Safe and happy travels.

We’re booked into Mountain Landing (https://www.mountainlanding.net/rv-park)
I have the 599 bypass plugged into my RV Trip Wizard route/map.
Thanks!

[Mr. Dan]

Originally Posted by elchilero53

Howdy neighbor! We have driven that route several times and have towed a trailer over it as well. I wouldn't hesitate to take this route. And you avoid Wolf Creek Pass, too. It is scenic. Are you planning to ride the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad at Chama? It is a beautiful trip.



We used to live in Central New Mexico (28 years) so we know many of the roads. We usually vacation in Eagle Nest and visit friends in Taos.



Safe travels, Dan. When are you leaving?

We got ‘er dun! We really enjoyed it... rode the bus to Antonito and the train back to Chama. Great lunch at Osier Station. Thanks for the recommendation.

[elchilero53]

Originally Posted by Mr. Dan

We got ‘er dun! We really enjoyed it... rode the bus to Antonito and the train back to Chama. Great lunch at Osier Station. Thanks for the recommendation. Attachment 212927Attachment 212928Attachment 212929

Outstanding! Looks like y'all had a blast! We want to go back someday. We did the Chama to Antonio run in 2013 for our 35th Anniversary. Next time, we'll take the bus to Antonio and ride the train back to Chama. That's a steep downhill run from Cumbres Pass. Were the brakes smoking when to pulled into Chama? Sometimes they do.

Glad you had a good time. We're headed for Eagle Nest on August 31st with a stop in Amarillo overnight (probably won't get away until after lunch; I have to work Friday).

[CHICKDOE]

we just stayed at chama and took the cumbres & toltec. we then drove through pagosa springs to get to bayfield. pagosa springs really impressed us, but it is summer, beautiful, and green. we had no problems with our 13'6" tall trailer.