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Old 02-26-2017, 08:43 PM   #1
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Western trip

What is best route from Penrose, CO (Just SW of Pueblo) to Grand Canyon?
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Old 02-26-2017, 08:51 PM   #2
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I-25 to I-40, not the fastest way but it is easy with lots of services on the way.
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Old 03-01-2017, 12:09 AM   #3
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Depends on time of year, what you're driving/pulling, and how fast you want to get there. Ford Idaho is spot on. Interstate is going to be the "easiest". Now if it's scenery you want then take the direct route; west on Hwy 50 following the Arkansas river to Poncha Springs. It's a nice drive with great scenery along the river. Check out the Royal Gorge Bridge along the way if you have time.

South on HWY 285 over the pass and into the San Luis valley. It's a high "desert" valley 122 miles N-S and 74 miles wide. But don't worry, you're not doing the whole 122 miles. If you have time, the Great San Dunes NP is nearby. Otherwise you'll end up making a right onto westbound US 160.

Heading west you'll pass through the small town of South Fork. The headwaters of the Rio Grande are just north of here. Soon you'll be climbing up and over Wolf Creek Pass, topping out at 10,856'. One of the most beautiful vistas in Colorado is heading west bound down from the pass - just keep your speed down and don't linger too long on the view.

Stop in Pagosa Springs for a soak at the hot springs or just roll on through to Durango. Along the way you'll be passing about three miles from my house. Durango is a great vacation stop. A must-do is to take the Durango-Silverton Narrow Gauge train (1800's vintage steam engine) up to Silverton.

Continuing west you go right by Mesa Verde NP which should be an item on everyone's bucket list. It's then Cortez, the four corners monument, and into the rugged "cow boy" scenery. Monument Valley is just off to the north along this route. These iconic buttes that served as the backdrop for many a western, Easy Rider, Back to the Future, and numerous other movies.

A short run south on HWY 89 gets you to the turn off for HWY 64 and the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Google maps clocks it at just over 10 hours but I think you should allow about two weeks to take everything in along the way.
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Old 03-01-2017, 07:45 AM   #4
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Thanks LPV, We will leave NC first week in May and be in Penrose, CO for a week. and head for Grand Canyon. Our tripmaker program is wanting us to go out Hwy 50 to 285 to 160 thru Marble Canyon to North Rim. I am towing with very capable RAM 3500 DRW and towing new 40 foot Champagne. We would like to see the country but not using several 100 miles of winding 25-35 MPH roads.
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Old 03-01-2017, 11:13 PM   #5
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Most of the way it's 60 - 65 MPH with lots of wide open space.

Slowest part of that route would be HWY 50 west to Poncha Springs along the Arkansas River. That stretch runs 45 - 55 in spots due to the curves.
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Old 03-04-2017, 05:46 PM   #6
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An alternative to US 160 over Wolf Creek Pass would be US 50 from Penrose through the Arkansas River canyon and over Monarch Pass to Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP. Monarch is an easier pass than Wolf Creek and the route will take you to the northern side of the spectacular San Juan Mountains.

Black Canyon NP campground has electric hookups or you could continue from there to the Elk Ridge campground at Ridgway State Park on US 550 south of Montrose. Drop your trailer there and take a day to drive your TV to Ouray and Silverton over the Million Dollar Highway. Then tow your trailer over Dallas Divide on CO 62 and CO 145 to Telluride, where there are several nearby Forest Service campgrounds with electric hookups (see recreation.gov).

IF you are at all interested in Anasazi ruins and culture, continue south on CO 145 to the Juniper CG (electric hookups) at McPhee Reservoir. From that centrally located cg, you can easily visit Mesa Verde, Canyons of the Ancients NM, Hovenweep NM, and my favorite Anasazi museum anywhere (next door to the campground near Dolores). Then you can head west on US 160 to the Four Corners, Tuba City, Navajo NM, and the Grand Canyon.

If you haven't been to SW Colorado before, you won't regret taking time to see the scenery around Ouray, Silverton, and Telluride. I guarantee it!
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