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06-23-2019, 10:32 AM
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#1
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New Member
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Las Cruces
Posts: 6
M.O.C. #19456
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Route through Colorado
We're going to travel with our 42" 5th wheel going from Durango CO to Montrose CO. We absolutely DO NOT want to travel any steep or winding roads, like the Million Dollar highway from Durango to Silverton. Any suggestions on the best route to take for big rigs from Durango CO to Montrose CO?
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Wendy F
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06-23-2019, 02:08 PM
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#2
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,046
M.O.C. #5329
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CO 145 from Cortez will take you over Lizard Head Pass, which is pretty tame. Pretty drive, and not nearly the white knuckle experience of Red Mountain Pass on 550. The Million Dollar Highway is beautiful, but best done when you are not towing anything. Unless you want to start from somewhere else, there’s no way to avoid all the mountain passes. Have a great trip!
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06-26-2019, 12:40 AM
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#3
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,947
M.O.C. #19755
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Two ways to do it while avoiding "steep & windy roads".
1. Durango - Monticello UT - Moab UT - Grand Junction CO - Montrose CO. 331 miles.
2. Durango - Dove Creek CO - Naturita CO - Gateway CO - Montrose CO. 287 miles, about the same amount of time as choice 1.
Given your requirements, I suggest choice 1.
BTW, it is 107 miles through Silverton over Red Mountain pass and 169 through Telluride over Lizard Head pass so your restrictions are adding considerable time and miles to the trip. However, if you are uncomfortable with "steep & windy roads" avoid both Red Mountain and Lizard Head.
PS: coming from Cruces, you might as well take I-25 to ABQ, I-40 to Gallup, then north to Cortez CO and west to Monticello UT; unless you need to go to Farmington or Durango.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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06-26-2019, 08:14 AM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 781
M.O.C. #18384
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I f you are pulling with a late model diesel with an exhaust brake going to Cortez and then taking 145 through Lizzard head pass will not be a problem. A couple of years ago we took our 37 ft Montana that way but stopped at Priest Gulch. We made a trip through Ridgeway in our truck and didn't see anything that would worry me if I was pulling the trailer. Our truck at that time was an 05 F250 diesel with no exhaust brake and only about 2/3 the power of today's diesels. The hardest part of that trip for us was the ascent on 160 leaving Durango, the downhill side was no problem. Looks like any way you go, you are going to have go up that same " hill", if you are comfortable doing that, than I think Lizzard Pass will be ok for you as well.
As Scottz said, unless you are just wanting to go to Durango, just go to Gallop then north to Cortez. Just as quick as going through Durango and no steep roads until past Dolores.
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2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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06-26-2019, 03:24 PM
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#5
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,947
M.O.C. #19755
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I do not have a problem with either the Silverton or the Telluride route but would never encourage anyone to do it if they are not comfortable with steep mountain roads.
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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06-26-2019, 03:38 PM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Catoosa
Posts: 781
M.O.C. #18384
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Scott, do you feel that the lizard pass road is any tougher than Leaving Durango on 160? I'm going from memory here and mine is non too good! I too wouldn't want to send someone on a route that would make them uncomfortable, that's why I asked what they were towing with. On the same trip to Priest Gulch we took the truck, no trailer, over Wolf Creek Pass a couple of times and I said to myself that I would not want to pull the trailer over this pass. I did not get the same feeling going over Lizzard Head, although at Ridgeway we went towards Ouray instead of Montrose.
By the way it's interesting that the OP hasn't checked back in since asking for advice.
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2015 3100RL legacy...2005 Ford F-250 CC SB. Tows like a charm! 4/19 Updated to 2017 Chevy 3500 CC SB SRW -hope it tows as well as my F 250 did!
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06-30-2019, 09:17 AM
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#7
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Site Team
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Colorado Rockies
Posts: 1,947
M.O.C. #19755
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No, Lizzard head is the least difficult of the three. I think Wolf Creek is the toughest climb and hardest descent and Red Mountain the most "white knuckle".
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Scott & Alta
2017 Montana 3160RL, Legacy, Onan 5.5Kw, Solar
2022 F-450 Lariat Ultimate
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06-30-2019, 09:40 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,160
M.O.C. #1920
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Choice 1 is by far the easiest . The advantage is seeing Arches at Moab.
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07-10-2019, 08:54 PM
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#9
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Santa Rosa Beach
Posts: 60
M.O.C. #18757
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"1. Durango - Monticello UT - Moab UT - Grand Junction CO - Montrose CO. 331 miles"
Our preferred route. I hate some Colorado passes when towing.
Stop at the Dinosaur Museum in Fruita just outside Grand Junction if you have time.
The Colorado River State Park Campground in Fruita just past the museum is a nice overnight too. .
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07-11-2019, 09:46 AM
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#10
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #21776
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Just wanting to get more information - we are traveling from Colorado Springs to Durango in August and will be taking 1-25 then Hwy 160. First time doing a mountain pass with our 5'er 3670 RL. Wondering about Wolf Creek pass. Looking on an "Rv'er forum sounds like won't be too bad. Any suggestions or tips would be helpful
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Jeff and Wendy Miller
2002 Montana Big Sky 3670 RL
2012 F-350 Dually
Colorado Springs, CO
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07-11-2019, 01:05 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Denver
Posts: 1,046
M.O.C. #5329
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https://youtu.be/X6LzWZYWpOU
It was quite something back in the day, but it’s pretty tame now. Be aware that the descent is is pretty long, so take your time. Beautiful drive.
Here’s a pretty good video of what you can expect.
https://youtu.be/E9cOSYpDyw8
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07-12-2019, 05:34 AM
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#12
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Established Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Colorado Springs
Posts: 12
M.O.C. #21776
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Thank you!!
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Jeff and Wendy Miller
2002 Montana Big Sky 3670 RL
2012 F-350 Dually
Colorado Springs, CO
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