Colorado trip

[jimcar827]

Late this month, DW, our golden retrieve Ellie, and I will be doing an extensive trip through Colorado, into Utah, and finishing up in Texas.
Are there any state routes we need to avoid in Colorado? We will be towing a 35' Montana.

Jim and Carla McClure

[Jolu]

Jim I think you will find Colorado pretty much like any other state. The roads you will probably be traveling you will not have serious problems with them. There are several passes with steep climbs and downhills. Long passes like Wolf Creek will keep your attention on the downhill side.
Independence Pass (Hwy 82) between Twin Lakes and Aspen is one that I would not want to haul the Monty over. It is very narrow and curvy. Other than that I don't think you will have problems with the routes.
Just slow her down on the hills and enjoy your trip.
Half of Colorado is as flat as Kansas and the other half has the mountains.

[tjuhl]

Would strongly suggest not pulling the Monty on 550 from Silverton to Ouray (Million Dollar Highway) It was scary for me running empty. But is a beautiful area to see.

[padredw]

I would agree with the previous two posts-- except to say that the trip over Independence Pass would not likely be legal for any Montana. For that matter it would certainly not be good sense to try it. I think the legal limit is a total length of 28 feet. That road becomes one lane without warning several times with a rock wall on one side and the ledge or shelf on the other.

I have been over Wolf Creek several times without any difficulty at all, and was over Monarch twice last month, once going west and the other returning east: no problem.

I have not towed over Trail Ridge Road from Estes Park to Grand Lake, but have observed many doing so. Last year I saw a Montana at the visitor's center on top.

[adelmoll]

I sure agree with tjuhl... We did it once in early May with a 24' travel trailer... It started to snow and sleet and I said prayers for the next several hours... It didn't help coming on the down side seeing all the memorials to the snow plow people that went over the edge... I will never forget it. If it was beautiful but I could never attest to that. I couldn't look our the window. Padre has traveled the State many times and has great advice..

Other that that one experience, we love traveling in Colorado and Utah... Enjoy.

Helen

[Jolu]

I have lived in Colorado most of my life and I think I might have some degree of knowledge of the roads here also.

[Delaine and Lindy]

Jolu, that was our impression of Colorado and we were towing a Cambridge 358 with a 2005 GMC 3500 1 ton dually which is a very heavy 5th wheel, probably the heaviest 5th Keystone ever made. We really enjoyed our time in Colorado. We will be going back to Colorado for our 2010 Rally and are looking forward to our adventure. We have spent a lot of time West of the Big Muddy. GBY.....

[jimcar827]

Thank you all for your helpful comments.

Jim

[sreigle]

Jim and Carla, as you plan the trip, if you want to post the route and highway numbers I'm sure JoLu and others would be glad to share their knowledge. I have towed a few through Colorado but not nearly so many as many folks here.

[rames14]

If you need any other suggestions, there are plenty of us that have a lot of experience. DW is a Colorado native and for the past 35 years we've averaged two weeks a year there - so I have two years of residency so to speak. One of the neat things is the natural hot springs out there, along with the beautiful mountains. The elk will be bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park in another month. The aspens will be turning. Great time to visit.