Colorado Routing

[NWIP]

Curious if anyone has experience traveling across the Rockies Grand Junction east towards Pueblo or Alamosa. Looking at US50 east, CO114 and crossing the divide at North Pass (10149’) or continuing on US50 and crossing divide at Monarch Pass (11114’). Anybody have any experience with these routings?

[TheRod]

Highway 50 would be my choice even with the extra 1000' elevation...much bigger roadway and good road. Lived in CO 25 yrs and have driven Monarch Pass more times than I can remember, but not in a motorhome. We have a 2019 DS 4018 but, haven't been over the pass yet.

Hwy 50 from Salida to Canon City follows the Arkansas river through Bighorn Canyon. Great scenery, good roadway, but a lot of curves. Only a couple that are especially sharp but, doable. Again driven it many times, just not yet in the motorhome (we've been traveling out of state).

Hwy 114 is a smaller roadway which I have traveled very little. It is designated a Colorado scenic highway which would be nice, but I would be a little concerned with dodging tree limbs. Perhaps others might have better insight on 114.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by NWIP

Curious if anyone has experience traveling across the Rockies Grand Junction east towards Pueblo or Alamosa.

Looking at US50 east, CO114 and crossing the divide at North Pass (10149’) or continuing on US50 and crossing divide at Monarch Pass (11114’).

Anybody have any experience with these routings?

Either or works - 114 is not much of a pass and RT 50 is the more popular of the two, both will work just decide and enjoy. Way back when I drove 114 I didn't even know i had been through a Pass so if easy is what you are after 114 might just be it.

Might add that if you manage to time the drive Through Salida at Dinner you could catch Quincy's - great Steak Dinner - https://quincystavern.com/ - that alone would keep me on RT 50. -

Enjoy the drive,

[yeloduster]

This kinda depends on where you really want to go. If Alamosa is your goal, or Alamosa is a more efficient way point to where you want to go then 114 might be the best answer.

Be aware that CO114 is a narrow secondary highway. In places the surface is very worn and rough. You need to traverse Cochetopa Pass, 10,149 ft. While not as high as Monarch it is still a pass with grades that are 6% or possibly slightly more near the top when coming from the west side.

The east side grades are more gentle.

I've driven it many times in MH towing a car or trailer. Not particularly difficult but if you are uncomfortable on skinny roads meeting other traffic as wide as your MH you might not like it.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

This kinda depends on where you really want to go. If Alamosa is your goal, or Alamosa is a more efficient way point to where you want to go then 114 might be the best answer.

Be aware that CO114 is a narrow secondary highway. In places the surface is very worn and rough. You need to traverse Cochetopa Pass, 10,149 ft. While not as high as Monarch it is still a pass with grades that are 6% or possibly slightly more near the top when coming from the west side.

The east side grades are more gentle.

I've driven it many times in MH towing a car or trailer. Not particularly difficult but if you are uncomfortable on skinny roads meeting other traffic as wide as your MH you might not like it.

Think Yeloduster summed it up pretty well so there you go,

[Dav L]

Originally Posted by yeloduster

While not as high as Monarch it is still a pass with grades that are 6% or possibly slightly more near the top when coming from the west side.

The east side grades are more gentle.

Now how the heck am I going to keep in the same gear going down that I go up if they change the grade on one side or another

Just kidding.

[twogypsies]

From the Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers... highly recommended by the way, it states:

"North Pass on 114 heading east you'll have a descent of 6% for 3 miles with curves.

Monarch Pass eastbound you'll have a descent of 6% for 10 miles with curves, alternating from 2 to 3 lanes. There is a runaway truck ramp 4.8 mi. down from the top. After the ramp there are about 5.5 mi of 6% grade left and a warning to stay in low gear. After 11 miles from the summit it's a gradual descent into Poncha Springs."

We've done Monarch multiple times in both directions and it was no issues with our 40' MH.

[NWIP]

Thanks all for the input, Alamosa is our final destination. I am leaning toward staying on US50 to CO17, the more traveled route might be better. I’ll enjoy the drive either way.

[yeloduster]

Originally Posted by NWIP

Thanks all for the input, Alamosa is our final destination. I am leaning toward staying on US50 to CO17, the more traveled route might be better. I’ll enjoy the drive either way.

I presume you meant US50 to US285 at Poncha Springs then US285 south to CO17. CO17 does not connect directly to US50.

The locals call CO17 from its intersection with US285 to Alamosa as the "Gun Barrel" because it is so flat and straight!

[Ranger John]

I traveled Hwy 50 over the Divide in my Baystar. Good Highway. No issues