Northwest Colorado Routes

[GaryKD]

Hi all,
What is the best route for a coach and toad (64' long) from Rangely (intersection of state routes 64 and 139), to Estes Park (East side of RMNP). The trip will be taken in the summer months.
thanks

[GaryKD]

Hi all,
What is the best route for a coach and toad (64' long) from Rangely (intersection of state routes 64 and 139), to Estes Park (East side of RMNP). The trip will be taken in the summer months.
thanks

[Chickadee]

Geeeeze Gary....looks like nobody goes there!!!!!! Steve

[GaryKD]

The lack of answers may be because of the holidays. If there is no help, in the next few days, I'll delete this post and reword the question.

My main concern is:
<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI> Douglas pass on route 139
<LI> Rabbit Ears Pass on route 40
<LI> route 34 (Eastbound) in RMNP[/list]

[JRP]

Gary,

Going across Colo by any route is going to involve up and down a steep pass. As always there is some personal preference involved, but if you have no other reasons or stops elsewhere, I don't know why you wouldn't just jump onto 40 from Rangely and take 40 east through Steamboat Springs all the way to Granby and then 34 through RMNP. Just make sure its not too early in summer when Trail Ridge Road may not be open yet. That section at the top of RMNP gets completely closed & snowed in all winter and its usually not plowed clear until Memorial Day or later.
I lived in Steamboat Springs for 10 years and going up/down Rabbit Ears Pass is no big deal in summer time, just stay in the slow lane going up and gear down/engage engine brake before starting down. Considering the alternatives could involve going hours out of your way, it doesn't seem worth it to me.

Jim

[MtManLee]

Catch 40 to 87 to 34 unless you want to make a run thru RMNP than 40 to 34 and save some big miles. Good luck and ahve fun.

[GaryKD]

Thanks for the replies. There is comfort in having those with experience provide insight to the map. I do need to take 34 through RMNP. I guess we will see just how tough Mr. Cummins and Mr Allison are.

[Tom and Patty]

Gary,

If you use I-70 we took the Highway 6 (Golden) exit #244 just past Idaho Springs. From Hyw 6 we picked up County RD 119. 119 turns into Co. State Hyw 72 then Co. State Hyw 7. This put us right in Estes Park. I don't recall any part of the drive to have been tedious. It was driven the first week of June. It is about 80 miles and with a stop for fuel it took us about 3.0 hours.

[GaryKD]

Thanks Tom/Patty,
Right now, Rt 40 is my first choice because this section of the trip starts at Rangely. The next stop is RMNP. I do not want to come south from Rangely because of Douglas Pass. If for any reason we end up a bit farther south, it is good to know 6, 119, and 7 are roads okay for a coach and toad. Without your post I would never have chosen these roads.