50, 10, 160 Garden City to Grand Canyon

[Phil-n-Sandy]

We are new to RVng, and have never crossed the Rockies in 31' of 1991 Itasca A-motorhome. We want to avoid the Interstates and have mapped out the route from Garden City, KS (I can handle flat) through Alamosa and Cortez, CO into AZ. I see a 10,000+ pass and another 9000' pass.

It is realistic to make it from Garden City KS to Cortez, CO in one day? Is CO-10 really that straight? Where can I top off the LP tank before entering the Trailer Village at Grand Canyon?

Any advice, directions, concerns, head-slaps appreciated.

Thanks

[Stumblefoot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-n-Sandy We want to avoid the Interstates and have mapped out the route from Garden City, KS (I can handle flat) through Alamosa and Cortez, CO into AZ. I see a 10,000+ pass and another 9000' pass.

If you want to travel THROUGH Colorado, you will have to navigate mountain passes regardless if you travel on an interstate or not.

Your chosen route will first take you over North La Veta Pass which takes you from the eastern plains of Colorado into the San Luis Valley. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains are gorgeous and the route is very modern. See La Veta Pass pictures of this route.

Your second pass will be Wolf Creek Pass which takes you up and over the continental divide. The road is superb as the Colorado Dept. of Transportation has invested millions of dollars over the past few years upgrading this pass. You can see Wolf Creek Pass pictures of this route too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-n-Sandy It is realistic to make it from Garden City KS to Cortez, CO in one day?

Since it's only about 500 miles, you should be able to make it in one day easily.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-n-Sandy Is CO-10 really that straight?

Yes, it really is that straight.

Have a great trip coming through the part of the country I'm lucky to call home.

[Phil-n-Sandy]

Thanks, Stumblefoot...lots of good information, encouragement and links. We'll toot the horn at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on the 19th to let you know we made it
P-n-S

[Stumblefoot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-n-Sandy We'll toot the horn at the top of Wolf Creek Pass on the 19th to let you know we made it

Sounds good! I'll be listening. Have a great time! Fall in Colorado can be quite beautiful.

[Phil-n-Sandy]

...in reply to my own post, I found out that there is a propane dealer geared toward RV's a couple of miles east of Cortez, CO..."Navajo Propane". Should work out.

ALSO, the CODOT website show CO-10 closed through September due to a bridge replacement...glad I looked it up.

[Stumblefoot]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil-n-Sandy ALSO, the CDOT website show CO-10 closed through September due to a bridge replacement

Great catch! I had no idea that was going on. I'm sure they are anxious to get it all wrapped up before the snow starts flying out here.

Safe Travels!

[Phil-n-Sandy]

Crested the Pass around 1:00 today (9/19..I think...is it Monday?). Gave a couple of toots of the horn, a Homer Simpson "Woo-Who", and immediately returned my attention to keeping the *%$? rig on the road.

I am learning a lot, to say the least.

We're outside Pagosa Springs at Fernando's Good-n-Cheap tonight. GC by tomorrow.

[Stumblefoot]

Cool! I thought I heard that toot yesterday. Glad your trip is off to a good start and hopefully your stay last night was uneventful.

Have the Aspens started turning yet? Pagosa Springs is a nice little town.

Enjoy the rest of your ride to the GC!