Community Forums

danagirl714 · 03-08-2022, 09:55 AM

We will be traveling from North Alabama to Bueno Vista CO the end of March 2022. We have looked at several routes trying to consider wind during this time of year as well as elevations and hill grade. Any suggestions would be appreciated, new to the group. Thank you all in advance!!
Dana

andy29847 · 03-08-2022, 10:02 AM

This time of year is always dicey. I normally go in the summer. I go I-22 to I-40, I-40 to Elk City, OK, various 2 lane highways to Dalhart, TX and Raton, NM, I-25 to Walsenburg, CO, CO 169 to US 50, US 50 to Salida, CO, CO 24 to Buena Vista. The only significant pass is just outside of Raton, NM. Once you reach New Mexico, much of the route will be over a mile high. Buena Vista is ~8000'. You need to keep an eye on the weather when you travel.

I like to stay at Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, AK and Capulin RV Park in Capulin, NM. I've stayed in other places along the way that worked for overnight stops but were nothing to brag about.

twogypsies · 03-08-2022, 11:56 AM

I-40 to 285 at Clines Corner, NM then north on 285 to Buena Vista is the simplest.

Heading west you will have spring winds.

I hope you have a good reason to go in March! It's not the typical time for that area for recreation purposes.

gatorb8 · 03-08-2022, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I-40 to 285 at Clines Corner, NM then north on 285 to Buena Vista is the simplest.

Heading west you will have spring winds.

I hope you have a good reason to go in March! It's not the typical time for that area for recreation purposes.

agree ^

boomersooner · 03-09-2022, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andy29847

This time of year is always dicey. I normally go in the summer. I go I-22 to I-40, I-40 to Elk City, OK, various 2 lane highways to Dalhart, TX and Raton, NM, I-25 to Walsenburg, CO, CO 169 to US 50, US 50 to Salida, CO, CO 24 to Buena Vista. The only significant pass is just outside of Raton, NM. Once you reach New Mexico, much of the route will be over a mile high. Buena Vista is ~8000'. You need to keep an eye on the weather when you travel.

I like to stay at Tom Sawyer's RV Park in West Memphis, AK and Capulin RV Park in Capulin, NM. I've stayed in other places along the way that worked for overnight stops but were nothing to brag about.

If you stay in Capulin, plan an extra day. About five miles from the RV park is Capulin National Park and Volcano. You can hike to the top and down inside. The view is breathtaking. We did that last year on our way from GA to Denver. I found it on the map and since in 1978 I hiked it when my parents took me to CO I wanted to do it again. The couple that owns the RV park is very nice, he is from FL and her Italy. There is NOTHING in the town, so ensure you are stocked up. 287 out of Amarillo and 87 to I25 is a nice drive and very easy four lane as well (if you go through that way).

andy29847 · 03-09-2022, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boomersooner

If you stay in Capulin, plan an extra day.

We like to stop for a day or 2 at Capulin to give our bodies time to adjust to the altitude. A day or 2 at 6500' makes the change to 8000' much easier. We have explored the nearby park, the city of Folsom, and the surrounding area. Road 72 out of Folsom is also called Johnson Mesa Rd. It is about 25 miles long and very scenic. Louis Lamour once lived on Johnson Mesa and I like to think some of the scene he described in his book were from his time on the Mesa. We like to go out late in the evening because of the chances to see wildlife.

Capulin RV Park

Capulin Volcano from the RV park

View from the Volcano

Historic marker in Folsom. Sally Rooke is still remembered as a hero via a telephone company charity fund.

In jail in nearby Branson.

Photos Johnson's Mesa Rd.

boomersooner · 03-10-2022, 06:08 AM

[QUOTE=andy29847;6108734]We like to stop for a day or 2 at Capulin to give our bodies time to adjust to the altitude. A day or 2 at 6500' makes the change to 8000' much easier. We have explored the nearby park, the city of Folsom, and the surrounding area. Road 72 out of Folsom is also called Johnson Mesa Rd. It is about 25 miles long and very scenic. Louis Lamour once lived on Johnson Mesa and I like to think some of the scene he described in his book were from his time on the Mesa. We like to go out late in the evening because of the chances to see wildlife.

Capulin Volcano from the RV park

Your third picture looks like you are in the spot we stayed in last August. I took a picture from the top of the volcano and zoomed in on the RV park and could see my RV.