Community Forums

mydogmax · 09-05-2020, 04:54 PM

anyone driven the road towing? steep grades up or down? Should you avoid the drive?

yeloduster · 09-05-2020, 05:42 PM

Between Creede, Co and Lake City, CO there are two passes, Spring Creek Pass and Slumgulion Pass. Spring Creek Pass that has grades of 7.5% and Slumgulion Pass that has grades of 9.5%. Both have intimidating curves.

Can a 40' motorhome do it towing? Yes! Should you do it? Well doing it is up to you. Is your equipment all functional and well maintained? Are you a confident and experienced mountain driver? Answers to those questions will help you choose.

You might choose instead to go to Saguache on US 285 then take CO 114 to US 50 then to Lake City via CO 149 from its intersection with US 50. On CO 114 you will cross North Cochetopa Pass. Its grades are shorter and about 6%. Far less challenging than CO 149 between Creede and Lake City.

Another choice might be take US 285 to Poncha Springs. Between Saguache and Poncha Springs you will cross Poncha Pass with grades of 3% and wide highway with rather gentle curves. At Poncha Springs go west on US 50 Over Monarch pass 6.5%, It is a a much wider road than CO 114 but it is a much longer climb and descent than CO 114.

The large size of your toad might help you make the decision.

Its all scenic and if you haven't been there before you will enjoy the view if you aren't too busy driving.

Vette Racer · 09-05-2020, 05:50 PM

Only comment other than what has been said is the road is pretty rough just driving our Jeep, I know I would hate to be towing over it but if that doesn't bother you it is doable.

baileysden · 09-05-2020, 07:44 PM

Great App available that gives you verbal inst for most passes in USA. Available for east and west coast or both Mountaindirectory.com. Very very informative!

snxwmxn · 09-05-2020, 09:17 PM

I have ridden my bicycle over that route and it didn’t seem that rough. I don’t drive a 40’ motor home but I think it’s very doable , just like many other mountain passes.

**Lt Dan** · 09-05-2020, 09:35 PM

I just drove Slumgullion and Spring Creek two weeks ago 42' towing a Jeep. As mentioned Slum can be a little steep going north into Lake City but gear down, use the engine brake and stay off the service brakes as much as possible. There are a few tight curves but keep the speed down by stab braking going into the curves and it's fine. The roadway from Creede to past Spring Creek Pass is a little bumpy but not as terrible as some other roads I've been on. Coming in from the north to LC from Gunnision the highway is not in great shape either.

kdnash · 09-06-2020, 03:54 AM

We took that route last year on our way to Ouray. Taking the same route in a few weeks. It was not a problem. The road is part of the Silver Thread Scenic Byway. Beautiful and definitely worth the drive.

Busskipper · 09-06-2020, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mydogmax

anyone driven the road towing? steep grades up or down? Should you avoid the drive?

All the answers work - so not going to comment other than give you a few Links;

https://www.outtherecolorado.com/adv...c8fe0f25d.html

https://www.climbbybike.com/climb/Sl...ass-North/9704

Bicycling Slumgullion and Spring Creek Pass Colorado

https://www.google.com/search?q=Slum...iw=994&bih=464

https://www.flickr.com/photos/michae...n/photostream/

Maybe a short Comment - The view from the Top is Amazing - the route from the North is Steeper than going South - so with your 400, if running properly, you should have no issue - not a lot of Traffic so slow and steady works - the descent into Lake City is long and easy where the descent south is steep and requires a really good engine Brake. Part of the reason for the Bike Route info is the Description is so real - Just imagine doing this on a BIKE!

With the projected snow after Labor Day you will likely see some Aspen turning Golden - Last year there was an Image of the Aspen on the 9th of September...........so hoping you Make the trip - take pictures - then Share with the rest of Us as this is likely to be and Epic drive.

Best of Luck , hope these images and links help.

Image posted by PRONTIX in Lake City last year - September 8th ;

twogypsies · 09-06-2020, 11:13 AM

Definitely don't avoid it! It's very doable for RVs and many do it. It just depends on your comfort level and handling your RV.

Slumgullion Pass summit is about 9 miles south of Lake City. Heading north to Lake City there are curves all the way down. After 7.5 mi. of 9% grade the road levels out and a short hill is climbed before descending the last hill into Lake City.

The Pass is at 11,530' El and Lake City is at 8,671' El.

You need to get into low gear at the top; not midway in order to save your brakes.

We've done it often both directions with our 2004 40' motorhome towing a Jeep.... once in the heaviest rain imaginable.... we crawled down!

mydogmax · 09-07-2020, 01:29 PM

pulling my 2500 pu still a fairly easy drive, not much color yet, the smoke from the California fires have filled the mountains and the views are awful!

Hopefully they will blow out with the cold front coming tomorrow.

Fanrgs · 09-07-2020, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yeloduster

You might choose instead to go to Saguache on US 285 then take CO 114 to US 50 then to Lake City via CO 149 from its intersection with US 50. On CO 114 you will cross North Cochetopa Pass. Its grades are shorter and about 6%. Far less challenging than CO 149 between Creede and Lake City.

Yep, North Pass is 1200' lower than Monarch Pass and also lower and has much lower grades than Slumgullion. If you are coming up from the south and take CO 149 to Lake City, you have to cross two passes, but the route is the shortest. If you take US 285 to US 50, you have to cross two passes, one of which is at 11,300', and the route is the longest. If you don't like driving our passes, take CO 114, cross one pass at the lowest elevation, and your route miles will be intermediate between the other two.

Incidentally, Cochetopa Pass was the low point in the Continental Divide that John C. Fremont was searching for when 1/3 of the men in his 1849 expedition froze to death in a fall blizzard. Just a little Colorado trivia to add to the enjoyment of your trip!

Busskipper · 09-08-2020, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fanrgs

Yep, North Pass is 1200' lower than Monarch Pass and also lower and has much lower grades than Slumgullion. If you are coming up from the south and take CO 149 to Lake City, you have to cross two passes, but the route is the shortest. If you take US 285 to US 50, you have to cross two passes, one of which is at 11,300', and the route is the longest. If you don't like driving our passes, take CO 114, cross one pass at the lowest elevation, and your route miles will be intermediate between the other two.

Incidentally, Cochetopa Pass was the low point in the Continental Divide that John C. Fremont was searching for when 1/3 of the men in his 1849 expedition froze to death in a fall blizzard. Just a little Colorado trivia to add to the enjoyment of your trip!

Glad to have you back, Miss your comments - guessing you get out and have little time to Post when camping - as internet is far from ideal on the road.

Here's hoping the Snow comes - Clears the Skies and Put's out the Fires - Then life in COlorado can return to "Normal".

Thanks for your reports,

Bill