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Driving to Colorado from LA
Posted on 7/8/24 at 2:03 pm
Posted on 7/8/24 at 2:03 pm
Driving from the BR area to Southwest Colorado (Durango/Telluride) in a couple of weeks. Its been a couple of years since we did this trip and checking to see if there is anything interesting to see/do along the way. We normally just try to get to Amarillo on the first day and then on through Albuquerque, but considering going through Trinidad / Alamosa to get there instead. Its a little further but could be cool drive. What say the Travel board.?
13
Posted on 7/8/24 at 2:38 pm to craazyjose
There is legit nothing in Trinidad.
The drive from the plains to the mountains in that area is very pretty.
Monarch pass is cool. Decent views
If you go through Salida, the downtown there is awesome. Hang by the river and have a beer at a place.
Gunnison black canyon along that route is also cool.
Blue mesa reservoir is pretty. Check on the status of highway 50. It was closed in spots and may alter your scenic route.
Ridgeway reservoir area is great.
Ouray is a quick 15 minute drive from ridgeway to pop into for a couple of hours.
Million dollar highway is gorgeous
You can come through telluride up the south path through Rico over lizard head pass. Sick views.
Telluride is telluride. Dope af
So many options really.
The drive from the plains to the mountains in that area is very pretty.
Monarch pass is cool. Decent views
If you go through Salida, the downtown there is awesome. Hang by the river and have a beer at a place.
Gunnison black canyon along that route is also cool.
Blue mesa reservoir is pretty. Check on the status of highway 50. It was closed in spots and may alter your scenic route.
Ridgeway reservoir area is great.
Ouray is a quick 15 minute drive from ridgeway to pop into for a couple of hours.
Million dollar highway is gorgeous
You can come through telluride up the south path through Rico over lizard head pass. Sick views.
Telluride is telluride. Dope af
So many options really.
This post was edited on 7/8/24 at 2:40 pm
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:24 pm to Hogwall Jackson
Thank you. We have made the drive before going through Santa Fe/ABQ and trying to decide if it is worth driving through Trinidad/Alamosa. Its a little longer, but Not sure what their is to see in that area
Posted on 7/8/24 at 3:34 pm to craazyjose
Hueco Tanks in west Texas is a pretty neat spot to stretch your legs…bring your shoes and chalk bag.
Posted on 7/8/24 at 4:42 pm to craazyjose
I am making this drive Saturday with the dog and picking up the fam at Durango airport. Stopping in Amarillo for the night. I got nothing except trying to get there fast as possible.
If i see something cool, I'll holler.
If i see something cool, I'll holler.
Posted on 7/8/24 at 6:26 pm to craazyjose
Same here. I always stop in Amarillo. Obligatory stop at Cadillac ranch.
Then a steak at a local restaurant.
Lots of hotels.
Though I got screwed last time. People are smoking outside my unit by the ac. I complained about it to front desk.
. Two days later I see I was charged a smoking fee of $250.
Not much else to do on way unless you stop in Dallas.
New Mexico is barren for the section you go through. .
Then a steak at a local restaurant.
Lots of hotels.
Though I got screwed last time. People are smoking outside my unit by the ac. I complained about it to front desk.
. Two days later I see I was charged a smoking fee of $250.
Not much else to do on way unless you stop in Dallas.
New Mexico is barren for the section you go through. .
Posted on 7/8/24 at 6:51 pm to craazyjose
Making the same drive in a couple of days. When we made the drive a couple of years ago we detoured at Wichita Falls to see Fort Sill, OK. If you enjoy military history they have a pretty cool artillery museum. I always enjoy driving through Wichita Mountains and seeing elk, bison, and long horns. Meer's steakhouse has great burgers. Unfortunately, they weren't serving steaks when we were there.
Posted on 7/8/24 at 7:26 pm to craazyjose
If you take Hwy 87 out of Amarillo to Raton and then to Alamosa you will pass by Capulin Volcano National Monument. You can drive to the top, park and then hike to the rim and walk around it. Be sure and watch the video in the visitor center; you will learn about volcanoes.
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Northeast of Alamosa is Great Sand Dunes National Park.
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We were in Alamosa a few weeks ago but we drove north from there rather than west to Pagosa Springs. Hwy 50 has been closed but it may be open on a limited basis now. But that's further north than you are traveling.
If you stay in Alamosa there is a pretty good Texas style BBQ place on Main Street.
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[/url][/img]; [/url][/img] [/url][/img]; [/url][/img] Northeast of Alamosa is Great Sand Dunes National Park.
[/url][/img]; [/url][/img] [/url][/img] We were in Alamosa a few weeks ago but we drove north from there rather than west to Pagosa Springs. Hwy 50 has been closed but it may be open on a limited basis now. But that's further north than you are traveling.
If you stay in Alamosa there is a pretty good Texas style BBQ place on Main Street.
Posted on 7/8/24 at 7:30 pm to craazyjose
You could go Alamosa, through National Park Road to Jasper, detour to Platoro to see two LSU Tigers who own a cafe, then over to Pagosa Springs via Stunner Pass and onto Durango.
Great Sand Dunes NP is just outside Alamosa
Great Sand Dunes NP is just outside Alamosa
Posted on 7/8/24 at 11:20 pm to MintBerry Crunch
that sounds interesting. do you happen to know if that NP road is paved ? or gravel
Posted on 7/9/24 at 7:00 am to GITiger66
It’s gravel AF, but it’s not too bad. About a 3.5 hour drive on gravel, 5 hour total detour. About two from civilization to Platoro and another 1.5 from Platoro to Pagosa on gravel. Then highway to Durango.
The LSU folks own Gold Pan Acres. They have cabins too. We went earlier this summer. It’s remote AF—no year round residents. Great place to see the night sky, or just to stop off for a meal or snack to say hello.
The LSU folks own Gold Pan Acres. They have cabins too. We went earlier this summer. It’s remote AF—no year round residents. Great place to see the night sky, or just to stop off for a meal or snack to say hello.
This post was edited on 7/9/24 at 7:05 am
Posted on 7/9/24 at 8:23 am to craazyjose
Listen to Empire of the Summer Moon while driving it, if you haven’t already read it. Makes you view the landscape differently as you imagine the Comanche hiding out and terrorizing it.
Posted on 7/9/24 at 8:49 am to nctiger71
Capulin is cool, one of my favorite stops.
If you have kids or a leaky bladder, go through Trinidad.
If you have kids or a leaky bladder, go through Trinidad.
Posted on 7/9/24 at 10:23 am to craazyjose
How long does that drive take?
Posted on 7/9/24 at 10:32 am to craazyjose
quote:
going through Trinidad / Alamosa
If you do this go through the Spanish Peaks area on CO 12. This route would also put you near Sand Dunes National Park.
There isnt anything in Monte Vista or Del Norte, same for Trinidad and Alamosa for that matter. Creede is a neat place but out of the way some so probably not worth it.
The drive from Wolf Creek Pass to Durango is pretty and full of Texans in the summer.
Posted on 7/9/24 at 10:46 am to idontyield
quote:
pretty and full of Texans in the summer.
ugh. almost as bad as Californians
Posted on 7/9/24 at 2:43 pm to craazyjose
I just don't see how ya'll do these kind of drives. I am going to have some time off of work soon and was thinking about heading up to Colorado Springs and use that as a base to do some exploring for three or four nights.
But damn, that looks like a 19 hour drive from here.
But damn, that looks like a 19 hour drive from here.
Posted on 7/9/24 at 4:17 pm to notiger1997
quote:
I just don't see how ya'll do these kind of drives.
It's called "balls" and the fact that I have two weeks.
I'd like my car with me to do some offroading. Seriously though, I get some peace, l listen to some tunes and some podcasts. I don't mind the drive quote]But damn, that looks like a 19 hour drive from here.[/quote]
yep. splitting it up helps. It's not for everyone.
Posted on 7/9/24 at 7:48 pm to Motorboat
we always fly to Denver and rent a Jeep. Certainly more costly but it saves 3-4 days which we can spend in CO instead of Texas
Posted on 7/9/24 at 7:57 pm to Motorboat
We almost always are traveling with mountain bikes. Not only does that keep us from flying, but it also discourages us from staying at hotels overnight (hauling 4-5 bikes into hotel room out of car is a pain). As such, we do a lot of long haul drives (usually 12 hours... but I've done a full pull from Palm Beach to Arkansas before wth a couple of hour delay around Atlanta that ended up turning it into a 22 hour haul. Also done Tucson to Arkansas in a straight shot a couple of times).
My main "secret" is to get up as early as you can stand (2 or 3am) and hit the road. Those early morning hours, as long as you stay awake are like free time. We drive the 11 hours to Santa Fe regularly. Start at 4am. Hit OKC for first fuel up and 7am coffee. West of Amarillo for second gas up and snacks. Then roll into Santa Fe around 2pm after gaining an hour heading West.
I also hate staying in hotels on the road, because by the time you get everyone packed back into the car, fed, and on the road... it's generally 8-9am, meaning even if you only have a "light" drive of 6 hours, you've basically wasted the day in the car. I'd rather try to pull it all in one shot and waste 1 day total than 2-3 days in the car dragging it out.
Edit: I also spent my late teens and early 20s doing a LOT of road tripping for concerts (Phish/Dead) and outdoor activities (backpacking, climbing, snowboarding, fishing). So I'm pretty at home with windshield time.
My main "secret" is to get up as early as you can stand (2 or 3am) and hit the road. Those early morning hours, as long as you stay awake are like free time. We drive the 11 hours to Santa Fe regularly. Start at 4am. Hit OKC for first fuel up and 7am coffee. West of Amarillo for second gas up and snacks. Then roll into Santa Fe around 2pm after gaining an hour heading West.
I also hate staying in hotels on the road, because by the time you get everyone packed back into the car, fed, and on the road... it's generally 8-9am, meaning even if you only have a "light" drive of 6 hours, you've basically wasted the day in the car. I'd rather try to pull it all in one shot and waste 1 day total than 2-3 days in the car dragging it out.
Edit: I also spent my late teens and early 20s doing a LOT of road tripping for concerts (Phish/Dead) and outdoor activities (backpacking, climbing, snowboarding, fishing). So I'm pretty at home with windshield time.
This post was edited on 7/9/24 at 8:02 pm
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