Estes Park to Grand Junction

[TahoeTrekker]

We are spending a few days over the 4th of July at Estes Park after a week in the Tetons. We are then heading west via Grand Junction on 70. Anyone do this drive and is the best way to head south and skirt Denver and then connect onto 70 or is there another route down to 70. I looked and only saw an option that takes you through Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park and then heads south to 70. Open to suggestions....thanks.

Brian

[D2Reid]

I was faced with the same dilemma with my 41' 376. While in Estes Park I rode the motorcycle over 34 to Lulu City and back. Narrow and curvy with huge drop offs. I hemed and hawed for several days. I figured if I could go fairly early in the morning before the traffic and wind picked up I could get it done. But the more I thought about it the more I leaned toward heading back east into the flatlands and then over to 70 Westbound. That's what I did.

Since that time I have taken the trailer over other passes, Rabbit Ears, Berthoud, Hoosier, they are about as bad. Pulling in the hill country of California was pretty knarley also, skinny roads with no shoulder and lots of twisty turns.

Today I would probably take the RV over that pass. I am just more confident about not dying in that situation.

Adjust your mirrors so you can watch your wheels during the turns. Go slow until you are comfortable with degree of turn vs wheel placement.

On really tight hair pin turns with a lot of elevation gain on the turn time your turn to swing really wide, even into the other lane. Making those really tight turns you will drag the tail end of your trailer and strain you truck something fierce. Just make sure there is no on coming traffic when you do it.

Slow and easy, safe travels!

[Canyonlight]

Brian -we were at Estes a couple summers ago for a few nights driving from the south after staying at Golden Gate Canyon State Park (very nice place) for a few nights as well after departing Loveland via I25 to I70. We took I70 to 119 to get to GGC SP road and when leaving GGC SP we to 119 north to 72 to 7 to Estes and the route was fine. Yes, some areas with tight normal Rockies climbs/descents and some slow turns but generally more gradual turns and straight road at times up to the speed limit (55 as I recall.) The drive makes you appreciate a diesel with exhaust brake. No hairy drop off turns/areas as I recall but with family in CO since the 60s we have driven many roads over the years mainly w/o and RV but with different RVs and are familiar and comfortable with the drives. The beauty is stunning in most areas.

Dan

[TahoeTrekker]

Thanks Dan...… I will look into that. Living on Donner Summit and growing up in the Sierras I'm used to windy narrow roads, but the trailer does add another element to it. The unknown factor always adds spice to a drive...…. so the info helps a lot...… thanks again.

[Canyonlight]

We had questions on this route too, Brian but after spending time on the net we found large RVs and semi trucks travel it all the time. Most of the road is smooth and much of it new over the last few years after the flood several years ago I suspect. Heck, between the Black Hawk casino area and I70 is four lane as an option to taking the two lane route for part of that run.

Dan

[tjeeper]

We are spending a few days over the 4th of July at Estes Park after a week in the Tetons. We are then heading west via Grand Junction on 70. Anyone do this drive and is the best way to head south and skirt Denver and then connect onto 70 or is there another route down to 70. I looked and only saw an option that takes you through Rocky Mountain Nat'l Park and then heads south to 70. Open to suggestions....thanks.

Brian

When you say the option through RMNP, are you talking about Trail Ridge Road? Highway 36 to 34, over the pass to Grand Lake? I wouldn't unless you are very confident in your driving abilities. It is an intimidating drive that has steep drop offs, no guard rails and tight switchbacks. And, being a national park, people like to stop in the middle of the road to take pictures of the wildlife. Personally, I would take the Peak to Peak Highway (Highway 7) south of Estes Park to Idaho Springs and connect with I-70 there.

[jeffdawgfan]

Would like to recommend Manor RV park in Estes. If you can get a site on the river you will love it. We had Elk cooling off in the stream right outside our camper on several days. There is a really good barbecue place right at the park too on main road but cannot remember the name of it. Be aware that Estes is VERY expensive place to be.

[TahoeTrekker]

Thanks for the info ..... I live in Lake Tahoe region of Calif so I’m used to high priced tourist areas

[Coyote82]

Would like to recommend Manor RV park in Estes. If you can get a site on the river you will love it. We had Elk cooling off in the stream right outside our camper on several days. There is a really good barbecue place right at the park too on main road but cannot remember the name of it. Be aware that Estes is VERY expensive place to be.

The barbecue place is called Smokin Dave’s BBQ and Grill. Estes Park Brewery is also a great place to eat. If you want pizza and Antonio’s Real New York Pizza on W Elkhorn is outstanding. I’ve been to all of these places several times. We’ve stayed at Paradise RV Park several times. Although anything bigger than a 35 footer will not fit as it’s tight. The back your trailer though is right on the edge of the Big Thompson River. We love it.