Thanks Mark - exactly what I wanted to know. Sorry about the "Rts. vs. the Interstates", but you understood ;0.
I was going to head to I-70 through Granby to Empire and on to I-70, really want to drive through Berthoud Pass. I saw the route you're talking about to Vail but wasn't sure if it ended up being really time consuming, but if it's good we'll do that and skip something else.
I know that 50 doesn't go to Crested Butte, I was just giving an overview route. And I figured that about backtracking to Sapinero - I just didnt' know how much distance it really was. Agree, it's too much.
Do you think it's more doable taking Hwy. 12 to 133 and then south to Delta to get to Ouray?
What we really want to do is see spectacular scenery, get off the beaten track a little (that's why Hwy 12 looks so appealing) and make a sort of adventure out of it. We've decided to be flexible, that if we get to a certain point and realize it's too far or we're sick of being in the car that we'll stop for a night or two, knowing we'll have to skip some things. I'm just thinking if we can fit it ALL in and never rest, then we'll know the things we can breeze through or skip in order to enjoy the things we really want to do.
My original plan was to do RMNP and then hit I-70 so we can "hurry" to get to the San Juan/ West Elk region. As I said I've been to CO before and I know that the closer we get to Canon City and the plains the more sad we'll be for leaving the mountains. We'll know it's over and will just want to head back east.
Thanks for any other thoughts. It's a BIG help.
Denise
