Find latest started threadsI prefer taking US-34 through Big Thompson Canyon from Loveland into Estes Park, even though it's longer than US-36 from Boulder. The scenery in the canyon is worth it.
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I prefer taking US-34 through Big Thompson Canyon from Loveland into Estes Park, even though it's longer than US-36 from Boulder. The scenery in the canyon is worth it.
Hello glc, I have been to Colorado many times, but i havent done US-34 to Estes Park yet. Ive always approached from Boulder. I will check out Big Thompson next time around. Trial Ridge Road is awesome!
When you do, be sure to stop at the roadside shrine to those who perished in the Canyon, in the 70s, I think it was. It is on the northern side of the road, sheltered by some bushes.I will check out Big Thompson next time around.
I agree, but finding it open, even in the summer months, is the trick. The first four times I was there it was closed by a summer blizzard. Fifth time, I got to drive it. Well worth waiting for.Trial Ridge Road is awesome!
Lifey
Hello Sandeep, now i will highlight 3 route options from Denver to the Bay Area with Moab,UT a key destination:
1) Denver to Moab- this will be a full days drive and with incredible mountain and canyon scenery. The first destination is Rocky Mountain National Park, which can be reached by following US-36 thru Boulder or following I-25 north ( thanks for the tip glc ) to Loveland, then US-34 west. Either way, both routes take you to Estes Park. From Estes Park, US-34 continues into Rocky Mountain National Park as Trail Ridge Road( see my previous post ). Make sure you purchase a National Park Pass, you only need 1 as it covers your car load and ALL of the National Parks you will visit. Oh yes, and dont forget your camara, you will need it. After leaving the park US-34 continues to Grand Lake, a beautiful lake that i love to stop at and pause to soak in the beautiful and serene scenery. US-34 ends at Granby at US-40. From here you will follow US-40 east( says east but your really heading south ) thru Winter Park. US-40 then follows a series of switchbacks, all downhill, thru Berthoud Pass at over 11,000 ft on its way to I-70. From here you will get on I-70 west, which starts its uphill climb to the Eisenhower Tunnel, the highest tunnel of elevation in the country at over 10,000 feet and goes underneath Loveland Pass. You can also bypass the tunnel by following US-6 over Loveland Pass and rejoin I-70 in Dillon. If going thru the tunnel, PLEASE heed the warning signs and obey the speed limit, its a VERY long and steep winding downhill grade after exiting the tunnel until you reach Dillon. I-70 continues thru the ski resort towns of Copper Mountain and Vail before climbing Vail Pass at over 10,000 ft and soon running alongside the Colorado River thru a series of Canyons...Glenwood Canyon is especially impressive. The westbound side is built above the eastbound side on a canyon wall and at times tunnels thru sheer rock. Lots if whitewater rapids in the Colorado River in glenwood canyon. Approaching Grand Junction, you cant miss the backdrop of the HUGE flat topped mountain known as Grand Mesa. Colarado National Monument sits atop Grand Mesa and should not be missed. Continuing west on I-70 you soon will cross into Utah. Notice the desert scenery. Take the Cisco exit and follow to Hwy 128, also known as the Colorado River National Scenic Byway. This is a very scenic ride through a very deep red rock canyon alongside the Colorado River to Moab. Moab is a outdoor lovers paradise. It is sorrounded by red rock cliffs and mesas. Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State are all on top of the mesas that sorround the town of Moab. In addition to exploring the parks, i would also plan on taking a boat ride on the Colorado River, and also a hummer tour off road thru the sorrounding countryside...SO MUCH FUN! This can be arranged thru the Moab Adventure Center, in person in Moab, or on its website before you leave Boston. Oh yeah, if your hungry, try the Moab Diner. Its great! More fun to come...
Hello Lifey, I have always had great weather when driving Trail Ridge Road. I love it! My favorite spot is at the Alpine Visitors Center, where you can climb to the top of ridge on a paved trail to over 11,000 ft and just soak it all in like your on top of the world.
Hello Sandeep, here are the 3
options from Moab to the Bay Area:
1) Moab- Capitol Reef NP-Great Basin NP-Yosemite NP-San Jose
- this route takes you thru the Basin and Range region, a lot if desert scenery, so you will need to gas up whenever possible as there are areas where you wont see any facilities for nearly 100 miles. We start off by heading north from Moab on US-191 to I-70, then west on I-70 past Green River to Hwy 24 exit. Follow Hwy-24 south to Hanksville. While in Hanksville check out the 66 gas station and convenience store, the store is built into a huge rock boulder. Continuing west on Hwy-24 you soon will be driving thru Capitol Reef NP and to the town of Torrey. Continue on Hwy-24 west over a mountain summit over 8,400 feet to Richfield, where you will follow I-70 east for about 10 miles to Salina, then take the exit to US-50 west to Delta. Delta is where US-50 and US-6 combine to west to Baker,NV. It us approx 102 miles with no facilities from Delta to Baker, so you will need to gas up before you hit this stretch. The entrance to Great Basin NP is near Baker. This area is very remote, but VERY scenic. Be sure to drive the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive to the a point close to the summit at over 13,000 ft, and perhaps you may want to take ranger tour to Lehman Caves. So peaceful here! From here you will continue west on US-50, also known as the Lonliest Road in America and when you drive it you understand why. This route crosses many mountain passes and desert valleys all the way to Carson City, and there WILL be many sections where you are all alone on this road. Make sure you are gassed up before leaving Ely, very few facilities between Ely and Fallon, a stretch of about 250 miles. When you reach Carson City, take US-395 south to Lee Vining,
CA, where you will turn west onto Hwy-120, also known as Tioga Pass Rd and the beautiful scenery across the High Sierras within the boundries of Yosemite NP on your way to Yosemite Village. You dont want to miss this Place!! After exploring Yosemite take Hwy-140 west all the way to I-5, then a short distance on I-5 south to Hwy 152 west to US-101 north to San Jose.
3 national parks, conquering the Lonliest Road in America across the Basin and Range Region. Awesome!
Option 2 next. More to come...
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