Where to go in the CO mountains?

[CAMit]

Hello,

I am in the Denver area and want to make a run into the mountains for 2 or 3 days. Does anyone have a favorite route or 2 that they would recommend?

Thanks in advance...

[Lazarus]

I'll get back to you on this one..........I lived there for a number of years and the ol lady and I have done some riding.............just fer starters though you might check out the road going up to Dillon. Not to far out of Denver and it is a good ride.

[scooternut]

I rode the pass from Estes Park (north of you) on a trip out west last year and would call it a must see. But, you mentioned for 2-3 days. I would think that Might make a better day trip for you.

[wyodude]

Estes Park is a great ride. Get a good map and you'll be able to plan some great loops.

Fer instance, from Ft Collins, CO take I25 to Cheyenne, then I-80 west over the summit to Laramie. At Laramie, take WY 130 (Snowy Range Highway) through the Snowies to the WY-CO border. When you cross into CO, the road becomes CO-230. Stay on CO-230 to Walden, then go east over the pass and down the Big Thompson Canyon. I'm writing this from memory, check a map and you'll be able to figure out what I'm trying to describe.

You can also stay on CO-230 south and come into Rocky Mountain National Park from the south west. Ride this road all the way through the park. When you leave the park you're a few miles west of Estes Park.

I did several rides in this area in 2002. I'll be doing it again this July.

One piece of advice, be prepared for all types of weather, some of the passes are above 10,000 ft.

[US Ranger]

If I remember right, the back way to Estes Park up through Nederland was great; anywhere in Summit County; Turkey Creek Canyon out of Denver up over Kenosha Pass into South Park; I've even taken the Road King over Guaneela Pass (about 24 miles of washboard..LOL...only rattled 1 footpeg off)

[csgant]

Denver to Steamboat Springs is one of my favorites. Take I-70 west through the tunnel to Silverthorne. North on 9 to Kremmling (last gas stop before Steamboat), then North on US40 over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat. Beautiful ride, and not extremely difficult mountain roads. Remember the weather changes frequently, you'll cross the Continental Divide, and be well above 10,000 feet at times. Steamboat is a great town, but avoid the ski area and stay in the old downtown area (the Rabbit Ears motel is my favorite). You can walk to all the restaurants and bars. It's about 200 miles from Denver.

[Maxum96]

Originally Posted by csgant

Denver to Steamboat Springs is one of my favorites. Take I-70 west through the tunnel to Silverthorne. North on 9 to Kremmling (last gas stop before Steamboat), then North on US40 over Rabbit Ears pass to Steamboat. Beautiful ride, and not extremely difficult mountain roads. Remember the weather changes frequently, you'll cross the Continental Divide, and be well above 10,000 feet at times. Steamboat is a great town, but avoid the ski area and stay in the old downtown area (the Rabbit Ears motel is my favorite). You can walk to all the restaurants and bars. It's about 200 miles from Denver.

I just did an overnight ride from Ft. Collins to Steamboat Springs. I went out through Poudre Canyon on Hwy 14 to Hwy 40 through rabbit ears pass and into Steamboat. On the way back I went Hwy 40 to Hwy 34 and up through Rocky Mountain National Park into Estes Park. Then Estes Park down to Loveland. Aweseome ride. Gorgeous sights. It's about $10 to ride a bike through the park. And yes, the weather does change quick up in the mountain passes. Got caught in a nasty rain/snow/hail storm on rabbit ears pass. But it only lasted a few minutes. My avater picture was taken on the top of Trail Ridge Road which is Hwy 34 through Rocky Mountain National Park. I've attached a link with some of the pictures my girlfriend took while we were on the trip.

http://www.villagephotos.com/pubbrow...der_id=1351699

[reddog74usa]

I live in Maryland and ride the rockys almost every summer. You live in an awsome ridin area. One of my favorite rides is goin over independece pass near aspen. Then we rode down through mc clure pass. From there ya can find yer way out to 70 west around glenwood springs and head west on 70 it takes ya through an awsome pass with twin bridges. Go through Grandjuction into utah on 70 and check your map for a back way into Moab I think it's 25 c or d I'm not shure. It will be very deaserty then you will come up on a river that the road follows all the way to moab. Man this ride is AWSOME. Once in Moab check out a place called dead hourse point. It's like goin to the grand canyon. We stayed at the koa campground in moab. It's in the south end of town. You could do this ride in 2 days no problem but three would be even better. Good luck in whereever ya ride. Man writtin about this and bein in maryland is depressin but I should say I am in a very nice rural area of Md. but nothin compares to the wide openess of the west. See Ya RD

[foddlefadel]

Thunder In The Rockies Rally! Sept. 1st-4th Loveland Colorado. (just south of Ft Collins)

The Rockies BECKEN!

Dave