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chompchomp
Port Orange, Florida
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So we've made some choices and need some help refining them. We're now bringing my mom (Grandma) to share our favs from the last trip. One problem coming from Florida is that we love the 550 between Durango and Ridgeway especially Ouray, but don't love dragging our toad on that route.
We really, really love Bryce, route 12 (love/hate the hogsback), adore Dead Horse, and all things Moab.
We then want to head north and seal the deal via the Tetons and Yellowstone with Glacier being a wish granted on another trip.
My questions would be route-oriented now. There's a triangle I can't figure out how to route into from Florida: Bryce-Moab-Durango with an exit north towards the Tetons. I didn't enjoy 10 out last time because of West Louisiana's long divet-riddled span. Maybe it's just the fastest way to get west. We loved 40 on the way home because rte. 66 was right there next to us to play with. Not that we have a lot of time in transit, I see us going out on 40 and then don't know what to do.
If we come into Durango and try to do 550 from there, we have my mom in our RV dragging our Jeep to try 550 north to Ouray; I'd rather not. If we go on to Bryce and head north on our beloved 12 to Moab, we'll have to go south into CO to show mom Ouray; that's how we did it before to avoid the scary stretch of 550 north with the rig. But then we have to really backtrack to head toward Yellowstone.
On behalf of the other Floridians here, I thank you Western folks again for helping us make the most of our time in your neck of the woods.
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DesertHawk
Las Cruces, New Mexico
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Go west from Durango, then head up to Telluride, then over to Ridgway, leave MH at the state park, drive the toad to Ouray and on to Silverton for that matter.
Go west from Durango toward Cortez on US 160, take Hwy 184 at Mancos to Dolores, Hwy 145 toward Telluride but on to Hwy 62 just past Placerville; Hwy 62 east to Ridgway. Very nice drive by Dolores and up, Telluride is neat. There is a pass but not too bad of a climb.Lizard Head Pass Summit
However, if you do not need to go to Durango, from Bryce go to US 89 North to Junction and on to I-70 East to Grand Junction with a side trip on US 191 to Moab. Take US 50 from Grand Junction (Colorado Nat'l Monument is worth seeing!) to Montrose and US 550 to Ridgway, stay at the state park, toad to Ouray, etc.
To get to Bryce, I'd suggest using I-75 out of FL & I-24 to Nashville & on, then I-57 to the I-64 to the I-70, follow it to Colorado & Utah. Do the drive down to Ridgway frist, then to Moab, then to Bryce. There is a route cross country from Ridgway to Moab, not sure of the roads, but seem possible on the map.  It would keep from back tacking so much. This would keep you off I-10.
From Bryce, I'd go by Salt Lake City to Pocatello then to Jackson & up to Yellowstone.
* This post was
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DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
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TexasH
Katy, TX
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Don't know about the rest of the route, but I-10 from Fla line all the way thru Texas is good, with only a few short sections that are rough. It's better than most other routes across half of the US. Just watch out at the intersection of I-10 and I-12 near Slidell, LA. The road is extremely rough for about 1/2 mile thru the curves of the interchange! It's good on the east and west sides of the interchange. Most of I-10 in Louisiana has been repaved in the past few years and is good to go.
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Retired Phone Man
Covington, Louisiana
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Go to Durango first and get a campsite and leave your MH. Take your toad up to Ouray and if you have time go on to Telluride and back through Dolores. Can be done in a day with a little planing. Back in the MH and on to Bryce then on to Moab. I live near New Orleans and take I-12/I-10 to Lafayette and then I-49 to Shreveport, I-20 to Ft Worth, 287 to Amarillo and 87/64 to Raton, I-25 to 160 and 160 to Durango.
After re-reading you post I have a question. Are you taking the toad with you or are you just taking the MH? If MH only continue on I-25 and take 50 to Montrose and then to Ouray.
* This post was
edited 11/20/09 11:30pm by Retired Phone Man *
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sparker1
St Petersburg, Fl, USA
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We've gone out there lots of times, tried many different routes. My favorite is I-75 to I-10 to I-49 (Lafayette) to I-20 (Shreveport) to US 287 (outside Dallas-Fort Worth) to I-40 (Amarillo). If you want to go to Durango, Take I-40 to Albuquerque, I-25 to US 550, then to Durango. It's all good road. From Durango through Cortez to Monticello and on to Moab. North from Moab to I-70, over to US 89 and south to Panguitch and Bryce. North of Panguitch, Route 20 is a good way to I-15 which will take you toward Yellowstone.
If you want to go to Ouray, stay on US 287 past Amarillo to US 50, west tto Montros and south to Ridgway or Ouray. This way, US 550 to US 50 to I-70 to US 191 and south to Moab.
Either route has lots to offer.
Stan
2002 Monaco Windsor DP
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two-niner
las vegas, nv
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Chompchomp: Lot of good suggestions here.
You have the right idea, backtracking is not so bad.
I-40 west of OKC is in good condition. If that helps.
Have a nice trip.
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Busskipper
Arnold,Md
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So we've made some choices and need some help refining them. We're now bringing my mom (Grandma) to share our favs from the last trip. One problem coming from Florida is that we love the 550 between Durango and Ridgeway especially Ouray, but don't love dragging our toad on that route. Option is to separate the two or to drive around on Rt145 to Telluride then head over to Ridgway SP and enjoy your time in the area, driving back to Ouray and Silverton on Rt550, in the Toad.
We really, really love Bryce, route 12 (love/hate the hogsback), adore Dead Horse, and all things Moab. Don’t forget Kodachrome and Goblins SP’s while in the area.
We then want to head north and seal the deal via the Tetons and Yellowstone with Glacier being a wish granted on another trip. We will usually head up thru Rifle and to Dinosaur NM then to Flaming Gorge from there taking the back roads to Jackson before getting to the Tetons and Yellowstone
My questions would be route-oriented now. There's a triangle I can't figure out how to route into from Florida: Bryce-Moab-Durango with an exit north towards the Tetons. I didn't enjoy 10 out last time because of West Louisiana's long divet-riddled span. Maybe it's just the fastest way to get west. We loved 40 on the way home because rte. 66 was right there next to us to play with. Not that we have a lot of time in transit, I see us going out on 40 and then don't know what to do. Have you thought about going counter clockwise – heading to Nashville then to St Louis and the Arch before heading out to Kansas City then up to Sioux Falls thru Custer – Devils Tower then to Yellowstone and the rest of your trip in reverse. This would allow you to come back on I-40 and not have much left to see when you are heading back home
If we come into Durango and try to do 550 from there, we have my mom in our RV dragging our Jeep to try 550 north to Ouray; I'd rather not. If we go on to Bryce and head north on our beloved 12 to Moab, we'll have to go south into CO to show mom Ouray; that's how we did it before to avoid the scary stretch of 550 north with the rig. But then we have to really backtrack to head toward Yellowstone. Just a thought – after DNM head over to Utah and do the whole circle – if it get too hot just head over to the San Juan’s and cool off, other wise when you finish just come out of Moab on Rt128 back to Colorado then down to Montrose Ridgway, Ouray and the San Juan’s. While in southern Utah try to see Monument Valley, it will not disappoint.
On behalf of the other Floridians here, I thank you Western folks again for helping us make the most of our time in your neck of the woods. May not have my permanat address in Colorado but spent most of three years just bumping around (05-06- 07) and have a couple of Granddaughters out there, so it is like a second home.
This may not be exactly what you had in mind but will give you a couple other options – if you find you have the time you might try to drive thru Leadville and the Collegiate Peaks, maybe even the Great Sand Dune NP on the way home. We have yet to drive a road in Colorado that we did not enjoy.
BOL,
Busskipper
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Ron Butler
Federal Way WA.
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Deserthawk & Busskipper both have great suggestions. We spent 2 months in Colorado this past summer. I had a native Coloradian tell me that the best way is to take in CO like a spoke of a wheel. That's where Busskipper's advice hits a cord with me. We did that and yes, had several long days in the car, but much easier than white-knuckling it with the rig! Ridgeway SP is a great state park, but be aware that CO charges a daily fee for both vehicles for the parks! You can see my comments in our travel blog about our time there.
Have a great time.
Ron & Carolyn
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chompchomp
Port Orange, Florida
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As always you guys have provided a wealth of valuable advice. Thanks so much for your help!
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chompchomp
Port Orange, Florida
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So we have a plan but just a few glitches. Stan, as usual, your input rocks though I don't want to slight Deserthawk, Busskipper or others. This is a compilation of all the excellent advice. We'll take Sparker's route out and then spend this number of nights at each destination:
Durango (3)
up 145 to 62 to 550 to
Ouray (3) last time we stayed at Ridgway SP but are looking for suggestions in Ouray.
Moab (4) Dead Horse as home base
24 to 12 to
Bryce (3)
Then it's a long haul up I-15 to Colter Bay (530mi/9hours). I'm thinking we'll need a break on the way for the night. Any suggestions on a midway point sleepover between Bryce and the Tetons?
Grand Tetons (4)
Yellowstone (7)We've never been to the Tetons or Yellowstone. Are we devoting too much of the time we have here?
We'll come home the north way and if time permits, stop and explore in South Dakota.
One last question to Stan and the rest of you 4x4 folks. We'll have the Wrangler. A flatland Florida boy, I flat chickened out on several trails last time out and still kick myself for not manning up. It's hard to practice switchbacks down here . We did Last Dollar Road, which was beautiful and not white-knuckle for me. Any suggestions on similar trails?
Any advice on modifications to the grand plan are most welcome.
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