Quote:
Originally Posted by Countryfreak
Kind of feel like I have my own stalker here. "Pay-per-byte internet". Is that even a thing? My trip is still fluid at this point and I am still open to ideas keeping in mind I have limited time to do this. I plan on driving and stopping where I can in hopes of some great pics. Some of your suggestions were certainly good but you also were suggesting routes nowhere near where I was discussing. I do appreciate the suggestions and I'll keep reading them but I also will not have the time to vary off course very much so I want to find some great areas along the possible paths I have chosen.
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I read your earlier thread and now this one, and I guess, I'm a bit confused. Will Phoenix to Pagosa Springs be the first leg of your trip? Then will you go from Pagosa to Cañon City/Canon City/Canyon City (whichever spelling makes our friend davebarnes happy)? Or have we convinced you that you should see the Black Canyon of the Gunnison? And Are you comfortable driving some rather breath taking mountain highways or do you prefer highways which have been tamed as much as possible?
The end of June can go either way weather-wise in Colorado. Generally, the monsoon season does not start until mid July or so, but it has been known to start much earlier. Here's a
quick guide to the 2022 Colorado monsoon season (for what it's worth).
If it were me, I wouldn't worry too much about the monsoon hitting in June. If it's summer in Colorado, there will be plenty of tourists. Those caveats aside, this is the route I would suggest.
From Phoenix get on I-10 W and then follow I-17 N, US-89 N and US-160 E to Kayenta and turn north on Highway 163. This will take you through the Monument Valley area which is not to be missed. After you finish taking a 1,000 or so pix at Monument Valley, continue on 163 until you reach Bluff, Utah and at Bluff turn on 191 to Monticello, Utah. At Monticello turn on 491 east to Dove Creek, CO. Bit of trivia: Highway 491 was once US Route 666, but there were objections to that name, so in 2003, it became boring old 491. However, I STILL call it "the Devil's Highway, myself. By whatever name, continue on this road until you hit the town of Cortez.
Now, unless you completely want to re-do your itinerary, I'm sorry to say that you are just going to have to skip Mesa Verde which is a great shame. But you need to allocate the better part of a day to drive up to the top of the mesa where Mesa Verde is located and then spending some time exploring the ruins. Either come back to the Four Corners at a later date, or else skip going to see the Black Canyon. Me, I'd pick Mesa Verde, but then I'm prejudiced.
From Cortez, you have your choice of two routes - the Million Dollar Highway or the San Juan Skyway.
San Juan Skyway: At Cortez, you can turn off 160 Highway to 145 north. This route is known as the San Juan Skyway and is downright beautiful. It leads through the towns of Dolores, Rico, and the resort town of Telluride. Walk around Telluride to stretch your legs and take in the scenery. Do NOT go into any tourist stores as the prices may give you a heart attack at the very least.
From Dolores head to Ridgeway, as others have suggested. Ridgeway is a welcoming small town with some good spots to eat. It's also close to Ouray which is a bit out of your way, but worth the few extra miles - really, really nice mountain town.
I suggest that you stay in Ouray (or Ridgway) for the night. You will have done quite a bit of driving by then and chances are that you will be exhausted. You can continue on to the Black Canyon and Cañon City the next day.
Million Dollar Highway: This is one of my most favorite drives in Colorado. The road is well maintained, but its sharp curves and the occasional drop-off right next to the lane you're in can be a tad disconcerting for novice mountain drivers. It is also well traveled in the summer, but there are lots of places where people can pull off to take pictures and admire the scenery. The Million Dollar also leads to Ouray and beyond.
Other posters have also said this, but I think you are really biting off more than you can chew. You just want to see too many things in too short a time. Your memories are probably going to be of that never ending white line streaming past your car and then getting held up by "Ma and Pa Kettle" doing 5 mph over some mountain pass.
The country you will be driving through deserves more than a quick glance in your rear view window as you tick off yet another tourist destination on your must see bucket list.
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