Rte 50 in Colorado

[rickwellman]

Traveling from Colorado Springs Colorado to Black Canyon NP is Rte 50 good Rte for 37 ft class A with 16 ft trailer

[Busskipper]

rickwellman wrote:
That was Rte 24

That's the way we go right to Buena Vista and the Collegiates.

Enjoy,

[rickwellman]

That was Rte 24

[rickwellman]

I forgot to ask about Rte 25 off I 70 to Colorado Springs is this a good road?

[Passin_Thru]

Wolfe10, You had to say all that. Just don't! Actually, Monarch is 11,300. Ran it in a truck for years. When you get up around the top, find a place and go wading in the creek that runs east down it.

[dubdub07]

bitubo wrote:
I would avoid 24, taking the shortcut to penrose/50 and enjoy the trip.

I drive it 30 times a year, half in my DP. I would do U.S. 24 to Buena, then south to U.S. 50......much better IMO.

It is nothing for a MH, just the descent. I would take it NICE and SLOW on the back of Monarch pass.

[tropical36]

wolfe10 wrote:
I am always a bit reluctant to offer advice on mountain driving.

There are TWO aspects that must be considered:

The rig.

The driver. While advice from a guy living and driving most of his life in the Rockies with exactly the same rig could, with all confidence say NO PROBLEM, that exact same route might be extremely challenging to a "flat lander".

Knowing how and when to use engine braking, how and when to use service brakes, the need for brake fluid to be good (not hydrated), etc do not necessarily come with a driver's license.

All true, but unless a member specifically asks how to descend a steep grade, then we must assume that they're proficient in the operation of their rig over all kinds of terrain.
I would hope that most of us know that using your brakes when descending, should be done sparingly and if not, then you're not geared down to where you should be. Even then, there's a proper way to apply your brakes when necessary.

[wallynm]

and remember to pull over when possible to let traffic pass you when it gets stacked up behind you

[rickwellman]

I forgot to mention I have a Harley Davidson trike in the trailer so I base camp and enjoy some great rides.

[rickwellman]

Thanks for all the info. I drove thru california, oregon, Washington state, montana idaho ,south dakota last year with this rig and learned some valuable experience in doing so. Got a lot of great information from a lot of good and experienced people.

[bitubo]

I would avoid 24, taking the shortcut to penrose/50 and enjoy the trip.

[Passin_Thru]

Drove tractor trailer over it many times. Just a hard pull but not bad. Beautiful scenery. There's only 1 way to learn mountain driving, drive the mountains.

[BigRabbitMan]

wolfe10 wrote:
I am always a bit reluctant to offer advice on mountain driving.

There are TWO aspects that must be considered:

The rig.

The driver. While advice from a guy living and driving most of his life in the Rockies with exactly the same rig could, with all confidence say NO PROBLEM, that exact same route might be extremely challenging to a "flat lander".

Knowing how and when to use engine braking, how and when to use service brakes, the need for brake fluid to be good (not hydrated), etc do not necessarily come with a driver's license.

My thoughts as well.

[roam1]

check road conditions!
one year there was an accident on 50 and we were routed up 9 to Hartsel
no fun!

[GWolfe]

Drove it last September and wasn't bad, I only went as far west as Gunnison before heading north to Crested Butte/Taylor Park. Love the drive along the Arkansas between Pueblo and Salida, just beautiful. Monarch Pass isn't too bad.

Side note, since I'm from Kansas we call the river Ar-Kansas instead of like the state Arkansas, get some funny looks from people sometimes. Well it is our Kansas river as it flows through Kansas anyway, lol.