Frisco to Colorado Springs

[ewcmr2]

Going to PPIR soon. Towing trailer in sig, should be right at 19,500 GCW.



How are the 9 and 24? Take them for the scenic route or stick to 70/470/25?

 

[Bill Stockard]

I've towed many times from Frisco to Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Alamosa, CO. I take CO-91 to Leadville and then US-285 to just south of Buena Vista. Turn east on US-24 to Colorado Springs.



There is a long grade (2nd gear, take your time, enjoy the scenery, not much traffic) from Frisco to the top of Fremont Pass. From Fremont Pass on to Leadville, it's some up and down, but mostly down from the pass. From Leadville, US-285 generally follows the Arkansas River down hill to Buena Vista. US-24 has several up and downs, but not long grades and generally down hill to Woodland Park. From Woodland Park, it's a down grade (exhaust brake time) just about all the way to Colorado Springs. US-285 has more traffic than CO-91 and US-24 has much more traffic, and from Woodland Park to CS, it's lots of traffic.



I usually stay on US-285 to just west of Salida and take US-50 to Pubelo. It's generally down hill and follows the Arkansas River all the way from Leadville and less traffic than US-24. Another alternative with even less traffic, depending on where you are going, is to stay on US-285 to Alamosa before turning east. LaVeta pass is easy going east... short climb up and a long down grade on the east side to near Walsenburg.



My wife and I have been traveling (towing and hauling) CO for over 43 years and love the mountain scenery. We usually go in the late spring/early summer and fall, but avoid the tourist traffic in mid-summer (July 4th to Labor Day).



Bill

 

[BrianJ]

It may be a little interesting with a 36' GN on the switchbacks of Hoosier Pass on Hwy 9 (between Breckenridge and Fairplay), but other than that I would definately consider that route. Hwy 24 will be no problem, and traffic on that will be much better than I-70 or I-25 any time or day. The route suggested above (Leadville, Salida), while scenic, would take you way out of your way. I drive 24 quite often and traffic is a non-issue, even between Woodland Park and Colorado Springs. Once you get to the springs, that may be a different scenario. Taking Hwy 9 and 24 would be much shorter than I-70/470/I-25.

 

[Bill Stockard]

It may be a little interesting with a 36' GN on the switchbacks of Hoosier Pass on Hwy 9 (between Breckenridge and Fairplay), but other than that I would definately consider that route.

Yep, CO-9 would be OK when hauling my Lance, but I don't like it for towing. I agree, I too would avoid the I-70/I-470/I-25 route.



Bill

 

[ewcmr2]

Thanks for the input guys. Looked at google earth for the switchbacks leading to Hoosier pass, they are plenty big for me to get around. I can pull a u-turn in the cull-de-sac at the end of my street...

Since I'll be missing Beau Jo's in Idaho springs what should I make sure we have time to stop and see while traveling the 9/24?

 

[ewcmr2]

Home from a great trip! The 9 and 24 were no problem towing 36' gooseneck.

Did short loop hike @ Hoosier pass on the way to track. Hiked Mt. Quandary (14,265') on the way home. Getting the truck/trailer turned around at the trailhead way a little interesting (showered and ate dinner waiting for cars to clear out giving me room to maneuver)

 

[Bill Stockard]

Home from a great trip! The 9 and 24 were no problem towing 36' gooseneck.



Did short loop hike @ Hoosier pass on the way to track. Hiked Mt. Quandary (14,265') on the way home. Getting the truck/trailer turned around at the trailhead way a little interesting (showered and ate dinner waiting for cars to clear out giving me room to maneuver)

Beautiful country up there!! We like the area in late September for the fall colors and no crowds.



Bill

 

[BrianJ]

Home from a great trip! The 9 and 24 were no problem towing 36' gooseneck.



Did short loop hike @ Hoosier pass on the way to track. Hiked Mt. Quandary (14,265') on the way home. Getting the truck/trailer turned around at the trailhead way a little interesting (showered and ate dinner waiting for cars to clear out giving me room to maneuver)

Sounds great, glad it worked out.



I love that area and have spent a lot of time there over the years (own property near Como, just south of Fairplay). There are four 14'ers around Hoosier pass, I have summited all of them in one day (Bross, Cameron, Lincoln, and Quandary). Beautiful area!



Was there much snow left up there? Was the trail up Quandary clear of snow? I was just in the vail pass area last weekend and there is still quite a bit up high.

 

[ewcmr2]

There are four 14'ers around Hoosier pass, I have summited all of them in one day



Was there much snow left up there? Was the trail up Quandary clear of snow? I was just in the vail pass area last weekend and there is still quite a bit up high.

Four 14eers in one day! You can be my hiking hero, son #2 and I were glad to summit Quandary and start heading down before the rain/hail/lightning started. Wife and kid #1 stopped around 13,500 to watch the mountain goats.



Pleanty of snow to make good pictures but not so much to make the hiking hard. Just the last 50yds of the trail before the summit were still covered with snow.

 

[BrianJ]

Four 14eers in one day! You can be my hiking hero, son #2 and I were glad to summit Quandary and start heading down before the rain/hail/lightning started. Wife and kid #1 stopped around 13,500 to watch the mountain goats.

While it's a long day to do all four, it sounds a bit more impressive than it is. The main challenge to one day is between summiting Quandry and either of the other three. Once on Bross, Cameron, or Lincoln, for the most part you just have to cross the saddles between the peaks.