Posted by Laurie Wendt on July 13, 2007 at 1:30 PM
Hi Everyone,
I had a great trip to Colorado this spring. Thanks everyone for their help answering my questions. It helped soooo much.
I'm in the process of planning another trip to the Crested Butte and Ridgway area the last week of September. I hope to catch some fall color and check out some of the surrounding area.
I have the option of flying to Denver and driving or connecting in Denver and flying on to Montrose. What would be the approximate drive time from Denver to Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass in good weather? How likely is it that time of year to run into snowy weather over the passes? I'm used to driving in the snow but not over mountain passes.
I got the chance to visit the Crystal Mill while there. What a great place. I had the nice man at Crystal Jeep drive me. I wasn't comfortable driving the road. The combination of the large rocks and narrow shelf road was to much for me.
Weather permitting I'm thinking about taking a tour over one of the passes. If someone only had time to drive one pass which one would you recommend for mountain views and vistas? After looking through Darren's write up on the passes I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to try driving them on my own.
I'm going to hit some of the areas written up on Darren's Fall Drive writeup. The Corkscrew Gulch and Gray Copper Road and Animas Forks look interesting to me also. Can anyone tell me what they are like? Pictures are welcome if you have any.
Thanks for your help. You guys are the best.
Laurie
Posted by Kalin Wilson on July 13, 2007 at 3:21 PM
With the combination of two-lane highways and a mountain road over Cottonwood, I'd probably allot 4-5 (maybe 6) hours from Denver. The Denver based guys will know better. From Colorado Springs, taking hwy 24 to 285 to 50 in to Gunnison, I allot 2.5 to 3 hours depending on traffic. Another 20-30 minutes to CB. It's about an hour or so from Montrose to Gunnison, so depending on the cost, the time saved might be worth it, unless you like to drive and want to see the scenery!
I love the mountains and passes surrounding Telluride. If you haven't been up to Telluride and the Wilson Mesa area you owe to yourself to make that trip. For the most excitement, take a tour ride over Black Bear pass, second would be Imogene pass with some time in Tomboy. Last Dollar Road from Ridgeway to Telluride is pretty tame and beautiful. If you stay in Montrose/Ridgeway/Ouray Telluride is a pleasant half to full day trip.
Laurie, sounds like a great trip!! Starting with Darren's Fall Drive writeup is a great start!
As far as the drive from Denver (DIA I'll assume) to Crested Butte via Cottonwood, I'd say allow about 4 and a half to 5 hours. That's with good weather and traffic! However, that wouldn't include all the time you'd want to take to stop and take pictures!!! :) I'll leave that up to you!
Weather is another story all together! Most likely going to be nice, but things can change quite quickly! Last year for example, the central mountains got slammed with a good snow on September 22nd which made fro tough driving over Cottonwood and Independence Passes (Just ask Rick D! ) SO, I guess what I'm saying is, it's hard to say! :)
I'll let others who know better than I answer your other questions.
Kebler and Ohio passes are great for Aspen foliage. This photo was taken on 9-24-06 from the plain between Ohio Pass and Gunnison shortly after I'd driven over Ohio Pass. There was still a good bit of snow at the top of the pass, but although that wasn't surprising, it isn't typical for September either.
As Brent said, I got clobbered coming over Independence Pass last year by a nice blizzard. They closed the pass shortly after I got through. That was September 22nd. The best advice is to be prepared for snow, even if it's not very likely to happen. If you rent a car, a 4wd is worth the extra few bucks a day.
If it were me, I'd probably fly into Montrose. The drive over Cottonwood Pass is pretty darn nice, but the drive from Denver to Cottonwood isn't one I'd be really excited about. There are some nice views along the way, but nothing compared to what you'll have in the areas where you're going, imo. Plus, having to drive back when it's time to head home…. You could always head up to Cottonwood from Crested Butte.
I don't know anything about the other areas you've mentioned, but if Darren says that they're good, I'd go somewhere else. Uh.. I mean, I'd definitely check them out!
Discussion
5 repliesI had a great trip to Colorado this spring. Thanks everyone for their help answering my questions. It helped soooo much.
I'm in the process of planning another trip to the Crested Butte and Ridgway area the last week of September. I hope to catch some fall color and check out some of the surrounding area.
I have the option of flying to Denver and driving or connecting in Denver and flying on to Montrose. What would be the approximate drive time from Denver to Crested Butte via Cottonwood Pass in good weather? How likely is it that time of year to run into snowy weather over the passes? I'm used to driving in the snow but not over mountain passes.
I got the chance to visit the Crystal Mill while there. What a great place. I had the nice man at Crystal Jeep drive me. I wasn't comfortable driving the road. The combination of the large rocks and narrow shelf road was to much for me.
Weather permitting I'm thinking about taking a tour over one of the passes. If someone only had time to drive one pass which one would you recommend for mountain views and vistas? After looking through Darren's write up on the passes I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to try driving them on my own.
I'm going to hit some of the areas written up on Darren's Fall Drive writeup. The Corkscrew Gulch and Gray Copper Road and Animas Forks look interesting to me also. Can anyone tell me what they are like? Pictures are welcome if you have any.
Thanks for your help. You guys are the best.
Laurie
I love the mountains and passes surrounding Telluride. If you haven't been up to Telluride and the Wilson Mesa area you owe to yourself to make that trip. For the most excitement, take a tour ride over Black Bear pass, second would be Imogene pass with some time in Tomboy. Last Dollar Road from Ridgeway to Telluride is pretty tame and beautiful. If you stay in Montrose/Ridgeway/Ouray Telluride is a pleasant half to full day trip.
See you out there!
Cottonwood Pass, Sept. 25th, 2005
Laurie, sounds like a great trip!! Starting with Darren's Fall Drive writeup is a great start!
As far as the drive from Denver (DIA I'll assume) to Crested Butte via Cottonwood, I'd say allow about 4 and a half to 5 hours. That's with good weather and traffic! However, that wouldn't include all the time you'd want to take to stop and take pictures!!! :) I'll leave that up to you!
Weather is another story all together! Most likely going to be nice, but things can change quite quickly! Last year for example, the central mountains got slammed with a good snow on September 22nd which made fro tough driving over Cottonwood and Independence Passes (Just ask Rick D!
I'll let others who know better than I answer your other questions.
As Brent said, I got clobbered coming over Independence Pass last year by a nice blizzard. They closed the pass shortly after I got through. That was September 22nd. The best advice is to be prepared for snow, even if it's not very likely to happen. If you rent a car, a 4wd is worth the extra few bucks a day.
If it were me, I'd probably fly into Montrose. The drive over Cottonwood Pass is pretty darn nice, but the drive from Denver to Cottonwood isn't one I'd be really excited about. There are some nice views along the way, but nothing compared to what you'll have in the areas where you're going, imo. Plus, having to drive back when it's time to head home…. You could always head up to Cottonwood from Crested Butte.
I don't know anything about the other areas you've mentioned, but if Darren says that they're good, I'd go somewhere else. Uh.. I mean, I'd definitely check them out!