A quick question....

[seanR]

After this years Moab trip, we will be staying in the Springs again for a week.
I want to take a different route.
What is highway 82 over the Indpedence Pass like?
I do not trust Streets and Trips any more since they tried to send me over the Montville Nature Trail two years ago in my Superduty while I was trying to go to the Sand dunes!
Anyway, is it a good PAVED all weather road that semis and what not can use?

Anyone want to get together after the F.F. in Colo Springs?

 

[jrsxj98]

From what I remember is is paved, pretty steep and kinda narrow in sections. but it has been years since I have been on it. I am only 1.5 hrs for Co. Springs so I would def. come up. Not sure I am gonna make Moab this year. gonna try though.

 

[mingo]

Independence is paved, but if your hauling that big honking trailer of yours, there are some sections that are single lane only. Kinda tight around some of the curves, but excellent scenery though.

 

[seanR]

We will have the "big honking trailer".

 

[planefixer]

There is a size limit for trailers on the pass.I think its nothing over 30ft.Lots of very tight curves and blind corners and the road is pretty narrow.

 

[seanR]

What is highway 50 like between G.J. and Canon City?

 

[IntrepidXJ]

 

[planefixer]

What is highway 50 like between G.J. and Canon City?

Not a bad drive.Once you get past Gunnison its pretty scenic.You'll have to go over Monarch Pass but its no big deal.From Salida to Canon City the HWY follows the Arkansas River down through a canyon with some nice scenery.Overall its a nice,easy drive.Should take 4-5 hrs.

 

[Lawn Cher']

From Salida to Canon City the HWY follows the Arkansas River down through a canyon with some nice scenery.

I just drove this stretch last week... a beautiful drive and perfectly fit for your rig. Plenty of trailers and semi's on that route, and passing lanes on the climbs. If you have time for a side trip, there are lots of things to do around Royal Gorge, and the rafting on the Arkansas River is fun. We went out with Whitewater Adventure Oufitters, ask for the guide Dave, he's a cool guy. Also, the BLM riding area at Texas Creek is interesting to explore... we were on rented ATV's, but the main trails would be easy in your XJ, and very scenic.

If you stop in Canon City for a meal, Big Daddy's Diner is pretty good.

 

[riverfever]

Bid Daddy treated ya right eh?

 

[Lawn Cher']

Bid Daddy treated ya right eh?

Best pot roast ever.

 

[seanR]

Royal Gorge,

Now THAT was a dissapoinment!
We stopped there two years ago, might as well be run by Six Flags!
What a tourist trap that was.

Thanks guys.
That is our plan for the Sunday after the F.F.
Sunday night we will be in the Garden or the Gods campground on Colorado Ave between Manitou and C.S.
Stop by for a beer.

 

[riverfever]

What's the date when you will be down by Garden of the Gods Sean? I'm just up the Pass about 20 miles from there.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Now THAT was a dissapoinment!
We stopped there two years ago, might as well be run by Six Flags!
What a tourist trap that was.

We didn't actually go to the amusement park / tourist trap, but rafted through the gorge itself. I meant that the surrounding topography is interesting to explore. If you weren't hauling the Highway Hilton I'd suggest taking Shelf Road from Canon City up to Cripple Creek and then taking 67 & 24 to Garden of the Gods.

 

[seanR]

...If you weren't hauling the Highway Hilton I'd suggest taking Shelf Road from Canon City up to Cripple Creek and then taking 67 & 24 to Garden of the Gods.

We will be in there for a week, We just may do that.
That goes through Woodland Park, What a pretty place.
Do those people take their scenery for granted?

 

[Lawn Cher']

We will be in there for a week, We just may do that.
That goes through Woodland Park, What a pretty place.
Do those people take their scenery for granted?

I bet they do, and the nice summer weather too. I have a couple of books you can borrow if you want that cover scenic backroads drives. My Sub had no problems, your F350 will be fine.

 

[planefixer]

We will be in there for a week, We just may do that.
That goes through Woodland Park, What a pretty place.
Do those people take their scenery for granted?

I definately dont take my scenery or where I live for granted, especially after some of the crap- hole places I've been/seen (the midwest comes to mind ).Colorado is the only place I will live.:thumbup:

 

[seanR]

I am glad you guys dont!
On my commute every day, there is a 'ridge' I drive on.
It seems flat, but in the distance I can see forever both ways.
I can see the stacks of a power plant 30 miles north and the towers of a nuke plant 40 miles south.
It is soo flat here, corn fields with the downtown buildings poking up on the horizon.

You guys are truley lucky to live in such a place!

The best thing about living here, is in 12 hours I can be somewhere else.
I can be in Biloxi, Denver, or the East coast in just an overnight drive.

 

[riverfever]

I don't take anything out here for granted. Whether it's the scenery, the wildlife, the fishing, whatever. I love it so much up here. Springs is nice but I couldn't live down there. We recently went back to St. Louis and I was disgusted the first night. The smell wasn't as pure and the people didn't seem to be as laid back. I'm sure most of my impression was b/c I really didn't wanna leave Colorado to go back to a place that had nothing that I enjoyed in the first place. On the trip back, we were able to see Pikes Peak at Limon and it was such an amazing sight. Last night we were unpacking groceries and I caught movement out of the corner of my eye. I looked over and we had a little bear walking through the yard. Truly incredible.

I DO think Missouri has some incredible scenery. The Ozarks in particular. My issue was I had to drive an hour and a half in order to something cool and get out of the city.