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Old 07-27-2010, 10:46 PM
 
177 posts, read 485,149 times
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I brought my old van through the rockies from Denver to GJ in May, now I am moving to Denver permanently and have to make at least one, but probably two trips from GJ in my old minivan to get things moved.

What is the route that will put the least strain on the old van? I don't mind driving some extra to go easy on the vehicle, and I am not concerned with the most scenic route. I was thinking about doing hwy 50 through Monarch Pass, which looks like there isn't nearly as much mountain driving, except that rather high peak at Monarch.

What route would be best? Thanks!
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Old 07-27-2010, 11:01 PM
 
Location: Aurora, CO
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Man all I can say is that will be a beating. You're not going to find any route where you won't have to go over at least one pass.

The most gentle and lowest-elevation route between Junction and Denver is over 500 miles long and takes you through Wyoming. The highest elevation is around 9000 feet just east of Laramie.

Grand Junction, CO to Denver, CO - Google Maps
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Old 07-27-2010, 11:09 PM
 
177 posts, read 485,149 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bluescreen73 View Post
Man all I can say is that will be a beating. You're not going to find any route where you won't have to go over at least one pass.

The most gentle and lowest-elevation route between Junction and Denver is over 500 miles long and takes you through Wyoming. The highest elevation is around 9000 feet just east of Laramie.

Grand Junction, CO to Denver, CO - Google Maps
I may actually go with this option for hauling the bulk of my stuff and the cats. Or if I can squeeze everything into one trip (which would weigh the van down quite a bit) it might be worth it to not overheat in the mountains. Piling it in and doing it in one trip would be less time than making sure it isn't weighed down too much and making two trips via I 70.

I would end up leaving Friday afternoon/eve and doing a considerable chunk of that route at night. But I don't think deer are too big of a risk this time of year are they?

Or maybe even get a motel in Rawlins Friday night then finish Sat
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Old 07-28-2010, 09:45 AM
 
Location: Aurora, CO
8,590 posts, read 14,749,848 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RetroPhoto View Post
I may actually go with this option for hauling the bulk of my stuff and the cats. Or if I can squeeze everything into one trip (which would weigh the van down quite a bit) it might be worth it to not overheat in the mountains. Piling it in and doing it in one trip would be less time than making sure it isn't weighed down too much and making two trips via I 70.

I would end up leaving Friday afternoon/eve and doing a considerable chunk of that route at night. But I don't think deer are too big of a risk this time of year are they?

Or maybe even get a motel in Rawlins Friday night then finish Sat
Deer will be a risk, yes, especially between Rifle and Rawlins. That area is notorious for muledeer and elk (and the occasional herd of pronghorn). Staying in Rawlins wouldn't be a bad bet.

If the van has relability issues to begin with, make sure you have a cell phone with you. The road is pretty desolate between Craig and Rawlins, and again from Rawlins to Laramie.
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Old 07-28-2010, 12:08 PM
 
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
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Monarch pass will put just as much strain on your van as any of the passes on I-70. The only route which on which you can avoid the strenuous passes is to take 50 to Gunnison, then take 114 to Saguache. Then hit 50 to get to the Front Range. You'll pass over a couple "easy passes" on this route.
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Old 07-28-2010, 06:11 PM
 
177 posts, read 485,149 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 80skeys View Post
Monarch pass will put just as much strain on your van as any of the passes on I-70. The only route which on which you can avoid the strenuous passes is to take 50 to Gunnison, then take 114 to Saguache. Then hit 50 to get to the Front Range. You'll pass over a couple "easy passes" on this route.
This is a promising option.

Do you know if there are any LENGTHY grades of 6% plus on this route? Like 8-12 miles of steep upgrade?
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Old 07-28-2010, 06:16 PM
 
177 posts, read 485,149 times
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Then take 285 in Sagauche to get back on 50 after Monarch Pass? And go through Colorado Springs?
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Old 07-28-2010, 06:24 PM
 
177 posts, read 485,149 times
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This might be the "easiest" route...short of driving down to south New Mexico and crossing over. ;-)

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=d&s...938354&t=p&z=8


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Old 07-28-2010, 07:39 PM
 
Location: Sunnyvale, CA
6,288 posts, read 11,719,747 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RetroPhoto View Post
This is a promising option.

Do you know if there are any LENGTHY grades of 6% plus on this route? Like 8-12 miles of steep upgrade?
No lengthy grades. I've taken that route many times.
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Old 07-29-2010, 12:14 AM
 
3,459 posts, read 5,756,174 times
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Why not drive to Eagle and then tow it behind a rental truck to Idaho Springs?
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