Washington DC to Colorado Rocky Mtn High (Denver, Vail: how much, price)

[Cosmic Artifact]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

Recall the tragedy in Oregon a few years ago ...



The recreational maps provided by GTR Mapping (GTR Mapping: Topographic, Recreational and Geologic Maps) indicate the winter closure dates for highways. GTR maps are the best general purpose road maps.

thanks... I will be getting as much detailed maps of the areas I explore when I get to specific areas, I also already own a rather nice compass. I am not going to rely on GPS but more so from the direct phone numbers I have from the parks and also from CDOT.

[bovinedivine]

Awwww, you guys are going to have such a great time! You are clearly thoughtful, smart, and safe travelers. Be forewarned, though: You might never want to leave...

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by 80skeys

Recall the tragedy in Oregon a few years ago ...

The recreational maps provided by GTR Mapping (GTR Mapping: Topographic, Recreational and Geologic Maps) indicate the winter closure dates for highways. GTR maps are the best general purpose road maps.

That's good to know. Do those maps show impromptu closures for snow, which is I think what happened on my daughter's trip?

[Prodigal Native]

Originally Posted by bovinedivine

Awwww, you guys are going to have such a great time! You are clearly thoughtful, smart, and safe travelers. Be forewarned, though: You might never want to leave...

I have been thinking the same thing while reading this. Anyone want to start a pool on when the OP is going to post his "I want to move to Colorado" thread?

[daschmit]

[SIZE=3]Unless the weather “gods” are particularly favorable to your cause, plan on exercising extraordinary flexibility in revising your itinerary on the fly during this time of year. Should conditions prove unusually favorable, however, two must-see destinations are the Maroon Bells near Aspen (see [/SIZE][SIZE=3]http://mycolorado.org/landscapes/elks/content/f_bells_best_large.html[/SIZE][SIZE=3] ) and the full, 236-mile length of the San Juan Skyway which encompasses Durango, Silverton, Ouray, Ridgway, Placerville, Telluride and Cortez.[/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]In the Colorado Springs area, you could visit the Garden of the Gods ([/SIZE][SIZE=3]http://gardenofgods.com/home/index.cfm?flash=1[/SIZE][SIZE=3] ) and Pikes Peak. The Cog Railway usually does not take you all the way to the 14,110-foot summit of Pikes Peak but it definitely runs this time of the year (see [/SIZE][SIZE=3]http://cograilway.com/ratestimes%20Winter%202012.htm[/SIZE][SIZE=3] ). Give yourselves time to acclimate to Colorado’s altitude before going this high; driving all the way from DC to Colorado and tackling the Cog Railway on the second day out there is asking for an unpleasant dose of altitude sickness. [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3] [/SIZE]
[SIZE=3]For a slice of western Americana and access to the rugged Animas River gorge section of the San Juan Mtns., try the Durango & Silverton Railroad; their Cascade Canyon Winter Train runs only from Thursday-Saturday of each week in January (see [/SIZE][SIZE=3]http://www.durangotrain.com/ride-us/2011-12-cascade-canyon-winter-train[/SIZE][SIZE=3] ). Heed everyone’s recommendations in terms of equipage for Rocky Mountain winter conditions.[/SIZE]

[Cosmic Artifact]

arrgh! I want to see it all!

there is so much and more keeps popping up, I'm overwhelmed really. I have been wondering about the acclimation thing, does that apply to driving into the state on I70? I hope I don't get sick driving. I have read about the Mountains and they say to go to 3500ft and spend the day then take it further the next day ect ect... I do smoke but not heavily like when I was younger, maybe 3 or 4 smokes a day (I'm a Mechanic!) I have been on this 3or4 after coffee or a meal for years now but I know it will probably still effect me.

do you guys figure coming into Colorado driving I will get effected by it? I've been a few feet below sea level here in Arlington since I was 9yrs old! I have been to the highest point on Skyline Drive more than a few times and I didn't feel anything different except maybe I could hear better I think.

[Mike from back east]

Should not bother a young person in otherwise good health, after all, millions live here, all ages, smokers or not. An occasional person will be affected, but not many, and usually not at I-25 elevations of 5280 to 7500 feet.

Driving across Kansas all day on I-70 is a bit of an acclimation in itself, leaving Kansas City, KS at 740 feet,
then Topeka at 945 feet,
then Manhattan at 1020 feet,
then Salina at 1224 feet,
then Hays at 2021,
then Oakley at 3064,
then Goodland at 3681 feet,
then Burlington, CO at 4170,
then Limon, CO at 5377, and depending which way you go at Limon, you get either
Denver at 5,130 to 5,680 feet, or
Colorado Springs at 5,870 to 7,200 ft.

I never had a problem, most people don't.

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by Cosmic Artifact

I have been wondering about the acclimation thing, does that apply to driving into the state on I70? I hope I don't get sick driving.

It happens to a small percentage of the population. No way to tell until the first time you do it.

I have read about the Mountains and they say to go to 3500ft and spend the day then take it further the next day ect ect...

This applies if you intend to exercise or if you're one of the few people who's affected by altitude. Otherwise does not apply.

do you guys figure coming into Colorado driving I will get effected by it? I've been a few feet below sea level here in Arlington since I was 9yrs old!

Like I said, most people are not affected. For those who are, there's really no way to know beforehand.

[Katarina Witt]

Here's a little information on altitude sickness.

Acute mountain sickness - PubMed Health

[mic111]

There are two of you. One of you may get it and one may not. You may both get it or maybe neither of you will get it. Drinking lots of water is a common technique to head it off. Make sure you have a spill proof water bowl in the car so your dog has access to lots of water so that she can stay hydrated to.
Amazon.com: Water Hole: Pet Supplies

You can do a search on the forum to get some ideas of folks recommended remedies and acclimation techniques.

For me, I'm ok up till about 9000 ft. Then I can stay for two days above that altitude. On the third day I will get altitude sickness so need to come down. I haven't found drinking extra water helps for me but many do. I would recommend setting a schedule where the first couple of days here you try to plan things at lower altitudes before you venture up to the mountains. You can also buy personal oxygen devices to breath more oxygen. Here is an example.
http://www.amazon.com/POD-Portable-Personal-Oxygen-Dispenser/dp/B000X2FRC6/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top (broken link)

On another topic, an earlier post mentioned the hand warmers (air activated) for your emergency kit. They are a great idea. I also like the ThermaCare Wraps. If for some reason your car breaks down in the cold they provide over 8 hrs of warmth.
ThermaCare Pain Relieving Air Activated Heat Wraps, 2ct - Walmart.com

Even if you don't get altitude sickness you will likely find you get winded more easily so will need to take it easy at first until you adjust.