Is the drive from Montrose to Manitou Springs "scary?" (Gunnison: villa, places)

[Dreaming of Hawaii]

For those of you who don't have a fear of heights, there is no comparison between scary traffic and scary hills with drop offs and no guard rail. I've lived in Colorado since the 1970s, and it definitely is getting harder to drive some roads. Neither Vail Pass nor Eisenhower Tunnel bother me, but both Monarch Pass and Wolf Creek Pass do.

[TCHP]

Crossing the Continental Divide on I-40 in New Mexico or I-80 in Wyoming are not scary at all. Of course getting to either of these from Montrose simply to get to Colo Spgs, is going to add another couple of days to your trip and I'm not sure you can get to either without also using similarly scary, two lane state highways that may not be as well maintained as US-50 or I-70.

[interloper1138]

I propose the alternative of taking of Highway 114 east of Gunnison to bypass Monarch Pass. You'll have to take Cochetopa Pass on Highway 114, but it's much more tame than Monarch Pass. Not nearly as steep or high up, less traffic, and more guardrails. You would then circle through Saguache and up to Villa Grove via Highway 285, taking 285 over Poncha Pass (barely even a mountain pass by Colorado standards, no scary dropoffs) into Poncha Springs to rejoin Highway 50.

This would be a much tamer alternative than Monarch Pass as well as much shorter drive and far less traffic than going up to I-70.

[BarryK123]

Originally Posted by HereinVA

the 145

Surprised to see you're from VA and you preface a route number with "the." Are you from CA originally?

[StarrySkiesAbove]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

I propose the alternative of taking of Highway 114 east of Gunnison to bypass Monarch Pass. You'll have to take Cochetopa Pass on Highway 114, but it's much more tame than Monarch Pass. Not nearly as steep or high up, less traffic, and more guardrails. You would then circle through Saguache and up to Villa Grove via Highway 285, taking 285 over Poncha Pass (barely even a mountain pass by Colorado standards, no scary dropoffs) into Poncha Springs to rejoin Highway 50.

This would be a much tamer alternative than Monarch Pass as well as much shorter drive and far less traffic than going up to I-70.

I forgot about that route, yes this would be the tamest for someone having trouble with the drop offs on the high passes. And you avoid the I70 and I25 construction and traffic nightmares. Great suggestion!

[HereinVA]

Originally Posted by BarryK123

Surprised to see you're from VA and you preface a route number with "the." Are you from CA originally?

Yes! And I try to remember not to do that ("the") when talking to people not from CA--but I guess sometimes it slips in!

We moved from CA to VA about 14 years ago, and most of my family still lives in CA. My mom isn't driving anymore, and since one of my kids just turned 16, she gave us her car. We flew out last week and are driving back now.

[COcheesehead]

Originally Posted by Dreaming of Hawaii

For those of you who don't have a fear of heights, there is no comparison between scary traffic and scary hills with drop offs and no guard rail. I've lived in Colorado since the 1970s, and it definitely is getting harder to drive some roads. Neither Vail Pass nor Eisenhower Tunnel bother me, but both Monarch Pass and Wolf Creek Pass do.

The west side of Vail Pass and the west side of the tunnel have deep ruts from the semis in the pavement. If you don’t pay attention your car will get pulled into those and jerk you around. The pavement is also jacked near Idaho Springs from construction.

Give me a state highway over the interstates in the shape they are in today.

I drive Denver to Grand Junction several times a month. I see accidents and near accidents almost every time.

[HereinVA]

Originally Posted by interloper1138

I propose the alternative of taking of Highway 114 east of Gunnison to bypass Monarch Pass. You'll have to take Cochetopa Pass on Highway 114, but it's much more tame than Monarch Pass. Not nearly as steep or high up, less traffic, and more guardrails. You would then circle through Saguache and up to Villa Grove via Highway 285, taking 285 over Poncha Pass (barely even a mountain pass by Colorado standards, no scary dropoffs) into Poncha Springs to rejoin Highway 50.

This would be a much tamer alternative than Monarch Pass as well as much shorter drive and far less traffic than going up to I-70.

Ah, so like this?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mont...38.8575579!3e0

(I hope that link works right!)

Thank you so much! It looks to be about 5.5 hours I will do this one!

[StarrySkiesAbove]

Originally Posted by HereinVA

Ah, so like this?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mont...38.8575579!3e0

(I hope that link works right!)

Thank you so much! It looks to be about 5.5 hours I will do this one!

That’s the one!

[interloper1138]

Originally Posted by HereinVA

Ah, so like this?
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Mont...38.8575579!3e0

(I hope that link works right!)

Thank you so much! It looks to be about 5.5 hours I will do this one!

No problem! I think you're making the right decision. Just for the sake of letting you know what to expect, there are two sections of Highway 114 that are noteworthy, the rest is relatively straightforward two-lane highway. I've already mentioned Cochetopa Pass, but the other feature is Cochetopa Canyon.

Cochetopa Canyon occurs about 10 minutes after you head south onto Highway 114 from Gunnison and lasts for around 15 miles. It's a very windy canyon, but as long as you go the speed limit (around 35 mph if memory serves correctly) it's a very slow and steady drive and quite beautiful. I often see moose back there in the creek along the highway! You stay 'low' the whole time so even though you're winding through the canyon you're never high up, so I don't think you'll have anything there that will trigger your fear of heights. Occasionally there will be a local that will ride your tail in that canyon - if that happens and it bothers you, just pull over to the side of the road where appropriate and they'll pass you. There are many pullovers along the road that fishermen use to access the creek, so it's easy to do that if needed. Still, that road receives far less traffic than most Colorado highways so traffic should be minimal. After that, the road opens up to some big beautiful views of western Saguache County and the La Garita Mountains before you hit Cochetopa Pass, and then it's all easy driving from there once again.

Also, remember to gas up in Gunnison if you need it as there are no gas stations or any other services until you hit Saguache. Safe travels and let us know what you thought of the trip!