Requesting Colorado Travel Advice, Fuita to Mesa Verde National Park

[Tom and Doreen]

As titled, we'll be traveling from Fuita to Mesa Verde and would like to avoid the Million Dollar Highway.  Would taking  RT-62 to RT-145 be a reasonable route towing our Oliver? Trying to avoid any hair-raising adventures. 😁

[Mike and Carol]

We’ve been up and down 550 a lot, towing, and it’s really not too bad.  Everyone goes slow enough that there’s not the “white knuckle” experience you would think.  An alternative that we’ve done from Fruita (be sure to visit the Colorado Nat’l Monument there) is to head towards Ridgway on 50, which turns into 550.  In Ridgway, turn right towards Telluride so that you avoid the Million Dollar Highway part of 550 (Ouray to Silverton).  Go past Telluride, through Rico and you’ll be able to pick up 145 south to Cortez.  We are usually heading to Durango so we bypass Cortez.  It’s a scenic drive without the mountain passes that are on 550.  Mike

[Tom and Doreen]

Thanks Mike & Carol. We’re currently camped at James M Robb-Colorado River State Park-Fruita Section tonight, planning on visiting Colorado National Monument tomorrow morning. The Colorado state parks are fabulous. 

[Mike and Carol]

We enjoyed our stay at James Robb state park.  It’s just minutes away from the Colorado National Monument. Enjoy!  Mike

[SteveCr]

 

[Tom and Doreen]

Thank you, Steve!