Colorado Experts - Road Trip Advice *Leaving Soon*

[Koko4]

So I just got notice from work that I am off until the 12th of October. My girlfriend and I had wanted to do a road trip to Colorado to explore the National Parks and some of Denver (mostly nature-ish stuff, though), and we were worried about possibly doing it during November / December due to snow and road closures.

We would leave Sunday (in two days) but I'm having a hard time deciding which vehicle to bring. I have a '14 Corolla that only has 20,000 miles on it, and it up-to-date on all maintenance (doesn't need another oil change until 30,000). I also have a '98 4Runner with 167,000, that will need an oil change at 170,000 (I'd probably do it on-the-road at an AutoZone or something). My main concern is that I have a small "slice" into one of the 4Runner's front tires, and I don't think it'd be safe to drive that far on it. It's not leaking any air or anything, but it's on the sidewall and I would want to get it replaced before I go.

My main question is if I am going to explore Colorado at this time of the year, would it be okay to be in a sedan (some Forest Service roads will be traveled also, I'm sure) or do I need to bring the 4Runner? Sorry to be vague, but I've never been out there before and am not sure which would be the better choice.

 

[marshal]

Do it in the runner and make an adventure of it. Deff go through glenwood springs on the i70 though. Breathtaking.

 

[Koko4]

Do it in the runner and make an adventure of it. Deff go through glenwood springs on the i70 though. Breathtaking.

Thank you. We will definitely take the 4runner, so we are not only limited to paved roads. Do you have any other suggestions as to where to go / what to do? I've never driven around there, and we will have about 4-5 days in the state (I know, that's not nearly enough). We will head to Denver but not really sure what we will do there, as we are not "big-city people". Mainly looking for outdoorsy trails / things to see, and I kind of want to take any hiking at an easier pace than here in GA, because last time I was at a higher elevation (Flagstaff) it affected me when I got moving around.

 

[marshal]

Tbh I'm not sure, not from there. I'd deff make telluride your destination though

 

[02SE]

Thank you. We will definitely take the 4runner, so we are not only limited to paved roads. Do you have any other suggestions as to where to go / what to do? I've never driven around there, and we will have about 4-5 days in the state (I know, that's not nearly enough). We will head to Denver but not really sure what we will do there, as we are not "big-city people". Mainly looking for outdoorsy trails / things to see, and I kind of want to take any hiking at an easier pace than here in GA, because last time I was at a higher elevation (Flagstaff) it affected me when I got moving around.

If it's 4wd trails with great scenery you want, here are a bunch of suggestions: Call for 4X4 Adventures - the San Juan Mountains of Colorado

Here are some of my favorites: Imogene, Black Bear, Cinnamon, Corkscrew, Engineer and Ophir.

This time of year, any of the trails could become closed for Winter if a good snowstorm goes through the area. So it wouldn't be a bad idea to confirm they are still open, before driving there.

 

[MtnT4R]

Thank you. We will definitely take the 4runner, so we are not only limited to paved roads. Do you have any other suggestions as to where to go / what to do? I've never driven around there, and we will have about 4-5 days in the state (I know, that's not nearly enough). We will head to Denver but not really sure what we will do there, as we are not "big-city people". Mainly looking for outdoorsy trails / things to see, and I kind of want to take any hiking at an easier pace than here in GA, because last time I was at a higher elevation (Flagstaff) it affected me when I got moving around.

The drive from Atlanta to the mountains of CO will take you through Denver anyways, unless you bang a left at Limon and head to Colorado Springs instead. Denver is a lot like any other city, smaller than Atlanta, mountains to the west, plains to the east, lots of people who will sit you down and tell you how awesome they think Denver is, and so on and so forth. You're heading here for the mountains, not the man-made stuff.


If you only have 4 or 5 days, I would suggest coming up with a plan to either hit the mountains across the state from south to north, or vice versa. Like 02SE said, the San Juans are spectacular, farther north you hit the Sawatch with the Collegiate peaks, Holy Cross wilderness(Vail and Beaver Creek ski areas), and a tad farther north you get into the Gore Range. There are a bunch of other mountain ranges but those are the big ones. If you go south-north you can finish the trip like marshal suggested, hitting I-70 and taking that west through the Glenwood canyon to Glenwood springs- maybe stay at the historic Hotel Colorado and swim all evening at the Glenwood Hot Springs(Doc Holiday spent his final days there trying to cure his TB, and his memorial gravesite is located on a mountainside looking over the city). Most of the 4x4 trails should still be open, you might hit some snowfall but probably nothing that will stick for more than a day or two.

Altitude issues: it seems to affect everyone differently, and also tends to change from trip to trip. My suggestion is to drink a lot of water on the drive up, and even for duration of your trip because most effects of altitude are exacerbated by dehydration, which happens even faster up here in the dry air. Even if you aren't sweating, you are losing moisture with every breath. You can also buy altitude drink packets(basically Emergen-C) at the gas stations that wont hurt either. If you find yourself getting headaches or frequent lightheadedness, a lot of stores also carry pressurized oxygen in little cans that you spray in your face for a little pick me up. Pretty good stuff, I use it occasionally when I'm sick but still stubborn enough to stay outside.

Also, bring a lot of layering clothing because the temperature swings up here get pretty ridiculous in the spring and fall. I live at 8k altitude, the mornings are consistently below 40 right now, but it gets up into the 70s or more by lunch so you'll be taking off and putting on different clothing constantly. I'll try to answer more questions as you post them, but feel free to message me with more particular questions or if you need directions or anything. Should be a fun trip!

Oh also, solid choice not taking the Corolla on FS roads. My brother drives a subaru wagon(I think he wants to be a soccer mom) and has destroyed his front bumper in both fog light locations and ripped off the plastic side panels driving some pretty pedestrian dirt roads. In only the last 3 months.

 

[Ski_bum]

Definitely get that tire replaced first or at the very minimum move it to the back. You don't want a blowout at 80.

 

[Oldmanb777]

5 year old thread? This year is different.