Driving from LA to CO...anything worth checking out?

[ccasanova]

We’re driving from Louisiana to Winter Park, CO in a month to go skiing. Planning on stopping near Amarillo on the first day, then on up to WP the next. Is there anything worth looking at on the ride up? Sightseeing opportunities? Good eating? I’m told the drive across TX sucks. I’ll have some podcasts for that part.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Not sure of your overall route. Pretty sure you could dig up a few Breaking Bad sites in ABQ for a quick stop and pic. LOL

 

[dustingaunder]

Gloss Mountains in OK is probably the only thing worth driving by. Hwy 412 west of Enid.

 

[Blue Sky Country]

----------
Driving from LA to CO...anything worth checking out?
----------

The air, free from the perpetual greasy stain of feces...

 

[Trapshooter12]

Just went on a trip to northern Arizona. We were headed south out of Kanab to the north rim of the Grand Canyon but it was closed so we decided to go to the south rim.
The road took us along the Vermilion cliffs. I was impressed.
After the canyon we went to Page Arizona and spent the night. The next morning the country on the Northside of lake Powell was impressive.
I wanted to see Monument Valley but we went back to Kanab and went north to 12 and east across Utah. That country makes you realize how insignificant you are.

 

[powdahound76]

Eads Meats in Amarillo if you have a condo in WP and will be cooking. Good shop, quality beef.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of small towns. It is over from Colorado Springs on for your drive in CO. Enjoy Raton Pass as it is a beautiful drive (road conditions dependent).

Let me know if you need anything in Denver or WP. Live in Denver, used to work in WP. Its changed and still know cool stuff. Also have advice (best known before hand) if anyone gets sick or injured, PM if you want my contact info.

Drive safe, have fun, and enjoy!!

ETA: where in SE LA? Have an aunt in Abita Springs......

 

[PusherX11]

Mile High Shooting in Erie is a great place to stop. A little out of the way but worth it.

 

[dustingaunder]

Eads Meats in Amarillo if you have a condo in WP and will be cooking. Good shop, quality beef.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of small towns. It is over from Colorado Springs on for your drive in CO. Enjoy Raton Pass as it is a beautiful drive (road conditions dependent).

Let me know if you need anything in Denver or WP. Live in Denver, used to work in WP. Its changed and still know cool stuff. Also have advice (best known before hand) if anyone gets sick or injured, PM if you want my contact info.

Drive safe, have fun, and enjoy!!

ETA: where in SE LA? Have an aunt in Abita Springs......

My grandparents live like 2 minutes from Eads. I grew up stopping in there for some jerky.

 

[Maggot]

Eads Meats in Amarillo if you have a condo in WP and will be cooking. Good shop, quality beef.

Enjoy the peace and quiet of small towns. It is over from Colorado Springs on for your drive in CO. Enjoy Raton Pass as it is a beautiful drive (road conditions dependent).

Let me know if you need anything in Denver or WP. Live in Denver, used to work in WP. Its changed and still know cool stuff. Also have advice (best known before hand) if anyone gets sick or injured, PM if you want my contact info.

Drive safe, have fun, and enjoy!!

ETA: where in SE LA? Have an aunt in Abita Springs......

If you have the time visit the NRA Whittington Center in Raton. If you dont have the time, make the time. Might want to spn the night so you can really look it over. Im a life member.

NRA Whittington Center
www.nrawc.org
Watch our short video giving you a “bird’s-eye view” of the Whittington Center. As the nation’s premier shooting facility, the NRA Whittington Center offers ranges for every kind of shooting discipline, a shotgun center, a firearms museum, firearms training, guided and unguided hunts, RV and tent camping, cabins, plus an Adventure Camp for young shooters.

• About Us
  The NRA Whittington Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit...
• Ranges
  Ranges are open every day from sunrise to sunset, except...
• WC Experience
  The NRA Whittington Center is unlike any place on earth....
• Lodging, Cabins & Camping
  The general public is welcome to stay at the Whittington...
• 
  
• Hunts
  

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

Palo Dura Canyon just 20 minutes south of Amarillo.
Clayton State Park, north of Clayton NM, for some really cool dinosaur tracks.
Capulin Volcano National Monument, Capulin NM
Sand Dunes National Park

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

If you have the time visit the NRA Whittington Center in Raton. If you dont have the time, make the time. Might want to spn the night so you can really look it over. Im a life member.

NRA Whittington Center
www.nrawc.org
Watch our short video giving you a “bird’s-eye view” of the Whittington Center. As the nation’s premier shooting facility, the NRA Whittington Center offers ranges for every kind of shooting discipline, a shotgun center, a firearms museum, firearms training, guided and unguided hunts, RV and tent camping, cabins, plus an Adventure Camp for young shooters.

• About Us
  The NRA Whittington Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit...
• Ranges
  Ranges are open every day from sunrise to sunset, except...
• WC Experience
  The NRA Whittington Center is unlike any place on earth....
• Lodging, Cabins & Camping
  The general public is welcome to stay at the Whittington...
• 
  
• Hunts

And this, just south of Raton NM.

 

[powdahound76]

Also, not sure of the health or age of your crew. Coming from sea level to 9100 feet is a big deal. Maybe spend a night in Denver before you head up I-70 and over Berthoud Pass to acclimate a little? Not only for those with issues, good for the young and fit too.

Seeing Red Rocks ampitheater is cool. Need history of musicians who have performed and a beautiful place. Also cool iguanodon tracks right by there too, take the kids to see them every so often. A good deal if you have little ones.
Other than that, Mile High is awesome, though a good bit north of town and out of your way if trying to push through.

If you are staying right in WP, the food has changed a lot since I was there regularly, so not a lot of advice.
If you head north towards Grand Lake for a day of snowmobiling (rentals, you can take an unguided tour of all the trails, super easy and a ton of fun!!) check out Mustachios on the lake if they are open. Very good food and folks that own it. Friends of mine, their granddaughter is my kiddos "BFF". If their food wasn't out of this world, I wouldn't send you, but some top stuff with great views of the lake and mountains depending on weather.

 

[Alpine 338]

I second the advice to visit the NRA Whittington center, and they won't charge you entry. They will likely have you sign a waiver though.

Also, stay hydrated, dehydration and high altitude can make for a miserable time, and I'm not saying increase Coffee, Soft Drink, and Beer intake. Drink lots of water all day, and some sports drinks like Gatorade after a day of skiing, even though it may be cold and you don't feel thirsty.

Keep your windshield washer tank full, and carry an extra gallon of windshield washer fluid with you. When you get on I-70, you'll understand, and thank me later. Also make sure it's the - (minus) 30 veriety.

Be aware of the Colorado Traction Law when you get on I-70. If you don't have AWD/4x4 -or- snow chains, and have bald tires, you can get a ticket, and will get a ticket/fine if you cause a pile-up on the interstate.

 

[powdahound76]

The Camelback logo is true here. “Hydrate or die”. Water is best IMAO.

Oh yeah, the WP coffee and Tea company at the base has Ham and Yarlsberg croissants in the morning. Paired with 10 oz 2 shot Americano and you will be in heaven.

Good call @Alpine 338 on the hydration stuff. I spaced it.

 

[FS1]

I was at the Canyon south side in 83. On highway 89 there was a old bridge next to the crossing bridge at that time. I think it was called Tanners crossing. Does anyone know the story on that. Why did they build another bridge if that one was already there?

 

[ccasanova]

We’re just over 3 weeks out now. Been looking into all the suggestions. Wow, there’s a ton of interesting stuff to see and do! We plan to push through to Amarillo and spend Friday night (21st), stop by some of the parks on the drive up to Denver Saturday, then make our way to WP Sunday. Will ski Mon-Thur, then head south Friday, catching whatever we missed on the way back.

We've only flown into Denver and bussed into Breckinridge in the past, never really seen the Western/Southwestern landscape, so we are excited about the opportunity and hope to take in a lot, weather permitting.

 

[rhsc]

I'll second the suggestion to take a detour at Capulin Mountain, if the weather is agreeable. The spiral drive up the side of the volcano is a lot of fun, and the vistas available from the mile-long walking trail around the rim on top are sublime. You'll get a great overview of the volcanic fields nearby, and the snow-covered front range of the Rockies will be off in the distance to the west. It's one of my favorite scenic stops in the southwest.

 

[Mike Casselton]

We’re driving from Louisiana to Winter Park, CO in a month to go skiing. Planning on stopping near Amarillo on the first day, then on up to WP the next. Is there anything worth looking at on the ride up? Sightseeing opportunities? Good eating? I’m told the drive across TX sucks. I’ll have some podcasts for that part.

Go through Grand Island, NE and stock up on Hornady bullets.

 

[Mike Casselton]

----------
Driving from LA to CO...anything worth checking out?
----------

The air, free from the perpetual greasy stain of feces...

I thought the same thing, then realized it's Louisiana, not LA, Kali.

 

[Mike Casselton]

I second the advice to visit the NRA Whittington center, and they won't charge you entry. They will likely have you sign a waiver though.

Also, stay hydrated, dehydration and high altitude can make for a miserable time, and I'm not saying increase Coffee, Soft Drink, and Beer intake. Drink lots of water all day, and some sports drinks like Gatorade after a day of skiing, even though it may be cold and you don't feel thirsty.

Keep your windshield washer tank full, and carry an extra gallon of windshield washer fluid with you. When you get on I-70, you'll understand, and thank me later. Also make sure it's the - (minus) 30 veriety.

Be aware of the Colorado Traction Law when you get on I-70. If you don't have AWD/4x4 -or- snow chains, and have bald tires, you can get a ticket, and will get a ticket/fine if you cause a pile-up on the interstate.

Put a set of new wipers on your vehicle before you leave.
Try to find a set that has the rubber sleeve on them. It helps prevent them from icing up.
If you have plain old water in your washer reservoir, get it out of there. Use actual washer fluid.

If you don't have to run your defroster, then don't. A cold windshield doesn't create slush.
Don't leave your heater/ac on recirculate, it'll create foggy windows on the inside.

 

[ccasanova]

Thoughts on which vehicle to take?...My 2008 Chevy 2500HD Duramax z71 or wife’s 2019 Honda CRV 2wd?
Truck is in good shape, but 250,000+ miles. Car is brand new.
my friend and mechanic says take the car...diesel mechanics are harder to come by, it’s older and expensive to replace/fix...basically if the car gives us trouble, trade it in and drive a new one home. Truck is paid off and I’m content to drive it forever.

 

[Alpine 338]

The Honda will work if you have decent tires that are snow rated with deep tread. If there's a storm, and they have a chain advisory on I-70,' and you don't have chains with you, and cause a stoppage, you'll get a ticket.

 

[Alpine 338]

I think the tire tread depth requirement is 5/32 as a minimum.

 

[ccasanova]

Thanks for the advice. We’ve been to Palo Duro, Clayton Lake and Capulin. Headed up towards Denver now. Will hit Raton Pass on the way, maybe the Whittington Center. Anything else we need to stop today? Staying in Lakewood tonight, then up to Winter Park in the morning. Hopefully it doesn’t snow too much.

 

[Maggot]

Thanks for the advice. We’ve been to Palo Duro, Clayton Lake and Capulin. Headed up towards Denver now. Will hit Raton Pass on the way, maybe the Whittington Center. Anything else we need to stop today? Staying in Lakewood tonight, then up to Winter Park in the morning. Hopefully it doesn’t snow too much.

If you have some extra $$$ to burn treat the little lady to a night at the Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs. 5 Star all the way. I found a discout price an spent a night there. When I went to the restaurant for supper, before I could get fully seated, the waitress had the napkin spread in my lap. First rate all the way and the views are killer. Check out Kayak for best prices.

 

[Alpine 338]

Just saw your post, so you're probably well past it. Just 1/2-hour off of I-25, Colorado City/Rye exit (South of Pueblo), you have the Bishop Castle, well worth the visit, as it's a very unique attraction. Maybe you can hit it on the way home?

 

[powdahound76]

Welcome to Lakewood!!

Got home around 6 after a long day skiing in the sun.
We had BBQ in the way home at Smokin Yards in Idaho Springs. Good stuff!

Enjoy your trip.
PM me if you need anything at all.

 

[Jack's Dad]

The best landscape and adventuring in the world! I'm also a dedicated desert rock climber so your milage might vary.