We going to a Square Dance Rally at Fun Valley in South Fork, CO in early September, and are looking for a good alternate route to taking I-70/I-25 through Colorado Springs and Pueblo. We are wondering how the roads might be if we dropped down to Wichita, KS and took Hwy 54 to Garden City, Hwy 50 to La Junta, Hwy 10 to Walsenburg, then 160 to South Fork. Is the road too narrow / winding / hilly? We have a 38 ft class A with a toad.
Fred and Linda Sauer
2004 Forest River Reflection 38 ft, 2-slides
1997 Honda CRV Tow Vehicle
Lucy, 8 yr old SharPei/Dachshund Rescue Dog
Spencer, 3 yr old Miniature long-hari Dachshund Rescue Dog
Route 50 goes through Pueblo so you could use that as a scenic alternative. There is also a US highway running parallel to I-70 and to the south that goes into Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, I became too aggressive in cleaning out my office area; I threw out all the old Rand-McNally road atlases that are useful for identifying highways and routes. Guess I discovered that the computer can't really replace everything printed thing.
Route 50 goes through Pueblo so you could use that as a scenic alternative. There is also a US highway running parallel to I-70 and to the south that goes into Colorado Springs. Unfortunately, I became too aggressive in cleaning out my office area; I threw out all the old Rand-McNally road atlases that are useful for identifying highways and routes. Guess I discovered that the computer can't really replace everything printed thing.
West of the Mississippi the population declines so that using a parallel US highway offers a refreshing, and not too much slower, alternative to the Interstates. Try 'em out; if you don't like it, just drive back to the Interstate.
By the way, Kansas offers overnighting (no services) in Interstate and other highway rest areas. Also, many of the small towns will have a camp area in their city parks.
We just came east through Kansas on US 50 ending up on I-35 going into KC and thoroughly enjoyed the route. Roads were in good shape with passing lanes ever so often. We have a 38' Monaco and there was plenty of room on the road and places to pull off. As was previously said many towns have parks where you can camp. Offerele which is just east of Dodge City has a park on the north side of the highway where you can park for free with water and 20 amp service (No dump). We would also recommend Spring Lake campground near Halstead which is the largest campground in Kansas.
Linda; Maybe our 97 CR-V's can meet in some life. Been that way two years ago on our way from Denver to Durango and nothing interesting, but nothing difficult. Boondocked at some rest area near Pueblo on I-25 before heading west on the 160. Made it all the way to Pagosa in one day so South Fork is no problem. Drive in the morning so that you have the sun at your back. Tallman.
Another possibility is I35 to Emporia, US 50 west to Elmdale, KS 150 to Marion and then US 56. At Larned, take KS 156 to Garden City where you will join US 50. That route is shorter, has good roads and a lot less truck traffic than either US 54 or US 50. We have towed that route many times with our 34 ft. fifth wheel and had no issues. I am not familiar with CO 10 from LaJunta to Walsenburg but we have done 350 from LaJunta to Trinidad and it was a good road. Either one of those roads have no fuel stops for the duration but other than that, no problems.
The route you suggested is a good one. Hwy 10 from La Junta to Walsenburg is a great road with no problems. Hardly any traffic the many times I've driven it. Only thing out there are cows and prarie dogs, with a few pronghorn antelope.
Larry & Ann w/Lucy the cocker
'00 Mountain Aire 350 Cummins/Spartan
Toad: '05 Jeep Liberty Ltd.
Offline
