First-timer necessities

[HuckinFappy]

I like to drive Hwy 285 out of Denver, down to the Arkansas River, go over Cottonwood Pass, drive the beautiful Taylor River passage, drop into Gunnison and skip over to Montrose enroute to Placerville, ultimately ending up in Telluride, listening to the Fatman "send it home Jerome!" (a la Bill Rafterty)

If you're not in a hurry at all, and don't mind the dirt road, go to Georgetown on I-70, and go over Guanella Pass to 285.  Guaranteed Bighorn

[Mr. Geppetto]

Ya any route out on the Arkansas is always pretty sweet. I've always loved 133 out of Carbondale; reminds me of Cali for some reason. And if you have time for a side trip jump off past marble and check out Crested Butte. That is such a cool road and CB always gives me the warm fuzzies Anyone know if that pass is open in June?

We cant come until Thursday morning/noon-ish, will I still be able to squeeze in when I get to Lawson?

Thank you all for being so helpful to us TBF noobs! After lurking around here a bit I feel like I'll be right at home when I pull up!

[FaceOnMars]

There are basically two main routes via Denver: I-70 & 285 ... with all sort of options within each.  I personally always look to the CDOT website for major closures:

http://www.cotrip.org/home.htm;jsessionid=4D11DD63963E6B009CBAD40D56A62E41.node1

If you do go I-70,  Carbondale -> Delta is the quickest (and very scenic), but is also very windy & a two lane road for a good stretch.     I think  it's about 20 minutes faster vs. Grand Junction (which I'dd suggest "cutting the corner" in Clifton 140 if you do go that way ... saves at least 10 minutes, unless you want to stop in GJ or see something up there).  However, I often take the GJ route vs. Carbondale if I'm tired and it's dark ... since it's an easier ride.

285 is also very scenic & much less populated, but it's two lanes most of the way.

[Cindy Lou]

I like to drive Hwy 285 out of Denver, down to the Arkansas River, go over Cottonwood Pass, drive the beautiful Taylor River passage, drop into Gunnison and skip over to Montrose enroute to Placerville, ultimately ending up in Telluride, listening to the Fatman "send it home Jerome!" (a la Bill Rafterty)

If you're not in a hurry at all, and don't mind the dirt road, go to Georgetown on I-70, and go over Guanella Pass to 285.  Guaranteed Bighorn

Is that road open again? It was closed for quite a while for maintenance.  It is a pretty drive though, and you don't really need 4WD to do it.

[HuckinFappy]

I like to drive Hwy 285 out of Denver, down to the Arkansas River, go over Cottonwood Pass, drive the beautiful Taylor River passage, drop into Gunnison and skip over to Montrose enroute to Placerville, ultimately ending up in Telluride, listening to the Fatman "send it home Jerome!" (a la Bill Rafterty)

If you're not in a hurry at all, and don't mind the dirt road, go to Georgetown on I-70, and go over Guanella Pass to 285.  Guaranteed Bighorn

Is that road open again? It was closed for quite a while for maintenance.  It is a pretty drive though, and you don't really need 4WD to do it.

http://www.coloradodot.info/travel/scenic-byways/north-central/guanella-pass

You're right!  But the good news is they hope to have it open by May 27, 2011