I went to Colorado Monday and Tuesday. I drove 17 hours on Monday trying to get to Durango. I made it as far as Montrose. Just 65 Miles away from my goal. But with Red Mountain Pass and Molas Pass in my way and snow, the weather defeated me. The one hour trip would have taken closer to 3 and it was already midknight. More importantly I wouldn't have enjoyed it. The entire reason I was driving around on my 2 days off.

I found out how crappy mountain pass driving is on Monarch pass. It takes an hour to go up and down 10 miles of highway.

I slept in my Mini that night. It took a little while to figure out the best sleeping posture.

7am tuesday morning I was up and drinking milk. Listening to the radio report. Snow still falling on the passes. So much for the Million Dollar highway. But all I had to do was get back over Monarch pass and then I had curvy valley roads ahead.

Highway 50 follows the Arkansas river valley from Salida to Canyon city. Its only 56 miles but its a blast. Most of the curves around the mountain foot you couldn't see around and the speed limit was 35-40. Ya for a semi maby. 35s at , 40s at . 8am and no one for a long while. The pass has shut down the truckers, and Canyon city is a summer tourist place. I spent 28 hours on the road monday and tuesday, but I made the most of it in about 20 minutes on hwy50.

Shure the views were great, one of the first snows in the mountains, Denver, and a great sunset on the way home. I snaped a few pics. But I didn't get a picture of the best part, because I needed both hands to drive.

1700 miles in 2 days well worth it.

before

during




And Home

 

Ah man, too bad you never made it to Durango! Those passes are INSANE in the winter sometimes. It's too bad you went that far and had to turn around...but at least time in a MINI doesn't count against your life expectancy! :-) Hope you enjoyed the motoring!

-Andy

 

Please post this in the sunset thread. I haven't had a chance for awhile and I'm having withdrawls.

Last time I was in CO I drove the Million $ Highway, at night, in the rain. Coming back I went over Wolf Creek Pass, at night in a downpour with fallen rocks. I will never forget that trip.

 

That part of Colorado is very nice scenery, and yes mtn passes can either be good to go or take for ever in Colorado.

Did you sleep in the back with the seats folded down and lots of blankets

 

Great trip! Sorry about the snow, but it is Colorado in the spring!

 

If you're able to, check out Copper Mountain this August for our MINI's in the Mountains!!

 

I'll be on H50 from Canon City to Grand Junction next month...really looking forward to it

 

You can drive faster than that, it's only like 250 miles.