Folks, I have three areas of Colorado that we could base the trip from:

Central City/Black Hawk
Attractions:
- Rocky Mountain National Park
- Mt Evans Highway (14,264' high!) - Paved all the way to the top!
- Georgetown Loop - Ride the Historic Georgetown Loop Railroad :: Mountain Train Rides & Family Activities Denver Colorado
- Plenty of twisty road routes

Colorado Springs
Attractions:
- Pikes Peak/Manitou Springs - Drive or cog railway - Highway to top is only partially paved
- Caņon City - Royal Gorge - Railroad trip/Buckskin Joe's
- Bishop Castle - Bishop Castle, Wetmore, Colorado
- Cripple Creek/Victor - Gold tour
- Garden of the Gods
- Air Force Academy
- Flying W Ranch http://www.flyingw.com/

Western Slope - Durango
Attractions:
- Mesa Verde - http://www.nps.gov/meve/index.htm
- Million Dollar Highway
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP - http://www.nps.gov/blca/index.htm
- Four Corners
- Colorado National Monument - http://www.nps.gov/colm/index.htm
- Telluride/Ouray
- Durango-Silverton Railroad - http://www.durangotrain.com
- Monument Valley
- Great Sand Dunes National Park - http://www.nps.gov/grsa/index.htm

 

My oh my. You really make this hard itsky, very hard. I voted and I'll leave it at that.

 

We've been to two/three of those areas and would go back again and again.....
Any where is going to be fun, lots of Crossfires and twisty roads, all the people, and the Rockies as a local. Life IS good!

 

Ok folks, let's not let this die due to the holiday.
I know this is quite a drive for many of you and while some would have preferred this to go more towards the East, North, or South, you really need to attend this one and perhaps when someone volunteers their region/state and the group votes on it, we'll end up somewhere closer to where you want to be the next time.

With that being said where in Colorado would you prefer to have the next CAA GTG ?
Use the poll above and please vote your choice.

 

Doubt many that are not from CO know the differences.
The organizer should pick the location that offers the best set of features. (and I am sure it is which ever location is furthest east)
Just a guess, I could be very wrong.

 

The only area I am vaguely familiar with is Colorado Springs. My only visit there was in the early 80s with my parents Jeep club, otherwise I have just passed through with an overnight here and there. It amazes me that out of all the states I have been through in my life, I haven't really BEEN TO that many places in them. So like stated, I would be happy with any of the locations (with good <drivable> roads).

-Dave

 

I'm not familiar with any of those locations so I'll defer to those that do.
On a side note, I can handle 5000 ft without much difficulty, not sure how I'd do at 14K. Can our cars breathe ok that high?

 

Yours can. It is supercharged.

The NA's will wheeze a bit at that altitude.
As will most of us older duffers.


The good news is that if your car dies at 14K feet, at least gravity still works and the old guys won't have to walk down the mountain.


roadster with a stick

 

Of course they can breath that high, but with greater difficulty (even SRT6's will notice).

 

Back in 1987 I took my 1978 Mercury Cougar to the top of Mount Evans (14200 feet) and it topped out at 45mph up near the top.
Although back then we still had carburetors and no electronics to monitor and regulate fuel/air mixtures etc.

I suspect our Crossfires won't be affected very much

 

The year is 1973, I had a 1971 Mercury station wagon. Took the wife, and kids thru the Smokey Mountains. Not 14000 ft, but still had a radiator hose burst. Luckily had a roll of electrical tape, and was able to limp down and get it fixed. Oh... worry ...worry..worry... NAH! ain't gonna let it bother me. I'll just bring a roll of Duct Tape ....fixes anything ... LOL

 

So have we decided on a date yet??? Round about???

 

I will be in the Denver area for a dry run in 2011 and in the same area for the real thing in 2012, and if the real thing in 2011 I will be there. Then I will go to the next one in N.D., S.C.,CAL, FL, or Labrador/Newfoundland, gee its only just down the road.
"19 days in a Roadster "

 

Hi itsky, how goes the planning? I am not familiar with Denver and it's been many years since my last visit, but I remember two onts if interest well. The Denver Mint Tour The United States Mint and Forney's transportation (Auto museum) were nice attractions. Parking in any large city downtown is always a problem though


What you think?

John P
FTroopChief

 

Hi everyone. Sorry that I have not been that active here lately, but I have been out of town on business and have not had time be on the forum that much here lately. It looks like most folks are voting for "Front Range" activities. There is so much here to visit and it will be hard to pick one "base city". Perhaps the solution will be to have two base cities, one city for a few days and the another for another few days. This will give everyone a small taste of what Colorado has to offer.

 

I will make it to this one. I voted for Blackhawk only because you mentioned it was paved to the top. Pikes Peak sounds exciting but I'm not sure I want to take the Crossfire off onto gravel roads.

 

We would like to attend dependent on all other things, but one thing....our car doesn't go off paved roads.
No gravel, sand or what ever for a GTG event pleaseeeeeee

 

When I was at Pikes Peak a couple years ago it was a fairly smooth unpaved sandy surface and not harmful to drive on.
The view from the top is well worth it and the car will be fine

Ann, Ya can always strap a bike on the back and pedal to the top...LOL

 

Well, I have lived in C/Springs, Denver and Brecken Ridge CO. Have been in Grand Junction many many times.... Can you Guy's tell me if they ever got done with all the hwy construction in C/Springs? To the South you can take hwy 115 to canon city then west to hwy 67 (the views are great) and then you end up in cripple creek. from there east to C/S or north to woodland park, then back to C/S, there are so many options in C/S.

Black hawk is fine but you have lots of crazy drivers going to the Casino's at night and One way in and One way out (you may sit in traffic) getting in and out.

In Grand Junction to the west you have Arches NP and at least 2-3 options to get there, 1) hwy 128 Very good two lane twisty roads 2) long way hwy 141 and the hwy 191 is a 4 lane hwy. to the east is Grand Mesa N. Forest hwy 65 east of G.J is a great twisty road to be on.

I hope this helps a little .........

 

I would take any, but I'm kind of partial to Western Slope. I lived in Montrose for over 6 years, and it's the real Colorado experience. A bit harder to get to but well worth the drive.

• San Juan Mountain range — some of the most beautiful rugged mountains you will ever see. All the Coors mountain shots are filmed here.

San Juan Mountains - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

• You have 10,000" flat-top mountains, you can drive on with the Grand Mesa in Grand Junction. It has great fishing and tons of lakes. The Colorado National Monument is also right there.

Touring Colorado - The Grand Mesa National Scenic and Historic Byway

• Some of the best wineries and fruit in state at Palisade.

Palisade Chamber of Commerce - Welcome

• Narrow gage STEAM engine trips in Durango.

Family Discount on Selected Days! | Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Train

• Beautiful box canyon in Ouray CO (called little Switzerland) with a natural hot springs pool.

Ouray Colorado :: Home

• Million Dollar Highway - this is perhaps the most beautiful and horrifying adventures you can experienced in a car. If you are attracted to stunning scenery with sheer cliffs and NO GUARD RAILS, this is the road for you!

• Telluride - some of the coolest skiing, golf and concerts in all of Colorado. Very pretty but a bit pricey $$$, Oprah and Cruise both have homes here.

Telluride Ski Resort | Mountain Ski & Summer Resort Events & Activities

Plus the bonus of driving 5-6 hours (ALL mountain driving) just to get there from Denver or Colorado Springs.