Leica User Forum - View Single Post - traveled US-50 anyone?

adan · 04/21/08, 06:32 AM

US 50 west of Pueblo, Col will be incredibly scenic. Keep in mind:

Royal Gorge, just west of Canon City - privately owned and a bit touristy, but a chance to walk across one of the highest suspension bridges in the world - about 1,000 feet from the deck to the rail line at the bottom of the gorge (and the last time I was there the deck was ONE layer of wooden boards - I could see the railroad tracks below through the cracks between boards!) Also a cable car ride across available.

A side trip to the north about 30 miles from Canon City - the mining ghost towns of Victor and Cripple Creek.

Canon City/Florence is the home of about 5 state and federal prisons - including SuperMax where the Unabomber and Ramzi Yousef (1993 WTC bomber) are held.

Monarch Pass crosses the Continental Divide where the Sawatch range meets the Sangre de Cristos and the NE corner of the San Juans. About 11,400 feet elev. Likely still a lot of snow visible until the end of June, but should be passable unless you happen to run into a storm (also possible until end of June).

Black Canyon of the Gunnison, just east of Montrose, Col. 10 miles of a crevasse 1,500-2,200 feet deep, and only just about that wide at the top (and as narrow as 30 feet at the bottom) Rim drives like the Grand Canyon. Name comes from the very dark rock of the canyon walls. Pretty unique formation, and isolated from everywhere unless you happen to be on US 50.

Moab/Arches Natl Park./Canyonlands about 30 miles south of US 50/I-70 in Utah.

San Rafael Reef, just west of Green River UT, especially the eastern "entrance" through a sheer rock face that makes the semis on the interstate look like ants. Followed by 50 miles of high desert wilderness and panoramas. Be sure to gas up in Green River. Lonely, you bet!

I have not seen the part of US 50 through the Sierras (Carson City - "Sackamenna"), but will bet the 200 miles from Canon City CO to I-15 in Utah is the most impressive long stretch of scenery on the route. Might want to allow yourself 100 miles a day through there to give time for pictures.

04/21/08, 06:32 AM	#12 (permalink)
adan Erfahrener Benutzer Join Date: 03/04/04 Location: Denver Posts: 1,115	Re: traveled US-50 anyone? US 50 west of Pueblo, Col will be incredibly scenic. Keep in mind: Royal Gorge, just west of Canon City - privately owned and a bit touristy, but a chance to walk across one of the highest suspension bridges in the world - about 1,000 feet from the deck to the rail line at the bottom of the gorge (and the last time I was there the deck was ONE layer of wooden boards - I could see the railroad tracks below through the cracks between boards!) Also a cable car ride across available. A side trip to the north about 30 miles from Canon City - the mining ghost towns of Victor and Cripple Creek. Canon City/Florence is the home of about 5 state and federal prisons - including SuperMax where the Unabomber and Ramzi Yousef (1993 WTC bomber) are held. Monarch Pass crosses the Continental Divide where the Sawatch range meets the Sangre de Cristos and the NE corner of the San Juans. About 11,400 feet elev. Likely still a lot of snow visible until the end of June, but should be passable unless you happen to run into a storm (also possible until end of June). Black Canyon of the Gunnison, just east of Montrose, Col. 10 miles of a crevasse 1,500-2,200 feet deep, and only just about that wide at the top (and as narrow as 30 feet at the bottom) Rim drives like the Grand Canyon. Name comes from the very dark rock of the canyon walls. Pretty unique formation, and isolated from everywhere unless you happen to be on US 50. Moab/Arches Natl Park./Canyonlands about 30 miles south of US 50/I-70 in Utah. San Rafael Reef, just west of Green River UT, especially the eastern "entrance" through a sheer rock face that makes the semis on the interstate look like ants. Followed by 50 miles of high desert wilderness and panoramas. Be sure to gas up in Green River. Lonely, you bet! I have not seen the part of US 50 through the Sierras (Carson City - "Sackamenna"), but will bet the 200 miles from Canon City CO to I-15 in Utah is the most impressive long stretch of scenery on the route. Might want to allow yourself 100 miles a day through there to give time for pictures. Last edited by adan : 04/21/08 at 06:44 AM.