Road between Denver and Grand Junction, USA

I will be driving this way soon and will spend a day on the

journey. I am hoping that someone will be able to give me some

advice re. the best things to see along the way, particularly

amazing photo spots.

 

Should I go via Rt 70 the whole way, or branch off via Carbondale

and Delta to get there? Any other recommendations?

 

Thanks!

It's quite a long way and even with only essential stops it'll take a

few hours on the I 70 . If you're travelling soon you're not going to

see the Rockies in their fall best. If it were me I'd be inclined to

get the journey done as quickly as I can and get to Grand

Junction as quickly as I could and go for some late afternoon/

evening red rock photography in the Colorado National

Monument. There isn't much to do in Grand Junction except for a

restaurant on the Main Street downtown that serves good Italian

food .

 

If you wanted to see some more of the Rockies on the way, the

detour I'd suggest is longer than yours and leaves the 70 at

Copper Mountain and goes via Leadville (worth a stop where

most of the modern resorts like Vail aren't) the over the

Independence Pass to Aspen ( slick, expensive, picturesque)

then rejoin the 70 at Glenwood Springs. Outside of the fact that

the time of day won't help there are a number of photographic

opportunities along this route that you won't get on the 70, mostly

before you get to Aspen.

Near Denver, Mt Evans would be good in the morning, although a

long side trip. Near Grand Junction there is Colorado National Monument. In between the two, it is more interesting further south,

so I would branch off and check out

<a href = "http://www.terragalleria.com/parks/np.black-canyon.html">Black Canyon of the Gunnisson National Park</a> which is

somewhat difficult to photograph, but certainly amazing.

I agree with David Henderson's suggestion about a (somewhat circuitous) detour down through Leadville and then down to and over Independence Pass and through Aspen, rejoining I-70 after that. If you have the time, it's worth it.

 

The stretch of I-70 that runs through Glenwood Canyon is really impressive. Unfortunately, it being interstate, you can't really stop. However, there are nice rest areas along it that can provide a chance to really enjoy the canyon.

 

Finally, there is one other wonder in the Grand Junction area that hasn't been mentioned: Grand Mesa. If you have a few extra hours, drive up there and go out to Land's End.

on a road trip from CA, we drove from GJ to Denver along the 70. and the canyon area where the colorado snakes thru is awesome. we din't really have a chance to stop, but i was on the passenger side and got to enjoy the scenery a lot. saw a lot of rafters and abandoned gold mines on the hills.

Hi, Antony, I remember you from the Minolta forum. If you are travelling I-70, when you approach Eisenhower Tunnel,(which goes under the Continental Divide) take the exit and go over the pass instead. There is a small parking area at the high spot where you can get an amazing view and maybe some good shots.

 

See Red Rocks park in Morrison, just south of I70 outside Denver.

 

Stop for lunch in Idaho Springs. Beau Jo's pizza is a classic, and I hope the Tommyknockers microbrewery is still in business.....

<p>If you get a good, early start, I'd recommend a stop at Hanging Lake. Follow the signs in Glenwood Canyon (you'll have to some turning around to get going the right direction...).</p>

<p>Hanging Lake is a somewhat strenuous but shortish hike up the side of the canyon to a small "lake" with a picturesque double waterfall. If you do it during the week, there aren't many people; on weekends it's pretty popular.</p>

<p>Other than that, I agree with the other posters - Independence Pass (stopping at the ghost town of Independence) is a nice ride with some gorgeous scenery (but takes out Glenwood Canyon and Hanging Lake); for a truly full day, take Independence and then head out to the Maroon Bells area (shuttle from downtown Aspen, unless you get there before 9:30am, which makes it too early to take pictures of the ghost town).</p>

<p>--<a href="http://www.lesbarstow.com">Les Barstow</a>