How do I get to Lake City, Colorado?

[dolson]

A group of are planning a trip from the Tulsa area to Lake City, Colorado in mid September to do some trail riding in the jeeps.  There only seems to be two ways into Lake City, Hwy 149 via Hwy 50 from the north and Hwy 149 via Hwy 160 from the south .  I know that from the south that 149 gets up to about 11500' elevation and has some steep grades but is the shortest route.  Not sure about 149/50 from the north.  Has anyone traveled either of these routes that could share some experience.  I have had my bus up to about 9500' in Wyoming and did not seem to have any problems with the 6V92 MUI but I am a little concerned about the elevation also.  The other vehicles will be a bus with a 8V92 ddec and a couple of trucks pulling toy hauler trailers.  Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[rusty]

The north route you will have to go over Monarch pass (11312) then on to Gunnison and then south to Lake City. There are some pulls up small hills between Gunnison and Powerhorn and some pulls up to Lake City. The route for beautiful sites is the south route. You will go over La Veta pass (9413) and then on to South Fork. When you get to South Fork you will be at 8200 feet. You will go up to Spring Creek Pass (10900) there are some pulls as you get closer to Spring Creek. Once you are there you will hardly know when you go over Slumgulion pass. I would take the south route. Enjoy Colorado.

Wayne

[dolson]

Thanks Wayne, looking forward to being up in your neck of the woods.  We will be staying at the Highlander campground on the south end of Lake City. The owner there said that from the Slumgulion pass down into Lake City was quite steep, about a 20mph hill, but said it was a beautiful drive and recommended that route also.

[David Anderson]

I second the south route.  I love the drive through Creede up CO 149.

David

[dolson]

As I study the routes more I see that the southern route up 149 has 3 passes that are listed in the Mountain Directory and the last one from Slumgulion pass to Lake City is at 9.4%, going down this is at least of mild concern, but in low gear and with jakes I do not see a big problem.  It is coming back up that I am more concerned about with only a 6v92 and at over 11000' and towing, I am not sure how the bus will handle that.  I assume that you guys that have traveled this route have done it in your buses.  This southern route would be the way I prefer to go as it is shorter and more scenic drive, but I see that the northern route has only 1 noteable grade at Monarch pass and it is only 6%.  Hopefully I get some more reassurance that the south route is not as bad as it looks on the maps.  Thanks

[buswarrior]

turbo charger makes altitude invisible to the air craving engine.

You know what to do going down, going up is much the same: choose a gear that does not require full throttle/full horsepower to climb and the heat will stay away.

happy coaching!
buswarrior