I am working on the routing for a trip out west next summer from Michigan. I can make either route work but not both. Which would you choose? I have heard great things about both routes. We will be going East to West. Thanks.

 

Independence Pass! Glenwood is cool but it's freeway and relatively short compared to the goodness that is Independence.

 

Depending on where you plan to stay at the end of the day you could do both. If you simply can't spare the time then Glenwood Canyon is logical direct route. Easy ride with lots of nice rest stops.

If you do have time (about an extra half day) drop into Glenwood Springs and head south to Aspen on 82 and over Independence Pass to Twin Lakes and then head north on 24 back to I-70 and then back west on I-70 through the canyon again and spend the night in Glenwood Springs.

Don't know when you are looking to make this trip - Independence usually opens at the end of May but that does not mean the road is clear from snow, snow melt and sand. It is not unusual that the high passes on I-70 get snow in May too. June on should be fine.

Ride safe and often.

 

Or even July 4 if it's been a REALLY snowy year, like say 1995. The road was mostly drifted over on the east side getting to this point.

 

Thanks guys. Currently I am planning 177 mile day from Estes Park to Leadville. Then a big day (311 miles) to Moab, UT where we can spend a couple nights.

 

Ride Independence. It is a classic. It isn't the highest paved road in NA (Nearby Mt. Evans and Pikes Peak are the top 2), and it is 80 ft. lower than Trail Ridge that you will probably ride while in Estes, but it is the highest paved pass in NA, at 12,103 ft. Memorable.

While on the way to Moab, be sure to exit for UT 128 off I-70. This will take you straight to Moab, and is much better than U.S. 191...

http://maps.google.com/maps?saddr=Mo...sz=11&t=m&z=10

 

The town at your Point C on the Google map is Cisco, UT. The final crash scene of the movie Vanishing Point was filmed there.