"Ticket to Telluride" Tour on September 12-14 Weekend - Western Colorado Loop

[richm]

The New Mexico Roadsters Saturn SKY and Pontiac Solstice Club is hosting a regional ride through Southwestern Colorado which they are calling the "Ticket to Telluride" Tour.

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO EVERYONE

The Route: The total Durango-Telluride loop is 231 miles, about 5.5 hours of driving time at slower mountain speed limits. The ride will begin in Durango , where we are in the process of arrange group hotel rates. From there, we will drive up the Million Dollar Highway to the historic mining towns of Silverton and Ouray (70 miles total) and stop for walking and shopping and an early lunch. After that, we will drive another 50 miles to Telluride where we will spend the afternoon touring the city and breathing in the mountain air. From Telluride, it is 111 miles back down the hill to Durango, and we may stop along the way for dinner.



Million Dollar Highway: MSN Today lists the drive to Silverton and Ouray as one the best drives in the nation: "Despite varying explanations as to the origin of its name (one claims it cost $1 million a mile to build in 1924; another says it contains $1 million in gold ore), there's no disputing the fact that the 75-mile stretch of scenic highway known as Million Dollar Highway is a breathtaking journey through the majestic mountain passes of western Colorado. Crossing part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway, and following route US 550 between the old mining towns of Silverton and Ouray, the route's twists and turns wend high above the Red Mountain Pass at an 11,018-foot-high collapsed volcano whose lava flow was found to contain gold in 1860 and past the deep Uncompahgre Gorge, into which flow several waterfalls. As you continue to slice through the mountainside, winding along hairpin switchbacks (which tend to lack guardrails) and following old stagecoach paths, this route bears witness to the area's now-defunct mining operations; you can even stop in Silverton to admire the town's historic Victorian style buildings, some of which date back to 1874. That said, the real beauty of this trip is its elevated "million dollar" sights: Stunning views of the never-ending country-side, landscapes of springtime wildflowers, and vast terrain where elk, mountain goats, black bears, and deer roam freely and truly the picture-postcard image of the great American outdoors."

Cost: This is event is free to participate in, except for the cost of food and lodging. The more the merrier -- EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Accommodations: We are working on group lodging rates in Durango. We will post the info after this is done.

Preview / Photos: James Walker, who will be leading this ride, went on an exploratory trip and took some photos along the way. Click below to view the photos:
New Mexico Roadsters - Saturn Sky Pontiac Solstice Club - Durango to Telluride Photos

How to RSVP: To RSVP for this ride, simply fill out the RSVP Form on the New Mexico Roadsters site at:
New Mexico Roadsters - Saturn Sky Pontiac Solstice Club

[Rail Jockey]

We are signed up and ready for some beautiful alpine scenery, twisties and good company. Coming down from Salt Lake City on Friday the 12th. We passed through Durango three years ago and vowed then to come back and spend more time in the area.
Funny thing is we had planned on making this trip this month (July) and include a few days in New Mexico. We decided to postpone the trip after finding a last minute Alaskan cruise that was to good to pass up.
We can't wait!

[Rail Jockey]

Hey Colorado Kappas I know your out there, this cruise is right in your back yard. Come join us

[whitefang]

The ride would be fantastic but Mr & Mrs whitefang are already committed for that weekend and need to save vacation time to go back to Virginia to see the grandchild again in December

Should be an interest ride if it SNOWS. Never know that time of year

Maybe next year. Give us a little more advanced notice so we can plan ahead

[richm]

We have reserved a room block at the Travelodge for this event. Please call 970-247-1741 and tell them that you are with the GM Roadster group to receive our group rates of $69 per night for a 2-Queen room and $79 per night for a KING. We have only reserved a dozen rooms, so you must call early to get these rates (our room block expires the end of August). The Travelodge is at 2970 Main Avenue (30th & Main Avenue) in Durango, CO 81301. Here is a google link:

2970 Main Avenue, durango co (Travelodge 970-247-1741 - Google Maps)

[Colorado Kid]

Thinking real hard on this one. If things work out we'll be there. My wife and I have done the Jeep Jamboree in Ouray, the same week end, a couple of times and that was great. The weather has been great in the past for this time of year.

[cwdilg]

The Aspens should be at peak color near this date. Spectacular trip planned here.

[Colorado Kid]

Just made our reservations, see you there.

[Colorado Kid]

Any other Coloradoan's going? I will be driving down from Loveland.

[Rail Jockey]

We've book our room, hope to be there around 6 pm on Friday.
Note: When we booked we spoke to Andy, he didn't have anything on a block of rooms but gave us the discounted rate.

[whitefang]

Originally Posted by Rail Jockey We've book our room, hope to be there around 6 pm on Friday. Note: When we booked we spoke to Andy, he didn't have anything on a block of rooms but gave us the discounted rate.

Same here. I booked through 800 number because I couldn't get an answer at the hotel.
Finally got through,business hours 7am-11pm, but no one answered 9pm-11pm. Forgot who I spoke with but took 5 minutes to recall the name GMR. He did note on my reservation confirmation number to issue the discounted price at check in. Said had no rooms reserved for GMR that was a week ago

Can't wait for the ride if any of you haven't been there before you will really enjoy the ride. Come prepared for the unpredictable weather.

Maybe better throw a snow shovel in your trunk just in case

See Ya soon

[Rail Jockey]

We've been to Durango, took the long way home from one of our Denver trips. Valarie hadn't ever been to Mesa Verde so we spent the night and then went to Mesa Verde and then headed home.
The only time I went over the Million Dollar Highway I was about 11 and on a family vacation. We can't wait.

Do you think we will need to bring tire chains?

[whitefang]

Originally Posted by Rail Jockey We've been to Durango, took the long way home from one of our Denver trips. Valarie hadn't ever been to Mesa Verde so we spent the night and then went to Mesa Verde and then headed home. The only time I went over the Million Dollar Highway I was about 11 and on a family vacation. We can't wait. Do you think we will need to bring tire chains?

Don't forget the snow boots, ski jacket and pants, downhill and cross country skis, snowboad, and better have extra blankets, food, water etc. You know chains aren't a bad idea if we decide to go home I-70 to Denver

We will have our trailer so no problem packing everything

Really, it will be a great fall weekender!!

Can't wait to meet everyone

[Colorado Kid]

It would be nice to have more people come.
The weather in the past at this time of year has been good.
weather.com - Vacation and Travel Guide for Durango, CO

[richm]

It looks like we will have four cars caravanning in from Phoenix, leaving from the Anthem Outlet Mall at 9:00 AM on Friday. Our plan is to stop for a photo in Four Corners on the way up, and stop for a photo of our roadsters "standin on a corner in Winslow Arizona" on the way back. Here is our Phoenix caravan map:

from:Anthem Outlet Mall, Anthem AZ to:US-160 @36.958800, -109.067320 to:2970 Main Avenue, Durango, CO 81301 (Travelodge) to:4025 Windsor Dr, Farmington NM (James Walker 505 486-4098) to:I-17 S @33.674129, -112.113098 - Google Maps