Day 24 Western Colorado

I left Larkspur and drove up north on I-25 to Denver, at which point I headed west on I-70. Again, the interstate drive was anything but boring, as I saw the Denver skyline and the incredible mountains along I-70. The highway wound through or beside the mountains, including at least four tunnels. And for most of the drive, it was along the side of the Colorado River. I also passed through Frisco and Vail and could see some of the ski slopes that the area is famous for.

I stopped halfway along the I-70 stretch in Rifle, Colorado, as I had planned to visit the Rifle Falls State Park. This was a 13 mile trip away from the highway, along winding county roads with 25 or 35 MPH speed limits. When I finally arrived at the park, the person in the entrance booth advised that I could not drive through with the trailer, nor could I unhook the trailer and park it there. I had to drive four miles back to the Rifle Gap State Park and unhook it there and return. I asked, “Is this place really worth that hassle?” When I was advised that it was, I took the extra time to drive back and unhook at the Gap Park and then return to the falls. Yes, it was worth it. I took the dogs on a short hike to the falls and also visited the caves on the same site. Since I had to return to the Gap for the trailer, we took another short hike through that park.

I then continued on I-70 to my destination for the day, the Saddlehorn Campground at the Colorado National Monument. Much like the Sandia Crest in New Mexico, the park is at the top of the mountain at the end of a very long, winding roadway. The views along the road were spectacular, but the drive was uncomfortable. (I have determined that I am probably afraid of heights.) The Visitor Center and the campground are both at top, and my campsite in particular had a tremendous view. Luckily, the campsites are all pull-throughs, as I am still not very good at backing into a campsite with the trailer.

We took a short walk around the campground, since dogs are not allowed on the trails. We then ate, and settled in. It started to rain with very heavy winds, which thankfully calmed down by nightfall.

Posted pictures include one taken from my car through the windshield showing the drive though the mountains, three pictures from the Rifle Falls (one from the ground, one from the top showing the river, and one showing one of the caves), two from Rifle Gap (one showing the lake and another showing the actual “gap”), an overlook view from the visitor center at the Colorado National Monument, and finally a view from my actual campsite.