Gimme Tulsa to Denver driving tips/sightseeing tips

[RidgeHunter]

OSA: Gathering place of well-armed ranchers, hunters, truckers, oilfield guys, businessmen and other nutjobs who have made this drive multiple times. I know you have.

I need routes/speed trap tips/things to see. I'm thinking about 412 through the panhandle on the way there, and I-70 on the way back. I-70 takes the least amount of time I know, and it's been years since I've driven it. I always take longer routes on the way and shorter routes on the way home, since I'm usually less eager to explore. I did 412 straight through to Northern New Mexico last year. I always liked passing through the panhandle - it's an interesting place. It's different state, really. I'll be accompanied by a chick that has only been west in a plane since she was a child. A city girl, if you will. I want to show her some real western OK desolation.

I was kinda thinking stopping by Kenton before it dies. We will likely stop a night somewhere (yes, I've driven 412, so I know I need to be mindful of hotels/motels as there's not a lot out there) on the way. Any routes better than 412 or I-70? Any cool things to see that won't slow us down much?

Regards,

Your Beloved RH

 

[ez bake]

Stay clear of National Parks...

 

[Old Fart]

Capulin Volcano park is kind of neat too.
http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-900&va=capulin+volcano+park
http://www.doi.gov/index.cfm But check here before planning on making the stop.

 

[carlstretch]

If you go out 412, stop by Capulin Volcano. It's a quick stop and on clear days, you can see the Sangre de Cristo range to the north. Also,.. looking south from the summit, you can clearly see all the lava flows through the valley from the large Sierra Grande shield volcano. It's like Hawaii,... without the ocean, or the hula girls. But,.. it might be a National Park so you might call first.

Sugarite Canyon is kind of a nice change of scenery as well. It's near Raton, NM.

Those are my geologist recommendations. Other than that,.. it's NE NM,... not much to see.

Have a good trip.

 

[Okie4570]

Can't really add to anything that you've already seen/traveled. When on 412, go north on 81 out of Enid, up to 64, go west and you can see the salt flats at the Great Salt Plains, you can see them from the highway, or take a few minutes to drive out on them. You can travel on west from there on thru the panhandle or cut through SW KS. If you want a few miles of real desolation, take highway 456 out of Kenton west towards Folsom. Always prettiest with the sun at your back, but a scenic drive never the less no matter what time you travel it.

 

[NikatKimber]

OSA: Gathering place of well-armed ranchers, hunters, truckers, oilfield guys, businessmen and other nutjobs who have made this drive multiple times. I know you have.

I need routes/speed trap tips/things to see. I'm thinking about 412 through the panhandle on the way there, and I-70 on the way back. I-70 takes the least amount of time I know, and it's been years since I've driven it. I always take longer routes on the way and shorter routes on the way home, since I'm usually less eager to explore. I did 412 straight through to Northern New Mexico last year. I always liked passing through the panhandle - it's an interesting place. It's different state, really. I'll be accompanied by a chick that has only been west in a plane since she was a child. A city girl, if you will. I want to show her some real western OK desolation.

I was kinda thinking stopping by Kenton before it dies. We will likely stop a night somewhere (yes, I've driven 412, so I know I need to be mindful of hotels/motels as there's not a lot out there) on the way. Any routes better than 412 or I-70? Any cool things to see that won't slow us down much?

Regards,

Your Beloved RH

All the recommendations so far are good.

I like to drive at night, less morons on the road.

 

[Uncle Meat]

Ridge,
It's hard to beat the panhandle route. It is a different world.

The trip thru Kenton as you know is very scenic as everything starts to change. BTW, the general store in Kenton was closed last summer. Hopefully that will change.

Heading west from Kenton you could take NM 456 to 551 and head north to Branson, CO (the asphalt is pink when you cross the state line into CO).
Then head west to Trinidad.

Or from NM 456 take CR 72 west to Johnson mesa. It's like a knife edge that runs along the NM/CO border with views looking down on CO on the right side and NM on your left.

When you hit Trinidad, stop by Lee's BarBQ and get a chiliburger or big brother sandwich. I ate my first back in 1963. You can thank me later.

I like to do Interstate 50 on the return trip. There's a great little motel in Holly, CO (right on the KS/CO border) called the Miles Court.

Enjoy your tip.

 

[Old Fart]

Bent's Fort is out there somewhere too. But like all the other NPS stuff check before detouring.

http://images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-900&va=Bent's+fort

 

[bryanherron]

412 Panhandle is miserable! Stick to route 66 until you get to the heat of the Texas Panhandle then zig zag your way up to Raton, NM. Texas Panhandle, Ok Panhandle, pretty much the same, except Texas has better roads. The road from Raton to Trinidad is the first really nice visual. It's actually better on the way back because you can see the train and the valley better. I usually stay the 1st night in Trinidad. Leaving Trinidad in the morning, head west and take Hwy 12 loop, simply gorgeous after you turn north and head into the San Isabel National Forest. North of the forest, La Veta is a funky little town. If you're out of time then continue north to St Hwy 10and head east back to Walsenburg, catch 25 and hoof it to Denver. If you have time, and I hop you do, head west on 10 the flat land from Ft Garland to South Fork is a boring couple hours, but after that all the way to Durango is a must see. The Wolf Creek Pass is amazing. Further down the road there are some awesome cabins on the river and on the right side of the road 1 mile before Pagosa Springs, but in Pagosa there are hotels right on the river that are pretty cool. Neat little town. The road straightens out a bit from here to Durango. Lots of places to see and things to do in Durango. From Durango head north on 550. Stop in Silverton and have a Bison burger at the Handlebar cafe. North of Silverton is the most impressive stretch of road, by far. Dropping into the quaint town of Ouray is breathtaking, ouray to Rigdway is another one of the most beautiful roads I've ever seen. From here you have 2 options, the short route is continue north to Montrose then east on US 50 to Canon City/Pueblo, the north on 25 to Denver, or continue north to Grand Junction, the east on 70 to Denver. The longer route has more of everything, more long boring, more civilization, more mountain scenery as you get closer to Denver. These are my best routes, and almost always on the motorcycle.

 

[dennishoddy]

Every time I go through there, Tx county get a bonus......
Watch your speed.