Sunday, May 26, 2024
Today was a long travel day from our Moab, UT, campground eastward to a campground in the Standley Lake area near Denver, CO. We departed around 9 am, taking UT-191 back through Moab to I-70 East. After crossing the stateline into Colorado, we briefly stopped for fuel in Fuita then continued past Grand Junction toward the Rocky Mountains. Our route paralleled the Colorado River. The scenery was beautiful and the green mountain vegetation was such a contrast to the mostly dry desert environment (beautiful in its own right) that we had been traveling through for so long.
East of Glenwood Springs, the interstate passed through Glenwood Canyon. Here, we drove through tunnels and over many bridges and viaducts. I was too busy maneuvering to be able to fully appreciate the engineering achievements we were utilizing and how they had been integrated into the gorge with its natural beauty.
Hanging Lake Tunnel
Near Dotsero, I-70 parted course with the Colorado River and we began a long ascent passing through the ski resort of Vail. On the steep grades, the View pulling the toad, could only manage 45 mph with the accelerator floored. This high-elevation area still had snow on the ground and the coniferous forest trees held newly fallen snow on their boughs.
————— Vail Pass —————
After Vail Pass, we made another descent before making our final ascent and passage through the Eisenhower Tunnel where we crossed the western continental divide at 11,158 feet. From there, we descended the eastern side of the Rockies into the plains toward Denver. Before reaching Denver, we took a series of roads north through suburban areas making a quick pit stop to refuel the RV. Eventually, we were driving through a rural environment and found the entrance gate for Coyote Gulch Campground at Standley Lake.
After checking in, we drove to Site 53, then because we only have electric hook-up here, filled our fresh water tank at a station before setting up camp. I was frazzled after completing the long (380 miles, seven hours) and at times, challenging, drive with only two short stops. As we relaxed in the RV, Jane called her sister, Stephanie, to make plans for tomorrow.
Standley Lake is a reservoir that supplies water for the cities of Westminster, Northglenn, and Thornton in the Denver area. This 3,000-acre lake is also a multi-recreational attraction offering boating, fishing, picnicking, hiking and wildlife viewing. The Coyote Gulch Campground is on an open pasture with the campsites spaced widely apart. The sites are primative (no-hook-ups) except for three (ours is one) that have electricity provided. Rental and personal tents are also scattered around the campground.
We took a short walk to look at the lake and bathroom facilities, then returned to the RV for dinner. We were able to tune in more than 100 over-the-air digital channels from the metro area and so watched television for a short while. We’re travel-weary and looking forward to a long and quiet night’s sleep.
—— Coyote Gulch Campground at Standley Lake ——
