Hi,

Just after Memorial Day I'll be heading east. Here's the route:

NorCal > Salt Lake City
SLC > Dinosaur Nat'l Mon. > Colorado Nat'l Mon. > Grand Junction
GJ > Pikes Peak > Pueblo
Pueblo > Mesa Verde Nat'l Park > Cortez
Cortez > Ely, NV (haven't decided if I'll go south thru AZ/UT or across the middle of UT)
Ely > Norcal

Please share any experiences or insights with the Colorado destinations, especially Pikes Peak. Of course if the Peak is closed due to weather that leg of the trip will be dropped.

Thanks

 

Sorry- just spotted this. On the route you're proposing, there's a few must-do's, starting with SLC. Go to Miller Motorsports Park in nearby Toelle, UT and take a few laps if possible. When you make it into western Colorado, drive the twisting, winding road around the Colorado State Monument from GJ to Fruita. Do it at dusk or better yet, at night and avoid paying the parks fee.

Next, when you get to Pikes Peak, see if you can't also take in the roval course at Pikes Peak International (PPIR) just off I-25. And don't forget the 2.2-mile road course at Pueblo Motorsports Park before you head off to SW Colorado. Do all three of the road courses and THAT will be a trip to remember!

 

Check out Squatters in SLC (if you of drinking age) they are one of a handful of breweries in SLC but great food and craft beers.

I would also tell you to run up and down I80 between SLC and Park City - it sounds like youre taking I15 south to spanish fork/hwy6 to I70. That's a good route especially during the summer - there are a ton of open stretches to open the car up!!

If you stop in the glennwood springs, stop off at brew pub, also a local craft brewery. If you have a few extra hours head south to aspen/snowmass - beautiful drive up and down hwy 82.

I would also avoid I70 between Vail and Denver sunday afternoon as ski-traffic is killer sunday 1pm - 8pm.

If you can stop off in Idaho Springs - either at Beau Jos and/or Tommy Knockers are good eats.

hwy 24, colo springs up to pikes peak, is a good (but short) drive too!

 

Thanks for all the good ideas. I'm still in the planning stages and would like fit in as much as possible but my time is limited to 7 days. If PP gets canceled because of the weather then I can include some of your suggestions. I wish it was May already.

 

So now we're into June and no updates!? Did Zwindsor ever start this road trip and how is it going (or did it go)?

 

Didn't leave until 5/27 and just got back a day ago....geez The trip was a lot of fun with lots of drive time, 3233 miles to be exact. Weather was warm, sunny and beautiful scenery. Stayed with the original route and drove through all the parks including Black Canyon on the way to PP. Did come back through AZ in the end.

At PP they were stopping everyone at the 14 mile mark due to storms in the area. I was only there about 1/2 hour when they started to let us up to the summit. Of course the weather and traffic kept the speed to a crawl. Light rain/snow flurries on the last leg. We were at the top only about 15 minutes and were told to leave due to the increasingly bad weather.

I did see the sign for PPIR but it was too late in the day so didn't stop. I did go to Miller Motorsport Park in Tooele UT but all I could get into was the museum. Quite the collection of GT40's and Cobras. Had the fortunate opportunity to meet Bill Rhinehart, instructor and museum curator. Very pleasant gentleman.

 

Nice summary of your trip and glad to hear it all went well. Curious about how your Cayman S compares to a Z33 for a long road trip? My track Z took a similar trip to yours several years ago. Went through AZ on the way down and visited Cal Speedway, Big Willow and Buttonwillow during my time in Cali. But you even made it to Dinosaur National Monument in SW Colorado! That's a pretty desolate place, even compared with a place like Joshua Tree National Park. Didn't spot and dinosaurs either!

In any case, I found the Z to be more than adequate for a long distance trip like this. Averaged 32 miles per gallon (with a high of 36 MPG) in extended highway driving. The seats are comfortable and my sound system kept me well-entertained with the passing scenery. Sounds like your trip was similar.

 

I had an '03 Z33 Touring that I took to Utah in 2007 (did all the parks) and if I recall got 28 mpg. It was fairly modded (suspension/exhaust/intake). It was a comfortable ride, nicely firm but the road noise was ever present, especially from the rear and it wasn't the tires. That seems to be a common trait (lack of insulation). Even when I test drove a 370Z Anniversary it was the same. The Z33 was still a very nice car for long road trips. You got some excellent mileage!

The Cayman S has the same ride firmness (as my Z33), has a quieter cabin, inside space is about the same but outward vision (rear especially) is much better. I have the power seat option so adjustability is very good. This is my second Cayman S (seller's regret on the first, a 2006). I got 28.3 mpg on this trip.

FYI, Dinosaur NM is in NW Colorado and all I saw were bones.

 

Of course, you're correct- Dinosaur NM is in NORTHWEST Colorado, up near the Utah and Wyoming borders. It's a vast area and not much survives or thrives in that area.

Interesting to hear your comments on the Z. I noticed the increased road noise from the rear hatch area of the 370Z, but it seems TONS better in my pre-order '03 Z. Sportscars aren't supposed to be whisper quiet, but this is one area the 350Z seems better than its successor.

 

I totally agree that a sports car should have sound ambiance. It had been more then a year between owning the z33 and testing the z34 but the resonance was the first thing I picked up on.

Due to the engine sound deadening in the Cayman it helps subdue the rear drive sounds. It's all still there just slightly muffled but what a nice sound when punched

 

Repeat after me David, Dinosaur nat'l monument is in north west colorado. ;-)

 

Agggh- ya got me! Corrected b/c I couldn't stand it...