Fred and Dylan flew SAN to DEN July 18–26, 2026. After a stop with Chloe in Aurora and time in Colorado Springs with Cindy and Mark, Dylan stayed behind with them while Fred drove a solo loop west through the Sawatch and Gunnison country.
Route
Denver → Aurora → Colorado Springs → Fairplay → Buena Vista → Cottonwood Pass → Gunnison → Cimarron → Marshall Pass → Salida → Monarch Pass → Old Monarch Pass → Cañon City → Pueblo → Colorado Springs → Denver
Days
- Day 1 — July 18 — SAN to Denver, Aurora arrival
- Day 2 — July 19 — Aurora with Chloe
- Day 3 — July 20 — Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City
- Day 4 — July 21 — Fairplay, Cripple Creek, Buena Vista
- Day 5 — July 22 — Cottonwood Pass, Gunnison, Cimarron
- Day 6 — July 23 — Marshall Pass, Salida, Turret
- Day 7 — July 24 — Monarch Pass, Cañon City, Victor
- Day 8 — July 25 — Cañon City, Pueblo, Colorado Springs
- Day 9 — July 26 — Colorado Springs to Denver, fly home
Ghost towns
FairPlay, St Elmo, Tin Cup, Turret, Wellsville, Hardscrabble
About 500 miles total. Seventy-five miles dirt. Ghost signs. Forgettable meals. Two interesting motels, two uninteresting. About $2,500 in hotels, rental cars, gas, meals and souvenirs.