Roadtrippin' Colorado Style

We start our journey on US 85 Northbound just before the CO 67 intersection. This intersection was redone in 2004. Originally US 85 was one lane each direction plus a very short turn lane. Additionally, the businesses all had driveways accessing 85. Now it's as wide as shown and the business's driveways empty into a frontage road. Much nicer this way.

Looking back on the CO 67/US 85 intersection from a parking lot to the west. 67 goes over the tracks while 85 is left to right in this picture. Train traffic is quite heavy through Sedalia. If you don't time it right, you can be waiting for a while.

Once you're over the first set of tracks, you have to contend with the next set of tracks. These tracks are owned by different train companies, so you can bet that you can get stuck twice in this town. I bet Sedalia has heard its fair share of colorful metaphors in its day.

The first mileage sign heading south on 67. It says Deckers 28 West Creek 37. I've found Deckers, and West Creek is just a little hamlet off of 67. The interesting thing here is that the first mileage sign doesn't contain any significant towns along 67. Deckers is a one-store town and West Creek is a bunch of homes. What about, say, Woodland Park?

Within a mile of Sedalia 67 hits SH 105. 105 runs south from here through Palmer Lake and Monument. In Monument it turns to the east, crosses I-25, and continues to its end at SH 83. There's a section in there that's been turned back, though. This is the intersection of the northern segment. Hmmm. Northern segments of broken highways intersecting in pretty much the middle of nowhere! Don't tell me someone at CDOT doesn't have a sense of humor.

Ahh! I get it! We're going to know about larger towns after the intersection of state highways. It's blurry, I know, but it reads Woodland Park 50 Deckers 27. This is a Sign Of Funkiness™ and I wish this pic was better. Just pay the little extra to make the sign wide enough, CDOT, and while you're at it, how 'bout putting things in numerical order?!?

This is a pretty typical view of the first few miles of 67. It wanders around hills, valleys, and everything else. Don't worry, this will get more entertaining in a bit. The mile marker (MM 125) on the left side of the road is normal CDOT practice on two lane highways. The mile marker will always be on the right side of the north- or eastbound lanes. (The lanes where the mileage will go up). Since we're heading southbound, it's on the left. Funny how that works.

See? Why bother going over or through a hill when you can go around it? I wonder how much shorter this route would have been if brute force was used during construction. I mean, geez. We're going to get our fair share of curves in the mountains; do we need them here too?

Okay, into the mountains we go. You have taken your Dramamine, right? 'Cause you're going to need it by the end of this journey. You're also going to get tired of seeing the dancing arrow sign. Trust me. Shoulders (and the pretty white stripe that's supposed to be there too) are nonexistent for the rest of this page.

I don't know about you, but after a while of the curviness, narrow roads, and lack of signage that isn't on a yellow diamond, I'm wondering if we're still on 67. Well, ask and you shall receive. Spotted on an intersection about a mile or so from the last picture.

Continuing to climb ever higher, we're given a decision: Slow to 10 and take the switchback or drive through the guardrail at 30 and experience flight. Easy decision, right? Apparently not, considering how many parts of the guardrail were new.

Pretty soon we enter Pike National Forest. Rules and regulations are abundant through here, as seen on this Sign Convention™. I was tempted to steal the No shooting sign just for the line "except during the lawful pursuit of birds and mammals." Heh. Nice way to say don't shoot each other or the damn signs I guess.

Zigging and zagging through pine trees and cliffs here. Fun drive, this. Unfortunately, the r-dub-mobile's suspension isn't the best so I wasn't able to do any crazy-psycho driving here. And look! Another dancing arrow sign in its natural habitat. Awww, this one's shy.

And then we stop the squigglyness and pop out into a high mountain meadow. I'm loving the green here! The drought we've had for the last few years looks like it's starting to end, and it's a feast for the eyes. And the tress, grasses, and reservoirs.

And now we're approaching Rampart Range Road. This is a gravel road that traverses the Rampart Range (natch) segment of the Front Range. Eventually it'll dump you out in Garden of the Gods park in Colorado Springs. I highly recommend having 4 wheel drive and a high ground clearance to try this road. Of course, if you need to scrape off a bit of your engine on your MG, be my guest. The sign under it sez "Heavy Side Road Traffic." If it's that heavy, shouldn't the sign be bigger and on its own post?

This is the first reassurance shield on the northern segment of 67 while heading southbound. That's not too reassuring though. Yes, we've been on 67 this entire time. I promise. The red white and blue sign under the speed limit sign is Douglas County's Snow Route: Tow Away Zone sign. Funny thing here is that it's pretty tough to park on the side of a road that has no shoulders and quite a drop off. Don't know who they'll be towing except for the occasional stranded car.