Question for Colorado Vette owners

[Fullback32]

Have any of you done the Mt Evans drive in your 'vette? I know lots of motorcycles do go up there and it sounds like a fun drive, but I was wondering if the road is good enough to take the 'vette up there? There's paved and then there's paved. Wouldn't want to damage my beloved car.

For those of you not from Colorado, Mt Evans has the higest paved road in Norh America.

Mount Evans - Highest Paved Road in North America

 

[Patrick]

Fullback,
I have not attempted Mt. Evans in my Corvette, and that's down to one main reason: even in the summer, when the road is opened, the weather can turn on you very quickly, and sometimes unpredictably. It is not unheard of for Mt. Evans to see snow in July.

-Patrick

 

[Fullback32]

Yeah, I was concerned about the weather thing as well as the road. The wife and I ATV up at 14,000 around the Mt. Princeton area (Hancock Pass, Tincup Pass) and the weather can definitely change on ya quickly. I'm thinking Mt. Evans might be better in the SUV.

I have a friend who said he took his motorcycle up there and sometimes the road has dips in it that could cause some ugly bottoming out. He used to have a C4 and said he wouldn't take it up there. Just checking to see if other folks had the same opinion.

 

[geekinavette]

Oh c'mon Patrick...surely someone as prepared for anything such as yourself carries a set of snow chains in Vixen in July!

So Mt Evans is paved but Pikes Peak is not? It has been many years since I drove up Pikes Peak (NOT in a Vette)..but one of our local non-members did it in an '82, I think not realizing it wasn't paved. Bumpy ride, but she got some killer pics. When I did the drive it was 90 degrees in the Springs...and below freezing at the peak! Lesson learned: NEVER ever wear shorts at 14,000 feet! (hey I was young and stupid :L )

 

[TooFast]

I just got my '04 roadster Tuesday, but I don't think I would take it up a mountain road.

 

[geekinavette]

I just got my '04 roadster Tuesday, but I don't think I would take it up a mountain road.

Not an unpaved one anyway huh!

Congrats on the new acquisition!

Bill

 

[Patrick]

Oh c'mon Patrick...surely someone as prepared for anything such as yourself carries a set of snow chains in Vixen in July!

Vixen doesn't do snow chains. :ugh

So Mt Evans is paved but Pikes Peak is not? It has been many years since I drove up Pikes Peak (NOT in a Vette)..but one of our local non-members did it in an '82, I think not realizing it wasn't paved. Bumpy ride, but she got some killer pics. When I did the drive it was 90 degrees in the Springs...and below freezing at the peak! Lesson learned: NEVER ever wear shorts at 14,000 feet! (hey I was young and stupid :L )

Sometime back in the mid-90's, the City of Colorado Springs and El Paso County tried to get the Pikes Peak Highway paved all the way to the summit. They were stopped by a lawsuit from the Sierra Club. Bear in mind this was about the time a group called the Earth Liberation Front fire-bombed a new ski-lodge in Vail, where they were opening up a new section of the mountain for ski runs, and you can see why the idea of trying to pave the Pikes Peak highway was dropped.

A shame really, as if it were paved, I wouldn't mind taking Vixen to the top.

I just got my '04 roadster Tuesday, but I don't think I would take it up a mountain road.

Oh, I dunno. I've taken vixen up to Breckenridge several times, and the thought of going to Steamboat Springs or Telluride in the Vette doesn't worry me at all.

If you're interested in a 'safe' road through the mountains, just to try your new roadster out, there's a great ride you can take: head up US-24 out of the Springs and when you get to Woodland Park, take Colorado-67 through Deckers and Pine. Really cool back road (and, yes, paved) that takes you through the west side of the front range with lots of great twisties. It connects with Colorado-285, which will take you back down into the Denver area, then you jump on C-470 back to I-25. Nice little circuit.

 

[Toms007]

We did the San Isabel lake, West Cliff Hard Scrabble then back on US50 run yesterday and had a great time.

 

[geekinavette]

If you're interested in a 'safe' road through the mountains, just to try your new roadster out, there's a great ride you can take: head up US-24 out of the Springs and when you get to Woodland Park, take Colorado-67 through Deckers and Pine. Really cool back road (and, yes, paved) that takes you through the west side of the front range with lots of great twisties. It connects with Colorado-285, which will take you back down into the Denver area, then you jump on C-470 back to I-25. Nice little circuit.

I have YET to do that drive. This needs to be corrected!

Tom, I sure wish I could have seen you guys this weekend...alas duty called.

 

[Red Vette]

I have YET to do that drive. This needs to be corrected!

Tom, I sure wish I could have seen you guys this weekend...alas duty called.

The route Patrick described is the one I take each time I come to Colorado Springs for a RMCSC event. It is a very nice drive, but let me warn you that the posted speed limits thru Pine (25 - 30 mph) and Buffalo Creek (25-5 and 45 mph) is strickly enforced by Jeffco Sheriff. I spot them many times on my way thru. From US285 to Woodland Park to I 25 in the Springs is about 1 hour and 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Also, watch out for the critters on the road. A deer crossed in front of me yesterday on the way back from the Drive and Dine RMCSC event. They pop out of the roadside at all times. I really do like the route.
Barrett

 

[Fullback32]

The route Patrick described is the one I take each time I come to Colorado Springs for a RMCSC event. It is a very nice drive, but let me warn you that the posted speed limits thru Pine (25 - 30 mph) and Buffalo Creek (25-5 and 45 mph) is strickly enforced by Jeffco Sheriff. I spot them many times on my way thru. From US285 to Woodland Park to I 25 in the Springs is about 1 hour and 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the traffic. Also, watch out for the critters on the road. A deer crossed in front of me yesterday on the way back from the Drive and Dine RMCSC event. They pop out of the roadside at all times. I really do like the route.
Barrett

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[TooFast]

Hey, I know this is off topic (thread) but I searched the forum and couldn't really find anything. I need to get the front end aligned on my '04 roadster. Will any large tire shop (chain) alignment machine be able to accomodate the vette without problems with the nose scraping? I'm in Monument any of you Colorado folks know a place that caters to vettes for alignments?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[geekinavette]

Look up Rex Wheel & Tire in Colorado Springs. I have not used the shop myself, but everyone in the local non-club just raves about the quality of service there.

Bill

 

[TooFast]

OK, thanks.

 

[Fullback32]

Hey, I know this is off topic (thread) but I searched the forum and couldn't really find anything. I need to get the front end aligned on my '04 roadster. Will any large tire shop (chain) alignment machine be able to accomodate the vette without problems with the nose scraping? I'm in Monument any of you Colorado folks know a place that caters to vettes for alignments?

Thanks,

Mark

I don't know their number, but Rik at the Corvette Center near Pueblo recommended Gary's for my '89 (back when I had it). He can get you their contact info if you call him...(719) 635-2889

 

[Red Vette]

Gary's or Rex Tire are the best. I had my 02 done at Rex in May and their equipment and technician are way above the benchmark for alignment. I will use them again when needed. They do a lot of vettes. Rex is open M-F, but you need an appointment.
Barrett

 

[TooFast]

Just to follow up on the alignment, I went to Jack's Alignment Shop on Filmore in Colorado Springs. They have pits so there is no issue with driving up on the rack. He did a great job.