Cruise over the Rockies

Cruise Over the Rockies Scenic Passes, Corvettes and Classic Cars August 22 – 23, 2026 First Day Driving Directions and Activities for August 22, 2026 9:00 am Depart from the parking lot behind the McDonalds in Clifton. 3219 I-70BL, Clifton, CO 81520 Exit 62 Head east on U.S. 6 (F Road) through Palisade and cross the Colorado River. U.S. 6 will merge with I-70 and continue east through the De Beque Canyon, winding along the Colorado River. Take Exit 62 at the town of De Beque. Head northeast out of De Beque on the I-70 Frontage Road, which is officially designated as U.S. 6. 1st Stop - Parachute Rest Area You will stay roughly parallel to I-70, crossing the Colorado River to the south side before entering Parachute. We will stop at the Parachute Rest Area. Exit 109 Leaving the rest area on U.S. 6 the route takes you north of the interstate again as you bypass the city of Rifle. Continue on the frontage road (U.S. 6) to Silt and then New Castle. Drive past New Castle on U.S. 6 and take exit 109 to get back on I-70 which merges with U.S. 6. (Note: If you continue on the frontage road it ends at the Storm King mountain memorial a few miles down the road). Proceed on I-70/U.S. 6 east to Glenwood Springs. Exit 133 Dotsero Drive east through Glenwood Springs on I-70/U.S. 6 to Dotsero. At Dosero take Exit 133 then turn left at end of the off ramp and head to Gypsum (follow sign to I-70 East but don’t take the on ramp, stay on the road which is U.S. 6.) 2nd Stop - Route 6 Cafe, 40801 U.S. 6, Avon Drive about 37 miles on U.S. 6 from Dotsero to Route 6 Cafe, 40801 U.S. 6, Avon. Owner - Ollie 970-949-6393. We will stop there for lunch. Exit 205 Travel east from the Route 6 Cafe on U.S. 6 a few miles to get back on I-70 (Note: If you don’t exit the road turns to U.S. 24 and will take you to Minturn and Tennessee Pass to Leadville). Stay on I-70 until Silverthorne then take Exit 205 to Dillon on U.S. 6 (to Loveland Pass). You don’t want to miss this exit. 2 | P a g e 3rd Stop - Loveland Pass Summit 11,990 ft. Proceed on U.S. 6 for about 15 miles to the summit of Loveland Pass, 11,990 ft. at the continental divide. We will stop for pictures and the porta-potty. Exit 244 From the summit continue on U.S. 6 North to get back on I-70 and head east towards Idaho Springs. From Idaho Springs continue on I-70 East for about 10 miles to Exit 244 (U.S. 6 East). Use the right lane to take Exit 244 for U.S. 6 toward Golden/Black Hawk. Follow U.S. 6 through Clear Creek Canyon for 7 miles (you will pass through two tunnels), then turn left at the traffic light onto CO-119 North. Follow CO-119 N up the mountain directly into the heart of Black Hawk. 6:00 pm Dinner (or agreed upon time) Meet at the Red Dolly Casino for a $10 prime rib dinner. You can take the free trolley (bus) from your hotel to the Red Dolly. Red Dolly Casino 530 Gregory Street Black Hawk, CO 80422 (303) 582-1100 3 | P a g e Second Day Driving Directions and Activities for August 23, 2026 9:30 am - Depart from Black Hawk (or agreed upon time) We will not meet up as a group before we leave Black Hawk. We will meet up at our first stop in Idaho Springs when we get gas. Everyone will need to leave the parking garage at the same time (9:30 or agreed upon time). This way we should all arrive in Idaho Springs at the same time. Exit the Horseshoe Casino parking area and head west on Main Street. Turn left on Gregory Street. Follow signs to merge onto the Central City Parkway, heading down the mountain. At the end of the Parkway, merge onto I-70 West toward Grand Junction. 1st Stop - Exit 241 Idaho Springs for Gas Continue west on I-70 toward Idaho Springs for about 2 miles. Take Exit 241 and continue about 0.2 miles through the roundabout and the McDonalds/Phillip 66 Gas Station will be on your left (McDonalds 2911 Colorado Blvd, Idaho Springs). We will stop for gas and to use the facilities. Exit 195 Copper Mountain/Leadville After all the cars have arrived in Idaho Springs and are gassed, we will head out as a group again. Turn right on Colorado Blvd and then at the roundabout take the first exit to merge back on I-70 West toward Copper Mountain. Drive about 45 miles and watch for Exit 195 to SH-91 South to Copper Mountain/Leadville on your right. Take Exit 195. You don’t want to miss this exit. 2nd Stop - Independence Pass Summit 12,095 ft. Continue for about 24 miles to Leadville. Continue south through Leadville on U.S. 24 toward Twin Lakes. Drive about 15 miles and turn right on CO-82 West to Twin Lakes. Continue about 24 miles to the Continental Divide Overlook for pictures and the restroom facilities on the summit of Independence Pass. 3rd Stop - Lunch at Home Team BBQ, 38750 CO-82 Proceed west down CO-82 a highly scenic, winding mountain route for approximately 36 miles to Aspen. Drive through Aspen and a few miles outside of town is the Home Team BBQ on the left side of the highway. We will stop here for lunch. Head Home After a great BBQ we will head for home. Drive about 40 miles west on CO-82 to Glenwood Springs then take I-70 West for 90 miles to Grand Junction.