US 50 Road Trip ||| Days 5-6 ||| Western Colorado

[@travis303]

Cimarron, New Mexico! That is where Philmont is. Beautiful area.

[@Tinstared]

True Grit was filmed in Ridgeway on 550 and the surrounding area. Have visited many of the film locations around Ridgeway.

[@stevemccoy8138]

So much of Colorado I've never seen, maybe SOMEDAY ,Ha .😅 Thanks for the tour.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

And there still so much of it I haven’t seen either! Thanks!

[@stevehilliard1495]

Thanks for sharing, I took that journey 50 years ago, I had forgotten how flat a lot of it was. Monarch pass is always exciting

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

It’s a very interesting part of the drive for sure! Monarch Pass was great!

[@bethbartlett5692]

​​@@TravelwithaWiseguy Talk about a desirable Road Trip! This trek + Leadville are excellent choices. When I get my "Tub", will take that drive. ✨

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

Love that last sign for Utah! 😆 Colorado looks full of rugged beauty. Nice to see that a lot of the towns are gaining rather than losing population. A couple of the larger ones look really nice.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I loved that homemade Utah sign 😂 Yeah it was good to see the population figures for some of these towns. I assume there were more towns along this way that aren’t there anymore as well. People move to where the jobs are and these towns still have some good economy.

[@williambrownjr2346]

As a resident of Olathe, KS, it was interesting to see the other Olathe in Colorado. Beautiful scenery. Always enjoy watching your travels and history lessons.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I thought the same thing as I’m definitely more familiar with Olathe, Kansas too 😊

[@lindastepp9842]

A very enjoyable road trip, the beauty of it is beyond words.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Absolutely! Thanks for watching!

[@brucesmith9144]

Like that Sulfur Argon Calcium Samarium shirt.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@djpoolservice]

My wife and I are avid followers of your channel. We would love it if you could do a series of great places to live in Kansas, Missouri and even Tennessee. We live in Arizona but are wanting to move to your part of the country. Oh yes, we are retired!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much for being followers! I’m not sure I’d be a good person to talk about where to live. I’ve only lived in Wichita, KS and a few places in Ohio. I could definitely say what I like and don’t like living here though!

[@travis303]

Hey, Olathe! Welcome back to Kansas 🤣

[@CaptainSeamus]

One of my favorite drives. Had business in Delta, CO area, and drove from Hutchinson, KS up 50 highway all the way.

[@ronfullerton3162]

This episode we saw such a variety in the change of the scenery. You are well dissaplined, I know that I could of never covered that many miles with all that beauty of nature to behold. You seem to know just the rhings to highlight. I imagine you have done your homework before leaving. Just another wonderful segment of a grand trip! Thanks once again for taking us along!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! It’s really hard not to stop and explore somewhere for hours and get behind schedule 😂😂 I appreciate it!

[@stevesims-d6c]

Interesting how so many of those Colorado towns have experienced a lot of growth. Many of them are 3X what they were when I went through there as a child in the 1960s.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I thought the same!

[@jillv4006]

Such great memories. My dad started camping in Gunnison in the early 50’s and we went there when I was a kid every summer. Gunnison county, especially north of Gunnison , is some of the most breathtaking area in the world. I remember Crested Butte when it was nothing but a hippy town. (My dad said at the time he wished he could afford to invest in land there. It would be worth something someday. Boy was he right!). Gunnison’s old W Cafe where Mike the paperboy frequented, Carl & Blanche Howe @ the old La Veta Motel (who became dear friends) and camping by Spring Creek or Taylor River, and a Denver omlet at Almont cafe watching hummingbirds near where the river bends are all such dear memories to me. Thanks for taking me back in time!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That is awesome! Thank you very much!

[@rosseganjr9402]

awesome video! what beautiful scenery!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much!

[@larryclark4791]

Another great tour, thank you.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!!

[@daniellilienkamp5202]

You created another great video. It was interesting to see the topography change as you drove west along Highway 50. I’ve driven west across the state on the I-70 before, but the change seemed much more pronounced on 50.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I’ve only gotten as far west on 70 as Breckenridge so this is my first time in Colorado this far west. Very beautiful!

[@iansutton3176]

Another great video John, the scenery was beautiful and it was so good to see (for a change) that most of the towns that you travelled through have greatly increased in population, all the best from Australia.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much! Yes I’m happy to see those population figures as well - hopefully it stays that way!

[@marcelinatejada53]

Hello it's again watching your video thank you for touring this beautiful place keep safe sending my support from Philippines

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you very much 😊

[@ronalddailey5208]

Very senic and beautiful drive. Thanks for bringing us along

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

My pleasure!

[@francisbarlow9904]

Jolly good show John, I really enjoyed that indeed. Phenomenal views, interesting towns and bless me dinosaurs! Thank you very much, keep it up.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks so much! I’m not big into dinosaurs but it was an interesting hike!

[@kenbarkdoll7252]

Thanks for the ride. I've been to some of these places and it was good to see them again

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garyleibitzke4166]

Love the Sarcasm T-shirt. 🤣

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😂😂

[@onrycodger]

Awesome video! Great music too💯👍👍

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you!

[@sandywetzel3383]

Beautiful trip. We took most of that same trip 5 years ago. The far western part of Colorado is so desolate looking compared to the mountains and their greenery. We spent the night in Fruita and traveled through Colorado Mounument. That is a very pretty trip as well. Short but pretty.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Yes it is very different from the east to the west! I wasn’t able to go to Colorado Monument unfortunately, but it’s been a great trip!

[@jamosgarage9006]

Excellent video. I live in Grand Junction, and previously lived in Whitewater for twelve years. That area near the Colorado/Utah boarder is a great area to explore. There was once a narrow gauge railway (Uintah Railway) near the border, heading from Mack to Dragon, Utah.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! Really beautiful part of Colorado I’d never been to!

[@timthetoolman223]

That bridge across Blue Mesa reservoir you show at 6:06 was closed for repair in April 2024 and won't have a lane open until July 4, 2024. The relatively short 65 mile drive between Montrose and Gunnison that normally takes about 90 minutes now takes about 6 HOURS if you take the northern detour and almost 7 HOURS if you take the southern route. Yeow!

[@cyndyrn1]

just watched this and another blogger named sally just came on and said the blu mesa bridge is shut down at Gunnison and Montrose indefinitely for structural damage. She said not sure when CDOT will open that part of 50 back up which will devastate tourists and trucking in the area as they will have to go to 70 7-8 hours away which is a truckers nightmare because she said it’s always shut down. You came through at the right time looks like 😅

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

That’s unfortunate to hear

[@katharhynnheidelberg4963]

Happy to report the bridge now has limited open times for crossing. These times are expected to increase soon. They've done a lot of repairs since finding the cracks.

[@juliogonzales5441]

Cool 😎 video 👍 😊

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks 😁

[@tallboy2234]

Great video,dude! 👍😉

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks! 👍😊

[@tinman7130]

Blue Mesa was almost bone dry two summers ago when I was there. Nice to see it full. Rabbit valley has a diamond mine FYI. You finally rolled thru my birthplace, Montrose. PS: Your cousins said hey this afternoon. Yes, I was in Nicodemus. Spending the night in Garden City. Now I'll be west bound and rolling on my bike back up 50 as far as I can before I have to turn north to the Big D and home

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Montrose! Seemed like an interesting city - bigger than I was expecting when I got there. Lots to see around town and I only showed a very small part of it. Did you ever visit the filming locations of True Grit? Awesome about Nicodemus! Love that little place - sounds like you’re on a heckuva adventure yourself right now! Have fun!

[@russellkeeling4387]

If you like the outdoors the best sporting goods store I've ever been in is in Gunnison.

[@HistoricallyMarked]

I've been to Delta, Montrose and Grand Junction, all twice, but the last time I was at those places was 15 years ago. I have distant relatives that live out there and it was always fun to wake up and see the great scenery. I'm actually thinking about taking a trip there next year as well as a side trip to neighboring national parks (and visiting rock singer Joe Cocker's grave), since my relatives are getting up there. Also, I had no idea Old US 50 was (and still is) a gravelly road. Will definitely have to keep that and the TTT in mind. Good work as always!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Such an interesting and beautiful area to visit. This was the first time for me 😊 I found a lot of original US 50 is like that and pretty barren. Utah and Nevada will show much of the same. Thanks a lot!

[@hikergirly]

Thanks for the tip about Joe Cocker. Led us to find Mad Dog Ranch.

[@weirdshibainu]

Great drone shots.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thanks 😊

[@majrichardewalker1589]

What was your intention in driving through Colorado on highway 50? You did a good job of covering the basics. Bents Fort was one of the earliest largest Fort in Colorado. La Junta was a huge railroad town in the 1800’s. before Denver. Most trains going west went south to LaJunta then around the mountains out to the coast. Pueblo is known for the Steel City of the west and world known Chilies developed there. At Texas Creek a 30 minute drive would have brought you to the most Pristine Valley in the State. Highway 50 is a Great highway connecting many states all the way to Indiana and beyond from what I understand. It connects and allows us to explore.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Don’t know if you saw but I drove from Kansas to California and the goal was to document that drive. I didn’t have time to take many detours like the ones you mentioned.

[@bertholini2810]

Seriously, do a video of going south to north. (no hurry though) This one is just really nice, not kidding. Very nice video, thank you for posting. Be good, be safe !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha! I went north to south on US 89 a couple years ago 😊 maybe someday I’ll go west to east 😂

[@bertholini2810]

I was just wondering. Seriously good videos (not kidding). Be good, be safe !@@TravelwithaWiseguy

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

😊

[@terriquotskuyva4594]

It’s been at least 20 years since I’ve been in that area …. None of it looks familiar 😢 I need to go back!!! ❤❤

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

First time for me! Beautiful part of Colorado!

[@kat8434]

Absolutely beautiful in all her glory. Thank you!!!!! You probably will not believe this, but, I can actually smell those pines. 🤗🤗 I can not wait to get into Southern Utah, I use to hike and camp in and around Moab. This is such a fun trip.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Yes the trip through Utah is really interesting and I’ve got some non US 50 videos coming up from there too. So beautiful!

[@DavidGrapesVinyard]

Hope you enjoyed as much as I did! Great show!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I definitely did!! Thanks so much!

[@SusanHL]

Wow, this video is bringing back SO many memories of going to CO - and Gunnison, in particular - with my father when we were young. Priceless, makes me want to dig out the old photos. Did you happen to check out Old Monarch Pass while you were there? There used to be great places to camp up that way, you wouldn't see other people for days.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I went through Monarch Pass but I’m guessing it’s not the Old Monarch Pass. I bet it was spectacular!

[@penguinfabrication6145]

Good👍👍

[@sueelliott3206]

So much beautiful scenery. I've never been to Colorado so thanks so much for sharing.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Well worth a visit if you ever have the chance! Thank you!

[@juliamarple3785]

Im so excited to find this video! I'm planning a 3 week camp hike roadtrip around western Colorado in September. -a big circle.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sounds fun!

[@pamelacrowe4971]

Colorado is just beautiful. Thanks for taking us with you. Some parts you drove thru reminded me of driving thru Tennessee.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! Tennessee has some really beautiful areas!

[@cdcasitaadventures3735]

Great video!!!! Enjoyed it!!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@darrell9546]

You missed the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, just east of Montrose. It's spectacular. If you'd gone south from Montrose on Hwy 550 you'd run into the San Juan mountains, Ridgway and Ouray, and on south to Silverton and Durango. All gorgeous country. Olathe grows great sweet corn!

[@darrell9546]

The upper Colorado River used to be called the Grand River, hence the name of town.

[@travis303]

Gunnison's population is one of the few towns I guess increasing in population. Seems most towns you show decrease

[@ronfullerton3162]

The population guide that the Wise Guy presents for all the incorporated towns showed a gain in population for most all the Colorado towns. Which is a change for so many of our towns he highlights here in the Midwest .it appears that the Colorado towns will remain solvent and not wither anytime soon.

[@travis303]

Yeah, I noticed that after writing the comment about Gunnison. I left it as is but yeah, you're right. @@ronfullerton3162

[@carlreasoner4963]

If you're ever heading East anytime soon and have never stopped in Altoona, Kansas you definitely need to check out the Prairie Nut Hut, great food and especially when Fried Green Tomatoes are in season! It's 8 miles East of Fredonia, KS on Highway 75. IDK if there's much for interesting content for videos in my home area but maybe you would find something unique!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Sounds like a interesting place! I’d love to if I’m back in that area sometime 😊 Thanks for the support!

[@carlreasoner4963]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy there's not much to do or around here but local foods that are staples of the Fredonia or South East Kansas area Beef Burgers a local only thing you can get them from the original Beef Burger Bob's in Neodesha KS or Tri-Mee in Fredonia KS it's something that started here and kinda stayed here give it a try next time ya come this way and Need help with some Ghost Towns or no longer exist towns there's some around my home town outside the said towns mentioned before search Wilson and Neosho County historical towns if ya want something else for more content!

[@vickigraves8597]

I'm so behind in watching! Got some catching up to do.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for watching!

[@peterselten500]

Hi john thanks for a great tour . Cheers mate🇦🇺

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Glad you enjoyed it! Cheers!! 🇺🇸

[@billiegutierrez2506]

My husband us to haul mail from salida over monarch pass to gunnison and up to crested butte for 10 years

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Heckuva route!

[@brendacejda7069]

Very interesting video! I'm curious - the mine that was not recorded in Mesa County, did the information mention what potentially would have been mined in that specific area? Gold? Silver? Also, I'm a collector of maps and always interested in resourses. Would you share the source for your map? It doesnt look like a typical Rand-McNally. Thank you for highlighting your route and including this visual in your videos. Loved the wonky uTaH sign! I enjoyed this leg of the journey very much! Thank you!

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Not sure about the mining commodity but the nearest ones to there was for gold. I use the Delorme Gazetteer. Each state has their own detailed maps that cost around $20. Great resource!

[@ronfullerton3162]

​@@TravelwithaWiseguyfor those who still love to use maps, the Gazetteer gives so much more detail. You just have to turn pages more often.

[@patrickdean7244]

You missed the over 70 murals on buildings in Delta.

[@travis303]

You went to Gunnison and didn't stop at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

No. I did stop somewhere else there (see this Thursday) but not at the national park. Too many places, too little time 😊

[@toadrepublic]

How do you like living in Kansas? Love your videos.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

I like Kansas. I lived in Ohio previously and liked it there too. Kansas is laid back and the people are very nice. It’s an inexpensive place to live as well - at least where I am in Wichita.

[@gorrdd]

Beautiful views, John. Your getting really good a drive bye shooting.😅 What time of year was this taken? Gord

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Thank you! It was July 😊

[@gorrdd]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy Thanks... yes, it seemed a little dry and the trees were not quite as green as in the late spring. Gord

[@TheAsif5182]

i wish u visit california's desert too . i wanna see the flower of desert called colitos.which eagles sang a song hotel california and they said 'warm smell of colitos rising up thru the air !

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

There’s some California desert stuff in my Route 66 video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y5i9cmmhpbeZpM0si=AAorpbT30rYu9drL

[@TheAsif5182]

@@TravelwithaWiseguy i love to visit california and taxas . these 2 states i love the most . since i saw your video of quintana taxas .i love taxas . and california i like because my basic instinct is desert sand . by the way i'm gonna watch your video of route 66

[@jackguinn8462]

It is called the "Loneliest Road in America".

[@travis303]

Something I always wondered about the Continental Divide is once there, how does the water "choose" which way to go? Is it just chance? Is it like a two lane road where the water in one lane of the river goes one way and the water in the other lane goes the other way?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha great question! We need a geologist here 😂

[@billiegutierrez2506]

What did you think of blue mesa lake

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Very beautiful! Would’ve like to have stayed longer and explored it more thoroughly!

[@Scott.Newmaster]

So what happened in 1910 or so? Most of those towns had a mass increase in population then settled down.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Not sure exactly. Might have been a combination of the railroad, job, and cars. The road was built in the 1920’s but often this main road was a connection of other older roads.

[@mactexas]

I noticed an increase in population in every town you went through, people moving from California?

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Good question. Maybe 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@travis303]

I will never understand how you just move a town. It's not like moving a couch from one side of the room to the other.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Haha yes such a wild idea to pull off!

[@jackguinn8462]

Ya can't call yourself a trucker till you travel the full lenght of US50 from the E.coast to the West coast.

[@Bigbadwolf4]

Lived in gunny 91 to 04 never go back libs took over

[@bethbartlett5692]

Talk about a desirable Road Trip! This trek + Leadville are excellent choices. When I get my "Tub", will take that drive.

[@TravelwithaWiseguy]

Nice! It’s a good one!