Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Quibbles: While the route north out of Taos is fine, there is nothing wrong with using US64/US285 to Antonito and then to Alamosa. The roads have fairly low traffic but more support. Once you are in Alamosa, Colorado 17 is a better choice to Moffat and then go west to Saguache (pronounced Sawatch, for some reason). US285 from Monte Vista to Saguache is a very busy road, plus you get to visit the Alligator Farm if you stay on 17...yes, Alligators in Colorado!
Going north, you could take your route but, honestly, the route has a lot of warts that way. There's a reason that the ACA's TransAm and Great Parks South routes go through Walden. The Meeker to Rock Springs section is a whole lot of nothin'. Carry a water filter but good luck on finding water. Most of the "rivers" along the way are going to be riverbeds that only flow during thunderstorms. Turn west and go to Vernal or east and go to Steamboat.
Yes, all accurate. My riding partner and I actually gravitate toward the 'whole lot of nothin' option, so it works for us. ACA probably gets more "tourers" than riders adept at open country travel. Also, Saguache is pronounced Sawatch because, well, it's Spanish, and that's how it's pronounced (in the same way that Saguaro is pronounced Sawa'ro).