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Written by Maxi
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U.S. Route 285 is a north-south United States highway, running 845 miles (1,260 km) through the states of Texas, New Mexico and Colorado. The highway's most northern part is in Denver, Colorado, at exit 201 on Interstate 25. It finally ends in Sanderson, Texas at an intersection with U.S. Highway 90. Or I guess you could say it starts in Texas and ends in Denver.
Touring US 285 southwest out of Denver is a beautiful drive. It runs for a few miles through the Denver metro area as Hampden Avenue then suddenly begins to climb into the Rocky Mountains, mostly following the route of the original narrow gauge transcontinental railroad, skirting the south side of Mount Evans. Once west of Mount Evans, the highway winds its way over Kenosha Pass (elevation 10,001 feet/3,048 m) into the spectacular high-altitude South Park basin of Colorado.
US 285 continues across the valley to the southwest, leaving the South Park basin as it climbs over Trout Creek Pass (elevation 9,346 feet/2,849 m), and then drops dramatically into the Upper Arkansas River Valley. The view of Mount Princeton ( and the other Collegiate Peaks ) as the road descends into this valley is spectacular.
Once the highway hits the Arkansas River Valley floor, it takes a sharp turn south, just missing the town of Buena Vista to the north, a charming small town with a surprisingly mild climate.
As US 285 turns south, it brushes Salida, climbs over Poncha Pass (elevation 9,012 ft/2,745 m), then enters the northern end of the San Luis Valley on it's way to New Mexico and eventually into Texas. 285 Creative serves businesses along the US 285 Corridor, from just outside Denver and points west.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 16 November 2007 )
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