Route 160 across Colorado

[rbs]

planning our trip home leaving Arizona and wondered about using 160 across Colorado. Weather of course would be one determining factor, also any input from others that have traveled this route pulling.
Also wanted to stop at Mesa Verde National Park.
Thanks

[tvketchum]

Keep an eye on weather, if there is snow in the pass, chains will be required. Also, traffic will be very heavy as people head to the ski resort. After that, free and clear. Otherwise, it is a good road, not a lot of traffic, with services readily available in towns.


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Tom
TVKetchum

[Ken J]

Depends on what you mean by very heavy - in Houston/LA you have rush hour - we have rush second...

Road is great - passes - as passes go - are easy though be aware and take it easy going down hill Wolf Creek and you are good to go !

Ken J.

[KJRitchie]

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f42/...il-131275.html

[PKI]

Is there anything specifically hazardous about Wolf Creek? The reported 6.8% grade sounds tough, but not excessive. Is that a misconception? Pat

[mojo]

Wolf Creek pass is a very good road on the west side, double lanes so you can climb at whatever speed you're comfortable at, trucks go slow. There is never heavy ski traffic. Just check CDOT for conditions if there is weather in the area. The east side is two and single lane to South Fork. Just downshift to save your brakes and take it slow and easy. It's one of the best passes in CO to traverse as long as the weather is good.

[SrFade]

Originally Posted by rbs

planning our trip home leaving Arizona and wondered about using 160 across Colorado. Weather of course would be one determining factor, also any input from others that have traveled this route pulling.
Also wanted to stop at Mesa Verde National Park.
Thanks

We live here and, as others have confirmed, it is ALL about the weather on those passes. Highway 160 is a great road but Spring in Colorado is full of unpredictable surprises. While I can't be absolutely sure from your profile photo, it looks like you have the 6.7 diesel and, if so, should have the "tow/haul" mode with some automatic exhaust braking via downshift available. I find it is usually sufficient to keep my braking to a minimum on the downgrades. Regardless, Mesa Verde is a "must see" if you are in the SW Colorado area. Enjoy our State and safe travels.

[TG Twinkie]

The are web cameras on the top of Wolf Creek pass. They will give you an idea of the weather and road conditions.
Mesa Verde RV park is just a mile from the entrance.

[PKI]

Originally Posted by SrFade

-- snip -- Mesa Verde is a "must see" if you are in the SW Colorado area. Enjoy our State and safe travels.

Just an FYI - Mesa Verde does not allow trailers past the Morefield camping area, which is a few miles into the park. Plan to drop the trailer for the remainder of your drive into the park. Enjoy your trip to the park. Pat

[SrFade]

Originally Posted by PKI

Just an FYI - Mesa Verde does not allow trailers past the Morefield camping area, which is a few miles into the park. Plan to drop the trailer for the remainder of your drive into the park. Enjoy your trip to the park. Pat

Good catch Pat and the FYI is for good reason. Here's a map of the roads:

http://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisi...p2015_8x11.pdf


The last time I was there was on my motorcycle and didn't seem to have any problem getting around inside the park.

[PKI]

Those motorcycle thingys do have a rather nice turning circle, if you don't fall over in the process. That's the problem I have with bicycles, so I gave them up. Pat

[kdickinson]

We just made that drive a couple of weekends ago. We were at Zion National Park rooting our daughter on for the 1/2 Marathon and wanted to come back through 4-corners. We opted to not risk taking the AS this trip due to both unpredictable weather (Springtime in the Rockies) and having to re-winterize when we got home. We have not made that drive in years and I have to say it was a very nice drive, plenty of passing lanes on the passes and hills. We will make the same trip again but take more time to see the rest of Zion, Bryce Canyon, Monument Valley, and Mesa Verde - and take the AS.

[comtnbyk]

Hello RBS
I live in Cortez and today is a windy day here.

[dannydimitt]

There is an easy alternative to Wolf Creek Pass that takes you over Cumbres Pass "6.3 % grade and 10,022 ft elevation verses Wolf Creeks 6.8 % grade and 10,857 ft elevation . The drawback is it's about 35 miles further to Alamosa going that way , but it is a lower pass with milder grades , and it usually gets less snow fall than Wolf Creek does . Just turn right on Highway 84 in Pagosa Springs to Highway 17 in Chama , to Antonito , then left on 285 to Alamosa.
17 is a good , well maintained road that gets extra attention from the states of New Mexico and Colorado as it serves as the bus route for the Cumbres and Toltec Railroad that is owned by both states .

[Ralph12]

Used to live in the Alamosa (Spanish for Cottonwood) area, either way you go it is a beautiful drive, I do agree with the southern route via 285 etc. there are a few switchbacks on 160 on the decent from Wolf Creek that might be a bit tricky in the springtime as note (we have seen it snow in July in the San Luis Valley), in the valley you might want to visit the Great Sand Dunes National Park, they do have sites but not sure how many, the dunes are over seven hundred feet also there are rail trips on both the East side and South side of the valley.
The one thing you do need to do is AT ANTONIO, GO THE SPEED LIMIT & NO FASTER!!!!!! it can get expensive. also the oldest church in Colorado is in Antonito, the oldest town in Colorado is San Luis South on 159 from Fort Garland a restored fort once commanded by Kit Carson.
PS. Most of the valley is above 7000 ft, so don't do anything too strenuous.

[Allons]

All good replies. Weather so far this spring has been good, and Wolf Creek and La Veta Passes should be no problem, but this is the Rocky Mountains, so be aware of the weather. There's an iPhone ap called COCameras which gives you access to strategically placed traffic cams all over the state. Very useful. In addition to Mesa Verde (must see), check out one of America's newest National Parks, Great Sand Dunes, near Alamosa. A detour up to Creed might be fun, too. You also ought to download J. W. McCall's "Wolf Creek Pass" on your iTunes and listen to it as you traverse the pass.

[Jekerrville]

When you go over the passes, either one, just say to your self, the trees are green, the trees are green! Pine Bark beetle. Really really sad. You folks in Colorado deserve special prayers for that pest killing so many beautiful trees. We have a landing zone in South Fork.

Happy Trails

[D Bishop]

160 is a good choice, views are good service is close. Do watch the weather, today wouldn't be a good choice. It has been spitting snow off and on all day here at my house which is about 60 miles north of 160 also DIA is closed for the first time in years. My kids in Denver tell me it is a full blown blizzard of course that is much farther north. I would check with the Hwy Dept to be sure before heading out if you are planning on the next couple of days.

Enjoy the trip it is a pretty one. Be prepared for keeping your speed down coming off Wolf Creek Pass it is steep.

Don

[SrFade]

Originally Posted by D Bishop

160 is a good choice, views are good service is close. Do watch the weather, today wouldn't be a good choice. It has been spitting snow off and on all day here at my house which is about 60 miles north of 160 also DIA is closed for the first time in years. My kids in Denver tell me it is a full blown blizzard of course that is much farther north. I would check with the Hwy Dept to be sure before heading out if you are planning on the next couple of days.

Enjoy the trip it is a pretty one. Be prepared for keeping your speed down coming off Wolf Creek Pass it is steep.

Don

Yes, it was 71 degrees yesterday driving home from Ft Collins and today, I just finished plowing over 20 inches of snow from our driveway here in Evergreen with the tractor. Spring in Colorado is always "an adventure."

[Missed-Em]

Originally Posted by Allons

All good replies. Weather so far this spring has been good, and Wolf Creek and La Veta Passes should be no problem, but this is the Rocky Mountains, so be aware of the weather. There's an iPhone ap called COCameras which gives you access to strategically placed traffic cams all over the state. Very useful. In addition to Mesa Verde (must see), check out one of America's newest National Parks, Great Sand Dunes, near Alamosa. A detour up to Creed might be fun, too. You also ought to download J. W. McCall's "Wolf Creek Pass" on your iTunes and listen to it as you traverse the pass.

Nailed it Allons, specially the required music for journey! Been over it 4 or 5 times with a 32 foot 5th wheel towed by a ford 2 1/2 T diesel with no problems - just don't try to push it. The West slope of Colorado is a jewel. slow down and enjoy it!