It seemed like I made a mistake. I elected to drive after looking at weather forecasts for all the cities I might stop by. Thus, I looked at Colorado Springs, Poncho Springs, Grand Junction and Moab, UT. Now, I learn that while weather for the cities still shows sunny and 30’s plus, the mountain passes all call for intermittent snow, that a first of 3 waves of storms are due this weekend. Nervous with my rear wheel drive sports car and no chains with me.
From what I'm seeing in the forecast it looks like light snow flurries with little accumulation so I'm hoping you will be just fine. They are used to dealing with snow and ice in Colorado so the main routes should be ok but I would stick to daylight hours for driving and if you start to feel uncomfortable find a motel and get off the road until things improve.
Don’t know. Someone else told me that it’s tough with my car and all the rear wheel power, that upon on Monarch Pass it’s not recommended, that the state requires chains under conditions. Their cotrip site shows snow packed roads.Originally Posted by Southwest Dave
RoadTrip Guru & Enthusiast
From the CODOT website:
Traction Law
During winter storms, or when conditions require, CDOT will implement the Traction Law. During a Traction Law, all motorists are required to have EITHER:
1. 4WD or AWD vehicle and 3/16” tread depth
2. Tires with a mud and snow designation (M+S icon) and 3/16” tread depth
3. Winter tires (mountain-snowflake icon) and 3/16” tread depth
4. Tires with an all-weather rating by the manufacturer and 3/16” tread depth
5. Chains or an AutoSock®
Passenger Vehicle Chain Law
During severe winter storms, CDOT will implement the Chain Law. This is the final safety measure before the highway is closed.
When the Chain Law is in effect, every vehicle must have chains or an AutoSock®.
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What kind of car do you have? Do your tires meet the traction law requirement?
Traction law requirement is common on the passes, but seldom will you see the chain law in effect. If it is, you don't belong on the road to begin with regardless of what you are driving. Right now as I'm posting, the only places where the traction law is in effect are US-6 over Loveland Pass, and I-70 between Vail and Copper Mountain.
No, they don’t meet traction laws. I have a rear wheel drive Nissan 370Z.
I am re-routing. New plans tomorrow are to head south. Suggested route is to travel from Colorado Springs to Salida, Co and then take I-285 down through Alamosa. Don’t know if the sand dunes are worth making a detour.
Your advice is appreciated.
RoadTrip Guru & Enthusiast
You are going to have to go over some high passes to go west from where you are, no matter what you do.
US-24 has a couple between Colorado Springs and Salida. Going west from Alamosa, Wolf Creek Pass on US-160 is a rough one. If weather does look to be an issue, the safest thing for you to do at this point is take I-25 to Albuquerque and then I-40 to go west. At least the Interstates are safer than the winding 2 lanes.
Plannnow is to head to Salida, roads seem to be clear, then head south to Alamosa and then, maybe to Taos. Are the sand dunes worth taking a detour? I might then visit a place I worked briefly about 30 years ago, Los Alamos. Eventually, may go west or find Route 66 backbtobSt. Louis.You are going to have to go over some high passes to go west from where you are, no matter what you do.
US-24 has a couple between Colorado Springs and Salida. Going west from Alamosa, Wolf Creek Pass on US-160 is a rough one. If weather does look to be an issue, the safest thing for you to do at this point is take I-25 to Albuquerque and then I-40 to go west. At least the Interstates are safer than the winding 2 lanes.
Last edited by Southwest Dave; 11-11-2020 at 08:40 AM. Reason: fixed Quote box
If you have decided to head south then I would say yes, the Sand dunes are worth a visit. Near Taos on US64 is the Rio Grande Gorge bridge which is worth a stop. Depending on conditions and what you decide you could also drive 'The Enchanted circle' scenic drive.
3rd day of trip. Started out from Colorado Springs via US50 to Salida. A gorgeous drive. From there, decided to head to Alamosa, Co. A long beautiful drive with snow capped mountains on my left the entire way. After a stop at Alamosa, I headed to Santa Fe.
Tomorrow, after a brief stop in White Rock and Los Alamos, NM, places where Zi lived 20 years ago. My daughter, now 27, wants me to get a picture of the place we lived and the elementry school she attended there.
After that, I am thinking of returning back to St. Louis. Google maps shows the fastest route thru Colorado, Kansas etc., but Zi just drove that route. So, considering another route. Any suggestions?
RoadTrip Guru & Enthusiast
Leaving for STL from exactly where? Los Alamos? US-285 to I-40 to I-44 is actually the fastest. Can be done in 2 days with an overnight in OKC.
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