Need help with Colorado routing and weather

[jocko87]

I knew the weather would be the wildcard on this trip and I don't think it will cooperate.

My original route was to met my riding buddy and see some relatives in Ft. Collins, then head west on 14 and wander to Moab. It looks like the weather is not going to be nice to us so I am wondering if anyone could help with an alternate routing. I will be coming from Wichita and my friend from Wyoming so the new meeting place could be Pueblo and take 50, except the forecast for snow in Gunnison and the Monarch pass will likely be very cold. Eventual destination is Vegas and Havasu in Arizona so Moab is not a must. I have to be in Vegas Monday evening or Tuesday morning at the latest.

Should we just head way south or is there a good road to take in the mid state area, is 50 doable?

 

[kanfjr]

Have you looked at Hwy 160? It would take you through South Fork, Pagosa Springs, and Wolf Creek pass. Pretty decent roads. I dont know if this is much help or not. Just an idea. Good Luck. John

 

[HotRodZilla]

I donno if you have been watching the weather around here lately, but to put it bluntly: It sucks. There was snow in Gallup and Flagstaff is supposed to be getting snow and rain the next couple of days. Albuquerque is cold and rainy with bouts of hail and our famous wind from Hell. A cold front that will cover the entire weekend is moving in as I type this. The bad news is that bad weather here usually means bad or worse weather farther north. However, that's not always the case.

If you are set on riding, and meeting in Pueblo, you could head down I25 to Walsenberg. Follow 160 though Pagosa to Durango, then south towards Mexican Water and then to Tuba City AZ. From there take 89 north to Mount Carmal Junction. Then follow 9 west to I-15. Continue south on 15 into Vegas. A lot of this trip, especially through Southern Colorado is somewhat protected by the mountians, and the roads are kept really clean. Also, most of that road is good, wide, shouldered 2-lane. There's still a boat load of snow around Wolf Creek and Durango, but the roads are well maintained and should be clear. Your biggest worries should probably be in the mornings, because it will be cold till about 10am, but the afternoons should hopefully warm up and give you a nice ride. It could be raining though, so take gear to deal with anything from about 18 degrees up to about 85 degrees. Also watch for ice in the mornings and in shaded areas, especially through Wolf Creek Pass. If I was riding that area, that would be the route I would take and I've ridden this area for a long time. I've taken this exact route from Alamosa west before, but during mid-summer. It was a great ride. Good luck.

 

[pinhead]

I knew the weather would be the wildcard on this trip and I don't think it will cooperate.
My original route was to met my riding buddy and see some relatives in Ft. Collins, then head west on 14 and wander to Moab. It looks like the weather is not going to be nice to us so I am wondering if anyone could help with an alternate routing. I will be coming from Wichita and my friend from Wyoming so the new meeting place could be Pueblo and take 50, except the forecast for snow in Gunnison and the Monarch pass will likely be very cold. Eventual destination is Vegas and Havasu in Arizona so Moab is not a must. I have to be in Vegas Monday evening or Tuesday morning at the latest.

Should we just head way south or is there a good road to take in the mid state area, is 50 doable?

I don't think the forecast looks too bad right now for Gunnison and Monarch, assuming you're talking about this weekend. Saturday will be the sketchiest. Yes, Monarch will be cool (40's) and there might be some snow falling, but you'll be over it in 1/2 hour. It's a slight gamble, but 50 is doable.

Monarch Pass Cam Clicky

Forecast Clicky

As of last weekend, Monarch was in good shape -- dry and no gravel. Personally, I'd recommend this route if you get to Gunnison and the weather is cooperating:

From Durango, you're set up perfectly for a run over highways 95/24/12 through southern Utah.

I'd volunteer my phone number so you could call for real-time observations, but I'll be out in the woods all weekend (snow or not) and as far away from cell coverage as possible :yahoo:

Dave

 

[pinhead]

I knew the weather would be the wildcard on this trip and I don't think it will cooperate.

Dude! I hope you made the trip, one way or another. While the weather wasn't quite perfect it was about the best you can hope for around here in May! No rain or snow!

Dave

 

[phil]

Pinhead's map indicates that the road west out of Creede is actually paved, which I'm glad to see. It's been many years since I was there trout fishing, but it was a narrow gravel road back then! It's a beautiful area.

 

[pinhead]

Pinhead's map indicates that the road west out of Creede is actually paved, which I'm glad to see. It's been many years since I was there trout fishing, but it was a narrow gravel road back then! It's a beautiful area.

Yup, it's paved, and the ride from Gunnison to South Fork is an absolute mountain classic!