Questions about driving from Grand Junction CO to Albuquerque NM

[jazzlover]

The top photo was obviously taken during winter--the bottom one (click on link) in summer. By the way, in the top photo, the trees below the highway are around 30'-60' tall to give you some perspective.

[chilaili]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

The top photo was obviously taken during winter--the bottom one (click on link) in summer. By the way, in the top photo, the trees below the highway are around 30'-60' tall to give you some perspective.

Goodness, if the lower link was supposed to be the road in Summer, so much for a "Scenic Drive". But I will make sure not to approach any projectiles we may see on the road . Thanks for those images.

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by chilaili

What time of year is that photo from? Obviously if the road is snowed under then we won't be going that way - I'm not suicidal! We'll be keeping an eye on the weather reports and checking CDOT.com and there are a couple of alternate routes to take, even if it means going all the way back to Hwy 285 and heading north that way.

Here is a little better photo of the road in summer (all of these from the web, by the way).



Years back, right about here, my then wife and I got stopped behind an absolutely petrified Texan and his wife who were stopped in the middle of the highway. He would not drive one foot farther. My wife, who basically grew up driving this road, got into their car and drove them to Silverton with me following. She said the Texans rode with their eyes closed the whole way. She thought that to be very amusing--since she had driven some of most harrowing Jeep trails in the San Juans, beginning when she was a teenager.

[DOUBLE H]

Another thing to consider that is oh so important. Make sure that vehicle is road worthy. There is maybe a two mile stretch where you about a dozen switchbacks. And that stretch is marked speed limit 10 mph for a reason. I saw a car roll there because they were going 25. No reason for it either. I'll bet a lot of brake drums have been burned out in that one stretch- huh Jazzlover!

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Another thing to consider that is oh so important. Make sure that vehicle is road worthy. There is maybe a two mile stretch where you about a dozen switchbacks. And that stretch is marked speed limit 10 mph for a reason. I saw a car roll there because they were going 25. No reason for it either. I'll bet a lot of brake drums have been burned out in that one stretch- huh Jazzlover!

Yuppers. "Gear down to get down" is the rule.

[Epark2112]

Thanks to everyone for the responses to my original post. I am definitely sticking to the easy drive thru Moab-Monticello-Cortez to avoid the mountainous areas. Upon reading more of the posts, I would definitely not want to subject myself to possible snow delays in summer. It can happen, for sure.

Thanks for posting the photos, jazzlover. The photos show me I should not drive this road without my husband! I am sure the scenery is amazing, but that will have to wait for another trip.

[Epark2112]

To DoubleH and Jazzlover: Thanks for the driving info. It all proved accurate and i had an enjoyable drive without cliffs or switchbacks through the four corners regions entailing Moab, Montecillo, Cortez and Santa Fe. I will save Colorado high country for a trip with the husband rather than the hounds for relocation purposes. (The dogs are too big to fly in cabin so that was the purpose of my rather long road trip from northern Utah to Austin, Texas.) The most harrowing part of my journey was Spanish Fork Canyon near Provo. Forgot that's not a nice road even in the morning.

Happy Trails!

Epark2112

[DOUBLE H]

Glad you had a great AND a safe journey. Don't forget those alternate routes I suggested! Plan a trip in the fall! Take care. HH!